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Ashley Baugh, entrepreneur and client of the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, has successfully turned her lifelong dream into reality by launching Embody Balance this past June. With more than 20 years of experience as a holistic health practitioner and licensed massage therapist, Baugh has now created a unique business that blends her expertise in trauma-informed wellness education & somatic mental health therapy.

Baugh's journey to full-time entrepreneurship was years in the making. She began her career as a massage therapist in Edwardsville, Illinois, working part-time for over a decade. However, in 2014, she had to close her business when she moved out of state. After returning to Edwardsville nearly ten years later, Baugh was determined to relaunch her practice, combining her expertise in massage therapy with her background in public health and social work.

Baugh’s journey to entrepreneurship was not without its challenges. From navigating the legal requirements of her business to obtaining multiple professional licenses, she learned the complexities of running her own business. Baugh began working with SBDC at SIUE this past February. Through the expert guidance of director Jo Ann Di Maggio May and the SBDC team, she received support with legal matters and business strategy, ensuring that Embody Balance started on the right foot.

"Starting my own business has been a dream come true, but it hasn’t been easy. The SBDC has been a valuable resource, guiding me through the legal and practical aspects of launching a business. Their support helped me turn my vision into reality," says Baugh.

“It is great to see Ashley’s tenacity and hard work pay off. The SBDC and I are excited for her future and look forward to assisting Baugh further as she grows her business” says director Di Maggio May.

Looking ahead, Baugh is excited to expand her offerings. In November 2024, she plans to host her first group workshop, focusing on health and wellness education. These workshops will provide a platform for people to learn about the mind-body connection, mindful awareness and practical self-care practices without committing to one-on-one sessions. Her goal is to make holistic health accessible to more people in the community.

Her new business, Embody Balance, offers a variety of services including massage therapy, bodywork, trauma-informed health education, cupping services for pain relief, talk therapy, and even somatic mental health therapy. “People can choose from a mix of these services or just one, depending on their needs,” says Baugh.

Embody Balance is located at 216 S Buchanan St, Edwardsville, IL 62025. You can find them online on Facebook, PsychologyToday.com or reach them at 618-477-7256.

Baugh’s story is a testament to perseverance, passion, and the power of community support in making entrepreneurial dreams come true. 

The Illinois SBDC for the Metro East assists entrepreneurs like Embody Balance, as well as existing business owners operating in the nine-county Metro East region of Calhoun, Jersey, Madison, Bond, Clinton, St. Clair, Washington, Monroe and Randolph. SBDC enhances the region’s economic interests by providing one-stop assistance to individuals by means of counseling, training, research and advocacy for new ventures and existing small businesses. 

SBDC offices in Illinois are funded, in part, through a cooperative agreement among the U.S. Small Business Administration, Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville as a service to the community. To learn how these no-cost services may help your business venture, contact the Metro East SBDC at (618) 650-2929 or sbdcedw@gmail.com. 

PHOTO:  Ashley Baugh, founder, Embody Balance