Meet Dominique Blakely | Licensed Massage Therapist & Wellness Facilitator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dominique Blakely and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dominique, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
After 8 years of being in the spa/massage therapy industry I just felt it in my spirit. I know this is an insane time to just jump into starting a business but I felt so sure and at peace about the idea. So coming into 2022 I sharpened up some of my continuing education and a general idea and client base and slowly transitioned from working within a spa to working for myself as a mobile massage therapist. I wanted to be able to consistently be in the vibes of wellness and happiness, sometimes that’s lost inside of the spas because of business protocols and missing the bigger picture of wellness.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I feel like I started my journey so long ago. In my high school we had a magnet type of program and you had to pick a “major”. I was drawn to our health science program and eventually bullied them into adding a Sports Medicine portion (previously they only had phlebotomy and nursing focused courses in the program). I spent most of my time learning with the athletic trainer on staff and felt it was my absolute calling to be in the field. After graduation over time I realized being in intense settings was not much my thing but I still had a love/calling to be apart of healing bodies and super intrigued by movement and structure. My mentor from high school suggested I go to massage therapy school and the rest is history. I had such a great experience in massage school, top notch practitioners with world class experience and knowledge ready to pour into me. It was awesome. And luckily my class was full of people with similar backgrounds as myself so our learning was very fast tracked and interactive compared to other groups. I feel like these things in my background have given me an edge over most massage therapists because while we all have the same passion we are not all equipped with the same gifts, knowledge or abilities. I have technical knowledge but a one of a kind intuitive touch.
At times it was hard because before myself I didn’t really know many massage therapists so it was hard to over come stigmas and to feel secure about making a commitment to something I was timid about at times. Over time I’ve learned to fuse my personality with my professional presentation and I think (actually I know lol) that my clients really love that about me. They like that I will bark at them about their water intake and stretch routines. That I won’t let up about them taking agency over their wellness instead of just leaving it on me. I don’t mind helping out but I also don’t want to over work myself and I don’t want them to get old and lose their mobility. They like feeling cared for and that I give them feedback and have created a genuine connection with them.
I’ve learned to just be confident in myself and my abilities. People see all kinds of things on the internet and think they know more after a 30 second video and a sleeplesss night of research on the internet than you do after 8 years in the field and many many many continuing education courses and staying on top of trends on the daily. Learning to say “yes I’ve seen that too but in my professional opinion these are the pros and cons of that service/technique, here’s the validity of it, here’s how it would or wouldn’t work for you specifically, I do/do not perform that service so here’s someone that does(if it is ethical)”.
I’ve learned just like any job there are good days and bad days and even if it’s a bad day you can make it a good day. This is my passion and my career so I do a lot to make sure it shows in my work. I’ve got a lot of smiling people with relaxed traps and hamstrings walking around the metroplex. So I’m happy.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’m from Fort Worth so I HAVE to brag that we have one of the best cultural arts districts! I love visiting the Fort Worth Science and History Museum for the Omni Theatre and the Planetarium. The Kimball Art Museum, Amon Carter Museum and the Modern Art Museum are a must as well. Thankfully they are within walking distance to the attractions on 7th st. If it’s the weekend you gotta go to MASH’d for brunch! Those are some good mimosas! They also have Voicebox Karaoke which is such a good time for me! You can always mosey on down to Sundance Square for good eats and drinks. Anytime with a beverage and some hot food is a good time in my opinion, a walk through the water gardens. One of my fave things to do on a day with no agenda and full of exploring is to hop on the TRE that runs from downtown Fort Worth to downtown Dallas and catch some museum attractions there too. I’m super excited to check out the Cartier and Islamic Art Exhibit at the Dallas Modern Art Museum. I’ve only seen the flyers and billboards and that’s breathtaking so I can imagine how nice the actual exhibit is. Klyde Warren Park is always very nice to stop and check out the food trucks and layout to catch some sun rays.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Wow. The list is LONG when it comes to the encouragement and support I’ve received on this journey. Big shoutout to everyone in the spas at DFW airport. One of my good friends from that era Jessica is the one who gave me this Shoutout. They definitely pumped me up in the beginning stages of not only realizing that yes I’ve made and committed to a career choice as a massage therapist but that I truly have a gift of being able to connect with people genuinely and being able to deliver relief and wellness to them physically on top of that. Thanks to my family, my mom, my younger brother Aramis and my Nana have been so supportive when I get down on myself or when I’m overworking myself. They’ve helped me continue to be a successful parent as well as a successful massage therapist. Thanks to my business tribe, Tahirah of Ashai Brows, Jessie of HairByJessie, Kaylian of ExceptioNails and Ciera of Sincerely Skin. These ladies also operate in the wellness space and have been so supportive in becoming a small business owner in this industry. Thanks to Adriana of Organic With OG pod because she’s honestly been around since I even went to massage therapy school and she constantly listens to my boohoo’s because this work also takes an emotional and energetic toll! And shoutout to my girls Cortney, Quay, Jhala and Lissie….when I need a break and a pat on the back and to give myself flowers they give me that boost!

Website: Www.blissbyblakely.com

Instagram: @BlissByBlakely