Meet Melissa Marcy | TCM Practitioner & Yoga Instructor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Melissa Marcy and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Melissa, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
In the beginning, I felt like I was burning the candle at both ends because I was doing literally every single thing required to build a business. Along the way, I’ve been able to outsource some tasks.

Since I am self-employed and work by appointment, I don’t have the luxury of a guaranteed salary, PTO, or vacation pay. It’s either feast or famine, so when it’s busy, I am grateful for the income, and when it’s slow, I am grateful for the rest. And it’s usually during slow periods that I brainstorm ways to grow and implement changes.

My main goal is to work enough to afford a comfortable lifestyle and not worry about my future, but not work so much that I burn out, which I have experienced a few times. I pour so much of myself into my practice, and you can’t fill from an empty cup, so I am big on days off, self-care, alone time, and getaways. A healthy work-life balance is the only way to be sustainable.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Thank you so much for asking. I unfortunately don’t have an anecdote about acupuncture curing a loved one of a mysterious illness when modern medicine fell short, which is a common origin story in my profession. My journey began as a result of the 2007-2008 financial crisis aka the Great Recession. I was working two unskilled, part-time jobs and, like many others, suddenly found myself unemployed. I had two young children, a mortgage, and monthly bills, so I needed to find employment with flexible hours and good pay, but I wasn’t qualified for that. It occurred to me that becoming a massage therapist might be the answer, so I sought out a school.

At orientation, I was introduced to TCM which is absolutely fascinating. I also learned that I had enough undergrad credits to begin the master’s program and I’d always planned to “finish college” so, while enrolled in the Asian bodywork certificate program, I took the opportunity to earn a graduate degree in Traditional Oriental Medicine (MSTOM.) Working as a massage therapist was a beneficial adjunct to my education, but I quickly realized it was not going to sustain a newly-divorced mom with full custody of two children and no financial support, so I was motivated more than ever to earn my acupuncture license.

Regarding my business model, my priority was to have the freedom to arrange my work hours around my daughters’ schedules so I could get them to and from school, and not miss out on any special events or extracurricular activities. I didn’t think I’d have that level of flexibility working for or renting from someone else. When I was first licensed, I contracted with a colleague in the South Bay and gained hands-on knowledge from her about running a business, but the hours were limited, the income was insufficient, and I wanted the creative freedom to put together a healing environment that showcased my aesthetic, so I knew I‘d have to go into private practice.

I was flying blind when I founded Santee Acupuncture. My budget was so tight that I had to be strategic: I started with a fictitious business name and a city license, renting one day a week at a day spa in Town Center. Within five months I received a random phone call from a complete stranger (now friend) that resulted in a full-time space with my name on the door. It was challenging to grow my practice while my time was split between two locations so I parted ways with my colleague, and immediately after shifting my time and energy, business took off. Navigating the pandemic was a challenge, however, and the economy is always a factor because people have to make decisions about their spending, and they don’t always prioritize their health.

Perseverance is key. I have suffered a major personal loss every year since I finished grad school, and so many of my business ideas have failed. I just have to dust myself off and keep going, respect the ebb and flow as part of the process, allow grace for myself and others, and always look for the silver lining. Prayer and meditation help.

I’d guess what sets apart my business is my authenticity. I think people might describe me as easy to talk to and compassionate, which is important because they lay their vulnerabilities on my treatment tables. I’m also straightforward, so people know what to expect, and I think there is comfort in that, as well. I’d be remiss not to mention that I have a gentle needle insertion technique.

The clinic is beautiful. I say that confidently because it is the result of a collaborative effort: I’ve had loved ones come by after working a full day, or sacrifice days off to help me paint and move furniture or do repairs; and I have shared the suite with a handful of practitioners who have contributed to the space. It’s well received. From the decor and comfy spa beds to the scents and sounds, it really sets the tone for your healing session.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
This is a loaded question because San Diego has so much to offer, and it comes down to personal taste and budget. Objectively, the top areas an out of towner might like to visit might include Gaslamp, Little Italy, Coronado, Old Town, and La Jolla. One of my nephews is a concierge downtown so I’d likely consult with him for suggestions, and I know my mom would want to take my guest to one of the local casinos. I imagine my guest would already have a list of things they’d want to see and do but I am a zoo member, so the zoo and Balboa Park would be a given. All of the beaches have their own unique vibes, so maybe a different one each day. We’d have to eat at a taco shop, of course, and, like many of us, I have my go-to’s for different dishes. I love live music in smaller venues, so that’d be an option. If they brought the right shoes, there are nice hiking trails, so we’d have to decide what we’d like to see and how much of a challenge we want. Depending on the season, we might catch a sporting event. We’ve also got the fair which I love. We could take the trolley or a harbor cruise, and the view of the skyline is a must-see so maybe a nice dinner on Harbor Island or at the Ferry Landing. The options are endless!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I thank God everyday. In addition, there are so many people that I am grateful to, including my family: daughters, parents, brothers, nephews, and cousins; my friends; my exes and their families; my teachers, supervisors, colleagues, and mentors; my professional team: accounting, billing, IT, photo, and laundry; my self-care team: acupuncturist, massage therapists, aesthetician, energy workers, yoga instructors, therapist, and my church; and, of course, my clientele, without whom, there wouldn’t even be a wellness clinic. There is absolutely no way I would be where I am right now if not for the support, love, and encouragement from this collective.

Website: https://www.santeeacupuncture.com

Instagram: @santeeacupuncture

Image Credits
Tim Trevaskis