Today we’d like to introduce you to Shannon Hutson.
Hi Shannon, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My journey with Azalea Bodycare has been about building something that combines two things I believe belong together: therapeutic, health-focused massage therapy and a warm, welcoming environment where people feel genuinely cared for, safe and listened to.
After years of working in the fine dining service industry and as a mortgage loan officer, I reached a point where I wanted to do something different with my career, something that allowed me to help people in a more personal and meaningful way. I enrolled in a local two-year massage therapy program and graduated in 2010. From there, I worked both independently and at a spa, and both experiences taught me so much. Looking back, my background in customer service and finance has been a real gift when it comes to running my own business.
In 2017, two friends and I, all of us moms, decided to create a business together. Our original idea was simple: share a space, support one another, and grow our individual massage practices while balancing family life. Over time, what started as a shared space grew into something much bigger than we had imagined, and we eventually hired our first two employees.
In early 2020, business was booming, and we decided it was time to grow and hire more massage therapists and support staff. We had just signed a lease at a a new, bigger and better location in early March. Little did we know that those plans were happening just before the pandemic shutdown. During this uncertain time, my business partners had understandable concerns about the future of massage therapy. One moved out of state and the other was not sure of her professional future. I ultimately bought out my partners and reopened Azalea Bodycare in the new location on my own in June 2020. It was a challenging time to take that leap, but it became a defining moment in my journey as a business owner.
Since then, Azalea has continued to grow. In fall 2024, I expanded our space to meet increasing client demand and make room for more therapists and services. I’m proud of how far we’ve come, and I’m already thinking about our next improvements, including creating a larger break area where my staff can relax and recharge. For me, growth isn’t just about seeing more clients; it’s about building a better workplace for the people who make the business possible. I am so grateful for my loyal staff and clients who all help to make Azalea something we are all proud of.
As a Licensed Massage Therapist, I understand that massage is about so much more than relaxation. For many people, it is an important part of managing pain, recovering from injuries, improving mobility, and supporting their overall well-being. Sometimes that 2 hours on the massage table is the only real “down time” they have that month. I wanted to create a practice where clients could receive meaningful, therapeutic care without losing the comfort and personal attention that make a spa experience special. Today, we serve private pay clients, health insurance clients, and people receiving massage following motor vehicle collisions. We tailor massage sessions to the needs of the client at the time and we always try to match them with a therapist so they can get the best results from their session.
At the heart of everything I do is a simple goal: I want every person who walks through our doors to feel like a guest in our home. From the moment they arrive until they leave, I want them to feel welcomed, comfortable, respected, and genuinely cared for. Azalea Bodycare is about more than providing a great massage or skincare service. It’s about creating an experience where people feel they matter and every detail has been thoughtfully considered. Our front desk and support team are a huge part of making that happen. They are wonderfully capable, knowledgeable, and hardworking people who juggle so much behind the scenes while making everything appear seamless. I’m truly grateful for the professionalism, care, and unique strengths they bring to our team.
I believe that since 2020, we’ve lost some of the personal connections and everyday human interactions that are so important to us. I never want to lose that at Azalea. People are greeted with a genuine smile, to feel remembered, and to know they’re more than just another appointment on the schedule. Something my staff hears me say often is, “Positivity creates more positivity, just as negativity creates more negativity.” I strongly believe that the energy we bring into our workplace affects everyone around us, including our clients. I want us to encourage the positive, support one another, and create an environment where people genuinely enjoy being. That philosophy guides how we care for our clients, how I support my team, and the kind of business I continue to build.
One of the things I spend a great deal of time on is finding ways to make life better for my staff. Because I’m a massage therapist myself, I understand the physical demands of this profession and the energy it takes to care for others all day. I want to be the kind of employer I would have wanted to work for. That means listening to my team, investing in their growth, improving the workplace, and finding ways to help them build sustainable careers – for both my practitioners and support staff. I believe that when you take good care of the people who take care of your clients, everyone benefits. One saying
Outside of the business, I’m a mom of four kiddos, an animal lover, and fortunate to have my longtime partner, Rich, in my corner. Rich has been a huge part of Azalea’s journey, often behind the scenes. He’s hung every fireplace in our treatment rooms, installed countless shelves, and helped bring so many of my ideas to life. More importantly, he’s been my steady emotional support through all the changes, challenges, and growth that come with owning a business. I’m also so grateful for my parents, my children, and my stepson, and close friends who all have a special place in my life and have been on this journey of professional and personal growth with me. My family and dear friends keep me grounded, bring me joy, and remind me why finding balance between work and home is so important. And, of course, our fur babies are a big part of the family, too!
Balancing motherhood, business ownership, my own work as a massage therapist, and family life is something I’m continually working on. I’ve learned that work-life balance isn’t a perfect destination you reach one day; it’s an ongoing process of figuring out what matters.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road! One of the biggest challenges came in 2020. Just as my business partners and I were preparing to grow and hire employees because business was booming, the pandemic shut everything down. When it was time to reopen, I bought out my partners and reopened Azalea Bodycare on my own in June 2020.
The years following the pandemic brought their own challenges. Finding massage therapists who felt comfortable returning to work and were ready for the physical demands of the profession wasn’t easy. Rebuilding a team takes time, and as a business owner, I had to learn to be patient, flexible, and creative while continuing to meet the needs of our clients.
