Meet Marketta Goodson | Licensed Massage Therapist, Licensed Cosmetologist, & Certified Phlebotomist

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

Hi Marketta, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I’ve honestly wanted to own a business since I was 9 years old. My uncle was dating a nail tech from New York new to town, that was my first memory of a black woman owning a business. I had never seen anything like it before. She had so many women in and out of her small apartment in the middle of Trenton, coming to get hand drawn nail art. The money I just remember a lot of cash lol. Fast forward after spending every summer working for her until I was 14 I enrolled in vocational school, while attending high school. My thought process was to go to Cosmetology school for free, paid for by the State of New Jersey. Once I finished, I would attend massage school. I had convinced my parents this was the best and cheapest option to educate myself to have all the proper education to open a spa. I felt it was important to know every job within a spa setting incase anything went wrong on a day-to-day basis; I could pick up the slack. Knowing everyone job will allow me to pick up any wrongdoing within the spa as well. I’ve worked for private companies, franchise, and for myself as a contractor and in house within my studio. All of the work experience I’ve gained throughout the years was to shape how I needed to run my spa! Attending college and graduating with a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in Marketing and Sales was also to gain the experience to be a business owner. Finial goal is to become a Full Day Spa owner and all of my years of experience is my journey to that goal.

What should our readers know about your business?
The passion I have for my practice runs deep. I honestly eat, breathe, live to work my business. Since I was 9 years old, I’ve only ever wanted to work for myself, so it’s truly my happy place. I’ve always known this was my story so to work Solely for myself is truly a blessing from God and I thank him daily for blessing me with the gift of touch! I believe that there is a difference in providing a service for money and providing a service because that’s your gift to the world. I’m extremely grateful that my clients allow me a stranger to place hands on them in such a personal way. If you really think about it, it takes great trust. The trust that my clients have for me and how I honor them for it is what sets me apart. I can’t say it was very hard getting to where I am today because I’ve always had a plan, but it has been much longer than it should have been. The ego in me can be very hard on myself in regard to the timeline of journey because I feel i should be further honestly. In reality we can’t expect to rush things either, so I try to have grace with myself. I’ve spent a lot of time in fear, self-doubt, worry, depression, and protectionism. Emotions that can prolong the journey to success. In retrospect being 33 and being a service provider for 15 years, I’ve been on a steady journey it actually hasn’t been long. The difficulty was all within me a struggle with myself. Presently I can say God, Therapy, Yoga, Gospel Music and my partner have helped me through the process. Lessons I’ve learned through the years are to have grace with yourself. No one person can be everything, letting go and asking for help is the only way to truly be a successful business owner! Investing in yourself is a must in order to move to the next level! If I could let the world know anything about my brand it would be ArTis Hands is more than a massage studio. I take great pride in making my clients feel comfortable with me. Being a female only service provider I create a space where they feel safe, loved, and attended too with care. In a world where women give so much and never get refilled, I feel it’s my place to replenish.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My area is located around everything in the northeast cost honestly. We are a hour and a half from New York City, 45 mins from great food of Newark New Jersey, great food and hangouts in Philidelphia just 40 mins away as well.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to dedicate my mother Tesha Goodson Certified Tax Preparer and Certified Finacial Life Coach (TM GoodsonFinancial Services)

Father Mark Goodson (Goodson Real Estate Services LLC)

My Partner Na’Sheed Linton ( Nasheed Linton Enterprise)

Website: https://www.artishandsllc.com/

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Image Credits
JBeauty Photography