May 26, 2025 • 20 mins
What makes Alyssa Enriquez with Asheville Massage and Bodywork a good neighbor?
Meet Alyssa Enriquez, the visionary behind Asheville Massage and Bodywork, who transformed her career from corporate accounting to building a thriving wellness enterprise that's redefining massage therapy in Western North Carolina.
Alyssa's remarkable journey began eight years ago with just herself and a portable massage table. What started as a simple mobile massage service has blossomed into a comprehensive wellness business offering everything from relaxation massage to specialized bodywork across multiple locations. Her story perfectly illustrates what happens when you honor that inner voice telling you there's something more meaningful waiting for you beyond comfortable career choices.
The conversation explores how Asheville Massage and Bodywork stands apart through their diverse service options – from their signature mobile spa experience that brings heated massage tables, hot stones, and skilled therapists directly to clients, to their full-service facility featuring advanced bodywork modalities. Alyssa shares profound insights about the transformative power of massage beyond physical relief, describing how sessions can clear mental fog, spark creativity, and provide deep emotional renewal. She candidly discusses overcoming significant challenges during a two-year building renovation project, revealing the determination required to navigate complex permitting requirements while maintaining business operations.
What resonates throughout Alyssa's story is her unwavering commitment to client satisfaction and personal authenticity. Whether you're curious about the healing benefits of massage, considering a career change, or facing business growth challenges, you'll find valuable wisdom in this conversation. Ready to experience the Asheville Massage difference yourself? Visit massageonwheels.com or call 828-357-4019 to discover how their seven-day-a-week services (including their popular half-price Sauna Sundays) might be exactly what your body and mind need.
To learn more about Asheville Massage and Bodywork go to:
https://www.ashevillemassagebodywork.com/
Asheville Massage and Bodywork
(828) 357-4019
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
This is the Good Neighbor Podcast, the place
where local businesses andneighbors come together.
Here's your host, Skip Monning.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Hello everyone and welcome to the Good Neighbor
Podcast.
So I am super excited todaybecause I've got a very
interesting, unique guest in thestudio today and very
interested to learn all abouther and her business.
And I'm sure you will be too,because today I have the
pleasure of introducing yourgood neighbor, ms Alyssa
Enriquez, who is the owneroperator of Asheville Massage
(00:33):
and Bodywork.
Alyssa, welcome to the show.
Speaker 3 (00:36):
Thanks for having me.
Speaker 2 (00:38):
Well, we are thrilled to have you, like I said,
really interested in what you do.
So if you don't mind, why don'tyou kick us off by telling us
about your business?
Speaker 3 (00:47):
Yeah.
So basically we startedoriginally with Massage on
Wheels, which is our mobile spa,about eight years ago, and it
just started with me by myself.
It just started with me bymyself mobile massage table in
(01:09):
my car and started findingclients to work with.
And over time I built my ownprivate practice and further
along I started to connect withother local therapists in the
Asheville area other localtherapists in the Asheville area
and we started to grow andpeople started to ask if we had
(01:30):
a location and so, fast forward,we ended up getting a location
and we outgrew that location andthen we got another location
and we're actually doing anothermove at this time to an even
bigger building.
So we are now at the eight-yearmark doing mobile massage, foot
(01:52):
soak services, sauna, steamshower, massage at all levels.
So not just the relaxation, butwe're also focusing on the
advanced body work as well.
So we have medical massagetherapists, thai massage
therapists, ashiatsu, myofascial, every type of modality that
(02:15):
you can think of.
We recruit therapists withthose advanced levels of
training, so you know.
And then we do the chairmassage events too with local
businesses.
So we really have done a greatjob at hitting all the corners
of the market with massage andwellness.
So if you can think of it, weprobably can offer it.
Speaker 2 (02:37):
You do it, wow, and I love the idea of the mobile
massage.
So that's, have you got like atruck or is this a?
Somebody shows up with a table.
Speaker 3 (02:44):
So what's great about the mobile massage and and this
is something that it's taken awhile to get here but basically
our therapists are showing up intheir own vehicles and they are
providing the services at thelocation.
