Meet Mercedes Johnson | Business Owner of Massage Therapy & Reiki

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

Hi Mercedes, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
The Meta Hippo actually started as a crystal business. My dream was to slowly create and build a metaphysical store! Truly this was just a passion project and I had the courage to explore it.

Early on, I had booked a couple of private clients outside of my regular massage studio job and put that money into my business to purchase more inventory. Then the light bulb went off. I could offer massage therapy and energy work to supplement my business.

My relationship with crystals ended up changing drastically. Something that I loved started to feel like a burden and a chore. I soon realized I didn’t enjoy the back side of having a store. This aspect of my business naturally fell off, especially when my focus went to providing exceptional services to my community to assist them in their overall well being!

It’s funny how life works—what started as a simple passion project led me to something even greater than I had imagined. The Meta Hippo evolved into a space where I could truly connect with people, help them heal, and offer something deeply meaningful. Looking back, I see that every step, even the unexpected turns, guided me toward my purpose. What I thought was just a business idea was actually the path leading me to the work I was meant to do.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
The Meta Hippo is all about creating a space where people can truly relax, heal, and reconnect with themselves. What really sets my practice apart is the way I connect with my clients. I intentionally structure my day so we have plenty of time together—it’s so important to feel safe and comfortable with the person you’re receiving care from. I also blend massage therapy with energy work, focusing on deep relaxation and balance. My goal isn’t just to help people feel good for the moment, but to support them in feeling better in their bodies long-term.

Getting here definitely wasn’t easy. Running a business comes with a lot of challenges—honestly, the biggest one has been self-doubt. Then there’s the financial stress and figuring out how to grow without losing myself to the grind. But every challenge has taught me something. I’ve learned to trust the process, stay aligned with what feels right, and surround myself with people who lift me up.

What I’m most proud of is the life I’ve built for myself. Having the freedom to create my own schedule means I can make time for my husband, be present in my own life, and truly be in control of my time. That balance is everything to me.

More than anything, I want people to know how much I love being there for them and holding space for their transformation. Through my own healing, I’ve learned how to be there for others. At the end of the day, I’m just a human like anyone else—I just want to share my light, make people feel seen and heard, and remind them they’re not alone on their journey.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Hmmm let’s see! There is a lot that I haven’t seen myself in Charlotte so I would definitely find something new we could both try!
But if we-re going off of my routine…..

We would start with our grocery shopping for her stay at the farmers market for when we are indulging at home. The farmers has more than just produce. We can grab a bite to eat there and get some coffee. Plus treat ourselves to a beautiful bouquet of flowers that we can display during her stay. Coffee stops would be frequent throughout her stay. So we can go to a few more faves like Hex, Burr & Berry, and Not Just Coffee.

I think it’s special to do some sort of gentle movement with your bestie. We would probably attend a deep stretch class at Okra in Plaza Midwood or take a Chakti yoga class (IYKYK). If we wanted to do some shopping we could hang out in areas like Camp North End or Plaza Midwood!

When it’s time for lunch I would love to take her to some of my favorite lunch spots. I love Noda Bodega, Common Market, Laurel Market, and Calle Sol.

For a night out we could keep it cool and casual by hitting up Super Abari to play video games. OR we could have a glam night and go see a drag show. Just a couple spots where we could find a show are Scorpio, Chasers, or Snug Harbor.

Charlotte has a lot to offer for all different vibes! Definitely wouldn’t have a hard time keeping us entertained!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First, I want to thank two versions of myself for wanting something different. When I was around 8 or 9, I realized I didn’t want to repeat the life that had been handed down to me. Everything I do now is for that little girl—because she wanted, needed, and deserved better.

Then, when I turned 27, I hit another turning point. I craved purpose, something deeper. That longing pushed me to look inward, to start healing, and to open myself up to the life I was truly meant for.

I have to give a huge shoutout to my amazing husband, Max. He supports every wild idea I come up with and stands by me through every milestone in my business. But more than that, he’s always there when I need him most. If I forget something, he brings it to the office without a second thought. If I don’t have time between clients to grab lunch, he’s there with food or snacks to keep me going. Max is my biggest fan—constantly investing in my business, surprising me with gifts to help me grow, and just being my rock through it all.

Last but definitely not least, I want to give a huge thank you to Catherine from Hold Space Healing and Jessy from Hope Embodied. Running a business can feel lonely at times, but the three of us have built a little community together. We share ideas, experiences, and different perspectives, but most of all, we lift each other up and keep each other going. We’re all just figuring this business journey out as we go, and I’m so grateful to have my sisters by my side. Supporting each other—especially those in the same field—is so important. We’re stronger when we work together!

Website: https://themetahippo.com

Instagram: @themetahippo

Image Credits
Max Johnson