Heather Ryan said it took 4 1/2 years of blood, sweat and tears to build her North Bend business, The Healing Garden, and now she’s finally ready to expand the popular massage boutique into a full-fledged day spa.
But to fully understand this successful business story, it’s also important to know just how Heather got here – because it wasn’t easy… involving a divorce, going back to school, beating cancer and the support of many friends and clients.
Heather said she was going through a divorce ten years ago when she realized that being a stay at home mom for 18 years hadn’t done her any favors in the job market. So after being inspired by a friend and massage therapist, she went back to school at age 42, graduating in 2006 as a single mom.
She built her practice by working at various spas and chiropractic offices around the Snoqualmie Valley. And the hard work has been recognized, with Heather being named ‘Best of the Snoqualmie Valley’ in the Massage Therapy category for the past eight years.
Then a new challenge reared its ugly head in 2010 – breast cancer, which led to eight major surgeries for Heather in a five-year 
time span. During the cancer treatment Heather said she used to sit in Boxley’s, stare at the Cook Building across the street and say, “There’s my office,” as she dreamed of opening her own practice – one she envisioned as “beautiful in every way… sight, sound, smell, touch… a space that makes you say AHH when you walk in the door… superior quality at an affordable price.”
Then in true Snoqualmie Valley, small town fashion, one day Heather saw David Cook (owner of that Cook Building) on the street, pulled her car over and asked him about the space – and before she knew it, had signed a 5-year lease.
The Healing Garden was born in the heart of downtown North Bend – right on North Bend Way.
Flash forward 4 1/2 years and Heather is now ready for the next challenge – an expansion to become The Healing Garden Day Spa, adding skin care and waxing services. The spa also now sells natural/organic skin care and bath and body products, as well as accessories, jewelry and gifts.
This Saturday, August 20th from 2PM – 6:30PM, The Healing Garden Day Spa will be holding a Grand Opening Celebration to introduce its new services and Esthetician, Neesa Artz-Barker, to the community.
So stop on by Snoqualmie Valley. Say hello…. and see for yourself the positive outcome of Heather’s 10-year journey… a business built by one local lady with the support of loyal clients and friends.
Aren’t happy endings wonderful? Good Luck Heather and the whole Healing Garden Day Spa staff!
For more information visit TheHealingGardenDaySpa.com
