Today we’d like to introduce you to Julie Luther
Hi Julie, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
It’s 2007, I’m fresh out of college, trying to make it in the NYC fashion biz & struggling with anxiety for the first time in my life – I desperately needed to relax, but massages weren’t for me. I needed something softer, gentler & more comforting – like a back scratch from mom or my childhood friend playing with my hair. Having no luck, I searched for videos on YouTube as a means of vicarious experience. Again, not much out there, but it led me to ASMR, which I fell in love with & asleep to every night.
So finally, after years of daydreaming about filling that void, I started my own YouTube channel called ‘Friends with ASMR’ at the beginning of the pandemic in 2020. I gained a following very quickly & because I had so many viewers asking where to experience this IRL, Soft Touch ASMR Spa was born in 2022!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Obstacles?? Let me count the ways!
When I first had this idea I really didn’t know where to start so I enrolled in Brit + Co’s online Selfmade course for female entrepreneurs. It was really so invaluable in walking me through all the steps to starting a business & I met so many other inspiring women that gave me incredible feedback & support. It definitely would have been a much bumpier road without them!
Initially, my biggest obstacle was finding the right space – one that had all the calming vibes, but with the flexibility to test this very niche market. One of my Selfmade peers suggested renting a room from a massage therapist or acupuncturist, so that’s exactly what I did! I found my first space in 2022 at a cute little acupuncture studio in Los Feliz, signed a 6 month lease & only took appointments on Sundays since I had a full-time job (yet another obstacle!). It took me some time to get over my social media shyness to spread the word, so it was a little slow going at first, but by the end of my 6 month lease, I was fully booked!
Ultimately though, I decided the space wasn’t quite the right fit so I took a break to find the right one. After scouring Craigs List for months, I found my current space in May of 2023, which is in Old Pasadena in a historic building with a gorgeous view!
During my break, I took the time to reflect on what was working & what wasn’t – no shows were really bumming me out so I decided to require pre-payment when booking. And after months of fielding DMs from men who misinterpreted my services as sexual or fetish work along with a couple unsettling encounters during sessions, I ultimately made the decision to no longer treat cis male clients. It was a super hard decision to make, but necessary for me to feel safe & create a safe space for my clients.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Soft Touch ASMR Spa?
Soft Touch ASMR Spa provides ASMR Massage to gals & non-binary pals, offering a unique experience unlike any other form of massage. With a focus on gentle touch & soft sounds, ASMR Massage aims to evoke those head-to-toe tingles for deep relaxation, mental calmness & stress relief. It’s a totally one-of-a-kind experience – gentler than a traditional massage & more nourishing to the soul.
Inspired by the nostalgic sensations of your sister playing with your hair, your best friend tickling your arms or your mom gently scratching your back – each session is fully customizable according to each clients’ preferences and includes back scratching and tracing, hair play and brushing, face tracing & arm tickles. My mission at Soft Touch ASMR Spa is to help my clients relax and reconnect to their most comforting memories with a focus on loving, nostalgic touch.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
My own experience with anxiety & aversion to pain with traditional massages gives me a unique perspective & understanding of my clients’ needs. Whether someone comes to me because they’re stressed, touch deprived or just want to experience something new, my priority is making each and every client feel like a friend – safe, seen & a million more times more relaxed than when they walked in the door 💖
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.softtouchasmr.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soft.touch.4u/?hl=en
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEfwW2VBFI30GbyucX6Yhng
