Today we’d like to introduce you to Susie Burkybile.
Susie, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I started off out of college with a BFA in Dance. I have a wide range of experience with dance from everything from pointe, jazz, tap, ballet folkrorico, clogging, flamenco, Irish step dancing, modern dance and musical theater.
I moved to Chicago in 2006 and danced from 2006-2008. I sustained an injury and had to leave the industry. I have had all sorts of odd jobs from a group exercise instructor, personal trainer, dog walker, owner of my own dog walking business, yoga instructor, yoga studio manager and now recently, Level 3 Fascial Stretch Therapist and owner of Dallas Stretch Four Life. I did my first training in fasical stretch in 2012.
I feel that all of my prior experience is incredibly relevant in the work I do today and also I feel that they were stepping stones to becoming a fascial stretch therapist. My motivation for getting into the fascial stretch industry is to help others prevent injury so they may do what they love for as long as possible! I thrive off of keeping people at the top of their game.
Has it been a smooth road?
Stay hungry and stay humble! No business owner will tell you it was a piece of cake, building their clientele. At least for me, I feel like owning a business is setting yourself up to play the long game. You may not have people lining up outside your door at first but, as long as you get your name out there and do good work, the people will follow. Also mindset is a big thing for me. If you think your business will struggle it will. If you imagine your business thriving it will thrive. One of my favorite quotes is: “Comparison is the thief of all joy!” I used to be so hard on myself in the beginning because my books were not as full as other stretchers I knew. One thing my mentor, Ann Fredrick said that helped me a ton was,” Everyone’s journey is going to be different. Some will get busy right away and others will take a while.” To sum it up have patience and put in the work and good things will come! Think positive and keep your head up!
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into Dallas Stretch Four Life story. Tell us more about the business.
I specialize in helping people with their flexibility. Clients seek me out if they are experiencing targeted or overall tightness. A good chunk of my clientele integrate fascial stretch therapy into their lifestyle so they can prevent injury and always perform at their best level. I laugh as when I see my clients add my contact info into their phone. They always put Susie Stretch. I don’t know if its because of my funky last name burkybile or because my first name starts with an S.
Fascial stretch therapy stands apart from other stretch techniques as it does not generate pain, stretches the entire body vs. isolated stretching. My favorite thing is that FST does not use static stretching. There is a dance like flow between the therapist and client. Having a strong dance background, I appreciate and see the value in the flow of the stretch. FST is very active for the person receiving treatment. It’s a partnership between therapist and client to achieve the clients goals.
Do you have any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general? What has worked well for you?
Always treat everyone as a teacher. You can always learn something from everyone. I found my mentors at my fascial stretch therapy training. I take as much opportunity as possible to learn from them. When you do find a mentor immerse yourself in their knowledge as much as possible.
I have always felt having someone to look up to is important. For some, finding that person can be natural and for others they may have to search. Keep an open mind and spend more time listening than you do talking when you meet people. You’ll be more likely to identify someone that you jive with and want to be like if you listen to what they are all about.
In networking, I have found that taking people through my experience has been the most helpful. Getting people on the table, so they can experience FST is the most powerful thing I can do.
Contact Info:
- Address: 3011 Hood St. #205
- Website: www.dallasstretchfourlife
- Phone: 940-395-3823
- Email: susie@stretchfourlife.com
- Instagram: @dallasstretchfourlife
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DallasStretchFourLife/
Image Credit:
Tressa Vasquez
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