May 1, 2017

Meet Gwendolyn Yarbrough of Peaceful Escape in Richardson

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gwendolyn Yarbrough.

Gwendolyn, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
When I was entering in the 9th/10th grade my Pastor asked me to massage his feet while he was monitoring the neighborhood children, friends and neighbors. Initially, I thought how embarrassing for one that I would be seen massaging his feet and then I thought how much I hated feet. The thought of touching anyone’s feet was like, “ew gross, seriously?” Not to forget he had on some sweaty thin dress socks. But after it took me a minute to honor The Man of God, who was more like a granddad to me more than anything, I started out barely touching his feet and all of a sudden he said, “girl, I said massage my feet not tickle them.” That’s the moment that help understand that he really was tired and his feet was achy. I did as ask. I want to say two minutes had passed and he strikes up the conversation about my plans after I graduate. I wasn’t quite sold on what I really wanted to study, so I said, “something in the medical field but I’m no too sure. I don’t know.” Without hesitation, he said, ” Go for “this” (implying massage school) you will be good at it.” I thought to myself, “I’m not touching anyone’s feet.” But I just shrugged my shoulders, nod my head and say yes sir in an uncertain tone.

Upon graduation, I was accepted into medical school in AZ. After health issues interference, I was unable to complete academics and never returned after second attempt to finish my degree plan as a Radiologist. So, I did the next best thing, enrolled into local college and had other uncontrollable and some controllable circumstances arrive in my life that caused me not to complete studies there as well. By this point in me of going in circles after attempting everything but Massage therapy school, by 2005 the lightbulb went off and I researched top Massage therapy school. The transition was so effortless, it blew my mind. I was immediately accepted. I was still able to work to provide for my two boys at the time. With the help of my Mother, grandmother and Aunt Stephanie they kept my boys every other weekend for almost two years as I traveled to Austin to complete academics. Although I hit just a few minor patches of OMG not again moments of having to break from finishing school because my transfer wasn’t approved in time and by the time it did get fixed, the lady I was staying with went missing which left me to sleep in my car for almost two months to finish school. Because one, I couldn’t afford housing there and the shelters were scary. But I persevered and Graduated 08/2007 and was licensed 4/1/2008!!

Because I wanted training before branching off to be independent, I worked for a company in Plano TX instantly after getting licensed. Indeed, I did learn enough about the business to seek better opportunities. So May 2009, I started mobile massage and to this day I’m so appreciative for Monica M., for mentoring me, teaching me business and being my first client. She played a vital role in my business and I am forever grateful for her heart. After doing that for a while it was hard trying to build clientele by offering residential service because no one knew me and I had no office. So after doing that for two years, I had gained another residential client that Monica referred to be and to this day I still see the Smith’s, who are Wonderful loyal customers. But yet in still it wasn’t sufficient and working full time at Walmart was not cutting it for so May 2012, I opened up my first location in Plano. After business started to drop during non-peak season time I was prepared by year three of being independent. Therefore, I moved my practice home assuming that people know me now let me go back to home/mobile massage. Boy, was I wrong!! After year one, business took a major dip. I went from 1500 in office clients to 25 home clients and eventually to less than 10 people. That’s when I knew something had to give and it did. August 2016, I received the best text ever that said, “Gwen, I have a spot I think would work for your business. Do you want to connect with the owner and y’all discuss the details.”? Of course, I quickly jumped on that opportunity. Well with learning from my past experiences I am successfully on track, business location is working for my good and my clientele base is trending an average of four new clients a week with word of mouth marketing only!! The struggle was worth it.

Great, 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?
No it hasn’t been a smooth road and yes with great accomplishments comes trails and hard times but that’s to keep you true, humble and mindful of what you must appreciate. As I have already shared, if it wasn’t for the Experiences, I wouldn’t have grown into the business minded woman I am today and I’m yet learning.

Peaceful Escape – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Peaceful Escape is a holistic preventive and post care Massage entities. Through manipulation of the muscle and gifted hands that are trained to suit the client’s necessary pressure application, healing energy is released to aid in recovery and restoration. Peaceful Escape is known it trademark Bel Bagay technique. It’s truly an indescribable massage that has four main components that guarantee your body will get detoxed and relaxed all in one. That technique is only offered at Peaceful Escape. As a company, I am most proud about the vision going forth in the next year of expansion, so others can have the opportunity to experience this health benefit. What sets us apart from others, there is ONLY one of me, that has my gift.

What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Failing but not quitting.

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