Running a Touch-Based Business During Social Distancing: Lemar Storey of Life Touch Massage on Networking, Pivoting and Reopening


Lemar Storey, owner and CEO of Life Touch Massage, joins Carrie this week on The Localist to discuss how the pandemic has affected Lemar’s business, and how he has adapted during the past few weeks. Lemar and Carrie dive in with the importance of a support system, and Lemar tells us what his business looked like pre-quarantine. Lemar was very intentional with every aspect of his business, from the aesthetics to the customer experience, and tells us how he drew from his own experiences to bring his vision to life. Lemar then tells us his about the discrimination and blatant racism he’s faced as a black man, both personally and professionally, and how his mentors have helped him deal with those experiences. Lemar and Carrie then talk about the mistakes Lemar learned from in the beginning, the value in networking, and the moment Lemar realized quarantine was going to be a big deal. Lemar and Carrie wrap up with the steps Lemar is taking to keep both clients and staff safe for reopening, and the new offerings Lemar is planning. 

Mentioned in this episode: 

Life Touch Massage 

Dr. Lori Jasper’s episode on The Localist

REV Birmingham

REV Birmingham – The Big Pitch

Church Street Coffee and Books 

Bessemer Flea Market

The Spa at Ross Bridge

Create Birmingham’s Co.Starters 

Living the Stressed Life Podcast  

About Carrie

Carrie Rollwagen is host of the Localist podcast and cofounder of Church Street Coffee & Books. Currently, she works as Vice President of Strategic Planning at Infomedia, a web development company in Birmingham, Alabama. Find the Localist at @thinklocalist on Instagram and follow Carrie at @crollwagen.

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