311 - How Teresa Zardus Turned Her Passion Into a Holistic Empire (Part 1 of 2)
The Scaling Wellness Podcast: Scale Your Massage Business
Release Date: 11/10/2025
The Scaling Wellness Podcast: Scale Your Massage Business
Ever feel like your business is a treadmill that you can’t get off of? In this episode, I break down what it really takes to step away from your massage business for 30 days, without losing money or clients. We’ll get into: Why most businesses can’t survive 30 days without the owner The quiet truth behind “time off” The real problem most people miss The emotional layer most people don’t talk about The difference between the two versions of time off What actually has to be in place to step away The real constraint holding most owners back The math...
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You’ve thought about it. Maybe more than once…What if I hire the wrong person? What if they don’t work out, clients notice, and you’re stuck trying to undo the whole thing , financially and professionally? Here’s what I’ve seen over and over: a bad hire rarely starts with a bad person. It usually starts with a bad setup: unclear expectations, a rushed decision, no real onboarding, and no way to know if things are working. In this episode, I break down exactly what creates a “bad hire” situation in the first place, and what to get right before you ever post...
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Today’s episode, we break down the exact step-by-step plan on how to exploit your fellow massage therapist and get rich in the process. Not really, BUT….this is an all too common issue we see inside the industry. The exploitative model isn’t an accident. It’s been repeated so often that most therapists think it’s just what happens when you grow. Low pay. Back-to-back clients. No breaks. No future. Replace them when they burn out. Repeat. But that fear of becoming *that* owner is keeping you small. In this episode we’re breaking down exactly what not to...
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info_outlineThe Scaling Wellness Podcast: Scale Your Massage Business
What happens after you build a fully booked massage practice… and realize that’s not the end goal? In this interview, I sit down with Cody and Allyson of Two Hearts Bodywork to unpack what it really takes to grow beyond six figures in a massage therapy business without burning out your body or sacrificing your freedom. From launching their brick-and-mortar practice with no safety net… To raising prices three times in two years… To building recurring revenue through memberships… To scaling into online income, digital products, and mentorship… This conversation pulls back the curtain...
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This rebroadcast episode dives into one of the hardest parts of running a wellness business: dealing with underperforming employees. If you’re unsure whether a team member needs coaching, clearer expectations, or a tough conversation, this episode will help you find clarity. We break down the real reasons behind poor performance, common leadership mistakes, and how to handle difficult situations without damaging your culture or burning yourself out. Whether you’re leading your first hire or managing a growing team, this episode will help you step into confident leadership and build a...
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If you’re constantly putting out fires, answering messages at all hours, and feeling like your wellness business can’t run without you… this episode is for you. In this episode of the Scaling Wellness Podcast, we break down the 4 essential systems every massage and wellness business needs to book more clients consistently without overworking yourself or your team. From client booking and follow-up to team management and day-to-day operations, you’ll learn where most wellness businesses get stuck and how simple systems can unlock sustainable growth. You’ll discover why hustle isn’t...
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This isn’t a “welcome back” episode. And it’s definitely not an accident that this is our first drop of 2026. We’re rebroadcasting one of the most important conversations we’ve ever had about vision, strategy, and what actually moves you forward when everything feels unclear. If you’ve been feeling stuck, restless, or like you’re standing on the edge of something but can’t name it yet… this episode will hit differently now. We’ve been quiet because we’ve been building. And before we announce what’s coming next, this is the foundation you need to hear. ...
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From shy “operations girl” to the powerhouse behind a 20-year group practice, Ann Sousa’s journey is anything but ordinary. In this inspiring episode, Ann, owner of Body & Soul Massage in Salem, MA, shares how a random postcard led her into massage therapy, how 9/11 pushed her into entrepreneurship, and how she transformed a small contractor-shared space into a thriving, employee-based wellness practice. Ann opens up about the pivotal moment she chose real leadership, the mindset shifts that helped her scale, the hard lessons (including the firings she never forgot), and the systems,...
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In this new episode, interior designer and former massage therapist Jamie Smith, founder of Happy Haus Studios, reveals how wellness professionals can transform their treatment rooms into healing, high-performing spaces that elevate client experience and support long-term practitioner sustainability. With nearly 20 years as an MT and a deep background in design, Jamie shares her unconventional journey from ballet and anthropology to bodywork, burnout, an injury, an MLM detour, and ultimately rediscovering her creative calling in interior design. Today, she specializes in designing restorative...
info_outlineIn this special rebroadcast of the Scaling Wellness Podcast, I’m bringing back one of my favorite Massage Boss Stories featuring Teresa Zardus, the visionary founder behind Zardus Art of Massage & Wellness Spa and Zardus School of Massage.
From leaving her corporate life to building a thriving wellness hub in a stunning 24-room Tudor-inspired building, Teresa’s journey is the perfect example of passion meeting purpose. Today, she leads a team of 16 practitioners offering holistic and integrative wellness services from massage and skincare to shamanic healing and lifestyle coaching all designed to help clients rejuvenate and reconnect.
In this episode, Teresa and I dive into:
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How she built one of Maine’s most respected wellness destinations
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The moment she knew massage not another path was her calling
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Her transition from corporate burnout to business ownership
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The marketing moves that fueled her early growth
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What it takes to hire and lead an aligned team of practitioners
Whether you’re dreaming of opening your own spa or looking to scale your existing practice, Teresa’s story is packed with inspiration and strategy for wellness entrepreneurs ready to build something meaningful.
Connect with Teresa:
Website: zardusartofmassage.com
Facebook: facebook.com/ZardusArtOfMassageWellnessSpa
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Want to build a wellness practice that gives you both TIME and MONEY? Learn more at www.scalingwellness.com
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