Body-Works

275 Broadway Avenue

Alamosa, CO 81101

Phone: 719-589-1191

There are many challenges for a male opening a small business in a predominantly female-dominated industry in the San Luis Valley. Doug Ward took on the challenge and looked to open a massage therapy practice. The business would be named Body-Works. Ward was looking for assistance in what he needed to do to get his business off the ground. Doug found out about the business support services at Adams State College when Mary Hoffman gave a lecture at the school Ward attended. This made him aware of the free and confidential business counseling that Business Support Center (BSC) located at the Adams State College provides.

At the BSC Ward worked closely with Jason Neufeld, a business advisor who helped him get organized. Together they developed a business plan, an essential step in organizing any business. Working on the business plan helped Ward to focus and sparked new ideas he says he never would have considered.

A major focus of the business plan was how to market Body-Works. The BSC gave Ward a boost by contracting with him to offer chair massages for professors during finals week. This led to other exhibits and demonstrations at the college and a handful of clients for Ward.

Doug is a certified Massage Therapist that is trained in oriental and western philosophies of alternative healing. He received his training at the Crestone Healing Arts Center. As a way of giving back to the community and keeping his marketing strategies alive, Doug gives free messages every Wednesday at a local coffee house during the lunch hour.