Today we’d like to introduce you to Paula Humphrey.
Paula, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Flower Child Massage, unbeknownst to me, is something I have been cultivating throughout my adult life. Flower Child just isn’t a name to me but its how I operate my life on the daily. A flower-child is described as a young person, rejecting conventional society and advocating love, peace & simple, idealistic values. I am forever young, still holding on to that peace & freedom we had when we were younger mixed with “adulting.” I’m known for being a free spirit, easy-going, and overall fun person. I enjoy life and love living for each moment. To know me is to know how free I choose to live my life. But it hasn’t always been that way.
My story begins at GSU! I graduated from the real GSU, Georgia State University, in 2012 with a Bachelor’s in Exercise Science with hopes of continuing my education in Physical Therapy school. Shout out to my KH fam (kinesiology&health) who made it all the way through but meh… that didn’t quite work out for me. My heart really wasn’t into it. I felt myself forcing something that just wasn’t right for me at the time so I started on a journey of self-discovery.
In the years of uncertainty on what to do with my life post-grad, I worked multiple serving jobs and used that time off flexibility to travel. Traveling afforded me the escape I needed to focus on other things apart from myself. Seeing people from various regions, nationalities and backgrounds coexisting in the same world I lived in changed me. I love Atlanta with all my heart but there is nothing quite like the views you see from hiking up a mountaintop in other states & countries. Hiking and exploring really connects you to the true beauty of this world. You get to feel connected to this oneness of man and nature all coexisting peacefully with each other.
Attending music festivals, especially Bonnaroo, inspired a new way of living for me. Bonnaroos’ motto is “Radiate Positivity.” No need to dim the light in others when you can radiate the goodness inside of you and uplift them. Bonnaroo is literally the happiest place in the world, where you can feel free from societal norms and be your truest self in any way you choose to express it. No judgement. I try to bring a piece of that back with me each time I return. It’s almost like a pilgrimage I take each year to realign myself.
Fast forward to last year, one of my closest friends/KH crew, Anisa @spatourage, mentioned the idea of going to massage school. Massage Therapy is something that aligns closely with rehab and something I would do for relatives as a young age when they were in pain. I knew I already had that “touch”, I just needed to refine and learn skills to be effective. So I followed her advice and enrolled myself for the next quarter opening. BEST DECISION I’VE EVER MADE!!!
Massage school was an interesting environment I wasn’t quite expecting. Atlanta School of Massage was so nurturing in a non-traditional school setting. The instructors really cared to help you find your way through massage and taught different approaches to help live life a little more stress-free. We had classes not only on technique but yoga, meditation, aromatherapy, mindfulness, etc. They really enabled me to grow into the person I am today. I was able to combine science and healing techniques together to form my own way of doing massage. The birth of Flower Child Massage!
Has it been a smooth road?
I wouldn’t say it’s been a smooth road but I am very thankful for my community of friends, supporters and my lovely boyfriend. I started working for a company fresh out of school because I didn’t think I would be able to do this on my own, but God has a funny way of exposing you to your real truth.
COVID came along and I honestly thought I went down the wrong path for careers and really started doubting my self. And I prayed, surrendered and just asked God for help and within weeks, things started to shift. I went from doing bodywork on a new client once every few weeks to my books being completely booked, weeks in advance. The “buy black” movement has been beautiful to witness and I’m glad I’m able to be apart of it. My high school (Westlake) and college (GSU) family has mentioned my names in rooms to connect me with new clients and even purchased massages for themselves and I am so grateful.
I knew I wanted to do more healing, energy work rather that sports and rehab, so I parted ways with my former employer and started on my solo journey. I felt more people needed my gift to help them cope with everyday life and help bring people back to themselves. Teach ways to help with self-care, not only through just massage.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Flower Child Massage story. Tell us more about the business.
Flower Child Massage is currently a mobile massage business catering to a luxury in home spa experience. What better way to experience a massage then in the comfort of your own home. I specialize in individual sessions, couples massages or spa parties events. What I love most about my work is a massage can literally be included anywhere. Opening a storefront? Having a girl nights? Athlete in rehab or is in pain? Stressed from virtual learning/teaching?Celebrating a birthday? The list is endless.
One of my trademarks are flowers. I am the “Flower Child,” so I give out flowers handpicked with each session booked. I love seeing my client’s faces light up once they figure out one, the flowers are real and two, they get to keep them. Flowers bring me joy so I like to spread that with them and to leave a lasting impression.
What sets me apart from others is my energy and my work ethic. I love what I do, so I’m taking that extra mile to communicate with my clients, make sure I arrive early to set up and answer any questions so that we can start on time and get that good energy flowing. The pure love and the genuine care I have to make people’s lives better through massage is what gets me going. It’s more than just a massage, it’s an experience. I cultivate a music playlist that really sets the tone for the massage. You get to vibe out while allowing your body to relax and decrease tension. I don’t want the massage to be a one-time thing, but a journey to caring more for yourself.
My proudest moment has been being able to work with Swizz Beats! To have been offered the opportunity and to get positive feedback from him was amazing. Its like my little humble brag I normally keep to myself. That moment definitely sparked my interest to further grow my craft & business so I can expand into the music industry and work on tours with my favorite artist.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
The beautiful thing about massage is it has so many benefits. Not only is it good for aiding in stress relief and relaxation but it’s also can help aid your body into healing. Physical therapists and chiropractors are working alongside massage therapists to help assist with rehab with for their clients. MT’s are able to lengthen tight muscles that maybe causing you pain or pushing down on a nerve or bone over time with consistent treatment.
A major shift that is coming to the this industry is the ability for clients to be able to use insurance to pay for massage therapy! This form of therapy is very important for people who just got into a car accident or injured themselves playing a sport, broke a bone, anxiety, depression, etc. Wouldn’t you much rather have a massage as opposed to taking pills for pain?
Contact Info:
- Website: flowerchildmassage.com Coming Soon!
- Phone: 4043249308
- Email: flowerchildmassage@gmail.com
- Instagram: flowerchildmassage / ipauladean (personal)
- Facebook: flowerchildmassage
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