Enterprising teen Krysten Smalley offers massage therapy in West Lafayette
WEST LAFAYETTE − A 19-year-old entrepreneur is excited to be part of a rising business district in West Lafayette with a venture she's sure will improve the health of residents.
Krysten Smalley recently opened Krysten's Wellness Studio in the Brickstone Building, 100 W. Main St. The graduate of River View High School attended elementary and middle school at Ridgewood. Her former neighbors were Brickstone owners Ed and Susan Meyers. Smalley learned the Brickstone had an open spot and it all fell into place from there.
"It just felt so right to be here," Smalley said after visiting the Brickstone.
After high School, Smalley said she took some time off to figure what she wanted to do. Being a message therapist had long been a desire. She did an 11-month course through the Columbus School of Medical Massage in Dublin and passed all her board certifications on the first try in January.
Smalley offers Swedish and deep tissue massages. She wants to add cupping and hot stones in the near future. A few years down the road, she'd like to get certified for acupuncture.
"I'm excited to provide relaxation and wellness to the community," Smalley said. "You want to be someone your clients can trust. You want to be reliable. You want to be able to understand what they need help with. You have to understand what they do in their day to day life."
Smalley started out with friends and family to get a sense of what else she might need for clients. Her first week open she was booked. Smalley said the community has been very supportive, along with her parents Chris and Ellyn.
"It's been nothing but 'we're so excited for you. If there's anything we can do to help, if there's anything we can do to promote your business or do anything like that, let us know,'" she added.
The Brickstone opened in December with Bubbles and Barks Dog Grooming Boutique, Nails by Missy, Village Massotherapy and Palmbay Studio, along with apartments. It's right around the corner from the recently opened French Press Café, in the same strip as Hecates Realm spiritualism store, Blooming Wildflower Pups pet grooming and Fred's Got Worms bait store and Yippee Kayak boat rental.
"I hope to bring as much clientele to this building as possible," Smalley said. "I'm just excited to see how we all grow together, because we're all kind of new."
For more information on Krysten's Wellness Studio, go to her Facebook page, call 740-552-9951 or email ksmalleylmt@gmail.com.
Leonard Hayhurst is a community content coordinator and general news reporter for the Coshocton Tribune with more than 15 years of local journalism experience and multiple awards from the Ohio Associated Press. He can be reached at 740-295-3417 or llhayhur@coshoctontribune.com. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @llhayhurst.
This article originally appeared on Coshocton Tribune: Krysten's Wellness Studio opens in West Lafayette
