A few weeks back I sat down with Shannon Verploegen to interview her for a business spotlight.  Shannon is one of the newest faces you will find at Hidden Beauty Salon and Spa, in Tioga, ND. She is a licensed massage therapist, esthetician and nail technician.  She specializes in massage, waxing, manicures, and pedicures. And is now offering eyelash extensions! (which I’m super excited about trying out this week!)

Shannon was born in Denver but grew up in Billings MT. She went to esthetics school when she was 22 and has been doing esthetics and nails now for about 7 years. After many of her Billings clients inquiring about her adding massage services, she decided to go back to school to become a Holistic Massage Therapist.

Her husband moved here after he finished college for a job in the oilfield. She followed him here in 2017 and began at Hidden Beauty Salon and Spa in January of 2018.

Here is our interview!

What services do you in offer at Hidden Beauty?

Full body waxing, massage therapy, facials, lashes, aromatherapy, manicures, and pedicures.

What is your favorite service you offer?

Well, eyebrow waxing was always a favorite, then it was facials for awhile, but now I would say its probably treatment work massage. I love being able to help people feel better and get down to the root of what is causing them pain.

Are you starting to build up a pretty loyal clientele?

Yes! Which is awesome! I actually have clients who will come in and book out their next three appointments just to make sure they get their spots!

So eyelashes are new for you, is there any other services you are wanting to add to your portfolio?

Always! I’m always going to classes! I planning on doing a cupping class hopefully this summer. The class I want to go to is at The Berkana Institute of Massage Therapy in Denver, CO, where I went to school.  But I’m not sure if I’ll be able to make it down there. Fargo and Bismarck also both offer a bunch of continuing education classes which is awesome, considering MT doesn’t really offer much for continuing on with your education. I also want to go to some deep tissue classes.  There is just so much to learn in massage it’s just insane!

What was it originally that got you into massage?

When I graduated high school it was something I had wanted to go into, but I think I was too young at the time and was kinda weirded out by it.  But as I started having more clients inquire about it as I was doing facials I finally decided to go back to school for it, and choose to go into a holistic massage program.

So tell me a bit about what holistic massage is all about.

Holistic is all about looking at someone as a whole, and not just as a time slot for a massage. We look at what all is going on in their life to cause their pain.  We talk about their diet and exercise routine. The holistic part is what made me feel more passionate about what I do, it’s not just a message, its a way of life. I’m inspiring people to be more active, and healthy, maybe take a yoga class!

So many people don’t exercise regularly, which is something I suggest.  It’s not about losing weight, but about being healthy.

You should totally start a blog! I would totally read it!

awe that is sweet of you! I really try to take the time both before and after a clients massage to go over what all we can do to help them start feeling better.

You do a great job of that! I now have a foam roller because of you! I didn’t even know what that was and now I have two!

What advice do you have for someone who is looking at going into massage for a career?

If you’re in it for the money your not in it for the right reasons. Enjoy it and be in the moment. One thing I was taught in school was to not think about anything but what you are working on at that moment, to really focus on massaging that person.

Self-care is also really important in this field. I get massaged twice a month myself. I have to make sure I’m eating right and exercising myself three times a week, or else I will burn out.  I think a lot of massage therapists burn out because they are just not taking care of themselves.

What has been one of the hardest parts for you in your career so far?

Moving to Denver to go to school was hard because I was all by myself. But leaving my clientele in Billings to move to Tioga was really hard. I had a full clientele, and it was really hard to leave those people I had built relationships with which was also kinda sad.

But I lucked out big time here in Tioga! I had heard about Jess from a friend of a friend, and I called her up. She said they were looking for someone in the next few months and it all just lined up perfectly!

What is something you don’t like about your career?

I’m not a masseuse, I’m a professionally licensed massage therapist.  There is a bad stigma around my profession, that needs to stop.

I also don’t like the laundry. I don’t mind washing it but folding it and putting it away! haha.

What is a service you would like to spotlight a little more?

I would say Brazilian waxing. I did a ton of them in Billings and it’s not a service many people take advantage of yet here in Tioga. I’m not sure if people already go somewhere else, or if they just don’t know that I offer it. I think people think I’m too busy to do them but I do have gaps in between massage appointments.

I didn’t even know you offered them!

See! That was one of my number one services before I moved here. I went to a lot of training on it, I did a Brazilian in like 11 minutes one time! The first one you get can be pretty brutal, but its pretty smooth sailing after that, so to speak.

So I follow you on Instagram, you have a dog, what is his name?

My do child’s name is Bagger.

So where do you want to be in 5 years?

I want to have a family.  I still want to be working. I have thought about maybe becoming an instructor for massage maybe. I also really love anatomy so I have thought about maybe going back to school for physical therapy.

What is your drink of choice at Red Moose Coffee Hus?

They have a really good strawberry vanilla green tea!

What is your favorite part of being in Tioga?

I would have to say the community. Since we moved closer to Williston there was a rumor going around that I might be going to work in Williston which was really cute, but I really like the community here!

I’ve never seen anything like it. When I first moved here I locked my keys in my car at the gas station and the cops couldn’t help because of the rule they have, but there were so many people who just stopped to help. I  also love all the little events here, like the Farm Festival, which is something you can’t find in Williston.

You live closer to Williston, which is a bit of drive, do you listen to podcasts?

Yes, I listen to murder ones and love ones.

Where can people find you online?

Facebook Page is where I’m the most active for business. Shannon’s Esthetics, Massage & Nails

I first met Shannon when my sister scheduled me an appointment with her after we came back from Rochester in February. Getting monthly massages has seriously been one of the best things I have done for myself as we have navigated Justin’s heart surgeries. Over the past two years, I have depleted myself so much caring for my husband, having a new baby, breastfeeding for over a year. Taking that hour a month has been so beneficial to both me and my family. I’ve had times where I have felt like it’s been frivolous to be getting monthly massages but honestly, it has been a game changer for me! If you haven’t already booked a massage with Shannon I suggest you call today!

I will also be doing an update on the eyelash extensions because I am soo darn excited about it!

Have you an appointment with Shannon, what did you think? Let me know in the comments!

Meet Chelsy

After being a professional photographer for over 5 years, you would think that I would grow weary of weddings, right?! The reality is, I have seen and photographed it all and

the more that I shoot, the more that I fall in love with this job! The joy, the excitement, the feminine details, the tears, the dances with daddy, the portraits that take your breath away…. I love it all. Even after 5 years, I still can’t get over the fact that I have been trusted with preserving over 50 weddings!! I don’t take my job lightly.

From 2016-2018 I stood by my husband, Justin, as he battled an infection after the placement of a new heart valve. He had the valve replaced 3 times, and just recently had his sternum removed after the infection took hold in his bone. Throughout the entire journey, we clung to God and each other. Having someone to stand by your side through thick and thin is one of the best things in life. I am so honored that I get to document couples as they stand before God, their family, and friends, and vow to stand side by side.

Before every wedding day begins I sit in the car and I pray for the couple, their families and for the ability to capture my couple’s celebration with excellence and creativity! Besides raising our daughter, Skyler, and son Grayson photographing weddings is truly one of the most rewarding parts of my life! The friendships and experiences that are created with my Weisz Couples last far beyond the wedding day and I believe that’s how it should be! I am excited for you to keep scrolling to learn more about how being a Weisz Bride isn’t your typical photography experience; it’s so much more!

Check out my recent weddings here!