Seed to sprout
BUSINESS HIGHLIGHT
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Michael Jaece, owner of Canyon Gate Wellness Studios which is based in Utah, about her experience in running her business and Soul Seed Academy. The following has been edited for length and clarity.
Question 1
Tell us a little bit about you.
Where are you from?
I’m from Utah born and raised, yeah, super exciting.
Tell us a little bit about you.
Where are you from?
I’m from Utah born and raised, yeah, super exciting.
Question 2
Why do you do what you do?
What motivates you?
I do a lot of things, but I am lucky enough to have a job that doesn't feel like a job.
From the time I was really little I liked to massage other people and I didn’t know until I was an adult that you can get paid for it. Massage is something that I just love to do.
As far as what I’m doing with Soul Seed Academy and becoming a business owner rather than only a massage therapists; my business partner abruptly left just over a year ago and I was not a business person. I had to decide whether or not to keep my business. I decided very quickly to keep it, but I thought I didn’t have the skills to maintain it. The motivation is just to not lose what was already built.
As far as what I’m doing with Soul Seed Academy and becoming a business owner rather than only a massage therapists; my business partner abruptly left just over a year ago and I was not a business person. I had to decide whether or not to keep my business. I decided very quickly to keep it, but I thought I didn’t have the skills to maintain it. The motivation is just to not lose what was already built.
Why do you do what you do?
What motivates you?
I love seeing people have positive experiences that change their mind or beliefs about something, whether it's birth or their work. People grow up knowing what a women should be and what she should look like. I love showing people that they don't have to do that. I love teaching people how to look at what they "have to be doing" and decide if it's actually what they want to be doing. I believe that people should be allowed and encouraged to do the things that resonate with them. They don't have to continue to be or do what they are "supposed" to be or do. That's why I love working with doulas and births. Your birth can be whatever you want it to be, what ever feesl good. You don't have to do what others are doing?
Question 3
Where did your passion come from?
I think I have a innate ability to heal and I recognized really young. When I was young I had a really bad headache and my uncle massaged my neck and my headache away and I realize the power of Touch is making people feel better. I realized this is my calling.
Where did your passion come from?
I think I have a innate ability to heal and I recognized really young. When I was young I had a really bad headache and my uncle massaged my neck and my headache away and I realize the power of Touch is making people feel better. I realized this is my calling.
Question 4
What did you build in Soul Seed Academy?
My original idea is for Liftoff Academy at Canyon Gate, where I will mentor other massage therapists. I realized I have skills to teach other people. I did a logo for that project. That project got put on hold him for many reasons and I just dove into the business I already created. I believe the academy will come full circle eventually. I think that is still in the future.
Right now I am working on building a system for all my therapists to be on the same page, and working out payroll systems for how I pay my therapists, which is a little more complicated that just clock in and clock out. We have built marketing tools. Really the question is what have we not touched. If I have an idea there is a enough expertise to make it come to life.
Right now I am working on building a system for all my therapists to be on the same page, and working out payroll systems for how I pay my therapists, which is a little more complicated that just clock in and clock out. We have built marketing tools. Really the question is what have we not touched. If I have an idea there is a enough expertise to make it come to life.
What did you build in Soul Seed Academy?
My original idea is for Liftoff Academy at Canyon Gate, where I will mentor other massage therapists. I realized I have skills to teach other people. I did a logo for that project. That project got put on hold him for many reasons and I just dove into the business I already created. I believe the academy will come full circle eventually. I think that is still in the future.
Right now I am working on building a system for all my therapists to be on the same page, and working out payroll systems for how I pay my therapists, which is a little more complicated that just clock in and clock out. We have built marketing tools. Really the question is what have we not touched. If I have an idea there is a enough expertise to make it come to life.
Right now I am working on building a system for all my therapists to be on the same page, and working out payroll systems for how I pay my therapists, which is a little more complicated that just clock in and clock out. We have built marketing tools. Really the question is what have we not touched. If I have an idea there is a enough expertise to make it come to life.
Question 5
Tell us about your business.
How does it work?
I have a wellness center, which I want to expand eventually. Right now, I have massage therapists who rent rooms to serve their clients. I also have three employees who see my clients. I also have a yoga studio.
One thing I pride myself in, and is in my mission statement, is that this is a safe space for healing, regardless of race, gender, or political views.
As you come in there are all these plants. Many people tell me it feels calm, peaceful, and safe. When I bring you back, I find out what you need from me. I make sure that's what you will get from me that day. I make sure you are comfortable the entire time. At the end, I greet you with a glass of water. I make sure you are booked for their next appointment so you don’t have to worry about that. If it was a hard session, either emotionally or physically, I’ll check on you and make sure we didn't unleash any demons. So it is more complete than just the hour that you are in the room.
