Today we’d like to introduce you to Taylor Thomas.
Hi Taylor, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’ve always known I was meant to be an entrepreneur—I just didn’t know what that would look like yet. I’ve also always known I wanted to help people.
I grew up in the Pacific Northwest in a home that lacked stability, which led me to search for something safe and grounding from a young age. In many ways, building something strong and intentional of my own has become my life’s work.
When I was 16, I became extremely ill and was so contagious that I couldn’t go to school for weeks at a time. I spent a lot of that period isolated at home. During that time, my stepdad, Sean—who was a nurse—would come sit with me and gently compress my feet. I didn’t realize it then, but that was my first experience with nurturing, intentional touch. It made me feel safe in my body during a time when everything felt uncertain.
Sean took his life in 2016, and I miss him every day. That experience shaped everything for me. It’s the reason I care so deeply about creating a space where people feel safe, supported, and held.
I have an “S” tattooed on my hand, so every time I’m working, he’s with me—a quiet reminder of where this all began.
What started as that early experience of care eventually led me into massage therapy, and then to building FLORAWELL—a wellness space rooted in both clinical knowledge and genuine human connection. At its core, my work is about helping people feel at home in their bodies—something I learned through him.
Alright, 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?
It hasn’t been a smooth road.
Building FLORAWELL has required me to grow in ways I wasn’t always prepared for—emotionally, financially, and professionally. Learning how to build a business without a playbook is, honestly, wild. It’s been a constant process of trial and error—but the reality is, most people don’t even take that first step.
I’ve always been very independent. I had to grow up quickly, and I wasn’t granted a childhood in the way many people are. If I wanted something, I had to make it happen. I also wasn’t handed anything from my family—everything I’ve created is mine. That mindset has shaped how I approach both life and business.
In the early stages, I was working two full-time jobs just to get this off the ground. My body has been doing hands-on work for eight years now, and in this industry, many practitioners don’t make it past seven. That reality has shaped how I think about sustainability and longevity—not just for myself, but for the team I’m building.
There have been defining challenges along the way. I’ve navigated complex business situations, including pursuing legal action when necessary, hiring and parting ways with team members, and continuously refining what truly works for the space and the people within it. Those moments have been difficult, but they’ve shaped the integrity of the business.
There’s also been the quieter challenges—financial pressure, long hours, and the transition from being a hands-on practitioner to stepping into a leadership role. I’ve had to learn how to set boundaries, trust my decisions, and create structure where there initially was none.
Coming from a background where stability wasn’t always guaranteed, there’s been a deep drive to build something that feels solid, intentional, and lasting.
More than anything, I’m interested in redefining what success looks like for massage therapists—creating a model that prioritizes sustainability, education, and long-term growth, rather than burnout.
Every challenge has ultimately refined the vision. It’s allowed me to build FLORAWELL into something more grounded, more aligned, and more sustainable—not just as a business, but as a space that truly supports the people within it.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about FLORAWELL Holistic Massage & Wellness?
FLORAWELL is a holistic wellness studio rooted in intentional, evidence-based care. We specialize in advanced bodywork, including deep tissue, lymphatic drainage, and post-operative care for complex medical cases, alongside results-driven facial treatments. Everything we offer is designed to be both clinically effective and deeply restorative.
Our team brings thousands of hours of education and training in anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, and pathology into every session, allowing us to approach the body with both precision and care.
What sets us apart is the way we bridge structure and softness. Our work is grounded in science and education, but delivered in a way that feels safe, personalized, and genuinely nurturing. We care just as much about how people feel in their bodies as we do about the results.
Over time, we’ve built trust with a wide range of clients—from individuals navigating pain or recovery, to local NBA players from the Portland Trail Blazers, political leaders, and members of the gay, trans, and queer communities. Creating a space that feels inclusive, respectful, and affirming to all bodies is non-negotiable for us. We actively champion and advocate for minority communities, and we are deeply intentional about ensuring our space is one where people feel seen, respected, and safe in their bodies.
As we’ve grown, I’ve been especially proud of the team we’ve built and the standard of care we uphold. FLORAWELL isn’t just a place to receive a service—it’s a space where people can slow down, feel supported, and reconnect with themselves.
At its core, the brand is about helping people feel at home in their bodies. That philosophy guides everything we do, from the treatments to the environment we’ve created.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
While I’ve built FLORAWELL independently, I definitely haven’t done it in isolation.
At the center of everything is my stepdad, Sean. He’s the reason I’m here. He was a nurse, and the care he showed me during a really formative time in my life shaped the way I understand healing and touch. His influence is something I carry with me every day, and it continues to guide the work I do.
I also wouldn’t be able to walk this path without the foundation laid by my predecessors, especially my education at East West College of the Healing Arts. That training shaped not only my technical skill, but the level of care and intention I bring into this work.
My partner, Tanner—my “spa husband”—has been an incredible support in every aspect behind the scenes. From the operational side to simply being a steady presence, he’s played a huge role in making this sustainable.
I’m also deeply supported by my bookkeeper, Savannah, who helps keep me grounded and level-headed as the business continues to grow.
And of course, my team and our clients. The therapists at FLORAWELL bring so much care and integrity into their work, and the trust our clients place in us—often during vulnerable or transitional moments—is something I never take lightly.
At the end of the day, FLORAWELL is something I’ve built from the ground up, but it’s been shaped and supported by the people who have believed in it along the way.
Pricing:
- 60 min massage $140
- 75 min massage $155
- 90 min massage $175
Contact Info:
- Website: https://florawellpdx.com
- Instagram: @florawell.pdx @taylor.lmt
