Good Neighbor Podcast: Tri-Cities
Bringing together local businesses and neighbor of the Tri-Cities region. Good Neighbor Podcast hosted by Skip Mauney helps residents discover and connect with your local business owners in and around The Tri-Cities.
Is your business serving the residents of Tri-Cities? Then, we need to talk! Visit gnpTri-Cities.com to schedule your free interview.
Good Neighbor Podcast: Tri-Cities
EP# 226: From Accounting to Asheville's Premier Massage and Bodywork Destination
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
This is the Good Neighbor Podcast, the place where local businesses and neighbors come together. Here's your host, Skip Monning.
Speaker 2:Hello everyone and welcome to the Good Neighbor Podcast. So I am super excited today because I've got a very interesting, unique guest in the studio today and very interested to learn all about her and her business. And I'm sure you will be too, because today I have the pleasure of introducing your good neighbor, ms Alyssa Enriquez, who is the owner operator of Asheville Massage and Bodywork. Alyssa, welcome to the show.
Speaker 3:Thanks for having me.
Speaker 2:Well, we are thrilled to have you, like I said, really interested in what you do. So if you don't mind, why don't you kick us off by telling us about your business?
Speaker 3:Yeah. So basically we started originally 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 by myself mobile massage table in my car and started finding clients to work with. And over time I built my own private practice and further along I started to connect with other local therapists in the Asheville area other local therapists in the Asheville area and we started to grow and people started to ask if we had a location and so, fast forward, we ended up getting a location and we outgrew that location and then we got another location and we're actually doing another move at this time to an even bigger building.
Speaker 3:So we are now at the eight-year mark doing mobile massage, foot soak services, sauna, steam shower, massage at all levels. So not just the relaxation, but we're also focusing on the advanced body work as well. So we have medical massage therapists, thai massage therapists, ashiatsu, myofascial, every type of modality that you can think of. We recruit therapists with those advanced levels of training, so you know. And then we do the chair massage events too with local businesses. So we really have done a great job at hitting all the corners of the market with massage and wellness. So if you can think of it, we probably can offer it.
Speaker 2:You do it, wow, and I love the idea of the mobile massage. So that's, have you got like a truck or is this a? Somebody shows up with a table.
Speaker 3:So what's great about the mobile massage and and this is something that it's taken a while to get here but basically our therapists are showing up in their own vehicles and they are providing the services at the location. So we're not doing it like in a mobile bus or van bus or van, like some people think or actually just bringing the spa equipment to the location and setting it up in, let's say, a hotel, bed and breakfast, private Airbnb, rental, local people who just want to have a therapist come to their home have a therapist come to their home, and it's great. We have heated massage tables, we bring the music, we even have mobile hot stone, hot towel, mobile equipment basically where we can provide high level spa services and treatments anywhere we want to go and treatments anywhere we want to go.
Speaker 2:That's pretty impressive actually. Well, you touched on this how you started, but on your journey, how did you decide to get into the massage business?
Speaker 3:Yeah. So I'll just be honest I had to learn the hard way, knowing what I didn't want to do first. So I went to school for accounting many years ago and was in the corporate world auditing small businesses for a living, and just realized one day that I wasn't serving my true purpose. I wasn't feeling like I was helping people in the capacity that I felt like I could, and so that was a very interesting time to step away from that and break away from that to try to connect with what question mark. What was I going to do?
Speaker 3:And I had some inspiring people around me at the time physical therapists, people in you know, sort of the same realm and so I decided to start researching massage programs and I found an amazing program out in Denver, colorado, that focused on Eastern and Western modalities, pretty 50-50.
Speaker 3:So you basically came out of that program as a certified Thai massage therapist, which at the time I was like what does that even mean?
Speaker 3:But anyways, I fell in love with it and fell in love with massage and body work and wanted to learn more and get more advanced and go as far as I could with it once I started, and it was pretty easy for me to get private clients within the first year of starting.
Speaker 3:So, and the reason I say that is because if something comes easy to you and you know you be, you open the door and all of a sudden there's a path that's waiting 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 of what I was building and creating and until this day it's like I'm not burnt out and I still love it. I don't get to massage as much because I'm I'm busy managing and creating and getting into the higher level stuff with the business, but I'm still licensed and I still go to educational things and, um, some very, still very involved. Um, so, yeah, so kind of, you have to know what you don't want to do in order to go and and be brave enough to not do what you don't feel right doing and go for it If you think that there's something else out there for you to discover.