At the same time, there were so many things that fell into place in ways I’ll always be grateful for. Our loyal clients continued to show up, book appointments, and trust us with their care. Their support helped keep the business growing during a time when so much felt uncertain. That loyalty reminded me that the relationships we build with our clients really matter, and that the welcoming, personal experience we strive to provide makes a difference.
As Azalea grew, I also faced the challenges of expanding our space, hiring and supporting a team, managing the financial responsibilities of a growing business, and continuing to practice massage myself. I’m very hands-on and care deeply about both my clients and my employees, so learning when to ask for help and when to let go of some control has been an ongoing process.
Being a business owner and a mom of four also means I’m continually working on work-life balance. I’ve learned that you don’t have to have everything figured out to keep moving forward. You have to be willing to adapt, learn from mistakes, and keep showing up, even when the path isn’t clear. Within the last year, I made the decision to hire a business coach, something I was initially a little apprehensive about. It has turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve made. Having someone help me prioritize, organize, and look at the bigger picture has been invaluable. Instead of constantly feeling like I’m in work mode, I’m learning to work more intentionally, delegate more effectively, and create a little more balance in my life.
Looking back, the difficult seasons have shaped the business owner I am today. They’ve made me more intentional about how I lead, how I support my staff, and the kind of environment I want to create at Azalea. I’m proud of what we’ve built, not because it has always been easy, but because we’ve continued to grow through the challenges, with the support of our clients and community along the way.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
At Azalea Bodycare, we believe massage should be accessible to everyone, whether you have 30 minutes for a quick lunch-break reset or two hours to fully unwind and focus on your needs. We offer a range of massage lengths and styles, from shorter sessions for people with busy schedules to extended treatments that allow time for more comprehensive care and relaxation.
We’re especially proud of our therapeutic approach to massage. We work with private-pay clients, health insurance clients, and people recovering from motor vehicle collisions. We offer discounts for our seniors and military. Our goal is to make massage a meaningful part of people’s wellness routines, whether they’re managing ongoing discomfort, recovering from an injury, or simply making time for themselves.
I often tell people when I’m hiring that Eugene is full of wonderful massage therapists. We have so many talented professionals in our community, and we’re fortunate to have that. What I believe sets Azalea Bodycare apart is the combination of health-focused, therapeutic massage and a beautiful, welcoming spa environment. Our clients receive skilled, individualized care while enjoying the comfort, warmth, and personal attention of a spa. We want every visit to feel like more than just an appointment. We also offer skincare services, including facials and waxing, through our esthetician, which has been a wonderful addition in response to what our clients want and need.
As a locally owned business, we’re proud to offer something personal rather than corporate. I remain involved in the day-to-day experience, and I build my team around each person’s strengths. We’re continually looking for ways to improve our services, support our staff, and make each visit special.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud of the feeling we create. My goal is for every person who walks through our doors to feel like a guest in our home. Whether someone comes in for a quick 30-minute massage or spends two hours with us, I want them to leave feeling heard, cared for, and glad they made time for themselves. That’s what Azalea Bodycare is all about.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Something people may not realize is that I’m still actively practicing as a licensed massage therapist while running Azalea Bodycare. I continue to see clients I’ve worked with for the past nine or ten years, and while my schedule isn’t available for online booking, I truly enjoy maintaining those longtime relationships with my clients. Although I’m not currently accepting new clients into my regular schedule, I often step in when one of our therapists is sick or injured, which gives me the opportunity to meet new people and continue doing the hands-on work that started this whole journey. You might also find me helping at the front desk, folding laundry, or cleaning treatment rooms. I think it’s important to stay involved in all aspects of the business, not only to support my team but also to see firsthand what’s working well and where we can continue to improve.
I think being a massage therapist myself keeps me connected to the work my team does every day. I understand the physical demands, the energy it takes to care for others, and how important it is to have an employer who understands those challenges firsthand. I may be the owner, but I’ve never wanted to lose touch with the hands-on work that built this business.
One of the things I’m most proud of is how much Azalea Bodycare has grown. Since 2020, we’ve gone from a team of 2 to 20 employees, and that growth has happened very organically. As appointment requests increase or clients are looking for more availability on certain days or times, we bring on additional therapists. It’s been rewarding to watch that happen year after year. But growth has never been about simply getting bigger. It’s about finding the right people to join our team – people who are honest, skilled, kind, and genuinely care about others. As we continue to grow, I want to make sure we never lose the personal attention and welcoming atmosphere that make Azalea what it is today.
On a personal note, I have a deep love of travel. Exploring new places, experiencing different cultures, and trying new things keep me grounded, humble, and curious about the world. At 45, I learned to ski, and it’s become something I absolutely enjoy! I’ve also learned how important it is to make time for myself, whether that’s traveling with my partner or family, or simply enjoying some time alone. I’m a big advocate for alone time, something I think we often overlook in our busy lives. I believe that intentionally making space for yourself, even if it means putting it on the calendar, allows you to show up as the best version of yourself for the people and responsibilities in your life.
Pricing:
- Massage Therapy: Sessions range from 30 minutes to 2 hours, with pricing starting at $65
- Facials and Skincare: Pricing varies by service
- Health Insurance: We accept several health insurance plans for eligible massage therapy services. Coverage and out-of-pocket costs vary by plan.
- Motor Vehicle Accident Care: Massage therapy may be covered for eligible clients following a motor vehicle collision.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://azaleabodycare.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/azaleabodycare/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/azaleabodycare/
