We recently connected with Chelsea Houfek and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Chelsea, thanks for joining us today. We’re complete cheeseballs and so we love asking folks to share the most heartwarming moment from their career – do you have a touching moment you can share with us?

I am a Licensed Esthetician and Massage Therapist that specializes in PreNatal and Post Natal Clients! One of the heartwarming stories that just melt me everytime I think upon it is this client who I was referred by a local chiropractor. She previously had an emergency c section with her first child and was hoping to have a non intervention at home birth V Back with her second. I love holistic care but I also believe in OB medical system as well and was slightly worried for this client just knowing some risks that she was taking, but also as a mama whose gone through it I knew exactly where her head and heart were during this time.
My first time arriving at her house for her first prenatal massage with me I had asked the typical pregnancy questions, ” What are you having” ” When are you due” “Whose your midwife ” etc. To which she responded, I have had no medical intervention, I don’t have a midwife, I don’t know the gender or my exact due date I know from the time Ive tracked and that’s about it. I thought to myself, oh man…. and she trusts me to help her get to her most highest self during this pregnancy , I have to hold myself to a higher standard with this one! I saw this said client every month until 40 weeks. After checking in with the client to see how she was doing she had sent me the sweetest message how I helped her have the delivery of her dreams! Leading into labor she had no edema in legs which would be a cause to head to the hospital, she was relaxed and at ease at home at her own pace and not hooked up to any medical IVs just the way she planned to have a successful VBACK. I was so touched that she thought to thank me for her doing all of the work but it just clarified for me that I am in the right place where I need to be and am making a difference in my clients lives.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am Chelsea Houfek, your Licensed Esthetician (Estie Bestie) and Licensed Massage Therapist specializing in Pre and Postnatal care as well as an Infant Massage Instructor. I was not always drawn to Esthetics as a profession but always cared deeply about self care world from the body building environment I was apart of for a couple years where I competed professionally locally.
I graduated during 2020 – the year we all hate talking about. The year that salons and spas were not essential and nobody was allowed to be touched or rather… preferred not to be touched. But by the time I graduated salons had just received the OK to reopen and everybody could not wait another minute to get in and pampered to well… feel normal again!
Once graduated I dove right into the Esthetician side of things as massage was a little slow still getting back to it! I went to a couple of continuing education courses and was certified in Dermaplaning which is one of my favorite services to offer! It is great for first time clients, clients preparing for photoshoots, brides, anybody looking for an option for exfoliation and not too aggressive as well.
I opened up in a little room in the back of a hair salon right out of school to get started! I was the only Licensed Esthetician and had no higher up to mentor me so I took it in my own hands to truly just do as much education on the side and research as I could to build myself into the Esthetician I am now.
Unfortunately my dad had passed away suddenly and I was still working full time at the dental office I was at during school and doing Esthetics on the side… when everything happened and I was grieving it was best for me to sell all of my esthetic tools and equipment and just close down until life became some what normal after my dad passing.
Fast forward 1 year later I had my son Brooks and was on maternity leave contemplating on if I was going to go back to work at the dental office or not. My son and I both were getting adjusted at a local perinatal chiropractor that had me start thinking this is exactly who I want to work with, sweet mamas and their babies. The relief chiropractic gave us both made me want to provide the same help to clients as well!
While on maternity leave I decided to reinstate my Massage License with the State of FL, and take a PreNatal Massage Course as well as Infant Massage Instruction so I could help moms and dads know what to do at home for their new babies at home in times of need.
I went back to work for the dental office for about 6 months until I finalized everything with the new business venture I had planned and decided to take that full force after!
I am not only certified in PreNatal and PostNatal Massage but also offer PreNatal safe Facials using all safe products for my clients. This sets me apart with the knowledge I have gained from multiple courses taken that most are unaware of ingredient wise as well. I offer not only Facials and Massages in my private suite but also offer the luxury of Mobile Massage for my clients so it is one less thing they have to worry about after the massage is dealing with the stress of our roadways after pure relaxation for the last 60 minutes to 90 minutes.
For my clients first Post Natal Massage it is 90% of the time in the comfort of their home where I block off time to allow as many breaks as they need since the newborn is usually there and needing to feed as well. I help mom with things around the house, let mom shower if needed while I care for baby and also offer the FREE Infant Massage Instruction for mom so she not only can be more informed on how to massage her baby, it is a bonding mechanism for mom and baby, it is a bonding moment for mom and dad as well and also offers post partum depression support and reduces post partum depression and anxiety in moms.
I love my PreNatal mamas but I see everybody for massage as well and still offer mobile to my non pregnant clients too! I love catering to my PreNatal mamas because I have been there in the thick of Pregnancy, and post partum and I believe that everybody should have somebody in their corner that will support them in every journey especially their not so easy ones!

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

Networking without a doubt. Training and knowledge can only get you so far just like they say experience and talent can only get you so far but its your consistency/ passion for what you do that truly shows who will overcome at the end. I love networking with like minded individuals in all career paths and through word of mouth simply from networking my business as doubled in size. When you get to know, like, and trust an individual it makes it easier for you to refer them as well! Referrals are the best for my line of work. I have paid for ads here and there through Facebook or instagram but never for heavy marketing and I think word of mouth truly will conquer all!

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I believe what helped me build reputation with my business and networking with local chiropractors and physicians that see many of the same clients I may see!
I have clients that call my last prenatal massage for them around 40 weeks an induction massage due to my track record of clients going into labor the same week! Massaging clients around 39-40 weeks puts them at ease and comfortable for labor and also helps baby get into position. This name ” Induction Massage” became the nickname from clients as I believe baby will come when baby is ready, but I think it defines how the reputation was built and keeps going.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.urbanskn.com
• Instagram: @urbanskn
• Facebook: Urban SKN

Image Credits

Samantha Faux with Red Fox Photography