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

Kathy, looking forward to hearing all of your stories 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?

I had moved up to Santa Barbara from Los Angeles after I realized my acting career was not quite going the way I suspected it would. I took a really great production job leaving behind not only performing but also massage and healing work that I had been doing. About six or eight weeks of doing the job I realized it was not only not a good fit but emotionally and psychologically abusive. I quit and found myself struggling to decide what I was going to do with myself.

After much contemplation and a few part-time jobs I realized I was aching to get back into the healing space. I started my massage practice. It was, to say the least, mildly terrifying. I started out working at every spa and chiropractic office that would have me and eventually as I built up my own client base I let the ones that were the least fun or profitable fall away.

After just a few months I worked myself into a pretty successful practice and realized I needed a space to work from. Taking that leap to renting an office was also a very scary proposition for me. It became real. It was expensive. It was risky. It was probably one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. Within a year I found that I was so busy I had other therapists that worked for me. I had not only hit my income goal but surpassed it. Multiple times after that I found myself at a crossroads. Did I want to add Hypnosis? Yes. Did I want to add coaching? Yes! And everyone of those cross roads it was a scary choice and a risk.

20 years later, I still have my original office. It’s just been completely remodeled. And now looking back at that fear I realized that it was somewhat unfounded. I knew I was on the right path. I knew I was on the right track for a successful practice. I have my clients and my friends and my partner encouraging me. There for me if I needed them with advice and support. Right now my practice consists of about 40% coaching and 60% massage. By the end of 2024 I want to switch those numbers and be doing more life and executive coaching. That’s also scary. I know I can make a really good living if I just stick to the lane I’m in, which is massage. But it’s time for that change. That urging is here. I’m back in school to get another coaching certification and I know that moving forward that will be the right choice.

Starting out on your own can be incredibly scary. Surround yourself with people who are supportive. Make sure if you’re in a relationship they understand the risks, both financially and timewise of you going out on your own. Ask yourself questions. Ask questions of those around you who have made that leap. Have a fallback plan and the same time remain confident that you were doing the right thing. It’s a big difference between confidence and arrogance. Be confident but not too cocky. That will just come back to bite you. Take the leap. Believe in yourself and everything else will fall in place.

Kathy, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I have been doing massage for over 30 years, which is still a small part of my practice. Currently I’m working mostly as a life and executive coach helping people through transitions, stress and communication challenges. I work with individuals as well as couples and teams. I’m also a certified hypnotherapist where I help people with fears and phobias and pre-and post op Hypnosis. I accept life and executive coaching clients both in person and out of the area. I love working with people who are stuck who I can help get to the next level in their personal and professional development.

Currently I am in school to be a psychedelic journey coach. I’m really excited about this next offering and look forward to practicing that locally in California next year.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

I think so much of my success came from my outgoing friendly demeanor. I’m always kind and considerate on the phone. I’m a good communicator. I get back to people promptly. I’ve so many experiences where people in business make it almost impossible to be reached, unclear ads, strange business names, business cards that are unreadable, websites that make it hard to find addresses or contact info. Make it easy for people to buy what you’re selling. Make it clear who you are and what you do. I’ve also always had clear and creative advertising and messaging. But I think more than anything it’s the people skills that have really helped me.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

No doubt, word of mouth. I was one of the first massage therapist in Santa Barbara to do advertising in newspapers and coupon books but ultimately it is people sharing who you are and what you do that is going to build your business. Make sure you are kind and friendly to everyone. And don’t be afraid to ask for referrals. If someone says they appreciate your service tell them that you have a few openings in your practice and you are always looking for more people. It’s those satisfied customers and clients that are going to bring you more people just like them!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.KathyGruver.coach
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/drkathygruver
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/drkathygruver
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/kathygruver
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/drkathygruver
• Other: www.tiktok.com/drkathygruver