So we're not doing it like in amobile bus or van bus or van,
(03:09):
like some people think oractually just bringing the spa
equipment to the location andsetting it up in, let's say, a
hotel, bed and breakfast,private Airbnb, rental, local
people who just want to have atherapist come to their home
have a therapist come to theirhome, and it's great.
We have heated massage tables,we bring the music, we even have
(03:36):
mobile hot stone, hot towel,mobile equipment basically where
we can provide high level spaservices and treatments anywhere
we want to go and treatmentsanywhere we want to go.
Speaker 2 (03:48):
That's pretty impressive actually.
Well, you touched on this howyou started, but on your journey
, how did you decide to get intothe massage business?
Speaker 3 (03:54):
Yeah.
So I'll just be honest I had tolearn the hard way, knowing
what I didn't want to do first.
So I went to school foraccounting many years ago and
was in the corporate worldauditing small businesses for a
(04:15):
living, and just realized oneday that I wasn't serving my
true purpose.
I wasn't feeling like I washelping people in the capacity
that I felt like I could, and sothat was a very interesting
time to step away from that andbreak away from that to try to
(04:36):
connect with what question mark.
What was I going to do?
And I had some inspiring peoplearound me at the time physical
therapists, people in you know,sort of the same realm and so I
decided to start researchingmassage programs and I found an
(04:58):
amazing program out in Denver,colorado, that focused on
Eastern and Western modalities,pretty 50-50.
So you basically came out ofthat program as a certified Thai
massage therapist, which at thetime I was like what does that
even mean?
But anyways, I fell in love withit and fell in love with
(05:22):
massage and body work and wantedto learn more and get more
advanced and go as far as Icould with it once I started,
and it was pretty easy for me toget private clients within the
first year of starting.
So, and the reason I say that isbecause if something comes easy
(05:44):
to you and you know you be, youopen the door and all of a
sudden there's a path that'swaiting for you and it's it's an
easy path to walk, it's for you, you know, and, um, I just kept
going and I kept taking care ofwhat I was building and
creating and until this day it'slike I'm not burnt out and I
(06:05):
still love it.
I don't get to massage as muchbecause I'm I'm busy managing
and creating and getting intothe higher level stuff with the
business, but I'm still licensedand I still go to educational
things and, um, some very, stillvery involved.
Um, so, yeah, so kind of, youhave to know what you don't want
(06:28):
to do in order to go and and bebrave enough to not do what you
don't feel right doing and gofor it If you think that there's
something else out there foryou to discover.
Speaker 2 (06:42):
Absolutely.
And look at you now you got twolocations and a mobile.
You have three businesses.
That's incredible, socongratulations.
Well, what can you think of anymyths or misconceptions in the
massage business that peoplehave?
Speaker 3 (06:56):
I don't need massage, 'm fine, I'm strong, um or uh.
For those who actually do getmassage, who want to be uh, like
elbow deep, put your elbowthrough me because that's going
(07:17):
to fix me.
Uh, you know so kind of bothside of either, like being
resistant of, of doing any kindof therapy and not realizing how
, uh, impactful that can be andwhat, what change can actually
be brought to you emotionally,physically, like all the things.
(07:42):
You know energy is a real thingand you know being open to the
possibilities of how you couldfeel by getting on a massage
table.
And my big thing is always tryout many different types of
therapists.
Don't just like find one andeven if you're like I love them,
(08:05):
they're perfect, like, no, have10 more, with 10 different
therapists, because you aregoing to discover things that
other people are able to helpyou with.
And you know, and it's, it'sit's not just physical, it's
like full, total, mind, body.
You know the type of benefitthat you can get from getting
(08:27):
regular body work.
It's, it's amazing.
Speaker 2 (08:31):
Yeah, it can.
It can change your life.
Actually, I've talked to, I'veactually interviewed quite a few
massage therapists and like howdo you get into a lot of them
just say I had my first massageand it changed my world, like I
want to do that for other people.
Yeah, I think that's very cool.
