Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Marissa Gandelman. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Marissa thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’re complete cheeseballs and so we love asking folks to share the most heartwarming moment from their career – do you have a touching moment you can share with us?

There’s a short video a colleague made (as a series of videos) for my business about 8 years ago and this one specifically featured me talking about a type of bodywork I offer, craniosacral therapy. In the video, I’m holding a little girl, Serena Darling (yes, that’s her middle name!) and talking to her mother off camera about the family’s journey with Serena’s health and the craniosacral work.

Serena came to me through a referral. She was less than a year old, had very little muscle tone and couldn’t really keep her head up. Tests revealed nothing, but her parents knew something was wrong. Serena was dissociated and not connecting with the world around her. The minute I walked up to her though, something clicked and she reached for me. I held her in my arms, and we “spoke” to each other through this connection and the craniosacral sessions we had. This story is better told than written, as it’s difficult for me to describe the work this way.

Here is the link to the page with the video — scroll down: https://www.elmcitywellness.com/craniosacral-therapy/

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My journey into massage therapy and craniosacral therapy is deeply rooted in a desire to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. It all started with a personal journey of self-discovery and healing after a decade-long career as an editor and speechwriter, which led me to burnout. I began exploring holistic wellness practices to manage the stress, and as I delved deeper into this path, I discovered a profound sense of purpose in helping others find relief and balance in their lives. My approach to therapy is shaped by my own experiences and struggles, allowing me an opportunity to empathize with my clients on a profound level. Every session is an opportunity to connect authentically, to listen intently, and to offer support and healing in whatever form it’s needed. What sets my practice apart is not just the techniques we employ, but the genuine care and compassion that we bring to every interaction. We’re deeply community-focused, believing that we all heal better with community. I’m most proud of the relationships I’ve cultivated over the years, and the moments of transformation and healing that we’ve shared together.

Any advice for managing a team?

I’d like to answer two of these questions together, the one above and this one: Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Building the right team is crucial for any business to survive. And retaining them is equally as important. I do not take my team for granted and treat them with the utmost respect. And we’ve learned over the years what skills we each bring to the management table. My advice for managing a team and maintaining high morale stems from a story of resilience during a challenging time. We were just one month away from opening our second location when the pandemic hit. Suddenly, everything we had planned and worked tirelessly for seemed uncertain. However, instead of succumbing to despair, we rallied together as a team. We maintained open communication, transparency, and a shared sense of purpose. Despite the uncertainty, we remained committed to supporting each other and finding creative solutions to navigate through the crisis. We never laid anyone off and kept our doors open (when we were allowed to reopen) with the highest consideration for everyone’s health and wellness. This experience taught me the importance of resilience, adaptability and the power of teamwork. We’ve created a culture of trust, collaboration and mutual support that can be felt by our clients/community.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

Massage therapy seems like an easy-enough field to go into, but without empathy, compassion and strict boundaries, most do not stay in it for long. And being a business owner of 35+ employees is almost a “field” in and of itself. Learning how to wear both hats (well) is an ongoing challenge in any field, so having patience to journey through this career with an open heart is the biggest piece of advice I can give. And tapping into that requires courage, as this career changes you as a person.

Contact Info:

• Website: elmcitywellness.com
• Instagram: @ecwellnesss
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElmCityWellness
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marissa-gandelman-lmt-bcst-5681198/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmzbR3PthYSxI7bhq0NyKCw
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/elm-city-wellness-new-haven-2

Image Credits
I currently don’t have many images other than these two, but I should be getting some over the next week.