Today we’d like to introduce you to Molly Kerrigan.
Molly, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I had my life all planned out by Junior year of high school. I would go to college in Boston, then on to grad school to become a Music Therapist. Like all plans made when you’re 16, those didn’t quite pan out. I did go to college in Boston (Simmons University) but by senior year I knew I didn’t want to go to grad school. After graduation, I worked a series of office administration jobs, even quitting one without anything else lined up in the midst of an economic crisis simply because I was miserable.
A few years later, I was working at a job that I was good at but didn’t care about and knew something needed to change. I had always loved getting a massage but hadn’t considered massage therapy as a career option because it didn’t seem “legit” enough. I had been under the impression that if a job didn’t require a 4+ year degree it wasn’t a real job. Feel free to eye roll at 22-year-old Molly. After getting a massage at a physical therapy office one evening, I took a look at massage schools in the area. Cortiva Institute was having an open house the next night. I went, signed up on the spot, and began my year of courses the next month.
It took a while after graduating massage school to actually be brave enough to take the plunge into doing it full time, and two years after that to free-fall into self-employment. Ultimately, this series of decisions have led me to an amazing career.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely not! Taking the alternate job route – anything differing from the 9-5 is hard! I struggled a lot with self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and a whimpering bank account. My advice for anyone who wants to do something off the beaten path or becomes self-employed is to build a team of support around you. Find a business coach, an accountability group, a networking group. Surround yourself with people who “get it” and who you can bounce ideas off of. You’ll come across a Negative Nancy or two. (And guess what, you might be your own Negative Nancy!) Say thanks for the input and move on.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I’m a massage therapist focusing on relaxation and stress management. I cater mostly too busy, stressed women who need an hour to just chill. I encourage all women (this means you!) to take the time for themselves without feeling guilty or selfish. You can’t pour from an empty cup!
I believe that massage does not have to hurt to be effective and relaxation massage does not have to be boring. I’m passionate about helping my clients find an hour (or more) of peace in a hectic world. I provide professional, personalized, and thorough treatments for everyone from massage newbies to globe-trotting spa enthusiasts.
So much of the media coverage is focused on the challenges facing women today, but what about the opportunities? Do you feel there are any opportunities that women are particularly well positioned for?
Women are great at making connections that are deeper than a business transaction. This is HUGE when you’re providing a service. My clients aren’t just bodies on the table, I get to know a lot about them and their lives.
And some of us may have a little bit of a chip on our shoulder because of those challenges facing women. Tell me I can’t do something or that it’s going to difficult and I think, “ok, let me prove you wrong.”
Pricing:
- Custom Relaxation Massage – $80-$105
- Sticks And Stones – Warm Bamboo and Synergy Stone Massage – $95-$120
- Express Destress (30 minutes) – $45
Contact Info:
- Address: Molly Kerrigan at Serenity Massage
43 High Street
North Andover, MA 01845 - Website: https://mollykerrigan.com/
- Phone: (617)651-0316
- Email: massage@mollykerrigan.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mollykerriganmassage/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MollyKerriganMassage/
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_CSTc0x2-_sKPxdZTDKKMw
Image Credit:
Kevin Jacobus, Fort Point Media
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