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

Hi D., is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
When you book a service with Dcompress, you’re not just getting a treatment, you’re getting a family. At least that’s how we hope you feel. Even before COVID, we structured our appointments with a 30 minute break between each one to allow time to really get to know our clients – who they are, why they’re here and what we can do to help. After working for years at high-end spas, I realized it was impossible to build any kind of lasting relationship with my clients for two main reasons: 1. The majority of our spa clients were out-of-town guests, and 2: We only had 10 minutes between each session. Not only was it stressful trying to set-up, clean-up and learn everything about our clients in a few short minutes, but our clients felt rushed and unheard – definitely, not the most relaxing start to a massage. With Dcompress, I wanted to change how businesses within this industry are structured. More time between appointments means more time getting to know our clients, their needs and how we can help them in the long term. Ultimately, the better we know them, the better our treatments will be. In addition, by offering a membership, we’re able to really focus on the downtown community and create a space where regular bodywork is accessible and affordable. Massage is like exercise – the more you do it, the better you’ll feel! I truly believe that the time we spend getting to know our clients is the foundation upon which our success is built. We get invited to weddings, birthday parties and baby showers. Our clients refer spouses, children, friends, dog sitters… you name it, they get sent to us! So when I say, you’re not just getting a treatment, you’re getting a family… I mean it with my whole heart!

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I founded Dcompress in 2009, providing massage therapy out of the extra room in my downtown condo.  Realizing I needed more separation between work and home life, I rented my first room in a co-working space on 6th Avenue, called Industry Showroom.  This was the funkiest little spot, home to artists, designers, and all around creatives, and was an unexpected, yet totally perfect place for me to begin this journey.

Over the next two years, as Dcompress grew, we partnered with Susana Jones, founder of Urban Yogi, and opened our stand alone massage and yoga studio on 3rd Avenue.  What a wild ride from start to finish!  Despite having a landlord whose daily purpose seemed to be to make our lives miserable, we continued to thrive, and added acupuncture, skin care, reiki and hair removal to our list of offerings.
While I have so much to be proud of when I look back over the past decade, it’s the lives we’ve impacted that mean the most. Whether it’s when clients tell us they’re pain-free for the first time in years, that they no longer suffer from debilitating headaches, that we’ve made their pregnancy bearable, or that we’ve created an anniversary experience they’ll never forget, knowing we’ve made a positive difference in someone’s life is what makes it worth it. I know it’s cliched, but it’s SO TRUE!
This is not an easy job. We put so much of ourselves into every session, and it takes incredible strength of mind and body to show up and be present everyday for our clients. But we do it because we care, we love the work and we’re honored to be part of the transformation.
I’m also incredibly proud that Dcompress is a woman-owned business. It all began with an idea for making our industry better, for both the client and the therapist, and after 11 years, I get to see that vision realized in a thriving wellness studio in downtown San Diego. Every year we continue to grow, which means more and more members of our community are taking an active interest in their health and they’re choosing us to be part of the process!
COVID has presented our biggest challenge yet and I’m inspired by how our team has handled this time. New clients are reaching out to us daily and trusting us to provide the safest experience possible. We spent the months we were shut down figuring out how to adapt the studio to the new state and federal protocols, so that clients and staff alike, would feel safe.
From adding medical grade HEPA air filters and sanitation stations in each treatment room, installing a hand washing sink in our lobby, replacing all fabric furniture with easily sanitized materials, and updating our schedule to honor social distancing, every decision we’ve made has taken into account our new reality. We are proud to be part of our community’s healing process – this past decade, through COVID, and in the many years to come.  We look forward to welcoming you into our Dcompress family!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
The mom in me has to throw out some toddler friendly spots first! Waypoint Public in North Park has a sectioned off play area, the staff actually seems to like kids (which is rare for a restaurant), and they have a great burger and beer selection for adults! A new discovery is Cardellino in Mission Hills, walking distance from Pioneer Park! They have Sunday happy hour and fantastic ice-cream for the kiddos. We also love our neighborhood spot, Madison, in University Heights! They have a beautiful open air dining room that is extra glowy, and their food is delicious. Lastly, after a massage at Dcompress, your day of relaxation isn’t complete without grabbing a to-go beer from Stone Brewery’s tasting room above our studio!

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?
My staff! I work with the most kind hearted, talented, and I also must add, hilarious team that anyone could hope to work with. We build each other up, help each other when needed and try to get in as many laughs as we can along the way! Our industry has been one of the hardest hit by COVID, and the stress has been overwhelming and crippling at times. My staff has been there with grace, and supported me and this business in ways that I never expected. They inspire me to keep pushing forward when I’m struggling and really embody the sentiment that we will get through this together!

Website: www.dcompressdowntown.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dcompress.downtown/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DCOMPRESSDOWNTOWN
Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/dcompress-downtown-san-diego-3
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP4uTH6urmi7ni6BuvLksXg

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutSocal is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.