Speaker 2:Absolutely. And look at you now you got two locations and a mobile. You have three businesses. That's incredible, so congratulations. Well, what can you think of any myths or misconceptions in the massage business that people have?
Speaker 3:I don't need massage, 'm fine, I'm strong, um or uh. For those who actually do get massage, who want to be uh, like elbow deep, put your elbow through me because that's going to fix me. Uh, you know so kind of both side of either, like being resistant of, of doing any kind of therapy and not realizing how, uh, impactful that can be and what, what change can actually be brought to you emotionally, physically, like all the things. You know energy is a real thing and you know being open to the possibilities of how you could feel by getting on a massage table. And my big thing is always try out many different types of therapists. Don't just like find one and even if you're like I love them, they're perfect, like, no, have 10 more, with 10 different therapists, because you are going to discover things that other people are able to help you with. And you know, and it's, it's it's not just physical, it's like full, total, mind, body. You know the type of benefit that you can get from getting regular body work. It's, it's amazing.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it can. It can change your life. Actually, I've talked to, I've actually interviewed quite a few massage therapists and like how do you get into a lot of them just say I had my first massage and it changed my world, like I want to do that for other people. Yeah, I think that's very cool.
Speaker 3:Yeah, and like when I get on a massage table personally, it's not just helping me with stress and tension, but sometimes I swear I will get off of a massage table after a session and have the best ideas. My, my mind will be clear, it's like a good reset and all these like great ideas will just start. I'll I feel more inspired, you know, I feel renewed, and that's something to to consider you know Absolutely and to share with others as you do so.
Speaker 2:Outside of work, what do you like to do for fun?
Speaker 3:So I'm big on gardening, nature, love to travel, love food and those types of experiences Hiking, mountain biking, fishing yes.
Speaker 2:Oh, you like to fish.
Speaker 3:Yes, fly fishing, that's really fun.
Speaker 2:I don't know if you can see this or not. Yeah, yeah, I've been fly fishing 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 in pristine conditions. So, no pollution, no, you know construction. No buildings no, you know they. You're very clear, pristine water and and if so, if you're trout fishing, you're in a beautiful place.
Speaker 3:Exactly, yeah, absolutely love it. I really enjoy it. I've been on some really cool adventures.
Speaker 2:Nice, what's the biggest fish you ever caught?
Speaker 3:You know, I have not ever caught like a real trophy size. You know, just they're always like either like a wild brown or brook, or because I like to kind of hike up where you have, like it's almost like you're kind of hunting, because you have to be really quiet. You have to use a real lightweight rod. You have to like come up carefully. You only have one or two shots per little that you find.
Speaker 2:You know what I mean especially for brook trout because they're very they're hard to to get them to bite because they're native and they're like very skittish, but when you catch one it's a blast exactly.
Speaker 3:So you can kind of get down and like hide a little bit and gracefully throw your line in and yeah yeah, that's awesome, I'm excited, I'm excited.
Speaker 2:Yeah, females I've interviewed that said, yeah, I like the fly fish. That's incredible.
Speaker 3:Yeah, yeah, um cool.
Speaker 2:Well, let's switch gears for a second. Can you describe a hardship or a challenge that you've overcome and how it made you stronger in the end?
Speaker 3:Yeah, like related to the business, I'm assuming.
Speaker 2:Or personally or professionally.
Speaker 3:Yeah, I mean I'm going to stick with the business because I think that some of the things I've been up to over the last two years with my business have been the most challenging thing that I've ever experienced in my entire life and has really helped me grow in so many ways. So a few years ago, when I noticed my business was outgrowing its location, it was clear that our staff needed to have more personal space. Staff needed to have more personal space. Our check-in area is literally on top of like in the same room as the waiting room, and then other treatment rooms are, like the doors are in the same space. So it just became clear that it wasn't ideal and that we were a very like busy, a very like busy up and coming spa location that needed a better home, and so I started looking for that and I came across a beautiful space right around the corner from our current location that had the same vibe uh, it's a very old uh building, but but almost three times the size and I decided to buy the building and I had no idea what I was doing. Not, like you know, I didn't have this. I didn't come from an experience in my life where I had parents or people around me to say this is what you do and how you do it, like I had to figure it all out. And so I did, and I applied for SBA funding. They support small businesses into buying commercial properties for their businesses, and that was something I did and everything worked.
