Has it really been 10 years we’ve already been in business at Helping Hands Therapeutic Massage & Body Work? IT HAS!
On June 4th, 2013, I remember walking up to my business and taking it all in. I paused just a few more moments before saying, “God, your in control of this. I trust you! With You in control I’m in good hands. Here we go!” And with that said, I stepped onto my front porch steps and walked to the door, pulling it open and walked inside. The rest is history!
Now, let’s jump back a bit to my training in massage school. I remember being the 2nd youngest student in my class. The other youngest student was about 6 months younger than I. Being 20 years old for a massage student wasn’t a big deal, honestly. We had students of all ages, the oldest being about 65 years old. The schooling I choose to do was a fast track; heavy and an intense course. I was done within a year’s time. During that year, with the help of my family, specifically my parents, we found the perfect place for me to build a business and so we purchased the property and building. To say the least, I was a bit unsure if this was a good, or the right way, to go about jumping into a business. But, with reassurance from family I was on board and supported with love, help, encouragement, and more.
So, in January 2013, the building was purchased. Now with 6 months to go until I completed my school training in massage, we had a LOT to do in a small amount of time. The building was totally renovated inside and a porch was added to the outside, special thanks to my dad for doing almost all of the work. Being a window washer by trade, he’d done more than enough projects to become a finished carpenter…and Helping Hands certainly shows his ability in carpentry. By April 2013 the inside was nearly finished and ready for paint on the walls, doors hung, trim put on, and then decorating. The next two months after graduation were busy, to say the least. I seriously wondered if we would meet the deadline of June 4th, 2013 for the grand opening? Obviously, we did thanks again to my family; Dad (Darren), Mom (Amy), and brother (Troy), we did it.
For the first two years of business I grew my clientele. After two years I was steadily busy. I continued to take new clients to grow the business. My Mom, Amy, works as my receptionist and does miscellaneous things in and around the building, and does 99% of Ear Candles for clients. She is busy to say the least!
In 2015, unbeknownst to my clients, and virtually everyone except for a small handful of people, I/we finally got to the bottom of my gut health issues I’d been dealing with since high school graduation, 2010. I had Pancreatic Cancer. Dealing with this and still growing my business was a juggling act to say the least. Thank God for my Mom, who was my biggest fan, supporter, friend, sister in Christ, and cheerleader. She was not only at work to work, but to keep a close eye on me. With God in the driver’s seat, and some very special people helping me, I eradicated the cancer in 2016 all naturally from my body.
The process of healing wasn’t over yet, but we were on the easier side and we were ALL grateful! 2016 to 2017 was a year of rebuilding my gut, my body, and all my organs. In 2017 I got my all clear, clean bill of health, after dealing with my health issues for 7 years.
2017 to 2019 were two years of enjoying feeling GREAT, feeling like I truly got a new start to living my life again. And I threw myself completely into my work because I had so much energy, a new life and being well.
In 2019 “COVID” and the “pandemic” hit. We were shut down for 3-months. During that time we kept busy at home and the before the June reopening, we refinished the wood exterior on the Helping Hands building. This project took longer than I thought it would!
We came back to work after our “break” and have been busy ever since. We are scheduled out consistently and are to the point in business where we have to limit new clients. There is only so much one can do.
In 2022, Mom and I officially published my health story of healing holistically of pancreatic cancer. This was YEARS of work for both of us to finally complete the project. To publish my story and get it out into the world for anyone and everyone to read is pretty remarkable, and to me, beautiful. I truly hope you take the time to read the book, or at the very least buy it for someone who may be interested in reading it. Here’s the link(s) to purchase:
It’s now June 2023, and we’ve been in business for officially ten years! Earlier this year, we readjusted our office hours. I am no longer doing massage into the evenings. It was time for a change and we are so glad we’ve switched our hours up a bit.
I’d like to say a special thanks to ALL our clients, family, and friends that have supported us through the years. It means a lot! I’d also like to throw out another special thanks to my clients that have been coming here for 10 years! We have quiet a few of you who have been! You ALL are a blessing and we are thankful for you! It has been a joy to be a part of your health journey! We definitely like to hear your stories, learn about you and your loved ones, and even meet some of your loved ones! May God bless you abundantly, each one!
Thank you for helping us celebrate 10 years! We are thankful and blessed to continue working and serving you today and in the the days, and years, to come.
God Bless,
Kelly & Amy
Your Life, Your Choice 
Congratulations on your “10 years in business”, Kelly!
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Thank you ☺️🙏🏼❤️
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