Today we’d like to introduce you to Kip Yates.
Hi Kip, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
After I was laid off from my sales job in 2009, I decided to do something better than what I had been doing and be someone better than who I thought I was. I read that complimentary alternative medical practices were a growing industry, so I enrolled for fall classes at the Swedish Institute. I knew I would learn a lot and in 16 months I would be employable as a massage therapist. That’s exactly what happened after I graduated from the Swedish Institute and passed my state licensing exam. I worked at a physical therapy office, Physiofitness in Soho Manhattan. The work and experience I gained led me to start my own massage practice, Massage Refresh in 2011. and at the end of 2020, I moved my practice back home to Texas. I was in Wichita Falls, TX for a few years and have had my practice in Decatur, Texas since April, 2024.
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?
Moving from point A, Brooklyn, New York to point B, Decatur, Texas was definitely not a smooth road and took some time to travel with a few stops in between. From 2011 to 2020, I split time between my own home service outcall only practice and working at Melt Massage and Bodywork in Brooklyn. I made house calls while carrying my massage table and supplies on my cargo bicycle and navigating the hills and traffic was definitely challenging at times. Along came 2020 and the shutdown. Massage therapy was not deemed essential so I was out of work for months. It was at this time that I made some money teaching my own client’s partners and loved ones how to give the same treatment I gave to my clients, via Zoom lessons, which seemed absurd at the time, but makes sense now given the restrictions we had. Packing up at the end of 2020, selling my cargo bike, passing my client base to another trusted LMT and moving back to Texas after a quarter century also presented its own struggles. Despite getting work as an LMT, the outcall only practice suffered until I finally rented a space in Wichita Falls in 2023 which was the seedling for what is now my first ever full time practice, Massage Refresh in Decatur, Texas which opened on April 1st, 2024 at the Zen Salon Suites building.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I offer primarily Deep Tissue massage and Prenatal massage. My customized therapeutic massage treatments are offered in increments of 60 and 90 minutes. I incorporate several different massage modalities and styles to accommodate different client’s needs. I am known for my customized treatments. I listen closely to what client’ goals are and what they hope to achieve from the session or sessions. I then form a plan with the client to achieve those goals. Massage sessions can require everything from Swedish massage to Deep Tissue techniques, such as myofascial release, trigger point therapy, Tuina, and reflexology. Those are primarily the techniques I gravitate to, but I also incorporate a variety of stretches and resistance techniques as the situation calls for during the session. No two clients are the same, so the treatments differ too.
I am most proud of my ability to listen. Clients want to be heard and can differentiate being heard and not being heard. I believe that is one of the things that sets me apart from others is that ability to listen to what a client wants to achieve and work with them, not at them, to achieve those goals. I am also proud of the fact that I offer 60 minutes of massage work and not the typical 50 minutes that someone gets when they pay for an hour. That sets Massage Refresh in Decatur, Texas apart from most massage franchises. I am also affordable and professional with over 15 years experience.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I love the Dallas and Fort Worth night life. I love to attend theatre productions in Deep Ellum, particularly the Oche House Theatre. Heritage Square and the Stockyards are also Fort Worth Favorites. After living in Brooklyn, New York for many years, I appreciate less traffic, or at least more speedy traffic and the ability to find a parking space. I love all the parking lots that DFW offers. Not having to drive around for 15 minutes to find a space is awesome.
I guess, the least thing I like about DFW area though is the time it takes to get from one side to the next. I also wish there were more public transit options to get from place to place. I guess you could say that I got spoiled living in Brooklyn.
I love Texas though. It has always been home, even when it wasn’t.
Pricing:
- $75 for 60 minutes
- $110 for 90 minutes
- Package Plans available starting at $210
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.massagerefresh.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/massagerefreshwf/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/massagerefresh2011
- Other: https://share.google/dJJtwgzFU2crVz26i
Image Credits
Miss Kiah Photograpy (step daughter)
Design Brings Joy (wife)
