Taking the big step: A career in massage

SHARON —  It always takes an extra measure of gumption in tough economic times to leave a steady job and do something entrepreneurial.

But Leslie Eckstein, 40, did just that, and has found herself not only succeeding, but also being able to choose her own work hours and spend more time with her children.

It all began when she decided she’d had enough of the food service industry.

“I needed to change careers,† said the former co-owner of the Harvest Bakery and a former employee at the JAM food shop in Sharon. “I’ve been in food service since I was 15.â€

She went back to school and has now opened her own massage therapy practice.

“Being a mother of four, I realized how much I enjoyed taking care of people and nurturing. I like the difference I can make with people,†she said. Learning massage therapy seemed like a natural extension of that mothering instinct.

While in massage school, Eckstein said, she called on her neighbors and culinary customers to practice the skills she was learning. She said many of those  people are now her clients and see her regularly.

“I have a lot of carpenters and plumbers, people who overuse their muscles,†she said. “They kept saying to me, ‘I didn’t realize how tight I was, how sore I was, until I got a massage.’â€

Gardeners, whether they are professionals or hobbyists, and the elderly also benefit from massage, she said.

“For the elderly, it helps with not feeling isolated and it also improves their joint mobility,†she said.

Massage also helps the body repair itself after an injury and can boost the immune system.

“Which is so great, going into winter, especially with the kids back in school and bringing home every germ,†she said.

Though Eckstein has already put in 750 hours of training over two years, she’s not through learning. She is working on a course in hot stone massage and has plans to study infant massage.

“It’s a fairly competitive field, so you want to have as many modalities as you can.†         

In addition to individual massage, Eckstein also offers couples massages and what she calls a Night of Relaxation. She encourages a group of people to get together for a night of indulgence, calling on some massage therapist friends to help out with larger groups.

Eckstein said she’d also love to work with area hospitals, whether it’s with cancer patients or new moms and babies.

Eckstein offers massages in her home or in a space on Caulkinstown Road behind the former JAM space.

She will also travel to her clients for no additional charge.

Her rates start at $70 for an hour. Ninety minutes is $105 and a two-hour massage is $140. Contact her at 860-364-1633 or send an e-mail to lesliejeckstein@comcast.net.