Today we’d like to introduce you to Jun Wu.
Hi Jun, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Before the pandemic in 2020, I worked at Thunder Valley Casino in Northern California, where I met many wonderful people and had some great experiences. I even won the 2018 Talent Show Championship at the casino.
When the casino shut down during the pandemic and I had to stay home for several months, I started thinking about moving to a bigger city. Coming from Asia, I’ve always believed that big cities offer more opportunities and a wider variety of great food. After considering several places like Orlando and Portland, I finally decided to move to Dallas.
Since I had been working in the restaurant industry for years, I thought it might be time to learn a new skill. So, I spent six months studying massage therapy at a massage school. During my internship, many clients and even teachers liked my massage, and I was often requested by name. I completed my 150-hour internship quickly, which strengthened my confidence to make massage therapy my future career.
After graduation, I didn’t pass the exam on my first try, so I temporarily put aside my plan to become a licensed massage therapist and went back to restaurant work. Unexpectedly, I quickly became one of the top servers at Haidilao Hotpot and was later promoted to manager. My VIP clients grew in number, and I often worked six days a week, twelve hours a day.
After three years of that intense schedule, I started thinking again about my massage dream. Massage work offers more flexible hours and doesn’t require late nights. I also find a lot of satisfaction in helping people to feel better, whether it is to achieve their health goals, or just to relax from the stress of the world. So, I quit my restaurant job, and within half a month, I passed the massage license exam.
Over the past two years, I’ve worked full-time in several massage studios — from Asian-style places with long hours to American-style spas, both affordable membership-based ones and high-end luxury ones. Through all these experiences, plus some mobile massage sessions, I’ve kept improving my techniques and adapting my style. Most of my clients have been very satisfied with my work.
About two months ago, I felt it was finally time to start my own business — to build a warm, professional, and excellent spa studio, even if it’s small at first. It’s always been my dream to run my own place here in the U.S.
Alright, 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?
For first-generation immigrants, language is always the biggest challenge. That’s why I’ve been attending language school regularly, except for the three years when I was fully occupied with my hotpot restaurant job.
About a year ago, I finally got into college. So now, besides running my own spa, I also work at a restaurant every night and attend classes almost every day. However, I no longer focus on the goal of earning an American degree. Most of my seven current courses are related to music and the arts, which makes me happy as it allows me to nurture my artistic dreams.
As the owner of a small studio and a first-time entrepreneur in a foreign country, everything except my professional license — which was issued by the U.S. — has been done entirely by myself: website design, studio decoration, style selection, and sourcing high-quality supplies.
Sometimes when both the spa and the restaurant get busy, it feels overwhelming. I remember two weeks ago, I worked nearly 10 to 14 hours non-stop every day. It almost felt like I was going to explode. But just like the restaurant business, the spa has its ups and downs — extremely busy days followed by moments of complete quiet. These large swings sometimes make me feel down, lost, or even doubt myself. I hope that as the spa grows, I can step away from the restaurant job and focus solely on my massage spa.
We’ve been impressed with Jade Harmony Wellness, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Jade Harmony Wellness is truly a different experience than what you’d find at a chain spa or even other massage practices where I’ve worked. My primary goal is to give each client a truly personal, bespoke, and luxurious experience- one that is meticulously tailored to their individual needs on that specific day. What sets my spa apart is my dedication to personalized service and quality. I specialize in a range of modalities, including Swedish, Deep Tissue, Sports and the unique Lomi Lomi massage. Every single session is an elevated experience that includes complimentary essential oils and hot towels to deepen the relaxation. I am most proud of my commitment to creating a sanctuary. This is my dream, and so I worked hard to create a peaceful space where clients can relax and find a true moment of tranquility in their busy lives. When people choose Jade Harmony Wellness, they aren’t just getting a massage; they are investing in their well-being with a service that truly reflects the care and passion that I put into everything in my life. Next year, I hope to add Thai massage to my menu of services.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
I see the massage and wellness industry continuing its strong positive growth iover the next five to ten years. I believe people are beginning to view massage not as an occaisional luxury, but as a necessary component of preventative healthcare and long-term wellness.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jadeharmonywellness.com
Image Credits
These are all my own photos. I have not been able to have profession pictures taken yet
