Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Nierman.
Melissa, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
We’re actually only two months old! I always say that it all started on the new moon. I was moving from NY, but really had no idea what my next step was. I happened to be visiting friends in Salem, and saw a poster in the window of Hauswitch Home + Healing for a New Moon Meditation that night. I ended going on whim, and my life completely changed. I fell in love, met this amazing group of friends that were all healers, and ended up moving (several months later) to Salem.
Fast forward to October, our big tourist month here, and I’m working as a ghost tour guide shouting into a microphone with groups of 50 people following behind me. And I kept encountering people that really seemed to be looking for different types of Salem experiences. They wanted a taste of magic, and not just in the crystal ball sense. And something just clicked. I already had all these super magical healers in my life, but a lot of them didn’t have a space to work out of, or really a way to showcase their talents. So, I came up with the idea of these small (6 max) walking workshop tours that are led by actual healers, and that are educational in that people are learning to about these very real magical themes like flower essences, herbs, crystals, tarot etc., while also experiencing the sites of Salem in a way that feels personal and connected.
Today, we have a beautiful little healing space in the heart of downtown, and one block from the Hauswitch Home + Healing that we run the walking workshop tours out of it, as well as offering one-on-one Reiki, Astrology, Tarot, Animal Spirit Readings, and Herbs. We’ll be starting small classes here soon as well. The goal is really to be able to provide a full experience for visitors, and also support our local community.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
So far, so good, ha! We’re still in the process of figuring out how to market ourselves, and how to balance our private healing sessions with the walking workshop tours. Even figuring out what to call the “walking workshop tours” has gone through several transformations. How do you convey to people what an experience is when it’s not a tour in the traditional sense that people are used to, and also has this more magical component to it. For example, we made the decision to start all the walking workshop tours in the healing space, so that we can connect as a group before we begin. In one way or another, all of the tours include some kind of grounding meditation, whether you’re trying out a flower essence and feeling the effects in your body, or choosing a crystal that reflects the energy to bring to the day. Is that going to be something everyone who visits Salem looking for witches is interested in doing? Probably not. But I know that more and more people are feeling drawn to these types of authentic experiences. Figuring out how to reach them is really one of our biggest challenges at this moment. I know we can get there. And we’re light on our feet, so can adapt while still staying in alignment.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Our tagline here at NOW Age Travel + Healing is “Experience the real magic of Salem.” Our goal, as we continue to grow and change, is to provide authentic magical experiences to visitors and local alike. We’re a group of local healers, who really are passionate about the healing arts, and want to share it. We have a beautiful little healing space in the heart of downtown Salem where we offer one-on-one Reiki Energy Healing, Astrology, Tarot, and Animal Spirit Readings, as well run small group (6 max) half-day Walking Workshop Tours around downtown Salem. The tours provide a really unique way to experience Salem, offering people the chance to visit our favorite historic sites, gardens, museums, shops, and restaurants while learning about a modern metaphysical theme. Our guides are actual practicing healers, who have a wealth of knowledge in their specialty, and also love Salem. Some of our current themes include: Healing Herbs, Flower Essences, Crystals Rocks + Reiki, Tarot Journey, and Witching the Written Word. All of the walking workshop tours are 3-4 hours long, and really provide a full breadth of not only the theme, but of Salem itself. We really want people to feel connected, like they’re visiting with friends, and are just having the best day ever. Our focus on connection and offering a full holistic experience, I think, really sets us apart.
One the things I’m most proud of is how empowering our services have already proven to be. We have purposely created an atmosphere that is fun, friendly, and relaxed, which allows us to reach people that may be curious about the metaphysical, but may not feel as comfortable in a more traditional setting. We’re a really light-hearted bunch, and meet people wherever they’re at. My favorite thing is when people have never tried Reiki Energy Healing, for example, but will take that leap with a 20 Minute Reiki Boost, which we created to be more accessible, both financially and otherwise. And when they feel the effects, and sometimes in a completely blown away sense, you can really tell that something has shifted inside of them in terms of what they thought was possible.
What were you like growing up?
I love this question! I grew up as an only child, so was definitely always the weirdo kid playing pretend by themselves, or painting in the corner. Even when I found friends who wanted to play pretend with me, I always felt like a bit of a loner. I think because I enjoyed how I spent my alone time so much. I just always love the process of creating, whether drawing cartoons (I definitely thought I wanted to be a cartoonist for a while there!) or writing short stories, or coming up with elaborate dramas for my Barbie’s, or making videos of my family. I always felt very confident in my abilities, never really questioning how well I was doing anything. That didn’t come until later, and now I’m still in this unpacking process of getting back to the pure enjoyment of just making stuff happen in the world, and not really caring if it makes sense to everyone.
Pricing:
- Walking Workshop Tours – 3 Hours – $55 (includes supplies, snacks, and any site admissions)
- Reiki Energy Healing – 60 Min – $77
- Mini Astrology Reading – 20 Min – $44
- Deep Dive Tarot Reading – 45 Min – $66
Contact Info:
- Address: 16 Front Street
Suite 302
Salem, MA 01970 - Website: nowagetravel.com
- Phone: 617-380-7412
- Email: info@nowagetravel.com
- Instagram: @now.age
- Facebook: @now.age.travel
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/now-age-travel-healing-salem
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Image Credit:
Erica Feldmann
Melissa Genest
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