Today we’d like to introduce you to Crystal Schippers.
Hi Crystal, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey as a massage therapist began in 1998 with a genuine love for helping people feel better. What started as a simple desire to provide quality, personalized massage therapy eventually grew into Inspiring Hands Massage & Spa, a business I’ve had the pleasure of building and nurturing for many years.
Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to work with wonderful clients, many of whom have been with me for decades. I’ve also had the opportunity to bring together a talented team of massage therapists, each with their own specialties and approaches to bodywork. I’ve always believed that massage is much more than relaxation. It can make a meaningful difference in how people feel, move, and manage the demands of everyday life.
Today, Inspiring Hands has grown to include multiple locations in Kalamazoo, and most recently, our expansion into downtown Marshall in 2026. Opening in Marshall has been especially exciting for me, bringing our services to another community while continuing to develop the business, I’ve worked so hard to build.
Like any small business owner, I’ve experienced plenty of challenges, changes, and lessons along the way. I’ve learned to adapt, trust my instincts, and keep moving forward, even when things don’t go quite as planned. My faith has always been an important part of that journey.
After nearly three decades in this profession, I still genuinely love what I do. I’m proud of the relationships I’ve built, the therapists who work alongside me, and the opportunity to continue serving our communities. At the end of the day, I’m still a massage therapist who loves helping people, and I’m grateful that something I started so many years ago has grown into what it is today.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Building Inspiring Hands Massage & Spa has certainly come with its share of challenges. Over the years, I’ve experienced difficult business partnerships, financial setbacks, and more than a few situations where I found myself having to start over. There were times when I invested so much of myself, both personally and financially, only to realize that not everyone shared the same values or vision for the business.
One of the most difficult periods came after leaving a business partnership and essentially rebuilding from scratch. I had very little to work with, but I was determined to honor the commitments made to our clients and keep moving forward. For a while, it was just three of us working weekends, doing whatever we could to get the business back on its feet. It wasn’t easy, but we made it work.
Then came COVID, which brought an entirely different set of challenges. Like so many small business owners, I faced months of closure and financial uncertainty. At the same time, I was navigating a divorce, moving, and rebuilding parts of my personal life. There were certainly moments when I wondered how everything was going to come together.
Even after reopening, there were additional challenges, including legal matters and the ongoing pressures of running a small business. I’ve learned that owning a business requires far more than being good at your profession. It takes patience, adaptability, and the willingness to make difficult decisions.
Through it all, my faith has been a constant source of strength. I’ve learned to trust God, trust my instincts, and recognize that sometimes starting over is simply part of moving forward.
Looking back, I’m proud that I never gave up on something I believed in. I’m still learning, still growing, and still finding new opportunities. Opening our Marshall location this year has been a wonderful reminder of just how far I’ve come and that there’s still plenty ahead.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Inspiring Hands Massage & Spa ?
At Inspiring Hands Massage & Spa, our focus has always been on providing quality, personalized massage therapy in a welcoming and comfortable environment. With nearly three decades of experience in the profession, I’ve come to appreciate just how different every person is and how important it is to tailor each session to their individual needs.
We offer a wide variety of massage and bodywork services, from traditional Swedish and deep tissue massage to more specialized techniques such as Ashiatsu, Sarga, myofascial release, craniosacral therapy, cupping, and manual lymphatic drainage. Our therapists bring their own training, experience, and unique approaches to the table, allowing us to serve clients with a wide range of needs and preferences.
Our original Kalamazoo location is housed in a beautiful historic Victorian building, which has always been part of the charm of Inspiring Hands. We’ve since expanded to additional locations, including our newest space in downtown Marshall. Each location has its own character, but our commitment to quality care remains the same.
I think what sets us apart is the combination of experience, variety, and the relationships we’ve built with our clients. Many have been coming to us for years, and some for decades. We take pride in offering both therapeutic work for those dealing with pain and tension and relaxing treatments for those who simply need time to themselves.
I also believe there’s always more to learn in this profession. Continuing education, exploring different techniques, and finding ways to improve the client experience have been important to me throughout my career.
At the end of the day, I want people to feel comfortable, well cared for, and confident that they’re in good hands. That’s really what Inspiring Hands has always been about.
What makes you happy?
What makes me happiest is knowing that what I do genuinely makes a difference in people’s lives. I hear it almost every week from clients who have been coming to me for years, sometimes decades. Some tell me they’ve traveled all over the world and still haven’t found the kind of massage they receive here. It’s incredibly humbling, and I never take those compliments for granted.
After nearly 30 years, I still love being a massage therapist. There’s something wonderful about walking into a comfortable, familiar treatment room, spending time with people I’ve come to know so well, and helping them feel better. Whether someone is dealing with chronic pain, everyday stress, or simply needs an hour to themselves, knowing I can make even a small difference in their day brings me a great deal of happiness.
I’m also grateful for the opportunity to work alongside talented therapists and watch them develop their own relationships with clients. Seeing our business continue to grow, especially with our recent expansion into Marshall, has brought a new kind of excitement and fulfillment.
I think one of the greatest rewards of this profession is knowing that you might have given someone the best hour of their week, or even their month. That’s something that has never gotten old for me, and I hope it never does.
Pricing:
- IHM Signature Massage – 60 minutes $110
- IHM Signature Massage – 90 minutes $160
- Advanced Therapeutic Bodywork – 60 minutes $125
- Advanced Therapeutic Bodywork – 90 minutes $185
- Couples Massage – 60 minutes (Kalamazoo) $210
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.inspiringhands.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ihminspiringhands
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/inspiringhandsspa/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/inspiringhands/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/inspiring-hands-massage-and-spa-kalamazoo
- Other: https://tiktok.com/@ihm.Inspiringhands
