Today we’d like to introduce you to Tary Vanstone.
Tary, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Shortly before finishing college, I sought a career that would help others on the physical, mental, and emotional levels. I bought myself my first therapeutic massage for a graduation gift…. and I found my calling!
I received my training in massage therapy at Mueller College and Southwest Institute of Healing Arts, after which I established a private practice. I do house calls, originally because I didn’t want the expense of an office and I didn’t like to see my clients trying to drive home after getting relaxed. Now, I also like being in different environments every day.
In 1997, I added Reiki (an energy healing art) to my repertoire. In 2013, I also became certified in Bowen Therapy, a gentle, non-invasive therapy from Australia. I enjoy taking continuing education at every opportunity.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
When I began my career, massage therapy was not considered a legitimate profession by the majority of people. I endured an early portion of my career where approximately 80% of callers were, in reality, looking for sexual favors. As time went on, I learned to weed out those individuals over the phone and built my clientele of people who simply wanted therapeutic massage! The reputation of massage has also improved over the years – it’s very unusual for me to receive that kind of call any more.
The hours involved and possibility of danger can also create a challenge for a relationship. My husband is very independent and trusts my judgment of situations. Happily, at this point I have a very established practice and get most of my clients through referrals. If I receive a call that doesn’t feel right, I simply don’t accept that client.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I’m known for providing quality bodywork on a house call basis. I enjoy going to people’s homes, meeting their pets, watching their children grow up over the years, and giving my clients therapeutic experiences that they don’t have to ruin by driving home afterward!
I’m proud to be able to offer different options for varying situations. If massage therapy isn’t the best solution for a particular client, I can offer them Reiki or Bowen Therapy, both of which can have some amazing results. In my particular case, Reiki helps calm and focus my mind. Bowen has helped me with neck and knee conditions and has kept me from having to have bunion surgery.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I would have received my first massage and started sooner! I graduated from the UofA, so I could have started taking classes at Desert Institute in Tucson while I was finishing college. I also had a lot of fear of failure in the beginning. I had a full-time job doing something else while I established my practice. It was only after they had to lay me off that I decided it was time to go full-time with massage therapy.
Pricing:
- $65-80/hour, depending on the location
Contact Info:
- Website: www.taryvanstone.com
- Phone: 6023192099
- Email: tary@taryvanstone.com
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