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

Nyrie , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear the story behind how you got your first job in field that you currently practice in.

I went into massage therapy school with a plan to help and connect with people, I just didn’t know how I would actually activate said plan. Luckily enough, I know a mental health therapist who has her own established business and office. She was very supportive, and willing to rent me a space to practice; however, being a new therapist, my issue was clientele. I needed to figure out a way for massage therapy not to just be a hobby and to be my way of life. So I wandered around facebook and found a financial advisor who gave me some words of advice. He said “…you need to get a job.” Of course I already had my own plan, and in my head I was totally resistant to him, thinking I can do this, I just need more people! Out of the blue… or divine timing… I received an email from a chiropractic office who found me on social media and was interested in interviewing me. I was totally uninterested; however, I went to the interview, and luckily (divine planning) it didn’t work out. So since I believed that the universe was in fact agreeing with the financial advisor, I reluctantly decided to apply for a job on Indeed. ONE JOB! The very next day, after a well received conversation with the owner, I was basically hired sight unseen, as an independent contractor of massage therapy. This place felt so familiar to my soul that I have been there for almost a year now, while still growing and evolving my own practice.

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.

I was led to massage therapy as a profession during the initial phases of working from home during covid. For years I had been contemplating what I wanted to do other than what I had been doing the past 10 years, and it didn’t come to me until my therapist asked me what it was I did NOT want to do. I was sitting at a desk for 8 hours a day… I did not want to do that. I was assigned the task of being responsible for others’ situational happiness… I did not want to do that. I answered phone calls for a great part of the time callers were not happy with their situation… I did not want to do that anymore either. Knowing that my purpose is to help and heal people, I was called to massage therapy to alleviate not only physical pain, but also emotional and mental pains that we all carry as well. The same things that set me apart in the massage therapy world, are the same things I am most proud of; I am a black woman in a medical massage therapy space, who has done a little bit of living, and I incorporate those lived experiences, the knowledge gained of the human and spiritual body, and energy work such as reiki and meditation to assist in healing others. I started this journey as just me, and have been active in my community to the extent that whatever circle I find myself in, I have touched a few people who validate my work. That also make me proud, and it confirms that I am walking in my purpose.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

The most powerful things that have helped me build my reputation within the massage therapy world are honestly doing the work, focusing on what my purpose and goals are, and acting upon them with sincerity and divine guidance. In the beginning, I gave away free massages, gift certificates, and generous discounts when I rented an office. I showed up at health and wellness events, expos, and outside festivals with my massage table and massage chair. I continue to educate myself with other modalities to add to my practice. I also attended the inaugural Black Licensed Massage Therapist leadership conference, and joined wellness groups that don’t necessarily focus on massage, but focus on the total health and wellbeing of the individual. I believe my thirst for what I do leads others to feel the passionate energy I have for what I do, and they spread the word. I know that I will realize my goals as the go to medical massage therapist in my community…and beyond.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One lesson I had to unlearn was that I can do everything by myself. There really is no back story to that, it is something that I had to learn in my everyday life as well. Being someone who has had a lot of responsibilities since a young age, I looked at everything with a “get it done” attitude. But trying to own and operate my own business was territory that I had never stepped into before. I needed support and information from friends who led me to programs for small businesses, grants, or the community events I should be seen at. I needed assistance from the financial advisor, who firmly advised me that I should be bringing in more income, and that I needed a job to supplement my business income. I needed the owner of that job to learn business software and daily operations. I needed and received support from friends, and friends of friends who benefited from my services and went on to tell others. Asking for and receiving help from other people has been a difficult but most rewarding lesson to learn, and I am hoping to get better and better at both.

Contact Info:

• Website: S.ren.edi.com
• Instagram: s.ren.edi
• Facebook: s.ren.edi
• Other: Google: S.REN.EDI Massagebook: Massagebook.com/Kalamazoo~Srenedi1