How Amber Briggle Turned Near-Collapse into a $1.2 Million Wellness Empire

If you ever wondered how to transform personal and professional devastation into thriving success, today’s guest story is for you. Amber Briggle, originally a single-clinic massage therapist, weathered the upheaval of the COVID-19 shutdown and came back not just stronger—but exponentially larger—building a business that now grosses over $1.2 million annually. Here’s how she did it, and how you can apply these lessons to your own journey.

From “Happy Accident” to Industry Leader

Amber never set out to be a massage-therapy mogul—it was pure serendipity. After graduating college with no clear career path, she discovered a top massage school just three miles from her home in Boulder, Colorado, and decided to enroll on a whim. A year later, she graduated with honors—and a new calling. Over the next decade and a half, she built Soma Massage Therapy into a two-location, 13-therapist practice—even before the pandemic struck.

The Pandemic Pivot: Reinvention Under Pressure

When state mandates forced her to close for two months in March 2020, Amber found herself with one location and only four therapists—a fraction of her pre-COVID capacity. Faced with dwindling revenue, staff departures, and hesitant clients, she could have thrown in the towel. Instead, she:

• Reinvested in her vision by scouting a beautiful new studio near downtown.
• Hired purpose-driven team members who believed in her North Star, shedding the “dead weight” who didn’t share her mission.
• Focused on culture, ensuring every therapist felt supported in a non-toxic, uplifting environment.

One year to the day after her shutdown, Soma reopened with twice as many treatment rooms, a staff of 25 therapists, and a clear path toward franchising.

Key Lessons for Entrepreneurs

1. Just start. You don’t need all the answers—take small steps, build momentum, and learn as you go.
2. Surround yourself with believers. Cut ties with anyone who undermines your vision; your tribe should lift you up.
3. Self-care isn’t selfish. “Self-care is how you get your power back,” Amber reminds us. Tend to your well-being to fuel your leadership.
4. Stay laser-focused on your North Star. Let your passion and purpose guide every decision—ignore the noise.
5. Scale smart through franchising. Empower others to grow your brand, rather than overextending yourself.

Take the Next Step

👤 Connect with Amber Briggle
Learn about Soma Massage Therapy’s nationwide franchise opportunities:
mysomamassage.com

🌟 Connect with Me, Rosabel Zohfeld
Visit my website for more stories and resources:
www.rosabelzohfeld.com
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