We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tara Ryan Cox a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Tara, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Alright, so you had your idea and then what happened? Can you walk us through the story of how you went from just an idea to executing on the idea

Two years ago the business adjacent to our existing massage therapy practice announced they would be renewing their lease for only two years as the owners had intentions to sell after that amount of time. The wheels started spinning! Our team of seven massage therapists had nearly outgrown our space. Could we take over the additional space? What services would we offer? What did our clients want? We had the gift of time to fully dream and research the possibilities! At that time we had over 2,500 clients in our database that made up 75% repeat clients. We started to ask. In the beginning we envisioned providing additional services that might address chronic pain and inflammation. We researched modalities such as high intensity electromagnetic therapy, laser and cryo-therapies. Whatever we did, we wanted to fully believe in the science behind what we would offer our clients. After a full year of reading scientific studies, interviewing alternative medicine doctors, talking with clients about things they had tried in the past, we were discouraged. We hadn’t landed on anything that we could all agree offered our clients a better quality of life. Additionally, there are several other offerings in our small town such as red light therapies, cryo-therapies and laser. We decided to go back to the drawing board. We went straight to our clients. What does Evergreen NOT offer YET that you are interested in. A picture began to be painted. Our community needs a space of renewal and rejuvenation. A place to just be and inspire. A third space not work, not home. We envisioned a place where people can come and continue to receive the best massage of their life then stay and soak in year round hot/cold therapy pools in outdoor gardens with water features. Barrel saunas and luxury steam rooms. High end sensory float rooms. A relaxation room for mediation and solitude. Can we create a space where people can renew their souls so they can go into the world and live their best life. To leave and bring their best self to their family, to their neighbors, to their work and to strangers on the street. Yes! We are doing it. Designs are currently being created, funding is being raised and we are slatted to open spring of 2025.

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 name is Tara Ryan Cox and I began my professional career in social services. I had worked as a residential counselor for a state treatment center and then began at a grassroots organization who’s mission was to give parenting teen moms the tools they needed to not only become self sufficient but to thrive. I was hired as their Development Director in 2005, responsible for raising the 300k annual budget. Shortly after, I became a mother and continued part-time on and off as I raised my three children. Ten years later, I was restless. I wanted to do something different. Physical therapy and chiropractic had always interested me but it wasn’t practical at that stage of my life to invest that amount of money or time in another degree. I found Massage Therapy. I had also always desired to run my own business. I attained my credentials and opened my own practice. I am a forever student. I studied the industry, I meet my ‘competition’ (which I fundamentally don’t believe in. I believe in abundance!) I was mentored by a seasoned business owner. Rapport and friendship were established. She was moving into another season of life and offered to sell me her existing business. It was either sell to me or she was closing down. She believed I would carry on with the same principles that she founded the business on. So in 2018, I was the proud new owner of a thriving practice. I joined the chamber, became one of their youngest board members and plugged into the community. I did everything I could think of to promote Evergreen Massage and we grew 55% in 4 years. We have strong values as a team. We strive to provide the best massage you’ve ever had every single time you come in. All of our therapists are committed to their clients and their craft. We care about our people! Truly.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

We are currently going through the funding process to expand into the rejuvenation center. It has been a huge learning process. We went through the formalities of a business plan, extrapolating the existing financials to what we believe the expansion will produce. We analyzed the market demand both locally and in the Denver metro area as well as identifying potential risks and businesses that may be providing similar services in the area. This process is not only necessary to get backing but was an incredible exercise in gaining clarity on our vision and goals. What I’ve taken away from this is to stay in line with your true north. People are inspired by inspired people. If you have an idea that you are passionate about that will also improve peoples lives. Go for it!

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

Value your team! You don’t have a business or a product without people. Bring your team on board with where you are going and why. Seek to listen and understand first. Building my team is one of the greatest joys in my life. It’s my desire to foster an environment for people to work where they are fully engaged, feel ownership in and are rewarded with earning a great living. If there are stragglers who don’t carry their weight, cut them loose. It’s been my experience that the most honoring thing I can do for the people who show up and give their all is to maintain a team that is all operating at that level. Lead by example, get in the trenches. I go above and beyond for my team and I get the same respect in return. It’s a beautiful thing!

Contact Info:

• Website: evergreencomassage.com
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/tara-ryan-056009118/

Image Credits
Maddy Reynolds