I had a passion to be a masseur since I was 16. As soon as I turned 18 I trained. In the 1980’s the Beauty Therapy ITEC course I enrolled on was very comprehensive, including Aerobic instructing, and I acquired more skills than expected.
I didn’t start straight away. The Complementary therapy industry was yet to take off. Instead I gained a BSc Hons degree in Anthropology where I focused on Cultural Approaches to Health and Healing. As the New Age was on the rise, my dissertation looked at New Age Businesses and it became my business module for my company KAIROS. It was awarded a First.
Simultaneously I trained in Acupressure Seated Massage. I thought it was the most exciting thing I learnt so far. It combined healing philosophy with ancient techniques and presented it in a stylish, efficient routine delivered on a portable, ergonomic chair (not couch!) easily set up anywhere. In the 20minute sessions you could teach people what complementary therapy is, and more important which treatment would support them further. It was a brilliant concept and just what the industry needed. It wasn’t just a stepping stone, it was a rocket. It was an accessible and educational medium. I do believe seated massage had a huge impact on the rise of complementary therapy in the 90’s.
My Company KAIROS rapidly became one of the most successful companies in its sector. I provided a service to over 25 High Street companies such as Sainsburys Business Centre, News International, TBWA advertising, Emap Elan to name but a few. I hired over 15 therapists in the 17 years it ran.
In 2015 I sold KAIROS. I had a desire to step away from the business side and spend longer with clients to go deeper into their needs.
marionosullivan.co.uk