I trained in Rolfing because it had saved me after a lifetime (literally) of chronic pain. In other words, I was a convert to Rolfing because it had been so powerful for me.

I knew how literally magical this work could be, so all I would have to do is to complete my training, get licensed, and then help all those people in need right? 

I was a little (a LOT) naive when I finished school.

For example, check out my first truly great idea: What if, right after I finished my training, I left the city where I knew a lot of people who were excited to refer to me (Boston) to move somewhere where I knew no one, didn’t have a place to live or a job (Napa). 

Why would you do this Brooke?

I was 26, cut me some slack… 

As I packed up all of my things into a tiny storage cube that would be driven across the country, I decided that I would bring my GIANT MASSAGE TABLE as checked oversize luggage, dragging it through airports across the country. 

Why would you do this Brooke? 

I honestly figured I couldn’t wait the 2 weeks it would take to have my massage table driven across the country. Because people who didn’t know I existed (or what the hell Rolfing was) would be lined up to greet me at the airport, right? Right!?!

Cue the beginning of 3 hard years in Napa learning what it was like to grow a practice from nothing, and to trying and support myself as a self-employed person... Change was rolled to pay rent. Peanut butter-on-spoon was eaten for dinner… I worked 5 jobs in one day (not 5 clients, 5 minimum wage jobs)...

Three years in Napa was sloooow. I was never able to graduate to supporting myself fully as a Rolfer.

Then I had my second truly great idea: I decided hey, I’ll start from scratch in another city where I don’t know a single soul- Brooklyn, NY! It’s super inexpensive and easy to live in NYC right? What could go wrong!?

Cue months of bruised and aching feet working $8/hour retail in Soho while trying to land a temp job serving Wall Street bros. (Not exactly my dream job). The woman interviewing me looked me up and down and asked, "Do you have any other clothes?". Apparently a bold peony print shirt and wide leg stretchy pants fit in great in the bodywork worlds, but not so much in the finance worlds...

Between my beat up feet working retail for $8/hour and my embarrassing temp interview, I had my nadir moment.

It forced me to learn how to be self-employed and to get visible, and I grew a very full practice in Brooklyn shortly after that. 

And when, 6 years later, family needs meant I had to pick up again and move to New Haven, Connecticut- and start all over again in yet another city where I knew no one- I had actually figured a few things out! I was ready to put them to use.

In New Haven I grew my practice from zero to full with a waiting list in 3 months of landing in Connecticut. (I had a young child to support by now, I was highly motivated). 

I’ve been in practice in New Haven for 15 years now. The stability has been lovely, but it’s also meant I had a chance to learn about the long-term sustainability practices a business needs. All the fine-tuning outside of the exciting “launch a new practice” stage. 

That’s right, I’m talking about money. Ever been fully booked and still can’t manage to pay your bills? Ever gotten those surprising tax bills (cough* 10K cough*)? Or sick with the flu when your business checking account has $30 in it? I feel you! 

I had to learn small business budgeting and systems that would get my income where I wanted it to be to raise my son, buy a home, and take good care of present me and future me (aka, retirement saving).