Speaker 3:We got the location and we got a contractor to start working on it, to make it, to outfit it for the needs that we had, and suddenly the city imposed out of left field on us something called a level one, full site compliance. So what that means is they put a hold on all of our construction plans and they said you need to bring your property up to full compliance. And that was everything to do with outside of the building that was purchased. So like building sidewalks. So like building sidewalks complying with, like the for ADA or ADA and, let's say, a fire truck needs to come through, and new requirements for buffer lines between our property line and residential.
Speaker 3:So all these crazy things that I had to I had to understand for the first time that were just way up above me. I've never done any of this before, working with all types of professionals, architects, getting permits, like trying to wrap my mind around how to not totally fail Right. And also, I had to come up with more money, a lot more money, and at the time I was already barely 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 it and make it a spa. Do is paint it and make it a spa.
Speaker 3:And then the city of Asheville said, nope, uh, you got to do a whole big, scary project before you can actually things. And I talked to people and I did all that I could do to educate myself and get in there and figure out how to keep putting one foot forward every day. So it is about to be the two year mark since we started this journey and we are about to move into the new location in about four to six weeks. Wow, and we made it. We're not in trouble financially. We figured it out and but it was the hardest thing I've ever done.
Speaker 2:I understand Starting and starting a business is not easy. Of course you were already established, but yeah, I mean new facility and start from scratch.
Speaker 3:So congratulations, that's incredible, thank you, thank you. And having to take care of the busy business at the same time and manage it.
Speaker 2:Yeah, okay. So, alyssa, if you could think of one thing that you would like our listeners to remember about you and about your business, what would that be?
Speaker 3:So I'd have to say it is our client satisfaction. We are client centric and if if a client, for any reason, comes to us, writes us, leaves a review you know any of the above about not having the experience that they thought that they would have or envisioned we are quick to listen to them, offer them a free do-over or you know whatever it is that we have to do to turn their experience around and not to even say that this is something that happens often. We have great reviews, if you look us up online, and many clients love their experience with us, but there's, you know, no such thing as perfect right. None of us are, and we understand that sometimes it's just not the right match. Maybe you were matched with a therapist that didn't do deep tissue as deep as you would like. So we want to hear you know those experiences and we always want to make it right. We always want you to see us as a place that cares and a place that you want to spend your money.
Speaker 2:Absolutely Well. That's a great thing. The customer experience, the customer, is always first.
Speaker 3:They are right, they are first, they are the most important thing.
Speaker 2:Awesome, Awesome. Well, for those of us who are interested in checking out your new place you said you'll be open in four to six weeks or the mobile option, which is incredible. How can we learn more?
Speaker 3:Yeah, so you can visit us at massageonwheelscom or ashvillemassagebodyworkcom or Asheville massage bodyworkcom, and you can also call our number at 828-357-4019. We're open seven days a week, from 9am to 9, 8pm. Sorry.
Speaker 2:Wow, seven days a week, that's awesome.
Speaker 3:Yes.
Speaker 2:Sunday massage.
Speaker 3:Yes.
Speaker 2:That's, that's, that's actually not. I don't think a lot of massage places are open on Sunday, so massage, yes, that's, that's. That's actually not a I don't think a lot of massage places are open on Sunday, so that's awesome.
Speaker 3:Yeah, and on Sundays we have something called sauna Sundays, so we offer half price sauna sessions for anyone that wants to try out the sauna for the first time. Or if you're a sauna goer and you want to try to take advantage to get a better deal, that's the day to do it.
Speaker 2:Awesome, awesome, love the sauna, love. So, alyssa, I can't tell you how much I appreciate you taking time out of your really busy schedule. It sounds like to spend some time with with me and with our listeners and wish you and your, your, your team there and your family all the best, moving forward.
Speaker 3:Thank you, thanks, skip. It was great connecting and having the opportunity to speak on your show today.
Speaker 2:Absolutely Well. Maybe we can have you back sometime in the future after your grand opening.
Speaker 3:Yes, all right.
Speaker 2:Awesome, sounds good. Thanks so much.
Speaker 1:Thank you for listening to the Good Neighbor Podcast. To nominate your favorite local businesses to be featured on the show, go to gnptry-citiescom. That's gnptry-citiescom, or call 423-719-5873.