Biznik Blog

One of the things I hate about a lot of businesses is how scrubbed clean they are of any hint of personality. In their effort to avoid scaring off any potential customers, they bury their individuality so deep that it’s almost impossible to tell whether they ever had one in the first place. But Sierra Faye, I’m happy to report, does not have this problem. She’s a massage therapist, and a self-described freak, so what better name for her business than, well, Massage Freek? Let’s find out how one of Biznik’s original members (who we’re thrilled to have as a principal sponsor of BizJam) turned her passion for massage and self-expression into a business.

How did you come up with the name of your business?

The name Massage Freek came to me like a bolt of lightning from the sky. I had just been fired and I was sick of being told what to do in work environments about how to dress and how to act and what things I could or could not say
I knew that I wanted to work with “my people.” and by that I mean people that are living lifestyles that are very much not normal (but awesome, in my opinion). Some examples are: swingers, polyamorous, kink/fetish lifestyles as well as people from the Burning Man community and essentially free-thinking and open-minded individuals. I figured a name like Massage Freek would be great for attracting people that would want to see someone who shares the same way of life. I also thought Massage Freek, as a name, would act as a natural filter for people that wouldn’t be comfortable with me, my lifestyle, my opinions and expressions… And thus be uncomfortable receiving massage from me. Why try to attract just anyone, right? Might as well attract and focus my marketing on people who would be more likely to come to me not for my excellent massage skills but my wonderful, charming and freaky personality.

How long have you been a massage therapist?

I have been doing this work since I graduated from the Brian Utting School of Massage in December of 2000. I wanted to be a massage therapist since I was eleven or so. Over six years in practice now.

There’s a lot of massage therapists in Seattle. How do you stand out?

I stand out … because I’m nuts! No … all massage therapists are nuts, in my humble opinion.
I think I stand out for a few pretty powerful reasons:
I have been practicing for longer than most of the therapists out there. I know there are many that have been around longer than me, but most LMP’s stop practicing after about 2-3 years.
I am very good at what I do… Lots of experience, lots of hours doing not much else but intense injury treatment and problem solving… Improving the quality of people’s lives thru the treatment of pain in their bodies,
I consistently have clients report significant improvement thru my massages. I have found that my massage has a tendency to be more effective and have longer-lasting effects than the therapists that most of my clients have used.

I think the way I stand out the most is being openly kinky, poly, swinger and burner. I think that most people, especially in my profession, are VERY hesitant to disclose much of any of their personal life, much less integrate it as a selling point and a quality that provides deeper healing.

I have found that in sharing my personal lifestyle and being open about being a rebel and a freak, people tend to relate to that because they have that in them. I think that me just being me and giving space to allow that sort of lifestyle and expression gives not only a safer place for freaks like me to get healed, but it also creates a new way of life at all. A bold and more open, accepting idea of what’s possible to experience in a work place. I think I stand out because I’m a rebel amongst my peers and most of them are actually pretty supportive of my uber-open behavior and presentation. I think showing full true self allows people to know that they can be their own true self as well.. And in that… I don’t even have to touch them or have them as a client… They are healed just by observing and having a different idea of what’s possible.

Has Biznik helped you build your business? How?

Of course! Biznik was god’s gift to me… I know that sounds funny but.. I think it’s just “too perfect” that you and Lara came up with Biznik at the exact same time I was starting to do Massage Freek promotion.
I remember just trying to figure how the heck I was going to get in front of people – in a larger scale way than one on one or at parties - that would grow my business with people that would be likely to hire me.
The cool thing was that you guys hit your friends first and they are a bunch of burners so HEY! Target market!
And because the energy of biznik is (duh) for business, it kept me focused on growing my business as you were growing the influence of Biznik. I wanted to be in the minds of the badass people that were not only open-minded and free thinking but also strong in their entrepreneurial mojo.

In short, it was your target audience that was also my target audience. As you have grown, so have I. I feel comfortable “getting more visible” with this crowd. Once I have this experience of rising to the top of a general pool of people, I figure it will give me the personal power and strength to strut my stuff in front of other groups of business networkers and entrepreneurs and not be afraid of what they think.

Any advice you’d give to anyone starting a business?

Advice for anyone starting a business… DO IT. Be free from your job because self-employment is way more secure than a job.
Don’t give up – it can get hard. Take care of yourself – don’t let yourself fall into patterns of overworking. Take advantage of your open schedule. Ask for help. Don’t be afraid to spend money on consultation, self-care and the tools you need to get your work done. Do your work in an environment that you like and that feels good. Take yourself seriously but not too seriously. Keep your word, keep your appointments don’t be a flake. But if you flake, don’t waste your time trying to get someone to trust you again… The trust is broken. Just move on and try to just get more clients and don’t flake out on them. Do what you love. Take breaks so that you don’t get burned out. Know that you will hit walls, you will get sad, you will cry and you will feel that worry of “am I gonna make it or not.”

You will have to go through all sorts of self-healing and confrontation of worth issues, integrity issues and you’ll have to confront the places where you are not good at some of the aspects of running your business. Just keep going. Be clear that what you are selling, practicing or creating is truly an expression of your heart, mind and soul. These things have helped me. I don’t know if they apply to everyone but they might apply to several. I hope that something I said helps.

Sierra Faye’s website is www.massagefreek.com. Her office is located in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood.

This entry was posted on Monday, May 21st, 2007 at 4:01 pm and is filed under Interviews. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.