Please Help Me Make My Dream Come True

Hi, my name is Kenisha and I am fundraising to help make my dream of owning a massage studio a reality. Growing up I was always told I was not good enough, that I wouldn’t amount to anything good in life, that I was worthless. While being raised in a rural area with less than 500 people, I started believing it. My access to television was very limited. Outside of school and reading books, my ability to dream was stymied. I was given up by my birth mother at 1 year old, reared by my paternal grandmother and her husband. The verbal and physical abuse came from my grandmother. The sexual and additional verbal abuse came from her husband.

Looking back at my childhood, I realize that I was depressed as a child, something I still struggle with today. In June 2001, two months before my 18th birthday I migrated to the United States to live with my dad and stepmom, (going forward, stepmom will be referred to as mom). They lived in Queens, New York. It took roughly a year to not mourn my country and friends daily. I started working with my mom. Every evening after work we’d go to the gym together. When you grow up in small rural community gyms are a foreign concept. For the first few weeks, I just copied everything my mom did. Once I started to get the hang of it, I realized, I loved exercising. I loved being in the gym. One day, the Personal Training Director came over to us to inform my mom that he thought I’d make a great personal trainer. Apparently, he had been watching me work out and train with my mom. Although I was skeptical, I decided to study to be a certified personal trainer.

I worked as a personal trainer for 10 years. It was the first time in my life I felt true joy and satisfaction! It was also the first time I felt like I was a contributing member of society. After each training session, I would unknowingly give my clients recovery massages while stretching them. They’d tell me how amazing they felt after our sessions and recommend that I look into becoming a massage therapist. After some research, I was convinced that I was not smart enough for the top massage therapy program in the city. However, years would go by and different clients would echo that I should really consider becoming a massage therapist. Four years later, I was allowed to sit in on a massage therapy class. It was in class Swedish 101, that I knew I was called to be a massage therapist. I had never felt more at home in my life! I applied that day. Within the first semester of school, I knew I wanted to run my own massage therapy practice one day. The mind trash that was dumped on me during my childhood, made me think the odds of that happening were slim to none. Fast-forward, a year after graduation I asked my dad to invest in me by helping me open my own practice. It was a small room, inside an eyebrow threading studio in Flatbush, Brooklyn. He said no. The lady gave me the space for free until I could pay her, no strings attached. Fast-forward, 3 years later, I met my now husband. He lived in Minnesota while I resided in New York. Upon getting pregnant with twins, we decided that relocating to Minnesota would be better for us both to raise our family. 13 years later as I reflect, I realize the joy that massage therapy has given me saved my life. Pulling me out of depression, countless times. I would not be here without the fulfillment that massage therapy has given me.

On May 15th, 2023 I signed my first commercial lease in Bloomington Minnesota. I still cannot believe that I have made it this far. I have applied for numerous grants but I have not been successful so far in receiving any. The funds raised from the GoFundMe campaign will be instrumental in establishing my new massage studio. Here is a breakdown of some of the costs involved in setting:

Lease/Rent: One of the primary expenses

Renovations/Interior Design: Creating a comfortable and inviting atmosphere is essential for a massage studio. Funds will be allocated towards renovating and designing the space, including painting, lighting and creating treatment rooms that provide a relaxing ambiance.

Equipment and Supplies: Various equipment and supplies are necessary for a functioning massage studio. This includes massage tables, chairs, linens, blankets, towels, oils, lotions, creams and other essential tools for providing quality services.

Furniture and Decor: Comfortable seating for waiting areas, reception desks, storage units and other furniture pieces will be required. Additionally, decorative elements such as artwork, plants and soothing aesthetics will contribute to the overall ambiance of the studio.

Marketing and Advertising: To attract clients and promote the new studio, funds will be allocated towards marketing and advertising efforts. This will include, online advertising, print materials, social media campaigns, and other promotional strategies.

Staffing and Training: As the studio grows, hiring and training qualified massage therapists will be necessary. Funds raised can support recruitment efforts, employee training programs and staff salaries.

Utilities and Operational Expenses: Ongoing operational costs such as electricity, water, heating/cooling, internet, and phone services.