Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Brda.
Samantha, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I never knew what I wanted to be when I grew up, and a massage therapist who owns their own business wasn’t even a thought. I suppose I knew I wanted to help others through massage therapy when I booked an appointment for myself randomly because a spa day sounded like something someone in their mid twenties would do at the time. I had no idea you could make someone feel cared for that much after an hour session. In 2014 I began searching for massage therapy training programs in st. louis, there wasn’t many. But then The Healing Arts Center came across my screen. I read every testimonial of how this program literally changed people’s lives. Not only career wise, but in all aspects of their life. I was so intrigued by what these graduates were claiming after completing the 600 hour program, so naturally I decided to tour the school. It was located in the lower level of a strip mall, nothing fancy very modest, but it felt magical and it was. The program combined massage therapy practices with energy work, breath work, everyday life tools, and the importance of being present in a fast paced world. My life had completely transformed in just a year. Just six short months after graduation in 2015, I was employed working the front desk at The Healing Arts Center. Within 6 years of working there I began at the front desk, to managing the store, to becoming a student clinic instructor, to briefly teaching. I also had other part time massage therapy positions in addition to my job at the school, but none of them stuck. None of those jobs made me feel like a priority as much as I did at the school. We had our own little bubble of community and wellness in the basement of a strip mall, it almost felt like a secret society of people learning the magic of massage therapy. During my time at the school, I learned so much from the instructors who each had years upon years of experience, and I had cultivated so many meaningful friendships and relationships that have lasted to this day in my current practice. The massage therapy community is very special. After leaving healing arts center, I felt like I needed to take a hiatus. Being a bodyworker can be mentally and emotionally draining, not to mention the physical toll it also has on your body. In 2023 I was able to take an ashiatsu barefoot continuing education class. Having received this type of bodywork many times before, it was something I had wanted to learn and incorporate in my own practice. Ashiatsu was a way of saving my body, and my career. In 2024, I took that huge leap of starting my own business, Sole STL Wellness. I rented a room inside of a spa sharing my new found passion of ashiatsu, along with traditional massage therapy modalities, and within a short year of growing in that room I moved into my own building. From there I shared my new space with a few other like minded service providers. And after just 14 months of being in that space I had to move again because well, Sole STL Wellness was expanding. We needed more space that was relevant to the experience we were providing, and in June of 2026 we moved to the SOHA district on Hampton; which is also very close to where I spent the early years of my childhood. This year, we are honored to have been named STL A-List’s Winner for Best Massage. I had no idea that this is what Sole STL would turn into, but i’m so glad it did.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been smooth at all.
Working as a massage therapist in different spa settings really shines a light on the business perspective. Most therapists don’t receive enough compensation hourly, they(we) usually have to rely on gratuity + our commission rate to make a living. Even in high end spa’s, the price point of the service may be high but the therapist generally will receive less than 50% of that. Therefore we have to work on a high number of clients to reflect the paycheck we’re hoping to receive. I’ve worked in massage therapy chains, and they are a great place to gain experience but long term it wasn’t worth it to me. I wanted to offer something different and set myself apart from others. I wanted to connect with clients who were looking for that experience in a space that was personable and unique.
Creating and curating a business that requires people to trust you immensely with their well being, is not something to take lightly. I wouldn’t necessarily call it a struggle but it is quite the learning experience, and the wellness industry is always evolving.
As you know, we’re big fans of Sole STL Wellness. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
At Sole STL Wellness, we provide professional, customized services that are carefully crafted and tailored to the needs of our local community. Our path is defined by a commitment of merging professional expertise with a sanctuary-like atmosphere.
I specialize in Ashiatsu Barefoot Massage and Buccal Treatments. For those who are not familiar with Ashiatsu Barefoot Massage, it is where the practitioner uses suspended bars and a strap from the ceiling while using their feet and gravity to provide safe, therapeutic bodywork for clients who look for a deeper touch. Buccal Massage is where the practitioner wears gloves to access facial muscles inside of the clients mouth that cannot be reached externally. This focused work is extremely beneficial to those who suffer from TMJ Disorder, clenching, grinding, neck and head tension.
My practice gained popularity because Ashiatsu Barefoot Bodywork was still somewhat considered niche at the time, even though there are so many very talented practitioners in the stl area who have offered it for years.
I think what sets me apart from others is my niche services and commitment to clients. I am always prompt and present when working.
I’m proud of how far i’ve gotten in just 2 short years, 3 different spaces and winning A-List. I’ve made so many incredible connections with other small, local, Woman owned businesses. There is an immense amount of inspiration that has came from these other individuals in the South City community.
I want the readers to know that Sole STL Wellness was created from my belief that bodywork should be more than an appointment—it should be an experience. A chance to step away from the noise, reconnect with your body, and make space for restoration. In my practice, I’m passionate about intentional touch, meaningful connection, and creating a wellness experience that leaves you feeling genuinely cared for.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
There are so many special and talented individuals in St. Louis who have dedicated their career to helping others through massage therapy. That is the beauty of the massage community, it has created a network where someone knows someone and we can refer clients to the right practitioner if needed. I think the general mission of our profession is to enhance the well-being of our community through care and professional touch. Massage Therapy is for everyone.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://solestl.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/solestl_wellness
