Hampton entrepreneurs open photography, massage studio

For two Hampton business owners, last Friday was a dream achieved.

Molly Bird, owner of the Memories by Molly photography studio and Brandi Freie, owner of Divine Impression, a massage therapy service, celebrated a ribbon cutting and grand opening of their businesses, which are both located in the former Long Term Medical Supply building.

The two had the idea to open a storefront together after deciding the time was right to have a physical, permanent location.

“I wanted to start my own studio in Hampton or possibly work with somebody,” said Freie, “so while I was going to (massage therapy) school, Molly and I thought, ‘What if we went together and found out own space?’”

After finding the location, work began to add new flooring, paint, furniture and forming workspaces for both Bird and Freie’s operations.

Bird and Freie both smile when they think of how they got into their current line of work. Freie said her foray into massage therapy began just a year ago, when she received a massage herself for the first time.

“I realized how great it is and decided to go into the businesses,” she said. “Literally one year later, I’m opening my own massage studio.”

After consulting with a massage therapist, she began researching massage schools and ended up in the massage therapy program at LaJames College in Mason City.

Freie said the path to owning her own studio space was intimidating but advice received from both Bird and former Hampton massage therapist Kelsey Skjefte helped her transition into the new experience.

“They both helped me so much getting my business going and answering questions,” she said.

At her studio, clients can receive a variety of therapies, including a Swedish massage, prenatal massage, hot stone treatments, reflexology and deep tissue massages.

She said when a customer first gets in contact with her, he or she will fill out a health questionnaire and determine which procedures would best address their needs.

“I tailor the massage to the person,” she said.

Bird said the studio space will help her further her photography service that she took on as a full time job in summer of 2014. Bouncing between a studio set up in her home and rental space, she said the new location will better help her serve customers and their desires.

“When this popped up, we thought it was the perfect building,” she said. “It’s exactly what I always imagined.”

Bird first realized she had a passion for photography from taking snapshots of her children. Those pictures turned into requests from others and soon, photography became a side project before eventually becoming her career.

Bird offers photo services for maternity, newborn, wedding, headshots, senior pictures and more.

Now with a few weeks in the new space and renovations complete, Bird and Freie said they’re thrilled to finally celebrate their grand opening.

“It’s surreal to think that it’s real,” said Freie. “To see it actually here, it’s surreal to think that it’s actually ours.”

“It’s pretty cool, though,” added Bird.