Meet Joanna Y | LMT

We had the good fortune of connecting with Joanna Y and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joanna, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
The process of starting my own business was kind of organically done. I had always worked for some sort of business where I clocked in and out and I knew I didn’t want to continue with what I was doing. I had always joked that I should open a convenient convenient store, where people could just drive up and get milk and bread while their babies slept but that didn’t seem feasible. I have two children and I had always wanted to be a stay at home mom. My husband wanted that for me but we as a couple had made choices that prevented that from happening. Whether it was buying a new house or moving to a more expensive area it wasn’t happening. My husband graduated with his bachelor’s and he told me to figure out what I wanted to do. So i inquired about culinary, photography and massage. Ultimately I decided massage was the plan for me. I chose a school but unfortunately the school cancelled the program before I could start. So my husband went for his masters while I figured out my next move. After almost two years I found a new school and went to their open house. I fell in love. Now my husband and I are not risk takers. We are planners and like to know what’s next. Where our next paycheck is coming from and how much. So going into massage was scary for both of us. Initially my goal was to just work a job I enjoyed if I couldn’t be a stay at home mom and just maybe have flexible hours. I became a LMT in February of 2016 and by July of that year I had quit my full time job. It of course was rocky for the first year but we made it work. Initially my hours weren’t as flexible as I wanted but it slowly became more and more. Owning my own business has been the best thing that we did. That I did. I choose my schedule and whether i want to work that day or not. I am able to be there for my children more than not and it has truly balanced our family life tremendously.
By Owning my own business I have met so many wonderful people and I truly enjoy helping people feel better.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
So my business is small but I pride myself on being welcoming to my clients. My clients feel like they have a “relationship “ with me because they can come in and talk about whatever. Being a massage therapist is like being a therapist. We are part of the medical line so when they talk before or during session everything is confidential. When my clients come to me we talk for a bit to find out their needs. I focus on my clients needs and make sure I change the massage for their needs. Some clients come just for a relaxing massage and some come for a focus. My clients have told me they appreciate they can speak up in their massages when they feel the pressure needs more or less. It’s very important to me for my client to feel comfortable at all times.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Of course this will depend on what my friends like. But One of the first places I would like to take them is the Opryland Hotel. It has always been such a beautiful place. The Ryman Auditorium has great shows. Of course walking Broadway and 5th and Broad and seeing all the honky Tonks and shops. Downtown has really grown to be such a tourist filled spot that there is always something for everyone. From concerts to Hockey. And we can’t forget the Titans. In regards to restaurants wow, there are so many to choose I honestly can’t tell you.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Dedication goes to my husband, Chris, and my children, Pyper and Zachary. They have supported me through out this journey and I couldn’t have done it with their love and support.

Website: Tracesideholisticmassage.massagetherapy.com

Facebook: Traceside Holistic Massage