Meet Natalie Taylor | Business Owner & Licensed Massage Therapist
We had the good fortune of connecting with Natalie Taylor and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Natalie, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
The practice of massage is every bit of healing and personable. It’s never been what works for one will work for everyone. And we have always offered individualized treatment plans, as well as, sitting down with our clients to discuss their expectations for each session then share self-care techniques before they leave.
We are a family and our clients know we are here for them. It’s something I feel many licensed massage therapists stopped doing the last few years but it’s making a comeback.
We also set ourselves apart by offering multiple add-ons without charging. We understand that the cost of doing business gets more expensive each year, but why would we charge a client for hot stones or cupping when we know it would benefit them during their session?
How It All Started
I’m not sure exactly when I wanted to be a licensed massage therapist, but I thought about it for many years and in 2018 I was ready for change. My husband and I had just sold our home and moved three hours away to Reading, Pennsylvania. We thought we had it all figured out and quickly learned that God had a bigger plan for our family.
My husband was offered a job in West Texas, and we decided he should go. I had a great job with amazing pay and benefits in Reading, so it didn’t make sense for me to leave. But my job was stressful most days, and It’s here where I finally found the courage to visit a few massage schools our city offered. Most of them felt too clinical and structured. At the time, I was burnt out from the medical field and corporate world. I needed space and creativity, and then I walked into East-West School of Massage.
Inside, the building and its rooms were mismatched with different textiles and furniture. It was the exact opposite of everything I had known. Everything about it was calm and well oiled, lol. The scent of clove or some days bergamot filled the classrooms and building. You just looked forward to class every day. And that’s how I knew I had found my calling for the first time in my life. I was right where I was meant to be. For the next year, I called this place home and studied my instructor’s individual techniques, as well as, the required anatomy and academic classes. Our class was small: there were three of us students and it helped that we all had some form of a medical background. Our classes were hands on from the very first week, and we learned Tai Chi, Reflexology, Hot Stone, Cupping, and so much more than just the basic Swedish and Therapeutic massages. East-West really shaped Salt & Light Massage from the very beginning.
A year later, I graduated and made the move to Texas with my husband. Our plan was to travel in our RV full-time and I would work for local massage businesses. Again we thought we had it all figured out until we drove through Tyler, Texas in 2020. I think we just knew this was where we belonged, and so we decided to stop traveling and make this beautiful city our hometown.
That same year, we rented a 100sq foot room inside Farmers Insurance on Fredonia Street in Longview. I had my days of doubt, but I prayed and trusted the right clients would find us. I furnished the space with my savings and booked our first three clients. That’s how it started. It was word of mouth from our clients to their friends and family from that moment forward. We had no idea how quickly the business would grow or how many amazing clients would become part of the S&L family.
In December of 2022, we opened our Tyler location on Rickety Lane. That street name really is fitting! Our Longview location has continued to see amazing growth and we moved to the Downtown District on West Tyler Street. Our new suite offers two massage rooms with growth for a third, as well as, a reception and quiet lounge for our clients to relax. We also brought on a part-time receptionist, and officially announced our mobile massage for special events and parties. We’ve been very blessed and busy, but it’s not been without a lot of prayer and support from so many of our clients and family.
Why I Started A Business?
I don’t recall a time where I ever considered starting a massage business prior to 2020. Even during school, I had always considered working for someone else. When we lived in Sweeny, Texas, I worked for a woman who owned Heaven Sent Massage and she gave me the best advice I’ll never forget. She told me to show up and let Him do the rest. But even after the first year we were opened in Longview, I didn’t stop to think that Salt & Light Massage might become something bigger. Now I look back and realize we were setup to grow from the beginning. I think that’s how some of the most natural and beautiful things are created. You surrender and let God!
What are you most thankful for?
We are thankful for our continued growth at both locations, and our church family who have supported our journey. We’re also very thankful for our new and existing clients who book with us. They are why we get to do what we love and continue to be a light. Each client challenges us to be better therapists and to learn new techniques and holistic approaches for healing the body. We’re also thankful for our therapists, who are passionate about helping others and work as a team.
What should our readers know about your business?
I wanted a way to share my favorite Bible verses in Matthew. Everyone was challenged during Covid, and I kept reminding myself that we all needed to be a light in a dark world. It fills me with joy each time a client looks up and sees the canvas Bible verses (a gift from my parents) in our reception area. God made this all possible and when He blesses you, you bless others with your gift.
Prior to starting Salt & Light Massage Therapy, I worked in the medical field as a clinical assistant and phlebotomist. A few years later I worked for the gas industry as a data entry specialist, bookkeeper, and office manager. I didn’t know it at the time, but all those years I spent in the medical field and learning how to run a business have a lot to do with where we are today. I really was blessed to have amazing bosses and teachers! And they all taught me… always be honest and work hard.
This year we started offering massage business coaching to help other licensed massage therapist build their brand. There is this need to help other therapist navigate the industry and learn how to run a professional business. And we offer a few different packages to help licensed massage therapists get started or even coach them along the way. We also provide free content on our social media pages with Q&A, S&L techniques, and business advice. For those looking for more guidance, they can reach out to me personally for coaching,
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I feel very blessed to work at both of our locations. That means I’m always in Longview or Tyler every week. And the best part is supporting our locally owned restaurants and shops at both downtown Tyler and Longview.
Here are my favorite picks.
If you’re visiting downtown Tyler, 1948 Coffee and Juice Co has the best breakfast menu and the coffee is delicious. It’s the perfect place to visit with friends or read a book. Culture ETX is always a win for lunch. If you’re planning an overnight trip soon, the Greyhound Inn (a new boutique hotel) will be opening soon! You can relax and enjoy dinner at Prime 102 and unwind in the downtown square or listen to live music inside the People’s Petroleum Building. Our favorite place to get dessert is Laurel & Pearl. It’s a short drive from downtown and you’ll be glad you did. This amazing European Bakery has the most delicious Frenchie’s and best French Macarons.
If you’re heading to downtown Longview, make a stop at The Silver Grizzly for coffee and a pastry. Occasionally, we grab a few for our clients when we host our couples massage on Saturday’s. The best place for lunch is at Deb’s Downtown Café for her winning Reuben or Judd’s Downtown. Dinner will always be a win at Roma’s and they have another location in Tyler, too.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I wouldn’t be the massage therapist I am today if it wasn’t for Rod, Bonnie, and Laurie. Sadly, Rod passed away shortly after our class graduated. I often wish I could call him up and share everything that has happened.
Jerry Robinson and his wife started Dry Clean Supercenter on Judson Rd. in Longview over 26 years ago. He has handled all our linens from the first week we opened and now takes on our Tyler location, too. I truly thank him for going and growing with us every step of the way.
There are so many others, Terri and Ashley for helping at all our events and during our first week in the new location. And a huge thanks to Katherine for being a talented therapist and for loving S&L Massage as much as we do. Many of our loyal clients, who I can’t name but you all know who you are. And my husband! He has always been my biggest support system, sounding board, and the one who challenges me to grow and keep learning. This man is the one who does the hard work each time we expand and move into a new location. Truly, all of these people have been a huge part of our success!
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