Speaker 3 (08:46):
Yeah, and like when I get on a massage table
personally, it's not justhelping me with stress and
tension, but sometimes I swear Iwill get off of a massage table
after a session and have thebest ideas.
My, my mind will be clear, it'slike a good reset and all these
like great ideas will juststart.
(09:08):
I'll I feel more inspired, youknow, I feel renewed, and that's
something to to consider youknow Absolutely and to share
with others as you do so.
Speaker 2 (09:21):
Outside of work, what do you like to do for fun?
Speaker 3 (09:24):
So I'm big on gardening, nature, love to
travel, love food and thosetypes of experiences Hiking,
mountain biking, fishing yes.
Speaker 2 (09:41):
Oh, you like to fish.
Speaker 3 (09:43):
Yes, fly fishing, that's really fun.
Speaker 2 (09:47):
I don't know if you can see this or not.
Yeah, yeah, I've been flyfishing for about 25 years.
I'm a big fan, love it.
Love it Because you know trout,especially for trout.
You can fish for bass, whatever, but especially if you're, if
you're fishing for trout fish.
Trout can only survive inpristine conditions.
So, no pollution, no, you knowconstruction.
(10:10):
No buildings no, you know they.
You're very clear, pristinewater and and if so, if you're
trout fishing, you're in abeautiful place.
Speaker 3 (10:20):
Exactly, yeah, absolutely love it.
I really enjoy it.
I've been on some really cooladventures.
Speaker 2 (10:27):
Nice, what's the biggest fish you ever caught?
Speaker 3 (10:30):
You know, I have not ever caught like a real trophy
size.
You know, just they're alwayslike either like a wild brown or
brook, or because I like tokind of hike up where you have,
like it's almost like you'rekind of hunting, because you
have to be really quiet.
You have to use a reallightweight rod.
(10:51):
You have to like come upcarefully.
You only have one or two shotsper little that you find.
Speaker 2 (10:59):
You know what I mean especially for brook trout
because they're very they'rehard to to get them to bite
because they're native andthey're like very skittish, but
when you catch one it's a blastexactly.
Speaker 3 (11:12):
So you can kind of get down and like hide a little
bit and gracefully throw yourline in and yeah yeah, that's
awesome, I'm excited, I'mexcited.
Speaker 2 (11:25):
Yeah, females I've interviewed that said, yeah, I
like the fly fish.
That's incredible.
Speaker 3 (11:30):
Yeah, yeah, um cool.
Speaker 2 (11:33):
Well, let's switch gears for a second.
Can you describe a hardship ora challenge that you've overcome
and how it made you stronger inthe end?
Speaker 3 (11:40):
Yeah, like related to the business, I'm assuming.
Speaker 2 (11:44):
Or personally or professionally.
Speaker 3 (11:46):
Yeah, I mean I'm going to stick with the business
because I think that some ofthe things I've been up to over
the last two years with mybusiness have been the most
challenging thing that I've everexperienced in my entire life
(12:07):
and has really helped me grow inso many ways.
So a few years ago, when Inoticed my business was
outgrowing its location, it wasclear that our staff needed to
have more personal space.
Staff needed to have morepersonal space.
Our check-in area is literallyon top of like in the same room
as the waiting room, and thenother treatment rooms are, like
(12:27):
the doors are in the same space.
So it just became clear that itwasn't ideal and that we were a
very like busy, a very likebusy up and coming spa location
that needed a better home, andso I started looking for that
and I came across a beautifulspace right around the corner
(12:49):
from our current location thathad the same vibe uh, it's a
very old uh building, but butalmost three times the size and
I decided to buy the buildingand I had no idea what I was
doing.
Not, like you know, I didn'thave this.
(13:14):
I didn't come from anexperience in my life where I
had parents or people around meto say this is what you do and
how you do it, like I had tofigure it all out.
And so I did, and I applied forSBA funding.
They support small businessesinto buying commercial
properties for their businesses,and that was something I did
(13:37):
and everything worked.
We got the location and we got acontractor to start working on
it, to make it, to outfit it forthe needs that we had, and
suddenly the city imposed out ofleft field on us something
(13:58):
called a level one, full sitecompliance.
