We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Nicole Miller a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Nicole, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?
I took a break during 2020 due to Covid. Going back into the Wellness world during a global health crisis as a small business owner in May 2021 was a necessary yet interesting challenge to grow through. I have been operating a Massage Therapy business for many years, and the challenges and hurdles small businesses face today are much different in nature than before. This required a much different look at what I wanted to do as an operational, touch-based business. Outside of endless self massage videos and yogasana grid pics shared on social media/the web, my industry has a communal aspect that you cannot share over the internet like you can in person. Giving myself an endless amount of self compassion and understanding during this journey has been key, as well as acknowledging my accomplishments both currently and in the past. Knowing what I know now, the ‘pivot’ process for me was much more observation and trial and error than keeping lots of irons in the fire. I have always said my home town Chicago made me strong and robust, but San Diego has made me adaptable–both of these attributes are gifts and unmeasurable bits of education for me and my business.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am originally from the great city of Chicago, and relocated to San Diego in the fall of 2017 after 10 years of massage practice. I wanted to expand my practice in a more elevated space on the west coast, and appreciate the natural attraction to ample movement and integrated wellness in this part of the country. I help guide bodies back to balance from injury, post surgical and chronic pain and stress. All body/all levels YTT200 Private Yogasana Instruction began in January 2017, and focus on instruction for all bodies, all experience levels in combination to bodywork. I just want to get people into their bodies, find more mobility, and not make it an acrobatic or intimidating experience for those that are seeking that connection we all deserve. My work is Trauma Informed and All Inclusive, I offer sliding scale Private Yoga and 10% off for all QTBIPOC for all sessions. I am a guest on Kumeyaay Land, and try to honor that with regular donation and gratitude of the land we are practicing on. Acknowledgement of marginalized individuals is important to me, as all bodies deserve wellness and peace.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
Being a massage therapist for over 15 years and seeing how many different side steps needed to stay in the business owner space these days has created challenges many of us were unfamiliar with. In the midst of the lockdown 2 years ago, I had a lot of time to consider how I wanted to manage stress, business loss anxiety and how I wanted to navigate the several changes in my industry, and running a business in this beautiful, ever-changing city. One thing I realized was less is more. If I have to lessen the days I offer services or my hours on a certain day to care for my personal needs, I don’t hesitate to do those things. I enjoy what I do so much, but if we’re burnt out in any regard we will not be effective aspects to our community. Being at peace with not needing to go full throttle 24/7/365 as I have in the past is not only a gift you reveal through age and experience, but one you get to keep tapping into as this world around us changes. Sharing this ideal with some of my clients is one of my favorite self care concepts to share. We are all under a lot of pressure, much of that we put on ourselves. Staying grounded with the ability to continue this journey as a small business owner keeps the dream alive that I imagined so many years ago. It might not look like I thought it would, but I’ve not given up. Having patience and compassion with myself has been the best way to navigate this. I am much better at what I’m doing as a business owner for that reason.
What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
The best source of new clients for me has been either current client referrals, or personal networking relationships I’ve built over time here in San Diego. I have a referral program of $20 credit to any clients that refer their friends or family my way, there is no limit to how many clients that can be referred and it gives my current clients a nice “thank you” for sharing my skills. Having a personal recommendation speaks volumes for my work and how I take care of clients each time I see them. To know that you trust and value what I’ve done to help you to send your loved ones my way is an honor I don’t take lightly. I have also had a few from social media connections, some begin as followers and connect with what I share on my page. I believe social media gives prospective clients a peek into what I do with low commitment, I share stretches and how I am helping others and it helps them identify if I’m able to help them as well. Most of what I instruct as a Yogasana Instructor or Massage Therapist post-session is fairly easy to find knowledge that just needs to be shared with those that need it.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.nicolemillermassage.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicolemillermassage/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicolemillermassage
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGxeP9-wW0jyKb43B4kkYzQ
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/nicole-miller-massage-yoga-san-diego
Image Credits
All pics shared were taken by me, Nicole Miller, with consent of any clients homes/person within the pictures shared.