Michelle's Story
1. Tell us the story of your journey. Include details about what inspired you to go into business, was this a life long dream or a newer desire. Share as many details as you are comfortable sharing.
As a ballet dancer growing up and later in hip-hop music videos while at ColumbiaUniversity in New York, I learned about the body and the importance of keeping it strong and supple. After experiencing the healing effects of massage therapy after an injury, I became interested in the power of touch and how it could be used for optimal health. I immersed myself in every type of massage class I could find and quickly became one of the leading massage therapists inHollywood.In addition to hands-on therapy, I tried to educate my clients about massage and created my very first product, a pair of Reflexology Sox™, to teach my clients about reflexology.
Since then, I’ve dedicated my work to teaching everybody about the benefits of touch. I’m passionateabout the healing power of touch. I founded my company, Basic Knead, in 1994 with the goal ofcreating unique massage products that everyone can use to bring the healing power of touch into theirdaily lives. As a Certified Infant Massage Instructor (C.I.M.I.) and a member of the American Massage Association, the International Association of Infant Massage, and the Reflexology Association ofAmerica, I try to keep myself at the forefront of everything pertaining to massage, reflexology, touch, and wellness.
2. Did you go into business before or after you had children? How do/did your children affect your decision to go into business.
I went into massage before I was married and long before I had any children. Although it is difficult raising three children while maintaining a business, I would have it no other way. I think it’s extremely important for children to see their mother working and having her own interests and passions outside of the family. It’s important to me that my kids see me working towards my own goals, such as writing a new book or creating a new product, and fulfilling my personal ambitions that are separate from them.
3. Share your trials and triumphs. We want to hear about your highs and lows. Did you have any low points or worries as well as high points and huge shining moments?
I’ve had a few many ups and downs with my work. My high points have been authoring four books on massage, producing six award-winning massage dvds, and creating best-selling original massage products that have touched thousands of people.
My current triumph is partnering with City ofHope, one of the leadingNCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers in the world, to develop an exciting new touch therapy program designed for cancer patients and their partners, parents, and caregivers. I’m leading a series of workshops teaching massage techniques to help alleviate some of the physical and emotional symptoms of cancer patients during and after treatments, to speed recovery, and to help caregivers and partners nurture, soothe and communicate their love to patients undergoing or recovering from cancer treatment. My goal is to incorporate touch therapy into the healing process of patients and complement mainstream cancer care with safe and effective techniques that can be done in the hospital and at home.
I’d say the low point for me was the legal battle I had with a company that had stolen the designs to one of my products and had cheated me out of thousands of dollars of royalties. It was not only the financial concerns that hurt me but the fact that people with whom I had worked for years and with whom I thought I had a good personal relationship would do this to me. On top of this, I found out about this situation when I was 4 months pregnant with my first child. The silver lining is that I won my legal battle and was able to move on quickly and learn from what happened.
4. Do you have any encouraging words to share with mom entrepreneurs that may help to keep their spirits up on a trying day. Not necessarily trade secrets that pertain to business but more directed toward encouraging another mom not to give up and/or to keep following a dream.
My advice to women is just don’t give up! I’ve told many friends who come to me with ideas for business that they should try not to overthink everything and just jump in and get started. That’s not to say don’t have a strong business plan and don’t expect everything to fall into place immediately. But I tell them to get over any fear they might have over not succeeding and just give it a go.
Michelle's website is www.Michelleebbin.com
