Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Emily Seibel. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Emily, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.
Thank you for having me! It’s an honor to be here. My parents could’ve never prepared for a child like me. Being the youngest child and the only girl, my parents had their hands full. I’ve always been the “crazy idea” kid, and wildly ambitious. My parents did their best to bring my space cadet brain back to reality without crushing my dreams (easier said than done, but they certainly tried). We didn’t have a lot growing up but my parents did their best to give my brothers and me the world. My college years were really the peak of my crazy ambition. With new found freedom and independence from my hometown, I was ready to jump into all of the majors and minors and concentrations. When I finally declared a major, I followed it up with a double minor and a concentration. My parents were always checking in and making sure I wasn’t too overwhelmed (I always was, but I tried to hide that from them). They knew that I would figure it out. I’m that person that can’t learn enough, so I was in school full time all 4 years of college, even the summer semesters! There was so much I wanted to know and I just had to take every opportunity that I could.
One spring semester, I decided I was going to study abroad. My parents both took a big breath and sighed heavily. My dad said, “we’ll figure it out.” And we did! I studied abroad (it was my first time out of the country) to Ireland and Scotland and had quite the eye-opening and life-changing experience. From the architecture to the culture to the terrain, just observing how other people’s lives differ from mine has always been fascinating to me. I promised myself I would go on a mission trip before graduation, and time was ticking! So, the summer before senior year, I jumped in on a mission trip a handful of my friends had gone on before to Guatemala. My parents once again supporting my decision and dropping me off at the airport at ungodly early hours without giving even a grimace.
Fast forward to grad school, I was moving states away to a state I had never been to (North Carolina) and was renting an apartment I never got to see before moving in. At this point, my parents just kind of chuckled and shook their heads as if to say, “that’s our Emily.” In my graduate program, I had the opportunity to study abroad again, and without hesitation I signed up. When I told my parents, they were excited, but my mom was hesitant… because it was SO far away — Australia and New Zealand. My parents drove all the way from Ohio to North Carolina to yet again take me to the airport. I could pretty much count on them for anything. That same summer I signed up for a practicum assignment in South Africa, because I needed to do a practicum anyway, why not do one abroad?! Three days after my month in Africa, I was on a plane to Guatemala again, because if my friends were going, I was going! It’s such a heartwarming week with the most wholesome and kind people. That whole summer was a whirlwind of cultural immersion, self-efficacy, and excitement. I took every opportunity thrown my way on those trips and was given the gift of learning about myself.
When I told my parents I was going to quit my corporate job and go to school to become a massage therapist, I heard crickets. It was the first time my parents really hesitated about supporting me. The first question was, “Is that a sustainable career?” And I said, “I will make it be.” And that was that. They helped with my clinical hours in massage school, they’ve referred me to their friends, and when I tell them how full my books are, they’re not surprised because, “That’s our Emily.”
If there’s one thing my parents did right, it’s that they never doubted me.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?
My name is Emily Seibel and I am a massage therapist in the Cincinnati area. My massage style is solution-based to get to the root of your body “yucks” and help you to feel your best in your every day body. Being a part of a person’s wellbeing journey is not something I take lightly! It is the greatest compliment to be trusted so much that people can be vulnerable with me. My priority is your comfort, wellbeing, and safety during our time together.
How I got into Massage —
Massage therapy has always been an interest of mine, as has helping people. In high school, my friends would always ask, “Hey Seibel, will you rub my shoulders” or “Will you walk on my back?” I always enjoyed bringing tension and pain relief to my friends, and finding the trigger points in their backs, and releasing them, was always fun for me. “The plan” was for massage to be my “side hustle” once I finished my higher education. I was “supposed” to get my bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. Expectations were high in my hometown. College was expected and trades were looked down upon. The way college was harped upon in high school made it seem like I didn’t really have any other option. So I went to college, then I went on to graduate school. But once I finished my master’s degree, I needed a break.
I got a job as a Children’s Protective Services worker; I was filled with hope and ambition to change the world. Pretty much immediately, I was sucked into the perpetuation of the toxic workoholic cycle. you always had to be accessible to your supervisor, you had strict, borderline impossible deadlines with an overwhelming workload, the list goes on. Time “off the clock” didn’t really exist, you were always on, just not always paid. You were always waiting for that “ping” of your phone from one of your cases blowing up. You couldn’t schedule/plan anything outside of work.
I stopped sleeping, I only drank coffee, I ate when I remembered, I didn’t have a social life. It was work, sleep (if I could fall asleep), repeat. My apartment just became a storage unit for my belongings. I worked long hours, and my to-do list never got done and I could never get anything done in the right time due to other things happening on the caseload. I became a shell of a human. I was severely depressed and didn’t enjoy any aspect of my life, withdrew from almost all of my friendships, and constantly snapped at those who I didn’t withdraw from. It was no way to live. I was a prisoner to my job with no escape; I needed the money and I didn’t have the time (or energy) to apply to any other jobs.
