WEST LAFAYETTE − A 19-year-old entrepreneur is excited to be part of West Lafayette’s emerging business district and join a venture he believes can improve the health of residents.
Kristen Smalley recently opened Kristen’s Wellness Studio in the Brickstone Building at 100 W. Main Street. The Riverview High School graduate attended Ridgewood Elementary and Middle School. Her former neighbors were Brickstone owners Ed and Susan Myers. She learned that Smalley had an empty spot in Brickstone from which everything fell into place.
“It really felt right to be here,” Smalley said after visiting Brickstone.
After graduating from high school, Smalley said he took some time to think about what he wanted to do. Becoming a message therapist has been a long-time aspiration. She took an 11-month course at the Columbus School of Medical Massage in Dublin and passed all her certifications on the first try in January.
Smalley offers Swedish massages and deep tissue massages. We also hope to add cupping and hot stones in the near future. I would like to become a certified acupuncturist in a few years.
“We are excited to bring relaxation and wellness to the community,” Smalley said. “You want to be someone your customers can trust. You want to be trusted. You want to understand what your customers need help with. You need to understand what they do in their daily lives.”
Smalley started working with friends and family to figure out what else her clients needed. We were fully booked the first week we opened. Smalley, along with her parents Chris and Erin, said the community has been very supportive.
“‘We’re really excited about you. If there’s anything we can do to help you, if there’s anything we can do to promote your business or anything like that. Please let me know,’ was all I could say,” she added.
The Brickstone opened in December with Bubbles and Barks Dog Grooming Boutique, Nails by Missy, Village Masotherapy, and Palm Bay Studios and Apartments. It’s located around the corner from the recently opened French Press Cafe and in the same neighborhood as Hecates Realm Spiritualism Store, Blooming Wildflower Pups Pet Grooming, Fred Gott Worms Bait Shop, and Ipee Kayak Boat Rentals.
“We want to bring as many customers into this building as possible,” Smalley said. “We’re all new, so I’m really excited to see how we grow together.”
For more information about Krysten’s Wellness Studio, visit her Facebook page, call 740-552-9951, or email ksmalleylmt@gmail.com.
Leonard Hayhurst is the community content coordinator and general news reporter for the Coshocton Tribune, with more than 15 years of local journalism experience and multiple awards from the Ohio Associated Press. Contact him at 740-295-3417 or llhayhur@coshoctontribune.com. Follow @llhayhurst on X (formerly his Twitter).
