Verde's 10th Anniversary
As we celebrate our 10th anniversary on January 1st, 2021, we are proud to be here reflecting on our journey with you!
Here at Verde, our intention has been consistent from the beginning. To be a place for all to feel welcome, to be a haven for healing that’s different from the rest by providing more than just a service, but by offering a complete experience for all who set foot inside.
We are proud to offer a wide variety of membership opportunities, classes and most importantly, a positive and inviting atmosphere for our clients and community. Verde strives to provide a truly holistic set of offerings, a diverse variety of practitioners, and a unique variety of healing modalities. We are always listening and innovating based on what's inspiring us and seeking ways to increase engagement and outreach.
Then Until Now
Take a trip down memory lane by scrolling through the photos or scroll down to learn more about our story.
In 2005
Crystal started massage school while she and her family were living in Virginia Beach, VA and began massaging professionally under the guidance of her instructors a few months before completing her 600 hour massage certification in 2005. In 2006, she decided to pursue the Occupational Health Science degree which included an additional 600 hours of massage training. She accomplished all of this while raising 3 children & her sister, while her husband Efrain was mostly on deployment.
Crystal received her Occupational Health Sciences degree with a combined 1200 hours of massage training, joining a tribe of passionate people in the industry before it became globally commercialized. She had an ancestral passion, not just a career to share with the world--a desire to spread the healing power of touch with her clients and to help people feel better.
By 2008, Crystal was a well established massage therapist in Virginia Beach with steady clientele. That year, however, husband Efrain was given orders to move to Chicago, the place they called home. Moving meant Crystal would need to start from scratch reestablishing her clientele.
In 2010
After 2 years of working in spas and chiro offices, she was no longer satisfied with the limitations of working in spas and she knew she had a deeper dream waiting to emerge. Crystal took a leap of faith and decided to start off on her own. This took all the courage Crystal had, during a time when she was balancing work and family life. She stepped into the unknown, table in hand, started driving to her client’s homes, and began offering the type of services she had dreamed of.
As 2012 approached, the family needed to make a decision-- Efrain was due for new orders from the Navy. Together, they decided that Efrain would separate from the Navy after 10 years of service to allow Crystal’s dream to flourish instead of starting all over yet again in a new city. The decision to stay in Chicago was a catalyst for the opening of Verde in 2012.
Towards the end of that year, Crystal decided to follow her father’s advice to grow her roots in the Pilsen community. Once she took that next leap, the future began to take shape.
Verde has been proudly in operation for 10 years
We’ve outgrown two locations, and undergone a re-brand, and we just pivoted our offerings into the virtual realm. If you asked us even 6 months ago where we’d be today, the answer would have sounded quite different. On paper, or in blog posts, things sound like they happen in a neat and orderly manner, but in real life, it’s an adventure full of twists and turns, and even struggles that we have to learn to embrace along the way. It's through the challenges that we often learn the most about our passions and our purpose.
The uncertainty of small business ownership wouldn’t be possible without deeply held convictions, focus, and a deeper calling to learn more and serve better. Here at Verde, we hope you can feel the difference in our services, environment, and client experience. These qualities are where the *magic* happens, and it’s something we continue to refine over the years we’ve been in business.
Like a Village
Our vision for Verde as a Holistic Wellness Studio is “like a village”, where individuals and even families in need can build a wellness journey with the help of our practitioners. When we ask some of our long-time members what keeps them coming back, it’s the attention to detail, the clean and safe environment, and accommodating staff.
We are honored to be entrusted with an opportunity to help people live healthier lives. while creating opportunities for community building, education, and engagement that permeate our studio walls. We are also proud of the incredible employees who have joined the team and became family over the years. They have truly loved our clients and the mission we serve.