In hopes to make things better, I asked my supervisor for help prioritizing my to-do list, and I was dismissed and just given information for employee counseling. Insulted by the lack of support from my supervisor, I followed up with the employee counselor and it became a weekly meeting. My counselor helped me talk through things, professional and personal, and I slowly started to feel alive again. I learned how to put professional boundaries in place and stand my ground when I needed to. I re-evaluated my personal priorities and was able to set aside about 30 minutes a day to search and apply for jobs. I quickly became disheartened when I couldn’t find anything with a similar pay grade.
I decided to look into going back to school, for anything, because learning to help people live comfortably sounded too perfect for me. Then I found out I could go to massage school at night! I contacted Cincinnati School of Medical Massage and asked for as much information as they could give me. When I mentioned I may have to work late some nights, the school said that’s okay as long as I made them up, but with how busy I was already, I didn’t think that was possible. I again became disheartened. My counselor helped walk me through all of these emotions and disappointments. After some time of reviewing my strengths and passions, somehow, we came to the decision that I was going to try care.com and drive for Lyft. Eventually, after 3 or 4 family interviews, I found a family that was able to work with my schedule if I were to start school and were able to pay enough for me to get by. I was absolutely bubbling over with the thought of my freedom and being unchained from my prison. I put my two-week notice in the day before Thanksgiving. I left my corporate 9 to 5 job and steady paycheck to pursue a career that’s a lot less secure, and I didn’t care.
The COVID-19 pandemic hit about 2 weeks into massage school. Almost my entire first term was virtual. Learning a literal hands-on trade virtually was not easy. It was more frustrating than anything. I understood the concepts and methods but I wanted to put concept to practice but I wasn’t able to. Luckily once second term came around, we were back in person, with extreme precautions in place. Hands-on practice was my favorite part of massage school. Learning about the muscles, how they move, and how methods can provide relief and function to the muscles was mind-blowing in the best way. It all seemed to make sense and it almost came naturally once I was introduced to the concepts.
I was the annoying student that asked a million questions, and clarifying questions, and I didn’t care that my teachers and classmates would get annoyed, I couldn’t learn enough! I was adamant about getting my clinic hours done timely (if I had an open appointment, I contacted all my family and friends until I got it filled), I did all my reading and homework, I wrote down my questions from the reading, I fully nerded out while in school. It just felt right.
The day I passed my licensure exam, I lost my voice from screaming so loudly. I was so excited! I graduated about 10 days later with straight As through the whole program. I was beyond excited. My massage mentor made me an offer I couldn’t refuse – she wanted to share her massage studio with me a few days a week! And that’s where I am practicing still today.
My first day as a practicing massage therapist was March 8th, 2021. I was lucky to have 2 sessions a day. Now, I have to place professional boundaries for myself so I don’t overbook myself. My clientele built up so quickly, I couldn’t be more thankful or fortunate for the love and support that I have received to build my small business. Probably a solid 80% of my clientele is from word of mouth of my family and friends. My 5-year plan is to have my own studio so I can better meet the availability and needs of my clients!
Services —
My sessions are a full 30, 60, or 90 minutes hands-on with paperwork done before the timer starts, opposed to the common 10-minute consult + 50 minutes hands-on. I intentionally book extra time between clients for that reason, as well as time for cleanup, notes, and COVID-19 precautions. I diffuse essential oils during my sessions to enhance the impact of massage on the body. Eucalyptus and lavender are my go-to scents. My clients are not just a number in my day, they are human beings and I care so much for my clients. I make note of how their mood is and where their body is giving them trouble. I follow up the day after a massage to check-in and remind them to stay hydrated. I really enjoy using my anatomy guidebook to help answer questions clients might have regarding certain muscles. It provides my client an opportunity to show me exactly where they are experiencing discomfort and allows me to practice more efficiently as a massage therapist.
My massage therapy studio offers a home-style space, instead of the “expectation” spa setting. Come in your pajamas, after work, your day off, what have you. My studio is a judgment-free safe place for my clients. I have an explicit acceptance policy in my initial paperwork that states, “The Zen Escape is a safe space for all walks of life. Hatred has no place in massage. Massage therapy is for everybody and every BODY. The client is encouraged to be their true selves; however, they may identify, and will be welcomed soulfully and wholly.”
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
After graduating from massage school, I applied to work at a reputable chiropractor’s office in the area. During my shift, I give patients 10 minute regional massages to the area specified by the doctor. If the patient likes my work, they can take a business card and reach out to me to schedule. The chiropractor’s office also has a list of massage therapists they refer to and they added me as soon as I was hired. Some of the patients will report back to the doctors about their time with me, which results in the doctors referring patients to me! Truly, working with a chiropractor has grown my practice elevenfold. I can easily say about 50% of my clientele has come from there!
Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?
Having a relationship with a reputable accountant is almost just as crucial as building clientele. I have had so many questions about the financial aspect of running a business and went in totally blind when starting my business. I learned the hard way about how to pay the quarterly taxes and back-taxes — stuff they don’t teach you in school. Thankfully, I have a trusted accountant who was able to break things down for me so that I could understand them and make better decisions going into the next tax year. He has answered all of my questions in a kind and professional way, even when I felt dumb for asking. Before even opening a business, schedule a meeting with an accountant and bring all of your questions!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://squareup.com/appointments/book/lqox5852h0irne/L9ESSGZPTS6J5/services
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thezenescape/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheZenEscapeCincy
Image Credits
Kari Ann Photography