About Diane:
Diane Lee, CMT, LMT is a full-time massage therapist who has completed over 10,000 professional massages. She has worked at the Four Seasons Hotel Spa in Washington DC since 2007 and offers the same five-star treatment at more affordable rates in her Silver Spring, MD studio, Phoenix Rising.
The Interview:
I sat down with Diane Lee on the comfy, blue couch in the office of Mei Xu and Co. Diane just wrapped up a photo shoot for her massage therapy business--props including fluffy white towels, frosted glass candles, a massage table, and a first timer model (me!). After the photoshoot we sat down for a quick chat about her inspirations, challenges and details of her experience as a massage therapist and woman business owner.
CH: I know you have been a massage therapist for some time now, tell us what has been your greatest inspiration for becoming a massage therapist?
DL: My father was diagnosed with Alzhiemer’s when I started routinely taking care of him. During this care I realized how important massage therapy is to health, as it combines mind and body to release stress and tension.
CH: Did you go back to school for massage therapy?
DL: Yes, I completed 2 year program to receive my massage therapy certification
CH: Why did you decide to start your own massage therapy business, Phoenix Rising?
DL: I started my own business mainly because of the flexibility and freedom that comes along with working for yourself.
CH: Can you tell me a little about your clientele?
DL: I have clients both male and female, each have different stressors. Women tend to have much more upper back and shoulder issues and men lower back and hip issues.
CH: Interesting! Do you know why that is?
DL: Well for women it could be anything from raising kids, wearing heels, or even carrying a purse. Men also carry their stress differently
CH: Any difference in profession, in terms of where stress is carried in the body?
DL: Yes, usually people who are sitting at a desk or computer all day have neck, shoulder and upper back pains. People who work on their feet all day will have different ways of manifesting stress.
CH: What can your clients bring home from your sessions?
DL: Awareness, helping people be more aware of their bodies. Education, different stretches you can do to target those stress areas along with different things you can change in your work space you can change to provide long term results.
CH: What has been your greatest challenge since starting Phoenix Rising Massage Therapy?
DL: Definitely challenges with social media. Social media is something I am not very well versed in, so I’d love to learn more.
CH: What are some services do you think would help your business?
DL: Marketing. I’d like to build a wellness network with complementary services of acupuncture and of course, build my social media following.
CH: Awesome, thanks for your time Diane!
DL: Thank you, Courtney.
For more information on Diane and her massage therapy business--Phoenix Rising, visit her website: http://www.phoenixrisingmt.com/index.shtm