So what that means is they puta hold on all of our
construction plans and they saidyou need to bring your property
up to full compliance.
And that was everything to dowith outside of the building
(14:18):
that was purchased.
So like building sidewalks.
So like building sidewalkscomplying with, like the for ADA
or ADA and, let's say, a firetruck needs to come through, and
new requirements for bufferlines between our property line
and residential.
(14:46):
So all these crazy things that Ihad to I had to understand for
the first time that were justway up above me.
I've never done any of thisbefore, working with all types
of professionals, architects,getting permits, like trying to
wrap my mind around how to nottotally fail Right.
And also, I had to come up withmore money, a lot more money,
(15:08):
and at the time I was alreadybarely making it by buying the
building right.
It was a huge accomplishment.
I bought the building right.
I'm here Now.
All I have to do is paint itand make it a spa.
Do is paint it and make it aspa.
(15:29):
And then the city of Ashevillesaid, nope, uh, you got to do a
whole big, scary project beforeyou can actually things.
(15:50):
And I talked to people and Idid all that I could do to
educate myself and get in thereand figure out how to keep
putting one foot forward everyday.
So it is about to be the twoyear mark since we started this
journey and we are about to moveinto the new location in about
(16:12):
four to six weeks.
Wow, and we made it.
We're not in troublefinancially.
We figured it out and but itwas the hardest thing I've ever
done.
Speaker 2 (16:26):
I understand Starting and starting a business is not
easy.
Of course you were alreadyestablished, but yeah, I mean
new facility and start fromscratch.
Speaker 3 (16:34):
So congratulations, that's incredible, thank you,
thank you.
And having to take care of thebusy business at the same time
and manage it.
Speaker 2 (16:41):
Yeah, okay.
So, alyssa, if you could thinkof one thing that you would like
our listeners to remember aboutyou and about your business,
what would that be?
Speaker 3 (16:50):
So I'd have to say it is our client satisfaction.
We are client centric and if ifa client, for any reason, comes
to us, writes us, leaves areview you know any of the above
about not having the experiencethat they thought that they
(17:13):
would have or envisioned we arequick to listen to them, offer
them a free do-over or you knowwhatever it is that we have to
do to turn their experiencearound and not to even say that
this is something that happensoften.
We have great reviews, if youlook us up online, and many
(17:38):
clients love their experiencewith us, but there's, you know,
no such thing as perfect right.
None of us are, and weunderstand that sometimes it's
just not the right match.
Maybe you were matched with atherapist that didn't do deep
tissue as deep as you would like.
So we want to hear you knowthose experiences and we always
(18:00):
want to make it right.
We always want you to see us asa place that cares and a place
that you want to spend yourmoney.
Speaker 2 (18:12):
Absolutely Well.
That's a great thing.
The customer experience, thecustomer, is always first.
Speaker 3 (18:17):
They are right, they are first, they are the most
important thing.
Speaker 2 (18:21):
Awesome, Awesome.
Well, for those of us who areinterested in checking out your
new place you said you'll beopen in four to six weeks or the
mobile option, which isincredible.
How can we learn more?
Speaker 3 (18:34):
Yeah, so you can visit us at massageonwheelscom
or ashvillemassagebodyworkcom orAsheville massage bodyworkcom,
and you can also call our numberat 828-357-4019.
We're open seven days a week,from 9am to 9, 8pm.
(18:55):
Sorry.
Speaker 2 (18:56):
Wow, seven days a week, that's awesome.
Speaker 3 (18:59):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (19:00):
Sunday massage.
Speaker 3 (19:02):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (19:03):
That's, that's, that's actually not.
I don't think a lot of massageplaces are open on Sunday, so
massage, yes, that's, that's.
That's actually not a I don'tthink a lot of massage places
are open on Sunday, so that'sawesome.
Speaker 3 (19:09):
Yeah, and on Sundays we have something called sauna
Sundays, so we offer half pricesauna sessions for anyone that
wants to try out the sauna forthe first time.
Or if you're a sauna goer andyou want to try to take
advantage to get a better deal,that's the day to do it.
