Welcome to Lavender Moon Wellness
Hello! I’m Samantha. Thanks so much for stopping by.
Your massage sessions are all about you. But my hope is that learning a bit about who I am and how I got here might ease the transition from where you sit to the cozy comfort of my massage table.
So grab your favorite beverage, wrap yourself in a soft blanket, and I’ll tell you a story…
A glimpse into the past
Before finding my way to massage, I went to school for cooking and spent over a decade working in retail and food service positions. If you work in either of these industries, you probably know all too well that this type of work can take a significant emotional and physical toll.
Eventually, I sought out bodywork in hopes that I might find relief from overuse injuries and chronic stress. And thank goodness I did because massage changed the course of my life.
Not only did bodywork become a key piece of my overall self-care plan, but it also eventually led me down a new career path that I love.
Present view: Where you enter the story
My experience as a massage client awakened me to the importance of caring for my body and the profound part that massage can play in that process. It’s a dream come true to be able to pass along that gift to others.
When you work in the food or retail industry, massage doesn’t always feel accessible. It may seem like something that’s for “other” people—a luxury and an indulgence. I love being a part of shifting this perspective so that massage can feel like an option for anyone and everyone who wants it.
While I work with a wide range of clients, I have a special place in my heart for prenatal and postpartum clients. As a former doula, I was already called to work with this population. In the past couple of years, I’ve become a mother—an experience that has only served to strengthen my existing commitment to supporting people in all phases of child-bearing.
As a parent myself, I know firsthand the importance of prioritizing our self-care. When we make sure we’re regularly filling our cups, it allows us to give our families the best version of ourselves.
I created Lavender Moon Wellness to help you make sure your cup is always full.
Beyond massage: Apothecary & herbal products, mentorship
In 2023, I created a line of Tarot-Inspired Ritual Candles, herbal teas, and herbally infused body products. I was driven to create these as a busy parent and business owner so I could connect to rituals in my daily life, even when things feel overwhelmingly busy. I am delighted to sell my products in the online Apothecary, at The St. John’s Farmer’s Market (see Instagram for dates), and at Lavender Moon Wellness inside The Unfurl Center.
In addition to teaching classes at East West College of the Healing Arts since 2019, I occasionally run small group mentorship nights, and I offer 1-on-1 business consultation/mentorship for LMTs looking to start their own business or considering billing insurance.
The Unfurl Center
In 2024, I fully took the reins of the wellness studio I’ve been working out of since 2021. I named the space The Unfurl Center, and it is a gorgeous, calm escape from the bustling city below. Located at the intersection of NE 30th and NE Broadway in the heart of Northeast Portland, the studio is accessible and feels centrally located. Currently housing five growing massage & wellness businesses, including my own Lavender Moon Wellness. To find out more about The Unfurl Center & subleasing opportunities, reach out via e-mail.
Looking forward
I am currently practicing and learning more techniques from Thai massage adapted to the table. This means in the near future, I may include working with my feet or climbing up on the table with you. I am enjoying learning to use all parts of my body to broaden my craft—hopefully to aid in an even longer career. I am currently enrolled in and working toward Advanced Clinical Herbalist training with Herbal Academy of New England. I have completed both their Beginner & Intermediate modules, totaling 400 hours of formal study, along with hundreds of hours of self-study and reading books since 2010. I am excited to bring more herbal consultations, treatments & products to my practice.
In Autumn 2024, I plan to begin offering continuing education to other LMTs within The Unfurl Center. I am currently working on the curriculum for making hot herbal compresses to use during massage, cupping & gua sha, and aromatherapy for LMTs.
Cozy up to a better feeling you.
It’s time to take a moment for yourself. Click below to schedule!