Today we’d like to introduce you to Josie Grimes.
Hi Josie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My story began nearly 30 years ago, I was born August 13, 1996. A KC Native until 6 years old, then a series of unfortunate events unfolded that would serendipitously bring me to where I am today. My name is Josie Grimes, I am a Licensed Massage Therapist and business owner, and founder of Paume de Lumière, with over 5 years of industry experience and a mission to guide and help others along their healing journey.
I was raised by my grandparents and my mother, who later left my violent father. We moved around a lot. In total, I have moved 33 times in my life, 26 of which were before I turned 18. Growing up, life was at times dangerous and altogether unstable. However, I was incredibly blessed to have people in my life that truly loved and cared for me and did so out of their own altruism. Through the kindness of those around me, I gained resilience and empathy. I decided that above all else, I wanted to be kind too. My mind grew resilient, but my body kept the score. So next I had to face the tension, the fear, the constant hum of stress that comes from growing up without a foundation. Those experiences were also opportunities; I was given a chance to overcome, integrate, and to grow. But I had no clue where to start.
What I did know was that I was not happy with just rolling burritos at Taco Bell. It was actually a friend’s recommendation that I pursue massage therapy, and in my desperation for a change I jumped headfirst. I found a local school and attended the massage program at Well Spring School of Allied Health. Honestly, I thought it was just spa and sports and was excited to make decent money to finally provide for myself, and that was all I wanted from it. But I found a true passion and purpose from this practice. I learned about all the ways one can take control of their own life, their trauma and their healing. Massage therapy gave me an open door, that led to so many more open doors, and I have found myself to be a strong practitioner who is highly educated and has built both a reputation and a successful business in the short span of 6 months. Through learning about the nervous system, touch, and the science of relaxation, I discovered proverbial gold in the mountains. I want to share this knowledge and skillset with everyone I can, because true healing comes holistically. I do my best to consult with my clients on massage related to their condition, and we work together to tackle their issues from multiple perspectives. Whether it’s a therapeutic or relaxation massage, I customize it to boost whatever health goal you have and make sure to equip you with all the knowledge I have for post-service care.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has not been a smooth road, but frankly it’s been the most rewarding and beautiful journey I could have asked for. Trying to heal from my own background put me on this path, and I think that the struggles we go through are playing a part in leading us along our own paths. It was certainly a struggle, and I have seen rock bottom. But with each failure there is an opportunity being presented. How do I learn from this? How do I grow in such a way that I can handle it? I do not claim to have all the answers, but while I was at rock bottom I found a few pebbles of wisdom. In life suffering in some way is inevitable and when you conceptualize anything you go through, you really only get one choice between two options. Option A. My suffering is unique, and therefore no one understands me and I am alone in the world, or Option B. Suffering is a part of the human experience, and I am not alone but actually connected to every single other human being, therefore our suffering unites us and makes us members of a Global community. After realizing that since we are all connected, eventually I came to the conclusion that we have a duty to each other. This duty transcends identity so much so that when one of us hurts, others, sometimes even complete strangers, might come to lend a helping hand. I have been lucky enough to have had help along the way, and the best thing I can do is to find a way to pay it forward. I like to think that I have succeeded in finding a path towards that endeavor.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Paume de Lumière is my wellness brand and my massage therapy practice combined into one. I make handmade curated products like sugar scrubs and body butters that are used in session, with a specialized Intuitive Massage technique that is unique to me. I offer the base services like Prenatal, Swedish Massage and Deep Tissue. I believe I am most known for my empathy and skillset, particularly with folks who prefer therapeutic work. My clients are vocal about their appreciation for the thorough consultations and hands-on work that I provide, and I have heard on many occasions that they have not experienced that level of care elsewhere. I am most proud that I get to do what I was created to do, that I get a chance to make a real difference in people’s lives, that I love doing it, and I’m lucky enough to make a living from it. To be able to say that I built Paume de Lumière is truly the joy of a lifetime, and I am so excited for whatever comes next! I want the biggest takeaway for readers to be that I care deeply about the work that I do, and if they are seeking help addressing their chronic pain or stress, to please reach out to me. I would love to see if I can help them!
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Personally, I do not believe in the concept of “self-made”. Yes, I did the work, and it was very hard. However, there were many, many people who put work into me and planted seeds in my heart, and without their influence I don’t think I would have become exactly who I am today. I am deeply grateful to my mom, my grandparents, my brothers, my family, my best friends, my partner Darius, my daughter Juliana, all of whom have believed in me, supported my dreams, and helped me grow in ways I never imagined that I could grow. I would also like to thank all of my teachers from Well Spring for everything they have given me. In particular a tremendous thankyou to my old speech coaches Mr. Lyon and Mr. Merritt, who tempered my charisma and confidence. This would have been exceptionally more difficult without their influence. Above all of them though, I thank God for delivering me from the life I have had. I thank Him for blessing me with the opportunities to turn my life around and to be given the divine work of helping others. I hope that I do not disappoint!
Pricing:
- First Visit Special $59.95 for 60 mins
- Swedish Massage $90
- Deep Tissue $100
- Exclusive Tier starting at $222
Contact Info:
- Website: https://paumedelumiere.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paume.de.lumiere/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571679346225
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@paume.de.lumiere
