Archive: Business & Technology

Ithaca massage therapists Leslie Wright and Kathleen Olsa have reunited to open Magnolia Massage located at 313 N. Tioga Street in Ithaca, NY directly across from the Tompkins County Courthouse.

The pair have known each other for over five years originally working together as massage therapists at Stress Out Day Spa in Ithaca.  Wright joined Stress Out in 2005 where Olsa had been working already.

"We worked well together" says Wright. So, when Stress Out closed in December 2009 "we decided it was time to open our own studio."

Magnolia Massage opened on September 15th.  Both are graduates of the Finger Lakes School of Massage.

It is no secret that Ithaca has its share of massage therapists, owing to the proximity of one of the leading schools in the state. But Wright and Olsa don't seem concerned about the level of competition.

"There are a lot of great therapists around and that is great for the community" says Olsa. "People have ample access to the level and type of treatment they need, but that need is growing" she says referring to the fact that massage therapy has grown in popularity in the medical community.

"The way we are living our lives is changing too" says Wright, "we seem to always be on our iphones, blackberries and laptops, many folks spend their entire day at a computer." "I am seeing a lot of clients with work-related pain or repetitive stress injuries."

That challenge suits Wright just fine...she enjoys working with young professionals who make up much of her clientele. Whether it is a lawyer coming from the courthouse across the street, a college professor, or even a grad student, Wright says she enjoys focusing on relieving the stress of the work day, and the pain and tension resulting from work conditions.

Both Wright and Olsa use an integrative style of massage usually incorporating Swedish, connective, or deep tissue, and trigger point therapy depending on their clients needs. They also have many years of experience in pregnancy massage which many mothers-to-be receive as gifts from friends and family.

Client Lynn Clary benefited from such a gift during her recent pregnancy. "I was given a gift certificate for Magnolia Massage during my ninth month of pregnancy. The therapist's knowledge of how to position me safely and comfortably made me relax immediately. She even gave me some pressure points to work on at home that are beneficial during later pregnancy. Pregnant or not, I highly recommend a massage from Magnolia Massage."

Photos by Thomas Hoebbel Photography

The environment at Magnolia is well suited for a relaxing escape. With diffuse natural light and the warm glow of unique lighting fixtures on the deep yellow walls creates a sense of peace as soon as you enter the studio. Gentle music and the subtle scent of essential oils complete the environment and one could not help feeling relaxed from the first moment.

Former Stress Out owner Laura Cavin reflects on the pair, "Because we have the Finger Lakes School and the general touchy-feely nature of Ithaca, there are a lot of massage therapists here. For me, Kat and Leslie really stand out from the pack because of two things: total concentration on each individual client... neither of them does a cookie-cutter massage. They will really listen to each client and tailor the service to individual needs using a wide range of skills.

"Additionally, they both possess a very high degree of professionalism. In working with them it was a real pleasure to know that they would always be on time, their spaces would always be clean and that they would always give clients their undivided attention."

"The experience we gained from working at Stress Out was invaluable," says Wright.  "I am just glad we get to work together again and offer our skills to established clients as well as new clients we are reaching through Magnolia."

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