Feeling stressed and overwhelmed? Longing for a place to truly relax and rejuvenate? You're not alone. That's why we're excited to introduce you to Christy Torrence and her amazing wellness sanctuary, Inner Peace Wellness, LLC.
For the month of August, we're thrilled to showcase Christy Torrence and her business, Inner Peace Wellness. LLC, as part of our ongoing Feature Member series (a series that showcases one of our subscribed members each month) celebrating diverse entrepreneurs in Hampton Roads. Christy's passion for holistic healing is evident in every aspect of her practice, creating a serene and welcoming space where clients can fully relax and rejuvenate. With 27 years of experience, her unwavering commitment to their well-being is evident in every carefully curated detail, from the soothing ambiance to personalized treatment plans.
Join us as we learn about Christy's massage therapy and wellness journey, and the incredible services offered at Inner Peace Wellness, LLC, and discover how she's building a thriving business while giving back to the community.
Inner Peace Wellness, LLC
Business Owner: Christy Torrence
Type of Business: Health and Wellness
Location: 312 Cedar Lakes Drive, Suite 204, Chesapeake, Va. 23322
Website: https://www.innerpeacewellness.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/innerpeacewellnessllc/
Facebook: Inner Peace Wellness, LLC - Chesapeake
What inspired you to start your business? Share your unique vision or motivation.
I embarked on my massage therapy and wellness journey with the intention of having it as a future back-up career option. I thought it would offer flexibility for when I decided to have children and the freedom to make my own hours. I never envisioned that I would fall in love with it immediately and be so compelled to change careers that same year. I started my first small business halfway through school and I still love what I do 27 years later.
My vision is to offer a safe space for all to heal, to truly connect and listen to their concerns and goals, and then to create a personalized experience. The people I am blessed to work with are not simply appointments on the books, I’m holding space and invested in your progress. People are often vulnerable in the massage and healing space and I want them to feel fully supported and safe.
How does your cultural background or personal experiences influence your business approach?
My love for massage and bodywork was sparked years before my formal education when I was helping to care for my terminally ill grandmother. I would instinctively massage her legs and feet daily and seeing how much it soothed her and how lovingly she spoke of those moments to others, opened my eyes to the power of healthy touch. Witnessing the power of touch influences my business today and how I approach every person I meet. My business is purposely heart-driven and meaningful. This was reinforced in my early years as a massage therapist, working outside of DC for a spa that catered to pre and post operative trans clients. Hearing the personal struggles in the community was impactful. Holding safe space for people to truly relax, be heard, and supported can be so therapeutic and healing.
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced as a diverse business owner and how did you overcome them?
I am fortunate that working in the massage and wellness field is a more open and supportive environment for women-owned businesses and practitioners. I know this may not be the case in many professions out there. The biggest challenges we face is being seen as a valid wellness profession offering a myriad of health benefits. We are commonly associated with sex workers leaving the public mistaking the scope of our practice due to this and licensing bodies placing stringent requirements, multiple permits, and police background checks to prove our legal status that other businesses aren’t required. Many aren’t aware of how well massage and energy therapy work in collaboration with doctors, physical therapists, and counselors to help clients with their pain relief, mobility, range of motion, trauma release, stress reduction and more.
Describe your products or services in a way that showcases your unique perspective or offering.
What’s unique about IPW is that we offer longer session times so you aren’t rushed. Working with a heart-centered approach, we chat before each session, design your experience using a range of therapies, and you still enjoy your full 90-120 minute session. I offer therapeutic massage, Integrated Energy Therapy/Reiki, custom aromatherapy blending, castor oil packs, cranio-sacral therapy, crystal bowl sound healing, and more. I also sell products that support your health at home. I most commonly work with clients who live with autoimmune related pain (fibromyalgia, etc.), have anxiety and/or depression, dealing with PTSD and wanting to calm the nervous system, seeking to release and heal trauma through energy work, or who are looking for change and want to jump start movement in their life.
How do you aim to make a positive impact on your community or industry?
To mentor and support others new to the field, to share experiences, and to raise the bar on standards in the industry. Most importantly, to uphold the ideals of truly connecting and caring for clients rather than simply performing an impersonal routine that is just techniques.
What strategies have you found successful in reaching and engaging your target audience?
Attending local networking events and social media, particularly FB, seem to be the most effective so far. Of course, word-of-mouth is the best, but as a newer business in this area, I am building from the ground up. Being a 1-2-1 business, it’s important for people to get a sense of who you are and who will be working on them.
What resources or support do you think would be most valuable for micro and small diverse businesses like yours?
Local networking opportunities and organizations truly help small and solopreneur businesses make connections. Attending small business seminars whether online or locally can be beneficial and help tailor your goals and methods. In the last community I worked, small business grants were a wonderful boost after the pandemic.
What are your goals and aspirations for your business in the coming years?
I'm excited to be putting down roots here and building in the Chesapeake and Hampton Roads community. I’m looking forward to growing and hiring other therapists to join the practice to create a collective of wellness professionals offering multiple therapies for our community.
What advice would you give to aspiring diverse entrepreneurs or nonprofit founders just starting out?
Mindset matters. Journal, goal-set, share with others, think positive and cultivate your vision/dreams. Be patient, yet motivated and consistent in your efforts. A friend once shared to always be thinking 6 months ahead with every decision you make in your business. That really stuck with me.
What message do you want to share with the audience about the significance of diverse small businesses or nonprofits?
Diverse small businesses and nonprofits represent cross-sections of our local communities and are vital. They are the heart and soul and true representation of people and families that live here in Hampton Roads.
Christy's dedication to holistic healing and her creation of Inner Peace Wellness, LLC is truly commendable. Her years of experience and passion for helping others shines through in every aspect of her business. We invite you to experience the tranquility and personalized care that Inner Peace Wellness, LLC offers. Let Christy's expertise guide you on your journey to wellness and inner peace.
Join us next month and be inspired all over again! September will bring a new face to our Diverse Hampton Roads Featured Member Spotlight. We can't wait to introduce you to another exceptional local micro or small business or nonprofit making its mark in the Hampton Roads community. Come back for another amazing feature!
Have you missed any of our previous spotlights? If so, we got you covered. You can catch up on more inspiring stories of diverse entrepreneurs in the Hampton Roads area! Read their stories by visiting our blog page: https://diversehamptonroads.com/blog
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