Today we’d like to introduce you to Raynell Hay.
Hi Raynell, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey into massage therapy began with my background in healthcare and my passion for helping people feel better. Before opening Chapel Cove Massage, I spent many years working as a massage therapist in spas and chiropractic settings, where I gained experience working with a wide range of clients and health concerns.
Opening my own practice was a major leap of faith. I started Chapel Cove Massage during the COVID-19 pandemic and moved into a new community where I had to build my reputation and client base from the ground up. I chose to focus on therapeutic and medical massage, which meant developing relationships with referral sources and navigating the challenges of working with insurance.
In the beginning, there were many obstacles. I opened without exterior signage, making it difficult for people to know my business was there. Building a medical massage practice takes time, and there were slow periods when clients were limited. To keep my dream alive, I worked other jobs, including DoorDash, and often worked 12-hour days balancing my business with additional income sources.
Over the years, I’ve continued expanding my knowledge through additional training and by incorporating aromatherapy, skincare, and other wellness services such as non-invasive body sculpting and buccal massage that also complements massage therapy. Chapel Cove Massage eventually became Chapel Cove Wellness, LLC as I began to offer other services other than massage therapy. I’m always looking for ways to improve the client experience while helping people feel better physically and emotionally.
Owning a small business has been both rewarding and challenging. Like many entrepreneurs, I’ve had to wear many hats—from therapist and marketer to accountant and customer service representative. There have been obstacles along the way, but each one has taught me resilience, adaptability, and the importance of building genuine relationships with clients and the community.
Today, I’m proud of what Chapel Cove Wellness has become. More than anything, I hope people leave feeling better than when they arrived—not only physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. That’s what continues to inspire me every day.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No. One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced has been building a specialized wellness business in a smaller community while also managing every aspect of running the business myself. As a small business owner, I’ve had to be the therapist, marketer, scheduler, bookkeeper, and customer service representative all at once. I also had started my business in the middle of covid and being a new resident of the Eastern Shore and not knowing many people was challenging all at once.
One of the biggest challenges I faced was building the medical massage side of my practice. In the beginning, there were days when no clients came through the door, and without much visibility or signage, it took time for people to even know my business existed. Working with insurance and referral-based clients also required patience, as approvals and payments often took much longer than expected.
Another challenge has been educating clients about specialized services like lymphatic drainage and helping them understand the benefits beyond traditional massage. Growing a loyal client base has taken patience, consistency, and a willingness to continually learn and adapt as the industry evolves.
Those experiences taught me to be persistent, adaptable, and creative. I continued investing in my education, expanded my services, and focused on providing exceptional care to every client. Looking back, those early challenges made me a stronger business owner and reinforced the importance of building trust one client at a time.
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?
At Chapel Cove Wellness, I provide customized therapeutic and medical massage services designed to support each client’s unique health and wellness goals. I specialize in therapeutic massage, lymphatic drainage, buccal massage, body sculpting, medical massage and personalized wellness treatments that help reduce pain, improve mobility, support recovery, and promote relaxation.
What I’m most proud of is the trust I’ve built with my clients over the years. Many come to me seeking relief from pain, recovery after surgery, or simply a place to relax and recharge. Seeing the positive impact my work has on their lives is the most rewarding part of what I do.
What sets me apart is my personalized approach. I take the time to listen to each client, understand their goals, and create a treatment plan that’s right for them rather than using the same routine for everyone. I genuinely care about helping people improve their overall well-being, and I strive to create a welcoming, relaxing environment where every client feels valued and cared for.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I definitely didn’t build my business alone. I’m incredibly grateful for my loyal clients who have trusted me over the years and continue to support my business through referrals and kind words. Their encouragement has meant more than they probably realize.
I’m also thankful for my family and friends, who have supported me through both the exciting moments and the challenges of being a small business owner. Running a business takes resilience, and having people who believe in you makes all the difference.
I’ve also learned a great deal from other massage therapists and wellness professionals who have shared their knowledge and inspired me to continue growing. Every experience, conversation, and connection has helped shape the business into what it is today, and I’m grateful for everyone who has been part of that journey.
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