Inspiring Conversations with Erin Needham of The Art Of Massage & Wellness & Viridescence Bottles & Bites

Today we’d like to introduce you to Erin Needham.

Hi Erin, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today. 
From a young age I can remember having a need to Create. Whether it was imaginative play with my sister or friends, an art project, or writing a story. I have fond memories of creating shows to act out with my cousins and sister, building treehouses, and playing in the woods behind our house. My parents encouraged me and gave me that freedom to play and dream. Even though I was born and raised in a city (Charlotte, NC), my mom instilled in me a deep love of nature and often took us hiking and camping in the mountains. I always felt at home there. We had plenty of pets growing up. Dogs, cats, rabbits, fish, and hamsters. We took horseback riding lessons and participated in 4-H and Girl Scouts. My parents let my sister and I try just about any hobby that we wanted. I’m grateful for those experiences. 

After high school, I attended UNC Charlotte for a short time and tried various jobs. I felt lost and wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with myself. I landed at South Piedmont Community College in 2001 in their newly established massage therapy program. That’s where I found a love of the healing arts. This was just the beginning for me. After graduating and working at several different spas, I knew that the only way I would truly be happy is to work for myself. Being able to create my own business fed my soul. Specializing in several different massage modalities, including ashiatsu barefoot massage, hot stones, and Hawaiian Lomi Lomi, I enjoy incorporating a blend of these styles to create my own fusion. In 2005, I began practicing yoga during a difficult time in my life. It eventually led me to take a 200-hour yoga teacher training in 2010 in Baja, Mexico at Yandara Institute. I was drawn to more restorative and deep stretch styles which marry nicely with my massage practice. My aromatherapy training came along a couple of years later with Dr. Joie Powers in Western NC. I took several extensive training sessions and began incorporating essential oils into my practice as well as creating blends and natural body products with essential oils. 

The Art Of Massage & Wellness opened in Charlotte, NC, in 2010, and our Main Street location in Pilot Mountain came along in 2012 with my move to this small foothill town. I finally felt like I was where I was supposed to be. My business partner and I opened our 2nd venture together, Viridescence Bottles & Bites in October of 2022. 

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?
In the beginning, low self-esteem and lack of confidence was my greatest struggle. However, as I’ve grown in my career and gained more experience it’s definitely changed. 

My greatest struggle now is to not over obligate myself. I am always intrigued by new opportunities, and I never want to miss out on anything in life. I have so many varied interests, and it’s hard to know when to hold back sometimes. I’m always up for a new challenge. I love to try hard things and see how far I can go. 

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about The Art Of Massage & Wellness & Viridescence Bottles & Bites?
The Art Of Massage was established in Charlotte, NC in 2010. What began with a 1 room massage studio has now multiplied into 5 rooms in Charlotte with 8 massage therapists. Our 2nd location on Main Street in downtown Pilot Mountain, NC, opened in 2012. This location houses 3 massage rooms & an Airbnb in a historic house. Next door is TAO Studio, a yoga/wellness studio and extension of TAO Massage & Wellness. We not only host yoga and wellness classes but also rent the space for gatherings, meetings, and events. We just recently hosted our first micro-wedding! 

Viridescence Bottles & Bites opened in October 2022. We are proud to be Surry County’s first plant-based eatery. In addition to plant-based food, we also offer wine, craft beer, non-alcoholic beer, local tea and kombucha, fair trade coffee, and wellness tonics. We thrive off the challenge of working in a small kitchen with minimal equipment to create fresh, innovative & delectable food for our customers. Being in a small town, we weren’t sure how we would be received. Much to our surprise, Viridescence has been welcomed with open arms. Teaching folks about how easy plant-based eating can be and the benefits for the environment, the animals, and their health is extremely rewarding. We love that we have become a hub in this community for health and wellness and a gathering place for all. 

In terms of massage therapy, I personally specialize in ashiatsu barefoot massage. I love to blend this style with hot stone therapy to create a fusion experience for my clients. I am able to work much deeper with my feet than with my hands, and I love working with hot stones to soothe and relax the muscles on a deeper level. Aromatherapy is another aspect that I enjoy working with. Essential oils have the ability to affect the body, mind, and spirit and add another facet to the massage experience. 

In the restaurant, I work with our amazing employees to create new menu items and social media content. I coordinate work schedules and plan events, do inventory and ordering, and just about anything else that may arise. Attending networking events is one of my favorite things about owning a business. Meeting new folks and spreading the word about what we do fills my cup! 

What was your favorite childhood memory?
Camping in the mountains with my family is one of the highlights of my childhood. Learning how to set up my own tent and start a fire was very empowering. Playing in the creek and tubing at Deep Creek in Bryson City is a cherished memory for me. My mom would always take us on long hikes to see many different waterfalls. One of the best hikes I’ve ever experienced was in one of the few stands of old-growth timber on the East Coast, at Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest. I believe this is what set me on the path to enjoy trail running and ultra marathons later in my life. It’s also encouraged me to do the same with my family. I am grateful to carry on the tradition of camping and exploring with my husband and child. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.artofmassagepm.com & www.viridescencebnb.com
• Instagram: TAOmassage&wellnessPM & viridescence_bnb
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheArtOfMassagePilotMtn & https://www.facebook.com/ViridescenceBnB