Meet Amber Zuniga | Licensed Massage Therapist and owner of Wildflower Massage

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

Hi Amber, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I have always felt such a strong calling to massage therapy. In my senior year of high school, I had a great opportunity to shadow a licensed massage therapist. She was a small business owner and had her own solo practice. Looking back, I’m so grateful that I was able to have that opportunity. I was able to see what she did on a daily basis and get a little insight on the long term goals. I saw all the hard work and dedication that she put into her business.

During that same time, I really took in the question of what I wanted to be when I “grew up” seriously and the idea of going to a 4 year college, at that time, seemed a little out of the box for me. I enrolled in massage therapy school and it was one of the best decisions I could have made for myself.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
As a Licensed Massage Therapist and small business owner, my job entails so much more than giving a great massage. So many of my days at work I am just a person to hear your story, be an emotional support sounding board. Some days I am the receptionist, cleaning lady, and business promoter. Some days, I am just a person to help you escape the daily stresses for 60 to 90 minutes at a time and help your muscles and mind feel better. Every day and client are so different in a positive way, and always keep me on my toes. I have found that even the littlest bit of kindness can go miles with anybody and anything. With massage, it can put you in such a vulnerable state of mind, and I pride myself with always being open, understanding and kind to anyone that gets on my table.

Something that I have been really trying to work on these last few years in my practice, that has taken some work, are mental boundaries. I care so much for my clients and try to be as open and kind as I can for them. At the end of the day, before leaving my office, I mentally close up shop on my work brain and leave it at the office. I try not to take any of those extra emotions, or mental road blocks with me to ensure that I can achieve the work life balance we all thrive for.

Opening Wildflower Massage has given me such an amazing opportunity to get my name, and brand, out in the world. I have been able to grow my professional community so much. This last year alone, I’ve made so many strong connections with small business owners like myself, many of whom are women. They have been such a tremendous support to me.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oh my goodness, where to even start in Fort Collins?!
I would say for breakfast spots, if we’re just doing a grab and go, I would highly recommend first, Mugs coffee shop in Old town. The staff is always so kind and they have amazing drinks. I do love Yampa sandwiches in old town, as well, for their breakfast sandwiches. If we had more time to spend eating, of course, Silver Grill cafe in old town also. They have been around since 1933, and have a real diner feel and are a staple for Fort Collins.

Of course, hitting up a few breweries in the town would be a must. New Belgium, Odell, and Stodgy are some of my favorites. A nice walk around old town area is also so much fun. So many little shops and boutiques to see are a great and easy way to show off the town.

For lunch, I would head over to Elevated Sandwiches and grab their super delicious beet salad and head up to horsetooth reservoir for either a picnic, or maybe some kayaking. A little drive up to the Mishawaka Amphitheater, which is another staple to the area. It’s this great music venue that is right next to the Poudre River. In the summer you can have a yummy cocktail and see kayakers and white water rafters pass by or grab a show later in the evening.

For the night time, I would highly recommend going to Social for happy hour. It’s a wonderful speakeasy with fabulous cocktails and ambiance. For dinner, head over to The Still Whiskey Steaks or Rare for dinner. For after dinner, a little hang out at the Trailhead Tavern or Steakout saloon is always a great time!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I owe my work ethic a thousand percent to my mother, Connie. While I was growing up, she was a single mother taking care of 5 kiddos. I often remember weekends of her going into the office to work overtime to take care of us. The fact that she worked so much but still was able to buy a house, put dinner on the table every night, and still go to all the extra curricular activities, really showed me that once you put your mind to something, anything is possible.

I also want to give a shout out to my incredible, amazing husband Andrew. In the 15 years that we have been together, he has always shown me so much support and helped to push me to be where I am at in owning my own business. I’m so grateful for his love and support everyday.

Website: https://wildflowermassageamberz.glossgenius.com/

Instagram: @wildflower_massage_foco

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Wildflower-Massage-Amber-Zuniga-LMT/61555155026997/

Image Credits
https://www.instagram.com/mojavemoonphoto/