Speaker 2 (19:29):
Awesome, awesome, love the sauna, love.
So, alyssa, I can't tell youhow much I appreciate you taking
time out of your really busyschedule.
It sounds like to spend sometime with with me and with our
listeners and wish you and your,your, your team there and your
family all the best, movingforward.
Speaker 3 (19:49):
Thank you, thanks, skip.
It was great connecting andhaving the opportunity to speak
on your show today.
Speaker 2 (19:56):
Absolutely Well.
Maybe we can have you backsometime in the future after
your grand opening.
Speaker 3 (20:01):
Yes, all right.
Speaker 2 (20:02):
Awesome, sounds good.
Thanks so much.
Speaker 1 (20:05):
Thank you for listening to the Good Neighbor
Podcast.
To nominate your favorite localbusinesses to be featured on
the show, go to gnptry-citiescom.
That's gnptry-citiescom, orcall 423-719-5873.
This is the Good Neighbor Podcast, the place
where local businesses andneighbors come together.
Here's your host, Skip Monning.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Hello everyone and welcome to the Good Neighbor
Podcast.
So I am super excited todaybecause I've got a very
interesting, unique guest in thestudio today and very
interested to learn all abouther and her business.
And I'm sure you will be too,because today I have the
pleasure of introducing yourgood neighbor, ms Alyssa
Enriquez, who is the owneroperator of Asheville Massage
(00:33):
and Bodywork.
Alyssa, welcome to the show.
Speaker 3 (00:36):
Thanks for having me.
Speaker 2 (00:38):
Well, we are thrilled to have you, like I said,
really interested in what you do.
So if you don't mind, why don'tyou kick us off by telling us
about your business?
Speaker 3 (00:47):
Yeah.
So basically we startedoriginally with Massage on
Wheels, which is our mobile spa,about eight years ago, and it
just started with me by myself.
It just started with me bymyself mobile massage table in
(01:09):
my car and started findingclients to work with.
And over time I built my ownprivate practice and further
along I started to connect withother local therapists in the
Asheville area other localtherapists in the Asheville area
and we started to grow andpeople started to ask if we had
(01:30):
a location and so, fast forward,we ended up getting a location
and we outgrew that location andthen we got another location
and we're actually doing anothermove at this time to an even
bigger building.
So we are now at the eight-yearmark doing mobile massage, foot
(01:52):
soak services, sauna, steamshower, massage at all levels.
So not just the relaxation, butwe're also focusing on the
advanced body work as well.
So we have medical massagetherapists, thai massage
therapists, ashiatsu, myofascial, every type of modality that
(02:15):
you can think of.
We recruit therapists withthose advanced levels of
training, so you know.
And then we do the chairmassage events too with local
businesses.
So we really have done a greatjob at hitting all the corners
of the market with massage andwellness.
So if you can think of it, weprobably can offer it.
Speaker 2 (02:37):
You do it, wow, and I love the idea of the mobile
massage.
So that's, have you got like atruck or is this a?
Somebody shows up with a table.
Speaker 3 (02:44):
So what's great about the mobile massage and and this
is something that it's taken awhile to get here but basically
our therapists are showing up intheir own vehicles and they are
providing the services at thelocation.
So we're not doing it like in amobile bus or van bus or van,
(03:09):
like some people think oractually just bringing the spa
equipment to the location andsetting it up in, let's say, a
hotel, bed and breakfast,private Airbnb, rental, local
people who just want to have atherapist come to their home
have a therapist come to theirhome, and it's great.
We have heated massage tables,we bring the music, we even have
(03:36):
mobile hot stone, hot towel,mobile equipment basically where
we can provide high level spaservices and treatments anywhere
we want to go and treatmentsanywhere we want to go.
Speaker 2 (03:48):
That's pretty impressive actually.
Well, you touched on this howyou started, but on your journey
, how did you decide to get intothe massage business?
Speaker 3 (03:54):
Yeah.
So I'll just be honest I had tolearn the hard way, knowing
what I didn't want to do first.
So I went to school foraccounting many years ago and
was in the corporate worldauditing small businesses for a
(04:15):
living, and just realized oneday that I wasn't serving my
true purpose.
