Meet Melissa Richardson | Reiki Master Teacher & Sacred Ceremony Facilitator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Melissa Richardson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Melissa, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
The idea for my business began with my husband and other military veterans. Like many veterans being discharged from the military, he found himself being bounced around from one pharmaceutical to the next. All while compounding more health issues with every medication addition or change. After more than a decade of prescription drugs and psychiatric hospital stays, it was time for a change. In 2009, medical cannabis became legal in Michigan and it was a lifesaver. My husband was able to get off the majority of the psychotropic medications he had been juggling and began to find relief naturally. Along with this more natural way of living came more changes to our way of living. Recognizing the need for support and guidance, I began a journey of learning alternative modalities of healing; yoga, Reiki, massage, sound therapy, plant medicine, breathwork, and so much more. My goal is to create a compassionate and loving space for a person to be able to reconnect with their inner self. To ignite their strengths. To empower their passions. And to illuminate the dark spaces with love and light.
 

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Barefoot Creations offers alternative therapies to restore balance within the mind, body, and soul. I began this business in 2016 and started out offering Reiki sessions, attunements, and cannabis ceremonies. Over the years, I found that with each client’s unique set of circumstances, there was no one-size-fits-all healing package. My sessions with clients have expanded to include bodywork, breathwork, sound, or plant medicine. I love being able to meet each client where they are in their healing journey, discuss all of the options available, and create a plan best suited to their needs. I am honored to be able to provide this space of connection, giving my clients the flexibility needed while on their path of healing. This business has taught me how to be patient, and flexible and to trust in the process. Which is also the core of what I teach my clients.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We would start by grabbing a drink at Mezanmi Play Cafe; they have the best staff and coffee in town! It would be late summer so the weather is perfect. We would spend a day at picnicking at Lake Michigan, soaking up the sun and climbing the sand dunes. We would go for a hike at Al Sabo, find the blueberry patch, and have dinner at Shawarma King on Drake. We would walk the Kalamazoo Mall and take in a show at the State Theater downtown. If we’re lucky, there will be an ecstatic dance event and we’ll be able to move and groove with the community.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My husband Barry and my children are my biggest encouragers, supporters, and motivators. I have crossed paths with many amazing humans and each of them has played an integral part in my growth and success. So I give a shoutout to everyone…thank you!

Website: www.barefootcreations.net

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/2barefootcreations

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-richardson-07b390202/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/2BarefootCreations

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/barefoot-creations-otsego?osq=barefoot+creations

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVBO7sBYdkCoFqy4plShAUw