We recently connected with Nicki Mercede and have shared our conversation below.

Nicki, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you get your first job in the field that you practice in today?

I grew up with a twin sister with Cerebral Palsy, which meant spending countless hours in therapy rooms and doctor’s offices. I was especially drawn to her Physical and Occupational Therapy sessions, and how they focus on functional mobility to improve her quality of life. It was truly inspiring to see her grow and thrive with therapy that didn’t rely on pharmaceutical treatment.

While studying Exercise Science and Psychology at the College of Charleston, thinking I would follow an Occupational Therapy track, I took a job at a local assistive-stretching studio. Surprisingly, I found myself deeply inspired by the massage therapists I worked alongside. They did more than just gentle rubbing, I watched them use each person’s individual anatomy to ease their long-standing pain they’ve had for months, or even years. Watching them work felt like magic, and I knew I’d found my calling. My experience with that job and those co-workers catapulted me to where I am today, and I couldn’t be more grateful.

Nicki, 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?

Balanced Bodywork offers personalized therapeutic massages tailored to what your body needs in the moment. We rely on a whole-person approach that’s grounded in both evidence-based knowledge and intuition – because no one knows your body better than you. With a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science (Kinesiology) and an Associate’s degree in Medical Massage, I combine the science to what you’re physically feeling to find the root cause of your pain, and provide the relief your body is craving.

Many of my clients have seen specialist after specialist, only to be told their pain isn’t real because it “doesn’t show up” on scans. I’m here to tell them that they’re NOT crazy. Pain isn’t random – it’s your body’s way of signaling that something’s off. My job is to help people understand those signals and get to the root of the issue. If your imaging and labs come back clear/normal, your pain may be rooted in the myofascial system – a layer of the body not picked up by most standard screenings and often overlooked in traditional medicine.

My mission is simple: for my clients to feel seen, supported, and more at home in their body when so often they’ve felt unheard.

Each massage is uniquely tailored and includes one or many of the following soft tissue therapies:
– Neuromuscular Therapy (aka Trigger Point Therapy)
– Myofascial Release (MFT)
– Medical Deep Tissue
– CranialSacral Therapy
– Lymphatic Drainage

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

The most effective strategy I’ve used to build my clientele has been immersing myself in my community. Rather than viewing networking events as a soul-sucking exercise in self-promotion, I walk in asking, “How can I use my knowledge and services to support the people in this room?” That mindset shift changed everything, and it made me even look forward to these networking events to find ways to connect with my community.

In turn, I’ve donated massages at numerous events – sometimes as full-priced raffle prizes, other times as discounted offerings like 20% off coupons. While some might see this as giving away income, I see it as an investment in connection.
Not only does it support the the local businesses putting on the event, it also introduces my work to people in a way that’s genuine and generous, which builds trust.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

One of the most impactful books I’ve read as an entrepreneur is “The Go-Giver” by Bob Burg and John David Mann. It flips the traditional “go-getter” mindset on its head, encouraging people to embrace the power of giving as a path to genuine success. At first, the idea sounded almost counterintuitive – but it’s reshaped how I approach opportunities in my business.

Instead of asking “What’s in it for me?” I started focusing on how my work could serve and support my community, without looking for anything in return. Ironically, that shift led to even more opportunities. When you pour into your community with genuine intention, people notice. That trust and impact tends to ripple outward – creating a kind of pay-it-forward effect that strengthens relationships with the community, and encourages people to continue working with me, both in and out of my treatment room.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.balancedbodyworksd.com
• Instagram: @balancedbodywork.sd

Image Credits

David Veit Photography