Exploring Life & Business with Karla Sheppard of Timeless Touch

Today we’d like to introduce you to Karla Sheppard.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’m originally from Galveston, Texas. Massage school is what exactly brought me here to Los Angeles. After the passing of my son, I really didn’t know where my life was headed. I started getting into some things a teenager shouldn’t and just didn’t really care about life much. I was 26, not doing much in my hometown, and felt like I needed a change. I was cocktail waitressing to make ends meet and feeling unfulfilled. I told a good friend of mine what was going on, and she suggested I move in with her, her husband, and three kids because there was a massage school in her neighborhood. I visited in July of 2015 and was in school by November 2015, living in Studio City. I have always wanted to help and heal people so why not do it through massage. I fell in love with massage and Los Angeles at the same time immediately. La has brought out the best in me. It’s taught me patience, perseverance, strength I didn’t know I had, and mostly to live. My life would be completely different if I didn’t choose to get on that plane and move here. Probably the best decision I have ever made.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t always been as smooth as it is now, especially with no car for years. I just bought a car last April of 2023, but before that, I had to Uber and Lyft, rent cars, borrowing people’s cars. I spent so much money doing that. Finding exactly where or type of environment you want to massage in was a struggle. I’ve worked in spas, the casino, and chiropractic settings. These are great places to start (I would not recommend the casino, though), but the goal has been to work for myself, which I am blessed to say I do now, and mobile massage is for me.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I travel all over LA performing 60-120 minute massages. I provide everything table, sheets, oil, and music. I specialize in deep tissue, stretching techniques, and trigger point therapy. I take the time to really listen to your body; the muscles do talk if you listen close enough. The best in-home massage you will ever receive.

Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I don’t believe in good or bad luck. What is meant to happen will happen. Every day is a new day and a chance to start over.

Image Credits
Steve Hansen