05/29/2026
✨ Fun Fact Friday Feature ✨
This week’s feature is: Elite Therapeutic Massage & Tanning, LLC, Stevie Allen👏
We love highlighting the amazing businesses AND PEOPLE that make our community so special. We are thrilled to share so that YOU get to know them a little better!
💬 What inspired you to start your business (or join the company you are associated with)?
"I initially went back to school to learn more about the anatomy and science of the human body because it would only help me in the line of work I was in at the time - Occupational Therapy. Turns out, I wasn't half bad, and my practice massage clients and instructors told me I genuinely had what it took! Near graduation, I purchased a larger car to do travel massage after I got off work from OT, but that quickly led to the purchase of my first building, then a second, and then I opened a second location, too... Funny how life works out!!
💬 What’s something unique about your business that most people don’t know?
"Myself, our other massage therapist at West Baden, Lacey, and the two barbers next door to us at the West Baden location, Ben and Skylar, were all classmates! We graduated from PHS in 2012! It was never in any of our "plans" to work near/alongside each other!!"
💬 What’s your best-selling or most popular product/service?
"That is a toss-up... Lacey and I are blessed with A LOT of massage clients, but we do equally well with our tanning and red light therapy sales/customers! Our Versa Spa Pro Spray Tan booth is VERY popular right now, too!"
💬 What’s your favorite part about being a business owner in our community?
"Oh gosh... There are several things that make it worth your time, tears, and energy. My company is a company that many folks choose to spend their hard-earned dollars at because they want to, not because they have to. And that speaks volumes right there, alone. Being able to grow a company literally from the ground up with support from your family, friends, townspeople, and even complete strangers (who eventually become some of your best clients and customers!) is so rewarding. There are hard days... really hard days, but the good days always outweigh the bad. I love knowing 95% of my customers. They walk in, and I can tell you what sunbed they want to lie in, what lotions they will love, and what Alani they are going to grab out of the cooler. My purpose in this lifetime is to help others, and being able to literally see and work on thousands of massage clients in this community is so rewarding. God has given me a talent to make people feel better and get back to a more manageable life because of massage, and for that, I am so very grateful."
☕ What keeps you going through the day?
"Iced coffee and Alani Nu Energy, always!!! Water helps too... LOL!!"
☝What’s the funniest or most memorable customer experience/moment you’ve had?
"Oh Heavens... there are SO many that I could name, so I will choose one funny and one memorable! Funny- once upon a time, my staff convinced me to run an Amazon route... HAHA!! One of the employees (I won't name her!) legitimately almost dislocated her shoulder trying to toss a package out of the car window because we were about to be attacked by three dogs (this package was 50lb of canned animal food or something along those lines!). I have never feared for my life or laughed so hard. Same employee also opened the door and fell into a huge, deep ditch with a package in hand because it was dark and I didn't realize where I had parked her... shewww fun times! (She is fine BTW. No injuries!) Memorable- there are a lot of client testimonies I could share, but just knowing there have been so many massage clients that get off my table and can actually "live" again is pretty dang heartwarming. They make this career worth it all."
🍴 What’s your go-to lunch or treat from another local business?
"I am a FOODIE so this is hard... I love a good gas station snack from Buddies, lunch from Hacienda or El Compadre, and a delicious PB Banana milkshake from Shakeburger!"
✨ What’s one thing on your bucket list — business or personal?
"Retire by 35- HAHAHA! kidding, sort of, but that will never work... I love what I do, and I will do this as long as the good Lord lets me... I have been so blessed in life, and I can't imagine not working. I will say, I do hope to take a good long vacation one day soon out West with my husband and kiddos, but if you know me... that will be hard. It's very hard for me to walk away from work."
💡Advice you'd give someone that wanted to become a business owner?
"Have faith and just do it. Work hard and do not stop. Be reasonable. Be your own cheerleader. You can never know enough. Ask questions. Be willing to learn. Get out there and network. If you aren't willing to do it yourself, don't ask your employees to do it. Put in the work- work late, work long hours. BUT in the end, HAVE FUN and ENJOY what you do."
🏡 What’s your favorite thing about small-town life?
"The connections. The support. The charm. The "speed" of things."
🎉 What’s something you’re proud of accomplishing?
"Building a business from literally nothing and it remaining successful after almost 10 years in operation. I honest-to-goodness never pictured this life for myself, but I wholeheartedly believe I am where I am supposed to be, even though that has meant stepping away from the OT world for a bit. I am so blessed, and I am proud to say that I have done this and can continue to do this as a working mom and wife because of the support from my family, friends, customers, and clients, as well as the Orange County Community.
"I just want to say 'THANK YOU' to all of those who have believed in me and supported me. Because of my upbringing and support, I am able to employ almost a dozen people with two locations in the county, and I get to work alongside some pretty great people. I get to know the majority of my customers and clients on a personal level, and I am so thankful for this opportunity!"
On behalf of the Paoli Chamber of Commerce, we thank you for your dedication.
❤️
👉 Stay tuned for next Friday’s feature!
