Today we’d like to introduce you to Carolyn Bea.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was never happy in what I was doing. I graduated from Virginia Tech in 2012 with a BS in Hospitality and Tourism Management. I always worked in restaurants and so I took a waitress job after graduating. After 2 years of way too many double shifts, I finally decided to leave the area for California to go to massage school. I had no idea what I was doing, but something kept pushing me and I listened.
California was very difficult, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world. When I came back east in late 2015, I started working for a woman outside of Old Town Alexandria, VA. I also decided to expand into waxing and I began working 2 jobs. When the shutdown in 2020 happened, I lost my job a month later with nothing but being told to go on unemployment. I luckily was able to secure another position in Virginia and continued on working the 2 jobs. I decided to try my luck in DC working with a friend, so that meant 3 jobs. In 2021, she and her husband moved to Pennsylvania and I could not have been happier for her, however that meant another lost job. I waited another year or so before finding myself working in DC again with another location one day a week. There was an ongoing issue that was never resolved, and therefore I lost a job again.
Needless to say, I was burnt out. I struggled with if I should quit, find another career, as massage and waxing would never get me to a point where I could actually save money. After another year or so of burning out, I finally cracked. Thus, Bhive Wellness was born.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Not at all! In the last question I described after losing multiple jobs because of outside factors, I knew the only way to feel secure would be to create something myself. Working and trying to set up a business simultaneously is something I hope I never have to do again. I do not know if I could actually it again. I took about 15 days off in between quitting my old job, and finalizing the new space. The deep July heat did not help either!
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a massage therapist and a wax technician. I specialize in sports and deep tissue massage, but I also enjoy holding a space for someone going through a hard time. I love learning from people and am engaged in what they say, and I genuinely want people to get better. If it’s something I can’t fix, I am not going to waste your money. I will try to refer you out to a person who is an actual good match. I am most proud of taking my skill set and creating something new. I am body treatments only, no facials or tinting or anything that is about aesthetics. It allows my clients to focus on the body and mind connection and making them feel better.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
To be patient, and to give myself grace. It is easier to do it for other people than myself, and I have had to learn harsh lessons along the way. However I am grateful for every single one.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bhivebody.com
