Spotlight: SomaFlow Health and Massage

Kristi is a strong advocate for somatic healing and the owner of SomaFlow Health and Massage. Her professional path into bodywork began during her recovery from a car accident, an experience that shaped her therapeutic approach. She currently operates a successful massage practice in the Central Eastside and oversees the Somatic Healing Center, a multidisciplinary wellness space shared with other healthcare and wellness practitioners.

How did you start the business?

Kristi: I began my business while working another job after completing massage school. I knew I needed the stability of steady income while also wanting to build my massage therapy practice, and starting a business allowed me to do both. I officially launched the business in 2018 with very grassroots beginnings, operating out of a 10×10 pop-up and providing services at festivals and local markets. Over time, I transitioned into a shared office downtown, where I practiced one day per week. In October 2020, I moved into my current space where I offer therapeutic bodywork full time.

Throughout the early stages of the business and during the pandemic, I received significant support from organizations such as the Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA), the Northwest Native Chamber, and Livelihood NW. As a small business owner, wearing many hats is unavoidable. While I was confident in my ability to build a business, I was new to navigating legal requirements and marketing. The guidance and resources provided by these nonprofit organizations were instrumental in helping me move through those challenges and establish a sustainable practice.

What role does the community play in your business?

Kristi: Community plays a central role in my business. Portland has a deeply rooted and expansive healing community, with some of the strongest massage therapy programs and Acupuncture and Naturopathic schools in the country. The city offers a wide range of alternative and integrative treatment options. During my own healing journey, I was introduced to somatic focused care, which became a pivotal moment in my professional direction and opened me to body-based therapeutic practices.

Before entering private practice, I worked for over ten years as a social worker and case manager. While that work was meaningful, I often observed clients cycling through the same patterns of trauma without sustainable progress. My current work approaches healing through the body and nervous system, allowing me to support clients in understanding how stress and emotions are held physically. Through this lens, I’ve seen individuals begin to experience real forward movement and long-term change.

Education and self-care are integral parts of my practice. I work with clients to develop tools they can use when stress and physical pain arise, creating a ripple effect that extends beyond individual sessions. As pain decreases and regulation improves, clients often report being more present with their families, more focused at work, and better equipped to engage with and support their communities.

Two years ago, I had the opportunity to take stewardship of this building and establish a somatic wellness space. Creating an environment that supports collective healing has always been a driving force in my work. The values of the space are firmly rooted in community, collaboration, and accessibility, and serving as a beacon for healing is something I consider one of my greatest professional achievements.

What advice do you have for someone wanting to start a business?

Kristi: My advice to anyone starting a business is to begin with your values. Skills, strategies, and systems can be developed over time, but your values are what will guide your decisions and sustain you through challenges.

Equally important is pacing and honoring your boundaries, particularly in care-based professions. Burnout is a common experience in this work, and over the past six months I have been intentionally healing my own body from burnout while observing how it impacted my practice. Recognizing the need for rest, I made the decision to step back and take time off. I returned home to Alaska, spent time with family, and reconnected with nature, experiences that were essential in restoring my sense of grounding and wellbeing. Ultimately, a sustainable business is one that supports your nervous system as much as your income.