I wasn't feeling like I washelping people in the capacity
that I felt like I could, and sothat was a very interesting
time to step away from that andbreak away from that to try to
(04:36):
connect with what question mark.
What was I going to do?
And I had some inspiring peoplearound me at the time physical
therapists, people in you know,sort of the same realm and so I
decided to start researchingmassage programs and I found an
(04:58):
amazing program out in Denver,colorado, that focused on
Eastern and Western modalities,pretty 50-50.
So you basically came out ofthat program as a certified Thai
massage therapist, which at thetime I was like what does that
even mean?
But anyways, I fell in love withit and fell in love with
(05:22):
massage and body work and wantedto learn more and get more
advanced and go as far as Icould with it once I started,
and it was pretty easy for me toget private clients within the
first year of starting.
So, and the reason I say that isbecause if something comes easy
(05:44):
to you and you know you be, youopen the door and all of a
sudden there's a path that'swaiting for you and it's it's an
easy path to walk, it's for you, you know, and, um, I just kept
going and I kept taking care ofwhat I was building and
creating and until this day it'slike I'm not burnt out and I
(06:05):
still love it.
I don't get to massage as muchbecause I'm I'm busy managing
and creating and getting intothe higher level stuff with the
business, but I'm still licensedand I still go to educational
things and, um, some very, stillvery involved.
Um, so, yeah, so kind of, youhave to know what you don't want
(06:28):
to do in order to go and and bebrave enough to not do what you
don't feel right doing and gofor it If you think that there's
something else out there foryou to discover.
Speaker 2 (06:42):
Absolutely.
And look at you now you got twolocations and a mobile.
You have three businesses.
That's incredible, socongratulations.
Well, what can you think of anymyths or misconceptions in the
massage business that peoplehave?
Speaker 3 (06:56):
I don't need massage, 'm fine, I'm strong, um or uh.
For those who actually do getmassage, who want to be uh, like
elbow deep, put your elbowthrough me because that's going
(07:17):
to fix me.
Uh, you know so kind of bothside of either, like being
resistant of, of doing any kindof therapy and not realizing how
, uh, impactful that can be andwhat, what change can actually
be brought to you emotionally,physically, like all the things.
(07:42):
You know energy is a real thingand you know being open to the
possibilities of how you couldfeel by getting on a massage
table.
And my big thing is always tryout many different types of
therapists.
Don't just like find one andeven if you're like I love them,
(08:05):
they're perfect, like, no, have10 more, with 10 different
therapists, because you aregoing to discover things that
other people are able to helpyou with.
And you know, and it's, it'sit's not just physical, it's
like full, total, mind, body.
You know the type of benefitthat you can get from getting
(08:27):
regular body work.
It's, it's amazing.
Speaker 2 (08:31):
Yeah, it can.
It can change your life.
Actually, I've talked to, I'veactually interviewed quite a few
massage therapists and like howdo you get into a lot of them
just say I had my first massageand it changed my world, like I
want to do that for other people.
Yeah, I think that's very cool.
Speaker 3 (08:46):
Yeah, and like when I get on a massage table
personally, it's not justhelping me with stress and
tension, but sometimes I swear Iwill get off of a massage table
after a session and have thebest ideas.
My, my mind will be clear, it'slike a good reset and all these
like great ideas will juststart.
(09:08):
I'll I feel more inspired, youknow, I feel renewed, and that's
something to to consider youknow Absolutely and to share
with others as you do so.
Speaker 2 (09:21):
Outside of work, what do you like to do for fun?
Speaker 3 (09:24):
So I'm big on gardening, nature, love to
travel, love food and thosetypes of experiences Hiking,
mountain biking, fishing yes.
Speaker 2 (09:41):
Oh, you like to fish.
Speaker 3 (09:43):
Yes, fly fishing, that's really fun.
Speaker 2 (09:47):
I don't know if you can see this or not.
Yeah, yeah, I've been flyfishing for about 25 years.
I'm a big fan, love it.
Love it Because you know trout,especially for trout.
