Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Daher.
Jessica, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My name is Jess, I am a 31 years old massage therapist and owner of Stay Relaxed. I was born in Chihuahua and raised in North Denver. I’m a mom of two, a former Dreamer. Before I enrolled in the massage therapy program at Emily Griffith I was working as a Patient Care Coordinator for Cherry Creek Imaging, now known as Health Images. I was working the typical 9-5 at the time and I was miserable. I wanted to be hands-on with the healing, I wanted freedom, I wanted to be there for my kids.
So I came up with a plan to go to school and become a massage therapist. Growing up my family would visit the “Sobador” when feeling ill or in pain. I was fascinated by the idea of healing the body just with a touch. Tapping into that inner child dream, I enrolled in the Massage Therapy program at Emily Griffith in the fall of 2019. I continued to work full time during the day, and attended class in the evenings. Once I completed the program and became licensed in the fall of 2020 I started building my clientele with friends and family, giving at-home massages evenings after work or on weekends. In April of 2021, I was able to resign from my position at Health Images. I worked at Hand and Stone, Wellness Spa Rx and at home massages for a few months. I quickly realized I wanted my own space, I needed more of a connection with my clients.
In August of 2021, I chose suit 301 in the University Building as my studio. The minute I walked in there I just felt it, I just knew that was it. I opened Stay Relaxed in October 2021. Gaining most of my clientele by referrals and Instagram, as every small business owner knows, it’s all about the reels.
I am beyond thankful for massage therapy and the healing that it has done for me. When I first began my journey I was excited for financial reasons, I was a single mom of two on survival mode. Little did I know that’s where I began my spiritual journey.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The obstacles began before I even started school. A month before I started school, I totaled my car in an accident. Thankfully my co-worker/friend and her husband let me borrow their old Subaru for about four months before getting my own vehicle again. In December of 2019 I was rear-ended. This unfortunately did some damage to my left shoulder. I had to squeeze physical therapy into my already busy schedule.
Of course there was the everyday life of just being a mom. I remember my daughter at the time, 7 years old, broke her finger on the school playground. I of course had CPR certification that same day. Once discharged we drove straight from Children’s Hospital to Emily Griffith that evening. She sat in our small class, joking about how she should have become CPR certified as well. She ended up having surgery for that finger a few days later.
March 2020 hit and just like everyone else I was in full panic mode. I didn’t know if I would be able to graduate. Luckily we were able to continue with zoom classes and a few adjustments to clinical. I was so thankful for my experience in the medical field to help me with the anatomy/medical portion of massage. COVID hit when we were in our clinical and were unable to see clients. So with only four students in our class, we massaged each other.
Fall of 2021 I was enrolled in a continuing education class for business/marketing. Zoom meetings were on the same day as my son’s football games, so I had to multitask. Zoom meetings while cheering him on.
September 29th, 2020 just two weeks before opening my studio, I lost my apartment due to a kitchen flood. A pipe burst at 3am flooding the apartment, and I felt everything fall apart. I was just about to open my business and here I was homeless. For the next eight months, my daughter and I had to stay with loved ones.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I am a massage therapist/owner of Stay Relaxed located on 16th St Mall. I specialize in myofascial release. Offering 60min, 90min and 120min sessions. I am so proud of the safe space I created for my clients. A place for them to distress and come back to self.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I genuinely care about my clients. Massage has changed my life and I have to share this healing with everyone. I am all about the healing that is happening right now, and I am beyond thankful that I get to hold this space for others on their journey.
I am here to help you connect to your body. To help you release the trauma trapped in the body. I start each session with a conversation asking how you are feeling. This gives me an idea of what oil blends to incorporate, what to work, what we are letting go of – both emotionally and physically. I explain the importance of breathing through the massage, in through the nose out through the mouth. The idea is to release. After the session we have a conversation and create a plan. I want to have you feeling pain free, I want you to have a moment to distress and bring your awareness back to self.
I use my Instagram to preach about self care and massage everyday. I want to educate people on the importance of taking care of your body. Monday’s are Muscle Monday’s where I create little quizzes for the muscles. I keep my Instagram stories fun with constant reminders to stretch, hydrate, meditate, and just simply breathe. We live such a fast-paced life that we don’t take the time to take care of our bodies until sickness comes knocking at the door.
I am human just like everyone else. Working hard on my spiritual hygiene, while helping others along the way. These days you want someone you can trust, especially with your energy. I am a true believer that the more you know the more you grow. I want to be the best I can be, for myself and my clients. I am constantly taking all of the continuation classes I can, sharing all of that knowledge with my clients.
Thank you to my clients, friends and family who have made this possible for me.
Contact Info:
- Website: stayrelaxed.me
- Instagram: @jessdaher_lmt
Image Credits
Diana Chairez – Deetography
