Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Nosal.
Hi Lauren, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
For the last 13 years, I built my career at a Fortune 500 company, where I led teams responsible for redesigning websites, improving data systems, and creating new tools for users across the organization. I ultimately reached the Director level, running large-scale IT systems and teams — work I was proud of and learned tremendously from.
During that same chapter of life, I also experienced significant personal change. I had four children, went through a divorce, and more recently remarried. Today, I’m a mom to six incredible kids — including two amazing bonus kids. Those experiences reshaped my priorities and played a major role in my decision to leave corporate life. I wanted more flexibility, more presence, and more time with my family.
Even while working full-time in corporate IT, I always had the itch to be an entrepreneur. Alongside my day job, I started and built several small businesses. I launched a website focused on pricing transparency for parents searching for daycare options, which I later sold. After that, I became a certified sleep consultant, helping parents reduce stress by getting more rest for themselves and their babies. Most recently, I developed an app designed to reduce stress for families by entertaining children while they wait — in restaurants, lines, or everyday life moments.
Throughout all of this, I maintained my Director-level role. Each time my corporate responsibilities intensified, my entrepreneurial pursuits had to slow down — but the desire never went away.
My opportunity came in 2025, when the company I worked for announced a voluntary severance program. In my role, I had the option to accept a severance package and leave. I knew immediately that this was my moment to finally step fully into entrepreneurship.
I began searching for businesses I could acquire, and that’s when I discovered Cloud 9 Massage & Wellness — a multi-location spa in the St. Louis area looking for new ownership. The previous owner had built an incredible foundation but was ready to step away due to personal reasons. She needed someone who could scale the business and thoughtfully guide it into its next chapter.
Cloud 9 aligned perfectly with my passion for helping people reduce stress and live healthier, more carefree lives. I purchased the business in July of 2025, and since then we’ve helped countless clients relieve stress, feel better in their bodies, and prioritize their overall wellness.
Leaving corporate wasn’t about walking away from a successful career — it was about building something meaningful, sustainable, and aligned with both my values and my life. Cloud 9 represents that intersection for me.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Anything worth accomplishing takes persistence. I always knew I wasn’t made to sit at a desk and do what other people told me to do.
When I first started at a Fortune 500 company, we were small and nimble. As a 22-year-old, I had real autonomy and decision-making power. But as the company grew and my role expanded, decisions slowly migrated to “the top.” That shift was the moment I realized it was time for me to leave.
I’ve always been a problem solver. I don’t stress over issues that can be solved easily — the checkers problems. But people change everything. Every role I’ve had, whether in the corporate world or as an entrepreneur, has taught me that checkers quickly becomes chess once you factor in the thoughts, motives, and emotions of others.
Transitioning from corporate life to entrepreneurship has been far more challenging than I expected.
In corporate, my calendar was packed. I knew exactly where I needed to be, who I needed to talk to, and what needed to be accomplished each day. On my own, it’s not nearly as cut-and-dry. I love creating my own schedule and designing my days — but that freedom can also feel chaotic.
I also left an environment where logic was the primary response and emotion was secondary. I led a team of IT professionals — emotional beings, yes, but people who typically lead with logic. Massage therapists are the opposite. They lead with their hearts, as they should — they are healers.
I sit somewhere in the middle. I balance logic and emotion, which gives me confidence that I can adapt quickly. Still, navigating change, leading with empathy, and reshaping this company into something that feels authentically mine has been one of the most challenging — and meaningful — experiences of my life.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Cloud 9 Massage & Wellness is built on a simple idea: high-quality massage should feel accessible, not intimidating or transactional.
We focus on delivering exceptional care in a laid-back, cozy environment — never pretentious, never rushed. Our goal is for every guest to feel genuinely relaxed, supported, and cared for from the moment they walk in.
We currently serve the St. Louis area with locations in Richmond Heights and O’Fallon, Missouri, and we’re intentionally expanding to bring this same level of care to more communities across the region.
We’re intentionally not a big-box, turn-and-burn massage concept. We don’t rush sessions, overload therapists, or prioritize volume over experience.
What sets us apart is:
Thoughtful scheduling that protects therapist energy
A relaxed, welcoming atmosphere
A wide variety of modalities tailored to individual needs
Quality care at reasonable, market-appropriate pricing
Everything we do is designed to support both the client experience and the long-term sustainability of our therapists.
We’re most proud of the culture we’ve built — one that values quality, balance, and integrity. Our brand reflects care not just for our clients, but for the people who deliver that care every day.
Cloud 9 is a place where wellness feels human, approachable, and restorative — not rushed or transactional.
Cloud 9 Massage & Wellness is for people who want real results, real relaxation, and real care — without the pressure or pretension. Whether someone is visiting us for stress relief, pain management, or simply to unplug, we take the time to make sure they leave feeling truly better.
As we grow across the St. Louis area, our commitment stays the same: exceptional massage, delivered with heart, at a pace that honors both the client and the therapist.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
As a business owner — and a mom of six — the transition from corporate life has been one of the most challenging shifts I’ve ever made.
In corporate environments, it’s often easier to “pass the buck upward.” If your team didn’t love a decision, you weren’t the one who made it — you were communicating it. That allowed space for empathy without guilt. I had also figured out a healthy work-life balance.
Entrepreneurship is different. Every decision is yours. If someone disagrees or complains, there’s no buffer — it lands directly on you. And because every choice has real consequences, it’s easy to fall into the habit of working all the time, always trying to improve the business.
What I’ve been focusing on lately — both personally and professionally — is boundaries.
One of the most impactful resources for me has been Boundary Boss by Terri Cole, which my business coach recommended. I also regularly listen to The Terri Cole Show.
The biggest takeaway that’s stuck with me is this:
You write the instruction manual for how others are allowed to treat you.
That idea has been transformational. I’ve been working intentionally on setting clearer boundaries — with my team, my business, and even myself — so that I can be more present with my family. After all, that’s one of the biggest reasons I chose entrepreneurship in the first place.
Learning how to lead with empathy without overextending myself has helped me show up better as a business owner, a leader, and a mom.
Pricing:
- $110 for 60 min SIgnature Massage
- $125 for 60 min Specialty Massage
- $95/ month for 60 min membership
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cloudnine-massage.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cloud9massagestl
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Cloud9Massage2016/