You can fish for bass, whatever, but especially if you're, if
you're fishing for trout fish.
Trout can only survive inpristine conditions.
So, no pollution, no, you knowconstruction.
(10:10):
No buildings no, you know they.
You're very clear, pristinewater and and if so, if you're
trout fishing, you're in abeautiful place.
Speaker 3 (10:20):
Exactly, yeah, absolutely love it.
I really enjoy it.
I've been on some really cooladventures.
Speaker 2 (10:27):
Nice, what's the biggest fish you ever caught?
Speaker 3 (10:30):
You know, I have not ever caught like a real trophy
size.
You know, just they're alwayslike either like a wild brown or
brook, or because I like tokind of hike up where you have,
like it's almost like you'rekind of hunting, because you
have to be really quiet.
You have to use a reallightweight rod.
(10:51):
You have to like come upcarefully.
You only have one or two shotsper little that you find.
Speaker 2 (10:59):
You know what I mean especially for brook trout
because they're very they'rehard to to get them to bite
because they're native andthey're like very skittish, but
when you catch one it's a blastexactly.
Speaker 3 (11:12):
So you can kind of get down and like hide a little
bit and gracefully throw yourline in and yeah yeah, that's
awesome, I'm excited, I'mexcited.
Speaker 2 (11:25):
Yeah, females I've interviewed that said, yeah, I
like the fly fish.
That's incredible.
Speaker 3 (11:30):
Yeah, yeah, um cool.
Speaker 2 (11:33):
Well, let's switch gears for a second.
Can you describe a hardship ora challenge that you've overcome
and how it made you stronger inthe end?
Speaker 3 (11:40):
Yeah, like related to the business, I'm assuming.
Speaker 2 (11:44):
Or personally or professionally.
Speaker 3 (11:46):
Yeah, I mean I'm going to stick with the business
because I think that some ofthe things I've been up to over
the last two years with mybusiness have been the most
challenging thing that I've everexperienced in my entire life
(12:07):
and has really helped me grow inso many ways.
So a few years ago, when Inoticed my business was
outgrowing its location, it wasclear that our staff needed to
have more personal space.
Staff needed to have morepersonal space.
Our check-in area is literallyon top of like in the same room
as the waiting room, and thenother treatment rooms are, like
(12:27):
the doors are in the same space.
So it just became clear that itwasn't ideal and that we were a
very like busy, a very likebusy up and coming spa location
that needed a better home, andso I started looking for that
and I came across a beautifulspace right around the corner
(12:49):
from our current location thathad the same vibe uh, it's a
very old uh building, but butalmost three times the size and
I decided to buy the buildingand I had no idea what I was
doing.
Not, like you know, I didn'thave this.
(13:14):
I didn't come from anexperience in my life where I
had parents or people around meto say this is what you do and
how you do it, like I had tofigure it all out.
And so I did, and I applied forSBA funding.
They support small businessesinto buying commercial
properties for their businesses,and that was something I did
(13:37):
and everything worked.
We got the location and we got acontractor to start working on
it, to make it, to outfit it forthe needs that we had, and
suddenly the city imposed out ofleft field on us something
(13:58):
called a level one, full sitecompliance.
So what that means is they puta hold on all of our
construction plans and they saidyou need to bring your property
up to full compliance.
And that was everything to dowith outside of the building
(14:18):
that was purchased.
So like building sidewalks.
So like building sidewalkscomplying with, like the for ADA
or ADA and, let's say, a firetruck needs to come through, and
new requirements for bufferlines between our property line
and residential.
(14:46):
So all these crazy things that Ihad to I had to understand for
the first time that were justway up above me.
I've never done any of thisbefore, working with all types
of professionals, architects,getting permits, like trying to
wrap my mind around how to nottotally fail Right.
And also, I had to come up withmore money, a lot more money,
(15:08):
and at the time I was alreadybarely making it by buying the
building right.
It was a huge accomplishment.
I bought the building right.
I'm here Now.
All I have to do is paint itand make it a spa.
Do is paint it and make it aspa.
