Today we’d like to introduce you to Carita Hall.

Hi Carita , so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?

When I was younger, growing up in Florida, my mom would take her 2 daughters to volunteer opportunities like the special Olympics, feeding the houseless and homeless during the holidays and gift give aways with churches and non profits throughout our own community and surrounding communities. As I got older I realized that though bodywork and massage was a divine gift I definitely wanted to collaborate the efforts of educating people about alternative options to healthcare as well as reaching people within communities that had not been made aware of the alternative holistic methods of massage, fitness, nutrition and mindful meditation (as well as a host of other therapies like chiropractic, acupuncture, acupressure, yoga, and sound healing). I also wanted to help others understand that doing things like getting your hair done, getting manicures and pedicures and simple things like long walks with friends could also be used a holistic therapy to help decrease anxiety, lower blood pressure and increase blood and oxygen flow throughout the body.
I received my massage license at the age of 19 (in 2000) but didn’t start my own business until 2018, after leaving a career in corporate property management and housing for 10 years. Crafted Wellness was then put on the back burner when covid hit the nation and I realized I didn’t want to ever have to run a business by myself. Running a business by myself helped me realized that I didn’t have anyone to help when I got sick, when emergencies popped up, no PTO, no income when leave was necessary. I went looking for partners, a coalition of people to help with the need. I also wanted to create a coalition of people that I could also support. I had gained a lot of experience with administration and business management while working in the corporate world and I knew a lot of healers needed that expertise. I found my [then] business partner on instagram, just looking for other massage therapists in the area that needed the same type of support i was looking for. We connected with the same business practice beliefs and we formed Holistic Coalition.
We hit the ground running with our participation in community and private events offering our services for free sometimes, just to get the word out that we wanted to help people and bring healing to those that sought it. We also collected relationships with different types of healers including qigong instructors, reiki masters, yoga instructors, international award winning massage therapists throughout the pacific northwest and a number of sound healers providing different types of sound therapy from gongs to bowls to tuning forks.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?

It has not been a smooth road. My previous business partner went homeless and I eventually moved back in with my mother and family to support the business in its full capacity. There were a lot of struggles and sacrifices made to be able to create events and opportunities that could accurately display what Holistic Coalitions’ vision of offering services to the community long term would look like for future partners and investors.
In December 2024 Deon Abdullah, one of the original founders of Holistic Coalition, decided to step away from the business to focus on his family and grow his private brand.
With the connections and relationships that were built since its original development in May 2022 Holisitc Coalition has been able to support a lot of holistic providers of color throughout the pacific northwest. [BIPOC] Providers that would not typically have a platform to be able to be seen within their gift of offerings. We’ve also been able to provide free bodywork, acupuncture, nutrition, fitness, and reiki services to over 3,000 people throughout King and Pierce counties with the raising of grants and community funding.
Owning a small business is a hurdle of its own that can only be conquered one day at a time by the passion and vision of the owner. Pivoting and revamping has to be down and accepted with an open mind and enjoyable spirit.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?

Holistic Coalition is a platform that serves to help other holistic professionals obtain exposure of their services and healing offerings throughout community while helping meet the administrative needs of a small business.

Originally we started as a group of massage therapists that just needed support of other massage therapists in covering clients during times of sick leave, emergency situations or just simply needing time off.

Holistic Coalition seeks to eventually create a system that will allow holistic providers communicate in regard to patient needs and meeting goals for long term health.

We are most proud of the relationships we’ve built both nationally and internationally, and that’s what sets us apart. We’ve been able to create a loving and supportive community of healers and holistic providers that offer a host of services and our ability to take holistic therapies into communities and to people that would not typically know of holistic care or be able to afford such services.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?

I sincerely wish I would’ve stayed on top of my financial administrative duties. I recently hired a CPA and wish I would’ve done that when I FIRST started the business.

I’d also like to add, don’t be discouraged with the first few failures.. the first few “no(s)”, because they will happen. Be encouraged when you find the 2 people who share your vision and allow you to dance and live within your dreams.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.holisticcoalitionnw.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holisticcoalition_nw/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/holisticcoalitionnw
• Youtube: https://youtu.be/K0drDeMAKHM?si=8Lk3WZKu2t722N5o
• Other: https://www.youtube.com/live/Lgz6fNlH-P4?si=b66DTwwWZ8y4LOic

Image Credits

Photos by Justin Gaspaire