Today we’d like to introduce you to Cherre Bull.
Cherre, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
It all started when I went away to college to study psychology. I was attending Long Beach State University. I had come home from college on a break and got into a minor car accident. Nothing major but I had whiplash in my cervical region. I healed in a couple of days but I kept experiencing severe headaches and migraines. My primary physician at the time recommended that I go see a massage therapist. I was skeptical, to say the least. I wanted to stop having headaches not get pampered. But I had an awesome primary physician who was knowledgeable in holistic health. He didn’t want to prescribe me pills to dull or mask the pain. So he sent me to a wellness clinic where I saw a massage therapist and chiropractor. I would see the chiropractor twice a month and I would see the massage therapist once a week. After a month of treatment, I had already started to see improvement in my headaches and migraines, and within 3 months of consistent treatment, I was healed!! I couldn’t believe that massage could help me. After getting the treatment it opened up my eyes to this new world of therapy.
The next year while in college I had found out I was pregnant and got severely ill. I was in the hospital for a month. And unfortunately, I had to drop out I was way behind in all my classes and there was no way I was going to catch up. Now I was faced with some real-life choices. I was a young mom and a college dropout and I knew in order to provide for my daughter and myself I was going to have to have a career. And that’s when it hit me. I knew I wanted to help people. I remembered how much my massage therapist helped me. So I immediately enrolled in my local vocational college that offered massage therapy courses. I was in heaven, I never knew I could love anatomy and physiology so much. I also realized that I could use my love of math in massage as well. People come to me with a problem and I have to find a solution. I loved anatomy so much and that when it was time to pick where we wanted to do our internship I chose a Physical Therapy clinic. I think I learned if not as much or more being in that clinic for 30 days 8 hours a day than being in school. I was able to not only apply my knowledge in a real-world setting. Immediately after my internship, I worked in a Chiropractor’s office as their assistant. And shortly after that I worked for the local hockey team the San Diego Gulls.
Once I settled into my career I knew I wanted to know more and expand my knowledge. So I went back to school to get my degree in Kinesiology.
Now I own my own massage clinic where see clients that suffer from a lot of the same conditions I had when I went and seen my massage therapist. My goal in treating my clients is making sure they leave feeling better and educated on what is causing them pain and how to get better.
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?
The road was quite difficult in the beginning. As a young therapist starting out I had to insert myself in a lot of places that didn’t think I was qualified. Working in the health industry I noticed that it was very much male-driven. I loved working in clinical settings like chiropractor and physical therapy clinics. But oftentimes I was looked at like the “help.” But the more I showed my knowledge of kinesiology and anatomy the more they began to see my potential in the company. I began working alongside physical therapists. It wasn’t easy but they believed in me and gave me a chance to utilize my knowledge and skills working with patients.
Advice that I would give other women starting out in their journey is to never give up. Trust in your gut and intuition. And never let anyone make you feel like you aren’t good enough. If it is something you believe in, then never let it stop you. “Shoot for the moon! Being a mother of three beautiful girls I stand by this motto every day.
What should we know about Knead a Massage? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Did you know most people suffer from tension headaches from sitting and staring at a screen for long periods of time that cause tension in their shoulders and neck? Well, I help treat that. I work with clients looking to relieve tension in their neck and improve shoulder mobility, all while being in a relaxed and soothing environment. I also educate my clients that living in pain is not normal and that they can go back to a life without pain. I also teach my clients that a therapeutic massage can be a form of relaxation and bodywork.
The thing that sets me apart from other massage therapists is that I listen to my clients. Not just what they say but how they say it. A lot of times people tell me where the pain is but I show them where it may have originated and how to work at getting better. Who likes being in pain? I know I don’t. Before my sessions with my massage therapist, I was desperate to find a way to not live with this pain. After getting injured in my car accident, all I wanted to do was get back to feeling normal. When my clients express to me how they are in pain. I can relate. Because I was where they were. Trying to find someone or something that can help you not feel the way that you do. I work with my clients in finding the answer to being pain-free.
What do you feel are the biggest barriers today to female leadership, in your industry or generally?
Did you know that Forbes reported that 40% of new entrepreneurs are women? Like 40% whoa!! It amazes me how much talent and drive we have. But the sad part of reality is that it is harder for a woman to obtain the funding they need. And I’m not entirely sure why. It’s almost like women have to prove themselves more than their male counterparts. And it is especially difficult for women of color.
I believe one of the reasons this is happening more is because women are tired of not being paid the same as males. And this is especially true in the health industry. I also believe more women are staring their own practices and businesses because they are tired of being looked at as weak when they put their families first. In the famous words of Beyoncé “Who runs the world? GIRLS!”
Pricing:
- 30 minute Therapeutic Massage $50
- 60 minute Therapeutic Massage $80
- 90 minute Therapeutic Massage $110
Contact Info:
- Address: 7520 Eads Ave suite 7
La Lolla Ca 92037 - Website: www.kneadamassagesd.com
- Phone: (619) 240-5611
- Email: kneadamassagesd@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/kneadamassagesd
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/kneadamassagesd
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/MassageKnead
Image Credit:
Karina Bryant @beautygazerimagery
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