Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Hofmeister.
Stephanie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I have been asked many times Why Are You a Massage Therapist? Most of the time this question is followed by a tone and strange expression when the person finds out that I am also a registered nurse and have been since 1999. Most people don’t understand why I would give up such a good stable career and follow this new path of uncertainty. This was a very thought-out process with failures and my inner voice trying to talk me out of it all together along the way. It took me another 18 years to commit, let go of fear, and take the plunge with Massage Therapy.
The doubt of my choice of career began in my first year out of Nursing School. I was working on a Colon Rectal Surgery Floor. I also worked on this division 2 years prior to graduating as a Patient Care Technician. My patients were extremely sick recovering from bowel surgery related to colon-rectal disease or cancer. These patients had multiple drains, IV’s, open wounds, ostomy appliances, and so forth. I took care of 8-10 of these patients nightly and with charge nurse duties attached. Being a charge nurse means handling any crisis’ that come up, new admissions, teaching float pull nurses working on my floor (many which had no idea of protocols or how to care for colon-rectal patients), creating assignments for the next shift, and making sure we have enough staff to cover those assignments.
It was at this time I started looking for possibilities of a new career. I remember one night one of my patients telling me she was once a nurse, but had changed her life’s path and became a flight attendant. I have to admit I entertained this idea for a while. The idea of traveling and seeing the world while doing my job sounded pretty amazing. As soon as I started thinking about changing my life’s course, I somehow talked myself right back out of it.
I have to mention it was during this time that I received my first massage. It’s funny I can’t even remember my first massage, but I know it happened in this time period and I know I walked away feeling the best I had in a long time. I do remember the best massages I have ever had. One was in San Francisco and I had a Thai Massage. OMG! This was actually a turning point for me when I started looking seriously at massage and researching some massage schools in the area. I had never felt so good and so energized as I did that day after my Thai Massage. The second-best massage I ever had was on vacation in Maui. The therapist had a massage table in her condo facing the ocean. The warm air flowed through from the ocean into her condo combined with her excellent skills in massage resulting in the most AMAZING experience! I did call this woman years later and thanked her for the massage and told her she was an inspiration for me in pursuing massage therapy as my life’s path.
I knew from the beginning (since I was 5 years old lol) that my life’s work involved people, caring for them, and promoting wellness. I feel gratitude for having this insight at such a young age since from my experience most people don’t know their life’s purpose ‘till they are older or some just never figure it out.
I became increasingly unhappy with my job and it displayed physically. I became sick all time. I was put on blood pressure medication because it was uncontrolled. I was also experiencing severe depression. Many times, before work I would have panic attacks in my car. I also had frequent respiratory infections. I thought this is it… I am young with no health conditions but from stress, something had to change before I did have a bad health outcome.
So, I looked back at massage again. Here was a career that I could have a direct impact on someone and be an aid to actual healing. So, I got to work…. I applied to a Massage Therapy Program in St. Louis called A Gathering Place. If you are ever interested in pursuing massage as a career this is the place to go! The universe directed me to this school for a reason which I will get to a little later.
Some of the classes and school hours were during the day. This was a challenge to figure out how I would attend because of work. My manager was unwilling to work with me on changing my schedule so I ended up saving all of my vacation and sick days, using these days off to attend school during the day. In the evening after work, I would head up to school for classes from 6 pm to 10 pm. This was probably one of the hardest things I have ever done, being that I was also a single Mom at the time taking care of a 2-year-old. At one point I even quit the program because life was beating me down and I talked myself out of my dream again.
About 6 months later things changed in my life and I contacted my mentor Cindy at The Gathering Place to see if there was a possibility of coming back and finishing what I started. I explained what was happening in my world and she was extremely supportive and enthusiastic about helping me finish the program. The universe knew from the beginning that I needed her and her school to reach my dreams. I really couldn’t be more grateful and thankful for her presence and influence in my life’s path! ❤
I finished the program and graduated from The Gathering Place on May 8, 2013!
It took me another 3 years to finally have my dream of owning my own business and massage studio. I gave up my nursing retirement and invested everything I had and owned into starting this business. I’ve had ups and downs and I’ve learned a lot. I’m so glad I took that leap of fear and followed my dream! I now own two locations! My second location opened up during Covid of all times in October of 2020 in Maplewood, MO. Because that’s how I roll – I knew it would succeed even during Covid.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
oh gosh… financial struggles. I didn’t pay myself for almost a full year when I first opened.
Learning just how to run a business. A business degree isn’t in my portfolio so it has been a lot of trial and error along with research. I’m still learning,
Learning how to manage people has also been a big struggle. By nature, I am an introvert, an INFP, and a 9 on the enneagram, so running a team is very difficult for me, especially because I hate any type of conflict. I’ve had to learn about myself, my strengths, and my weaknesses to improve on this. I continue to do so every day.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Our team of therapists uses various massage techniques to treat pain, stress injuries, chronic health issues, post-surgery swelling, and more. We specialize in Deep Tissue, Ashiatsu, Swedish, Couple’s Massage, Prenatal, Hot Stone, Cupping, Sport’s, and CBD massage.
Unlike other massage chains, we refuse to short you on time. Whether you pay for a 60- or 90-minute session, we provide you with a massage experience that lasts the exact amount of time you pay for.
At the beginning of every session, a therapist will talk with you to find out about your problem areas. They will customize the treatment to focus on those areas and help you feel better than ever before.
Our studio not only feels different for guests but also the therapists that work here. We encourage all of our therapists to pursue their passions, as well as offer continuing education classes so they can learn new techniques and expand their skill sets.
We give complimentary hot pillows and aromatherapy with every treatment. We also can include our house-made Whipped Magnesium Pain Creams. It’s like taking an Epsom salt bath without the bath. It loosens muscles and provides instant pain relief.
After 5 years in business, we serve residents in O’Fallon, St. Charles County, St. Peters, Wentzville, Lake Saint Louis, Troy, Chesterfield, North County, Florissant, and Hazelwood, MO. We were recently recognized with the award for the best massage in St. Charles County. We now serve Maplewood, MO, and all surrounding cities St. Louis, Shrewsbury, Clayton, U-City, South County, Affton, Mehlville, Kirkwood, Webster Groves, and South City.
Pricing:
- $55 Intro 60 min Swedish massage for first-time clients
- $85 Intro 90 min Swedish massage for first-time clients
- $65 Intro 60 min Ashiastu for first-time clients
Contact Info:
- Email: cloud9massage2016@gmail.com
- Website: cloudnine-massage.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Cloud9Massage2016/
Image Credits
Bright Coral Creative
