Today we’d like to introduce you to Claire La Shomb.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Claire. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Mother of two, native of Arizona. Hands in Motion Massage is part of a result of me finding myself (midlife discovery) again and what I was really made of after being married for 16 years. It’s a result of stepping out of my comfort zone and creating a life where I call the shots and live it my way vs getting up and going to the same job every day for the security of a paycheck. In 2008 I was looking for a career change as at the end of the day I felt I was just pushing papers. I wanted something that made a difference, I wanted to set my own hours, something I enjoyed and not stressful, but also not rocket science as I did not want to spend the next four years in school. I still needed to bring in the money and support 2 children. When I was a child, I use to practice massage on my mom. She said I was a natural. 2009, I graduated from Apollo College School of Massage with a 4.0 GPA and was on the Director’s List throughout the education process. Hands in Motion Massage Therapy, LLC was then established.
I was coming from the corporate world of over 20 years, and from being a medical transcriptionist for the last six years. Hence, I truly know and lived the stresses that work and life demands can put on the body and how that build-up can become harmful over time. With that, my passion is to bring stress relief and well-being to people. I also knows that in today’s world of technology most people lack the human touch. The human touch is essential for life and health. So now, at the end of the day, I feel I truly made a difference in people’s lives and health by giving a professional, licensed and educated healing touch to whomever seeks it through massage.
Has it been a smooth road?
I went straight from school, to being self-employed, and did contract work on the side until I had a full clientele. At least that was the plan, Ha! One year after being self-employed, still trying to figure it all out and build a full schedule, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Thank goodness for good friends and support team. Unfortunately though, I had to take 10 months off for treatment, but came out of the experience with empathy and knowledge of what cancer patients go through, not only physically, but emotionally. Lymph Drainage Massage is now one of my specialties which many cancer and non-cancer patients need. I was blessed with clients that waited and came back to me once I was able to go back to work and still have them to this day. I’m told I have “magic hands” by many. Something I didn’t know about myself and would not have, had I not chosen this profession.
There was also the getting back into “it” and actually remembering how to do a massage. I remember after all treatment was done and I tried to do a massage, I could barely remember what to do. I totally had chemo brain. So glad I graduated before chemo. I did a lot a free massages on friends to get back into the rhythm of it and being able to give a good one, with results, in the right amount of time.
Finding the right place to run my business out of. I decided to find a place in the beginning that would take commission, as if I don’t work, I don’t pay. … Sounded good. So did the “salon” thing for a few years. Eventually, I felt I was ready to “pay rent” as I had a larger clientele base even with moving around. A good friend that I met in massage school was looking for a roommate so I took the plunge and finally decided to rent a place with her. Finding a good location is not always easy. It needs to be quiet, clean and smell good, i.e. salon hair treatments. I am happy with the current location I’m at in The Beauty Studios and have been there for the last 4 or 5 years.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Hands In Motion Massage now has a studio located in the Arrowhead area of Glendale, 75th Ave/Bell. We also hold the contract for both Fireside Dell Webb Residential Developments and serve the Desert Ridge and NorTerra locations to those residence.
We understand the mind-body-spirit connection and treat our clients to a level of healing and relaxation that rebuilds the self that has been damaged by stress physically, mentally or emotionally through massage, ambiance and aromatherapy.
We specialize in: Trigger Point Therapy, Deep Tissue, Sports, Therapeutic, Lymph Drainage Massage, Cupping and Reflexology. In addition, we do out-call (mobile) massage, and Corporate Chair events. Known for our awesome glute release! It gets results in leg, back and sciatic pain. Clients LOVE our Brookstone massager tool that we start our massages with. And at no extra fee, we listen!! Many times the table becomes the “counseling couch” and clients feel free to vent and let out their frustrations/problems verbally. Laughing, crying…its all part of the releasing of stress…. in confidentiality, of course. I truly enjoy seeing my clients on a regular basis and many I consider friends.
Most proud of: We know self-care is not a luxury but a necessity in today’s world. I’m very proud to provide a relaxing, safe and comfortable get-a-away space for people to unwind and relieve stress in today’s fast paced world.
What sets us apart? Customizing!! We listen, customize pressure, use different modalities in one session, and customize what essential oil they want for aromatherapy. We will even customize your music or you can play yours. You’re the customer, it’s what you want, and it’s your massage.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
The Phoenix Metropolitan area is a fantastic area for building a business. Lots of growth and tons of “snow-birds” in the winter. Not to mention the weather is perfect 8 months out of the year.
Be wise: First starting out, your summers may get slow as many leave for cooler weather, so save up and be prepared for it.
Pricing:
- 30 minutes is $45
- 60 minutes is $75
- 75 minutes is $85
- 90 min is $100
Contact Info:
- Address: 7155 W Campo Bello Dr.
Bldg A #12
Glendale, AZ 85308 - Website: www.handsinmotiononline.com
- Phone:602-688-2446
- Email:claire@handsinmotiononline.com
- Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/handsinmotionmassage/
- Twitter:https://twitter.com/handsinmotionAZ
- Yelp:https://www.yelp.com/biz/hands-in-motion-massage-therapy-llc-glendale
Getting in touch: VoyagePhoenix is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
