It Takes Muscle and Heart: Harbor Health & Massage

If you had told Jess Trusty a few years ago that she would own a massage practice, she probably would have laughed.

Picture this: She was in accounting school. Not because it was her dream, but because it was a steady and practical path. After all, accountants will always be necessary. While she was in school, she saw a job posting for a receptionist at Harbor Health & Massage and thought, “I could use office experience.”

Jess started out by working one day a week at the front desk. Somewhere along the way, she began getting massages herself, and that’s when the lightbulb started to flicker.

After graduation, she stepped into the full-time receptionist role. One day, the owner asked her out to breakfast. “I thought we were closing,” Jess laughs. “The owner asked me out to breakfast, and I assumed she was going to tell me that she was retiring and closing shop.”

Instead, she point-blank asked Jess to buy the business.

Jess said yes. At that very breakfast. She trusted her gut. The rest, as they say, is history.

Doing Things Differently (On Purpose)

Harbor Health & Massage operates differently from many massage practices (and that’s intentional). For one, their therapists are employees rather than independent contractors, which creates a collaborative, team-oriented culture.

The massage industry can be tough; in fact, most massage therapists don’t make it past their second license renewal. It’s common for people to burn out or move on.

But at Harbor Health & Massage? Nearly every therapist has been practicing for six years or more. In fact, one team member has been there for 17 years, even staying through the ownership transition. That kind of longevity doesn’t happen by accident.

One of the things Jess is most proud of is the culture they’ve built.

“We accept all people,” she says simply.

Harbor Health & Massage is committed to providing high-level care to everyone; regardless of background, identity, or belief system. Jess is clear: personal beliefs don’t get to determine who receives care.

They also hold high standards around cleanliness and safety. During COVID, they learned new procedures around disinfecting rooms, switching linens, and sanitation. And even when restrictions eased, they kept many of those practices.

“When we learn a better way to do something, we stick to it,” Jess says. “Even if it costs more time or money.”

The Dream? Stay Steady.

If she could give advice to her younger self, it would be: “Chase the rabbit down the hole. Do the research. Explore every angle. Get the full picture before you leap. But then don’t be afraid to leap.”

When asked about her long-term dream for Harbor Health & Massage, Jess doesn’t talk about expansion or multiple locations.

“I want to stay where we are. Keep doing what we’re doing. Keep growing — but steadily.”

There’s something refreshing about that.

No empire-building. No hustle-for-the-sake-of-hustle. Just doing good work, consistently, for the people who walk through the door.

Life Outside of Work

When she’s not running Harbor Health, Jess and her husband are tent campers. They love hiking and kayaking, with Sleepy Hollow being a favorite spot. They’ll haul their gear in a wagon to a campsite and spend the day outdoors before settling in by the fire.

She also loves to “collect hobbies”. Right now, that looks a lot like reading and trying new recipes (both cooking and baking, talk about impressive!).

Visit Harbor Health in-person or online at harborhealthandmassage.com (why yes, we did design her website in 2025) and see for yourself the transforming power of massage.