Meet Saliymah DaCosta | Massage therapist / Massage Instructor/ CE Provider

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

Hi Saliymah, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
The most important factors behind my success are purpose, passion, and faith. Being purpose-driven has been the foundation of everything I do. Purpose is what sustains you when motivation fades. It’s selfless—it pushes you to show up, not just for yourself, but for the people you’re called to impact.

Faith is essential because not every day looks promising. There are seasons of uncertainty and struggle, but faith reminds me that God has never failed me—and He won’t start now. It’s what anchors me during tough times and gives me the strength to keep moving forward.

And then there’s passion. When you’re passionate about what you do, it doesn’t feel like work—it feels like service. I’m deeply passionate about massage therapy and about helping people heal naturally, in a holistic way. But it goes beyond massage. I talk with my clients about mental health, gut health, and overall well-being. I genuinely care about people and want them to thrive. Because when you feel better, you live better—and you become a better human in the world.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
This is actually my third massage business—so that alone tells you this journey hasn’t been easy. Entrepreneurship comes with constant ebbs and flows, and while we often hear that, living through it is something else entirely. There were many hard moments, and I won’t sugarcoat that. What got me through was learning to pause and reset—whether that meant taking a break, leaning on mentors, or just giving myself space to breathe and come back with a fresh perspective.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned along the way is the importance of being true to yourself. Never forget your ‘why.’ It’s the fuel behind everything you do. Write it down, put it on your wall, make it the background on your phone—just don’t lose sight of it. And while your ‘why’ can evolve over time, you still have to know what it is.

I’ll admit, there were times I lost myself in business—trying to appease clients, partners, or meet expectations that didn’t align with my values. But I’m proud of myself for returning to what truly matters: my morals, my purpose, and my voice. Finding my lane and owning it has been a game-changer. That kind of clarity is irreplaceable—and you can’t put a price on it.

Today, I own Touched, a massage practice focused on natural body healing through the power of touch. I’ve run a larger business before, but I now love the intimacy of being one-on-one with my clients, offering a consistent and deeply intentional experience.

But what I’m most excited about now is evolving into a teacher and mentor. I currently teach massage therapy at a local community college and am building my own online continuing education school for massage therapists. I want to be the guide I didn’t have—someone who understands the heart of this work and can support others as they build not just a business, but a purposeful and fulfilling career

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Great question! If my best friend were visiting for the week, I’d make sure they got the full Dallas experience—with a little bit of everything I love.

We’d start with happy hour at Parliament—their cocktails are amazing, and the vibe is always on point. For a chill evening, we’d hit up a good hookah lounge with great food—my go-to kind of night im thinking SAAYA. Then for nightlife, Double D’s is a must. It feels like you’re hanging out in someone’s vibey living room, with a different musical theme every night and a super laid-back crowd.

Food-wise, we’re trying everything. As a proud Jamaican, I’d definitely take them to Reggae Wings & Tings for some authentic Caribbean flavor. For tacos (because, hello—we’re in Dallas!), Las Palmas in Uptown is a favorite for great Tex-Mex.

We’d also catch a concert—whether it’s a big show at American Airlines Center or a more intimate live set at Texas Live or one of the theaters in Arlington. I’d plan the trip around a good performance if possible—music just sets the tone for the whole week.

I’m not a huge party person, but we’d definitely hit up a few bars, vibe out, and just spend quality time catching up, laughing, and soaking in the energy of the city. It’s all about good vibes, good food, and great company.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There have been several key people and programs that played a major role throughout my entrepreneurship journey. In the early stages, Urban Specialists and their BOSOE program helped me bring clarity to my ideas and build a solid foundation. Later, Impact Ventures pushed me to think long-term—especially about finances and retirement, which many entrepreneurs tend to overlook.

I’ve also been blessed with a powerful circle of mentors and peers. Ms. Donna Henry and Antong Lucky with Irban Specialist, Thaddeus with Pop-Up Comfort, Keandra from Upscale Recovery House, Sade the esthetician with Nova Skin and Janae with her apothecary—all of them have inspired and supported me in different ways. Just to name a few.

This entrepreneurship community has been my lifeline. They speak life over me and my business, even when I can’t always see the full impact myself. Their belief in me reminds me that I’m on the right path—and sometimes, that’s all you need to keep going. So this shoutout is to them—for keeping me grounded, encouraged, and moving forward.

Website: https://www.toucheddtx.com

Instagram: https://toucheddtx.com

Facebook: toucheddtx

Image Credits
Saliymah DaCosta in image
Photographer – Joshua Wilson @shoujaproductions on IG

Saliymah Dacosta in image
photographer- Vidal Stanfield

Saliymah in image outside
photographer – rimm photography

Touched Tech Graduates
photographer- @holly2fly on IG