We recently connected with Kim Pham and have shared our conversation below.

Kim, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Was there an experience or lesson you learned at a previous job that’s benefited your career afterwards?

I was formerly a cardiovascular perfusionist before becoming a massage therapist and Reiki practitioner. My last boss was harassing me. He actually told me that he would take me behind the watershed to whip me into doing what he told me to do. After the hospital administration was informed about his comment, they told me that I had a personality adjustment that needed to be made and he would be the perfect person to help me with that. This was 1995. I walked out. I filed for unemployment even though I had quit. The Unemployment Office conducted an investigation and found it necessary for all hospital managers to undergo harassment training. I felt pretty good about leaving that gift so that no one else would have to endure what I did. The moral of the story for me was that I had to experience that horrible job to realize that I should pursue another career in Medical Massage and Reiki. Now 25 years later, I am still working as a massage therapist who specializes in Reiki Deep Tissue.

Kim, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I have been a massage therapist for 25 years. In those 25 years, I have been able to sustain a great life for myself and my family (husband and twin boys). I have had training in various techniques throughout the years. I love to learn how to incorporate new techniques along with old ones to help release facia or soft tissue. I am very thorough when it comes to taking care of a problem area. I like to begin at one end of the kinetic chain and follow the entire chain, releasing tissue along the way. When I first started massaging, I couldn’t find one technique that solved all the muscular problems that I was observing in my clients. While other massage therapists were specializing in one technique, I was learning various techniques to address more comprehensive issues. I found that I had more success when I blended different techniques together to address client problems. Reiki energy is a big part of my deep tissue work. It allows for a deeper release that the client can tolerate. If you are a potential new client, you’ll have to schedule 2-3 weeks in advance. Please keep that in mind if you are scheduling.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

I do not do a lot of advertising. I do make note of community boards that allow you to post your business cards. One way to grow your business is to selectively choose your patronage. I have an acupuncturist, who I see for my own health. He suggested I place some business cards in his office. I send him my people who need acupuncture and vice versa.
Utilize your client base as much as you can. They are your best resource!

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I am an immigrant t from Saigon. I came to the US when I was 4 yrs old. My parents had 4 mouths to feed in a brand-new country and culture. We were a fish out of water. I grew up in the suburb of Columbus, Ohio. I was bullied. I was told to “Go Home” even though this is my home. Always made to feel as if I didn’t belong. I was called chink, gook, and a host of undesirable names. In the year of 2020 and start of pandemic, Asian hate was at an all-time high for varying reasons I don’t want to get into. It has opened my eyes to how marginalized we are despite of the stereotype that we are the model minority. But it has not clouded my love for this country or my love for helping other people. I find that when I can connect to others on a deeper level (meaning beneath superficial skin), it makes me very happy.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.it-massage.com
• Instagram: phamkuo
• Linkedin: Kim Pham, owner, intuitive touch, llc

Image Credits
I own rights to all of these images. Essenza Photography Studios took professional pictures