We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jasmine Brooks. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jasmine below.

Hi Jasmine, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about how you went about setting up your own practice and if you have any advice for professionals who might be considering starting their own?

Although becoming a massage therapist has been one of the best decisions of my life, it was not an easy one. I never dreamed of being a therapist. I grew up wanting to be in the medical field as a doctor of some kind. I was never sure what type of doctor but i knew i wanted to change lives. I wanted to help people to be more healthy. And to change their everyday life for the better. Shortly after graduating college, I became a mother. I had no job, no proper work experience, and no idea on what to do. I immediately started looking into what could be a short term solution to being able to provide for my daughter. As a former athletic trainer in college, I figured massage therapy would be something easily adaptable and profitable. So I signed up for massage therapy school at Texas Center for Massage therapy in Arlington, Tx. After completing the nearly 10 month program, I got my first job as a therapist at Hand and Stone spa. The first year was the absolute hardest. My body underwent so many small nagging injuries. I was exhausted and overworked, but I kept going back and pushing through it all. I had realized that I had many loyal clients at the spa. And I had become apart of their life. After being told by a client “I don’t know what I would be doing without you.” I knew right then that I had found my place in the world where I can still change lives and increase daily value for others. My love for massage had grown so much, I decided to venture out on my own and look for ways to become even better. I took more classes, and watched countless videos and presentations. After working on my craft for nearly 2 years at the spa, I decided that it was time I believed in myself and start my own massage business so that I am able to really impact others the way I knew I could. That’s when I came up with Impact Muscle Therapy. I began advertising and doing massages for discounted prices to gain clientele. I did not have a location yet so I was only doing mobile sessions. I was still completely full time at the spa as well. And as my business started to grow, I would take a day off of my schedule at the spa for every 3-5 clients that I would gain in my own business. In a short amount of time I was down to only working 2 days and every other weekend at the spa. I was content with that schedule. I was in a place where I felt safe. Then Covid-19 happened. The spa shut down and I was forced into only working for myself at that point. That’s when I knew that sometimes you have to take risks and trust that God won’t lead you to something that he won’t bring you through. My clientele grew tremendously. I finally was able to get my own office. Not 1, but 2 locations. I have been so incredibly blessed to be able to work with many professionals. My advice to anyone starting their own business in the service industry is to perfect your craft and genuinely love what you do because it reflects in your work. Although I was advertising and marketing, majority of my clientele would come from word of mouth. I learned that very quickly therefore I make sure to always provide amazing service to each and every client that books with me. There were days that I wasn’t sure if it was a good idea that I work for myself. Business goes up and down at times. But never give up on your goals and your dreams. Have patience with yourself, and with the industry you are in because it will not happen over night. Sometimes it takes weeks, months, and even years like in my case. Always keep your eyes on the prize and you will succeed at whatever your heart desires.

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 back background and context?

I got into my career after graduating with my masters degree of Science in Kinesiology from Texas Southern University. Shortly after graduating I started massage therapy school in Arlington, Tx.
By becoming a massage therapist I have not only been able to make a great living for myself and my daughter, I have been able to help so many people recover and be more healthy and overall just feel better. Some see massage as a luxury, whereas I see massage as a wellness benefit for all. Everyone can benefit from massage therapy. It can positively affect your day to day life in so many ways. I am most proud of being trusted by so many and being able to work with many professional athletes such as Lebron James, James Harden, Eric Gordon, Antonio Brown, and many others. As a former division 1 athlete, I enjoy being able to still be apart of the sports setting while in my professional career. I am also proud to have been appointed to the USATF medical staff for the last 2 years. Any potential client should know that I treat all of my clients equally and care about the health and wellness of each individual. I am driven to change as many lives as possible through the touch of Massage Therapy.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

Building my reputation in my field has been mostly word of mouth referrals from previous or current clients. When you are great at what you do, people will tell others how great you are and to try it for themselves! I am so grateful for my loyal clients, new clients, and future clients to come!

If you could go back, would you choose the same profession, specialty, etc.?

Looking back at how I chose massage therapy I wouldn’t change a thing. I don’t believe I chose it, I believe it chose me. I am continuously learning more and more. 4 years into my career and I am still wanting to be better at my job every single day.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Impact Muscle Therapy