We had the good fortune of connecting with Ashley Masters and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ashley, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
While I’ve always absolutely loved my career, working for other people left me feeling stifled, under appreciated and incredibly limited in how I could help people. I knew that if I wanted to create magic on a larger scale, I’d have to create my own space for it. I opened three small businesses in less than a year, they’re each their own separate entity but cohesively exist as a wellness center.

Now I’m able to hold space for people, help them shed, heal and grow and it feels purposeful and cathartic.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
In the massage industry it’s historically either a chop shop, in and out type of model or small scale, single practitioner. I’ve created a space that has the room to grow soulfully and organically while prioritizing the kind of deep healing that’s life changing. My practice isn’t just massage, reiki, yoga or organic teas, it’s an experience of all of the above. From the moment clients walk through the door until the moment they leave, they feel safe, held and heard. This experience facilitates healing in a way that I haven’t seen before. It’s quite literally magical.

I’m incredibly proud of the spaces I’ve created and the space I continually hold for my clients. The behind the scenes work it takes to accomplish this is astronomical and can sometimes be exhausting but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Every single detail I put into the work I do is so important, the clients see and feel that!

I have intentionally kept business relatively small but I want to the world to know I’m ready to expand in such a big way. The Tea Room is about to explode and I can’t wait!

If I could pass along a lesson, it’s to follow your heart and trust your gut. That’s where the magic happens!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Charlotte is a rapidly growing city with so much to offer! I love supporting local businesses as often as I can and there are so many to choose from.

Here are some of my favorites:

Restaurants/Coffee shops
Flourshop
Customshop
Pizza Baby
Ever Andalo
The Crunkleton
Puerta
Albertine
Fin and Fino
Kindred
Milk Bread
Common Market
Undercurrent
Summit
Chno Coffee

Shops-
Grow
Moxie
Betty
Boris and Natasha
Book Buyers
Curio Craft and Conjure
Crown and Honey

I love walking around Camp North End, Noda and Plaza Midwood, you can’t go wrong!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I can’t just name one, every single client, mentors, fellow healers, artists, so many people have encouraged me and pushed me forward, even when things were so difficult I thought about quitting. My daughters inspire and propel me the most. The work I do is soul work, it’s fulfilling in an indescribable way, the long hours I happily put in are to show my girls that they can be and do anything they want!

Website: www.ashleymastershealingarts.com, www.fivegoddessfarm.com

Instagram: @ashleymastershealingarts, @fivegoddessfarm, @thejaderoomcharlotte

Facebook: Ashley Masters Healing Arts

Image Credits
Photo Credit: AM Stewart Photography

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutNorthCarolina is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.