Chelsey Luce set aside social norms and embarked on a new adventure when she opened her own small business in 2018. Ideal Massage provides therapeutic massages, skin care aesthetics, lash and brow services, and skin waxing.
Luce describes herself as a “soul-preneur,” an entrepreneur who specializes in soul work, including natural wellness and body awareness. Like most entrepreneurs, Luce made a career change to launch Ideal Massage, leaving a job in business management and physical therapy assistance to chase her passion of helping others.
“The risk was my own decision,” Luce said. “I wanted to branch out to be able to help more people all while providing the ideal work experience for our employees.”
The staff at Ideal Massage is made up of all-female team of six working together to ultimately benefit the client. The group uses a highly skilled approach to massages, fulfilling the business’s core mission of providing high quality, therapeutic care with lasting results.
“We cater to the idea that no two massages should be the same,” Luce said. “We thrive on the idea of being intuitive, understanding what your body needs and having a plan of attack to deliver a great massage that is going to make you get up and feel differently.”
The small business wasn’t immune to the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. Luce spent “every last cent” on building out her wellness clinic in late 2019, only to have the pandemic temporarily sideline critical components of her business.
“We endured a COVID shutdown within the first year of being open,” she said. “This led to an employment crisis. It was challenging when the world of massage was being taken away during a time of social distancing.”
Luce was able to endure the tough times thanks to her advanced planning and budgeting, things she believes are crucial for new entrepreneurs looking to branch out and start their own businesses.
“Have twice the amount of cash needed saved,” she recommends. “It is also important to have a great CPA or financial planner checking your workflow and speed. But above all else, follow your inner dreams and surround yourself with like-minded others!”
Ideal Massage is a hidden oasis located in the heart of Historic Downtown Hutto. Visit the business in person at 112 Highway 79 or via their website, Facebook and Instagram pages.
About This Series
As part of National Small Business Week, the City of Hutto is excited to shine a spotlight on local small businesses. The nationwide theme for #SmallBusinessWeek 2022 is the resiliency and tenacity of America’s entrepreneurs, who are doing their part to power our nation’s historic economic comeback. For the next couple of weeks, we’ll make daily posts on the City’s Official Instagram page to celebrate the local entrepreneurs whose businesses help make Hutto such a special place to live and shop. Follow along by visiting @cityofhutto on Instagram.