As you come in there are all these plants. Many people tell me it feels calm, peaceful, and safe. When I bring you back, I find out what you need from me. I make sure that's what you will get from me that day. I make sure you are comfortable the entire time. At the end, I greet you with a glass of water. I make sure you are booked for their next appointment so you don’t have to worry about that. If it was a hard session, either emotionally or physically, I’ll check on you and make sure we didn't unleash any demons. So it is more complete than just the hour that you are in the room.
Tell us about your business.
How does it work?
I have a wellness center, which I want to expand eventually. Right now, I have massage therapists who rent rooms to serve their clients. I also have three employees who see my clients. I also have a yoga studio.
One thing I pride myself in, and is in my mission statement, is that this is a safe space for healing, regardless of race, gender, or political views.
As you come in there are all these plants. Many people tell me it feels calm, peaceful, and safe. When I bring you back, I find out what you need from me. I make sure that's what you will get from me that day. I make sure you are comfortable the entire time. At the end, I greet you with a glass of water. I make sure you are booked for their next appointment so you don’t have to worry about that. If it was a hard session, either emotionally or physically, I’ll check on you and make sure we didn't unleash any demons. So it is more complete than just the hour that you are in the room.
As you come in there are all these plants. Many people tell me it feels calm, peaceful, and safe. When I bring you back, I find out what you need from me. I make sure that's what you will get from me that day. I make sure you are comfortable the entire time. At the end, I greet you with a glass of water. I make sure you are booked for their next appointment so you don’t have to worry about that. If it was a hard session, either emotionally or physically, I’ll check on you and make sure we didn't unleash any demons. So it is more complete than just the hour that you are in the room.
Question 6
What has been the hardest part of your journey so far?
Not feeling independent.
My business partner did everything. I mean literally everything and did not share with me how to do it. So having it abruptly, gone and working from square one, but with a full-fledged business was overwhelming.
I mean all of it’s hard, learning and growing is uncomfortable, but it’s so satisfying to me that I wouldn’t put it in that category, as hard. What was hard was needing to learn all of it.
Being in the journey of Soul Seed Academy, has been very satisfying, frustrating at times, but satisfying. Every skill that I learned that I can take back into my business makes me feel so autonomous and stronger.
What has been the hardest part of your journey so far?
Not feeling independent.
My business partner did everything. I mean literally everything and did not share with me how to do it. So having it abruptly, gone and working from square one, but with a full-fledged business was overwhelming.
I mean all of it’s hard, learning and growing is uncomfortable, but it’s so satisfying to me that I wouldn’t put it in that category, as hard. What was hard was needing to learn all of it.
Being in the journey of Soul Seed Academy, has been very satisfying, frustrating at times, but satisfying. Every skill that I learned that I can take back into my business makes me feel so autonomous and stronger.
Question 7
What does healing the world look like to you?
It used to be and I when I was younger, I've done massage therapy for 23 years and I felt like I would always say "I want to heal the worlds one body at a time because of the ripple effect.
And now it’s teaching other people, if I can get 10 people to heal and body at a time, exponentially more of the world. I’ve said, if everybody just got a massage once a week it would make world peace.
Just people connecting and checking in on each other. I can’t even tell you how many people I called out on suicidal ideation or tell someone that they should go get that mole looked at".
Also it calms you and creates connection so you're not as angry. I feel like if everybody just had body work every week it would heal the world.
And now it’s teaching other people, if I can get 10 people to heal and body at a time, exponentially more of the world. I’ve said, if everybody just got a massage once a week it would make world peace.
Just people connecting and checking in on each other. I can’t even tell you how many people I called out on suicidal ideation or tell someone that they should go get that mole looked at".
Also it calms you and creates connection so you're not as angry. I feel like if everybody just had body work every week it would heal the world.
What does healing the world look like to you?
It used to be and I when I was younger, I've done massage therapy for 23 years and I felt like I would always say "I want to heal the worlds one body at a time because of the ripple effect.
And now it’s teaching other people, if I can get 10 people to heal and body at a time, exponentially more of the world. I’ve said, if everybody just got a massage once a week it would make world peace.
Just people connecting and checking in on each other. I can’t even tell you how many people I called out on suicidal ideation or tell someone that they should go get that mole looked at".
Also it calms you and creates connection so you're not as angry. I feel like if everybody just had body work every week it would heal the world.
And now it’s teaching other people, if I can get 10 people to heal and body at a time, exponentially more of the world. I’ve said, if everybody just got a massage once a week it would make world peace.
Just people connecting and checking in on each other. I can’t even tell you how many people I called out on suicidal ideation or tell someone that they should go get that mole looked at".
Also it calms you and creates connection so you're not as angry. I feel like if everybody just had body work every week it would heal the world.
Question 8
Any last-minute thoughts?
You can reach Michael Jaece at Canyon Gate Wellness Studios (801) 613-8025 www.canyongatemassage.com
Any last-minute thoughts?
You can reach Michael Jaece at Canyon Gate Wellness Studios
(801) 613-8025
www.canyongatemassage.com
(801) 613-8025
www.canyongatemassage.com
