WEBSITE: Balancedpromassage.com
FACEBOOK PAGE: Balancedpromassage
INSTAGRAM: Balancedpromassage
GETTING TO KNOW MONICA HOLDEN: OWNER OF BALANCED PRO MASSAGE
What is your favorite thing about your career/company?
I am passionate about educating people on the benefits of massage therapy. I have been so blessed to be able to help people live pain-free lives, heal from emotional trauma, and get in touch with their own bodies. Every single session is unique because every body is unique. There is no substitute for the human touch. and I love it when that light bulb goes on for my clients.
What motivated you to start your business?
I began my career 22 years ago after graduating from the Sports Massage Training Institute under the instruction of Dr. Myk Hungerford. We went through an intense educational process in which we were required 400 hours of volunteer work at various sporting events, working with Olympic level athletes, on top of our extensive classroom education. Upon graduating, I worked with 2 Chiropractors and worked on growing my private clientele just by word of mouth and referrals. This gave me the freedom to raise my children with a flexible work schedule, which I was very grateful for. During this time, we were required to go either go through various licensing processes through different cities or work under the license of a doctor. We were never recognized as professionals.
Finally, in the latter part of 2009, the CMTC began issuing a state certification for massage therapists! This was a game changer. I knew at this point, that I would finally be able to come out of the shadows as a therapist and start my own business. Mobile massage was always a very grey area, not legal, but not illegal. With this new state certification, it gave us the freedom to legally work as a professional in whatever way we chose to.
I created Balanced in 2013 with the consumer and the massage therapist equally in mind. Our goal is to provide an excellent massage experience with knowledgeable, certified therapists, at an affordable price. I give my therapists the freedom to make their own schedules so that they can have the freedom to raise their families, as I did. The Balanced Team is built on respect and I truly believe that as a leader, the way that you treat your team trickles down into their work and the way that they treat others. I am truly blessed to work with such talented and caring massage therapists.
What is your proudest accomplishment?
My proudest accomplishment is being able to step way out of my comfort zone to start Balanced. I had a dream and a passion for helping people, but coming up with a business plan and hoping other massage therapists could see my vision was a whole other story! I worked hard, I studied city municipal codes regarding mobile massage therapy, I worked with the state, I busted my way through a lot of roadblocks, and here we are, 4 years later and still growing! My belief is that we can accomplish much more together than we can as individuals.
What is the best feature or item from your company?
It’s hard to pick just one, but I would say our companies best feature is the quality of massage therapy you receive with Balanced. Our therapists are professional, experienced and have the heart of a servant. Each therapist is hand-picked for their individual qualities, trained and fine tuned, and then trusted to go out and combine all of their skills to customize every massage to the needs of their client. Of course the fact that we are mobile, meaning that we travel to our clients homes and offices, is what really makes us unique.
How would your friends describe you?
This is funny because it’s actually one of MY interview questions! My friends would probably describe as very outgoing, adventurous, very friendly and I have sometimes been accused of being too nice! I absolutely love meeting new people and experiencing life!
My hobbies are really anything to do with the outdoors! I love to run and have done a marathon, several half marathons and a Ragnar (my personal fave)! I enjoy working out and anything to do with water and water sports, as long as it’s warm! I love live music and spending time with my family and friends. And traveling, yes. Lots of traveling!
Unprofessionalism and excuses.  I take every opportunity to educate on professionalism because I like to give people the benefit of the doubt…maybe no one ever taught them how to be professional. A lot of people are surprised how quick I am to return calls or that I follow up on different situations. It’s sad that professional behavior is an uncommon practice.
I hear so many excuses from people. Why they can’t exercise, or drink water, or make a small change that will get them one step closer to living a better life, or why they’re “stuck” where they are at. You are not a tree, you can move! I do my best to encourage people, but at the end of the day, they are the ones that have to make those changes.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
I see myself better than I am today. I see Balanced being successful in multiple cities. I see myself successful and enjoying life and being a positive influence in other people’s lives.
If you could go back in time to change one thing, what would it be?
Absolutely nothing. Â Every trial and error, every success and mistake, has me where I am today. I am exactly where I God wants me to be. I will continue to grow and learn and evolve as I strive for excellence in everything I do. Life is truly about the journey.
If you could share a meal with any 4 individuals, living or dead, who would they be?
Wow, that’s a tough one!   I think I would choose my dad, who passed in 2004. My grandmother, who passed in 2005. My grandfather, who passed in 1995. And Jesus. Those would be my 4. I miss my family members dearly and would love their advice and life experience to help guide me in my life. And Jesus? Well, I can’t think of anyone that I admire more, dead or alive, that I would rather sit and have a conversation with face to face.
 GETTING TO KNOW MONICA HOLDEN: OWNER OF BALANCED PRO MASSAGE (A MOBILE SERVICE) WEBSITE: Balancedpromassage.com FACEBOOK PAGE: Balancedpromassage INSTAGRAM: Balancedpromassage TWITTER: Bpromassage GETTING TO KNOW MONICA HOLDEN: OWNER OF BALANCED PRO MASSAGE…