(15:29):
And then the city of Ashevillesaid, nope, uh, you got to do a
whole big, scary project beforeyou can actually things.
(15:50):
And I talked to people and Idid all that I could do to
educate myself and get in thereand figure out how to keep
putting one foot forward everyday.
So it is about to be the twoyear mark since we started this
journey and we are about to moveinto the new location in about
(16:12):
four to six weeks.
Wow, and we made it.
We're not in troublefinancially.
We figured it out and but itwas the hardest thing I've ever
done.
Speaker 2 (16:26):
I understand Starting and starting a business is not
easy.
Of course you were alreadyestablished, but yeah, I mean
new facility and start fromscratch.
Speaker 3 (16:34):
So congratulations, that's incredible, thank you,
thank you.
And having to take care of thebusy business at the same time
and manage it.
Speaker 2 (16:41):
Yeah, okay.
So, alyssa, if you could thinkof one thing that you would like
our listeners to remember aboutyou and about your business,
what would that be?
Speaker 3 (16:50):
So I'd have to say it is our client satisfaction.
We are client centric and if ifa client, for any reason, comes
to us, writes us, leaves areview you know any of the above
about not having the experiencethat they thought that they
(17:13):
would have or envisioned we arequick to listen to them, offer
them a free do-over or you knowwhatever it is that we have to
do to turn their experiencearound and not to even say that
this is something that happensoften.
We have great reviews, if youlook us up online, and many
(17:38):
clients love their experiencewith us, but there's, you know,
no such thing as perfect right.
None of us are, and weunderstand that sometimes it's
just not the right match.
Maybe you were matched with atherapist that didn't do deep
tissue as deep as you would like.
So we want to hear you knowthose experiences and we always
(18:00):
want to make it right.
We always want you to see us asa place that cares and a place
that you want to spend yourmoney.
Speaker 2 (18:12):
Absolutely Well.
That's a great thing.
The customer experience, thecustomer, is always first.
Speaker 3 (18:17):
They are right, they are first, they are the most
important thing.
Speaker 2 (18:21):
Awesome, Awesome.
Well, for those of us who areinterested in checking out your
new place you said you'll beopen in four to six weeks or the
mobile option, which isincredible.
How can we learn more?
Speaker 3 (18:34):
Yeah, so you can visit us at massageonwheelscom
or ashvillemassagebodyworkcom orAsheville massage bodyworkcom,
and you can also call our numberat 828-357-4019.
We're open seven days a week,from 9am to 9, 8pm.
(18:55):
Sorry.
Speaker 2 (18:56):
Wow, seven days a week, that's awesome.
Speaker 3 (18:59):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (19:00):
Sunday massage.
Speaker 3 (19:02):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (19:03):
That's, that's, that's actually not.
I don't think a lot of massageplaces are open on Sunday, so
massage, yes, that's, that's.
That's actually not a I don'tthink a lot of massage places
are open on Sunday, so that'sawesome.
Speaker 3 (19:09):
Yeah, and on Sundays we have something called sauna
Sundays, so we offer half pricesauna sessions for anyone that
wants to try out the sauna forthe first time.
Or if you're a sauna goer andyou want to try to take
advantage to get a better deal,that's the day to do it.
Speaker 2 (19:29):
Awesome, awesome, love the sauna, love.
So, alyssa, I can't tell youhow much I appreciate you taking
time out of your really busyschedule.
It sounds like to spend sometime with with me and with our
listeners and wish you and your,your, your team there and your
family all the best, movingforward.
Speaker 3 (19:49):
Thank you, thanks, skip.
It was great connecting andhaving the opportunity to speak
on your show today.
Speaker 2 (19:56):
Absolutely Well.
Maybe we can have you backsometime in the future after
your grand opening.
Speaker 3 (20:01):
Yes, all right.
Speaker 2 (20:02):
Awesome, sounds good.
Thanks so much.
Speaker 1 (20:05):
Thank you for listening to the Good Neighbor
Podcast.
To nominate your favorite localbusinesses to be featured on
the show, go to gnptry-citiescom.
That's gnptry-citiescom, orcall 423-719-5873.
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