Your network is your greatest resource. — No one succeeds alone. Building a strong network of mentors, peers, and colleagues is one of the best investments you can make.
Today, more than ever, wellness is at the forefront of societal discussions. From mental health to physical well-being, women are making significant strides in bringing about change, introducing innovative solutions, and setting new standards. Despite facing unique challenges, they break barriers, inspire communities, and are reshaping the very definition of health and wellness. In this series called women in wellness we are talking to women doctors, nurses, nutritionists, therapists, fitness trainers, researchers, health experts, coaches, and other wellness professionals to share their stories and insights. As a part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Kristen Pechacek, President & CEO of MassageLuXe.
As the CEO of MassageLuXe, Kristen Pechacek is proud to lead a brand that has grown to over 100 locations. Since joining the company in 2020 as Chief Growth Officer and transitioning to CEO in early 2024, Pechacek’s role has been to leverage her expertise to drive innovation and make operational decisions based on data-driven insights and a thorough understanding of market dynamics. Having a career foundation in marketing helps her lead with a strong focus on driving growth while also supporting MassageLuXe franchisees with the tools and strategies they need to thrive in their local markets.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Our readers would love to “get to know you” better. Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career? What were the main lessons or takeaways from that story?
One of the most interesting moments in my career happened when I was tasked with launching a major marketing campaign for a brand expansion. It felt like an incredible opportunity — and it was — but I quickly realized how many moving parts had to align perfectly. We were dealing with everything from creative execution to cross-team coordination, vendor relationships, and data integration. At the last minute, a key part of the campaign fell through due to an external partner’s oversight, and the entire timeline was in jeopardy. I remember feeling the weight of it all and thinking, “How do we fix this without derailing the entire project?”
What I learned from this experience is that flexibility is just as important as preparation. We pulled through by shifting our strategy, bringing some of the work in-house, and ultimately launching a campaign that exceeded expectations. The lesson for me was that while you can (and should) plan meticulously, the ability to adapt and adjust in real time is a leadership skill that can turn potential failures into wins. It’s also a reminder that even when things go off-script, the outcome isn’t out of your control
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about a mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
Early in my career, I made the mistake of thinking that speed was the most important factor in getting things done. I wanted to prove my value by delivering quick results, so I rushed through a project without gathering enough feedback from key stakeholders. I was confident I knew what needed to be done, and I pushed ahead without taking the time to listen to other perspectives. As you might guess, the project didn’t go as smoothly as I had hoped. It turned out that a lot of my assumptions were off, and I had to backtrack and redo a lot of the work.
While I still sometimes struggle with this, the lesson I took from that particular experience was the importance of collaboration and patience. Leadership isn’t just about delivering fast results — it’s about delivering the right results. And often, that means slowing down, asking for input, and making sure you’re aligning with the bigger picture. Now, I remind myself that taking the time to listen and collaborate upfront can save a lot of headaches later on.
Let’s jump to our main focus. When it comes to health and wellness, how is the work you are doing helping to make a bigger impact in the world?
At MassageLuXe, we are committed to redefining how people think about massage and facial services. Too often, these are seen as indulgences rather than essential elements of health and wellness. We are working to change that narrative. Massage therapy, for example, has been proven to help with pain management, stress reduction, and overall mental health. We are offering services that not only make people feel good in the moment but can be part of a long-term health regimen.
By making these services more accessible through our affordable membership model, we’re helping more people integrate wellness into their lives on a regular basis. It’s about shifting the conversation from luxury to necessity, and I believe that’s the real impact we’re making.
Can you share your top five “lifestyle tweaks” that you believe will help support people’s journey towards better wellbeing?
- Get regular massages. — This one is a no-brainer. Massage therapy has been used for centuries to treat ailments and improve wellness. At MassageLuXe, we’ve seen firsthand how regular massages can reduce stress, relieve chronic pain, and improve overall health.
- Stay hydrated. — We emphasize this with all our clients. Hydration impacts everything from energy levels to how well your body heals. If you’re feeling sluggish, the first thing I suggest is to check your water intake.
- Change your mindset. — I’ve seen this particularly with franchise owners. The way you approach challenges makes all the difference. Instead of seeing roadblocks, see hurdles that you can clear with the right strategy. It’s about how you react to situations.
- Meditation or mindful breathing. — This doesn’t have to be complicated. You can take five minutes out of your day to breathe deeply or take a walk in nature. It’s a simple way to reset, refocus, and reduce stress.
- Prioritize sleep. — Sleep is so critical to both mental and physical health. A good night’s rest improves everything from mood to productivity. In our fast-paced world, it’s tempting to skimp on sleep, but it’s something that needs to be protected.
If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of wellness to the most amount of people, what would that be?
I would advocate for the wider acceptance of alternative healthcare treatments, including massage therapy, as part of standard medical advice and care. There’s ample evidence that therapies like massage can complement traditional medicine to provide more holistic, long-term health solutions. Whether it’s managing chronic pain, reducing stress, or improving mental health, alternative approaches can often address the root causes of health problems, not just the symptoms. If more people had access to these kinds of treatments, I believe we would see a healthier, happier society.
What are your “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Started” and why?
- Strategy is just a plan. — Don’t get intimidated by the word. Plans succeed and fail, but the important thing is to take action.
- Build relationships first, talk business second. — Business moves at the speed of trust. Take the time to build relationships, whether with your team, franchisees, or customers.
- Don’t sweat the small stuff. — In the early days, I would get bogged down by little problems. Now, I scale the problem to understand how much energy it’s really worth.
- Soft skills matter. — You can teach someone technical skills, but you can’t teach attitude or work ethic. Surround yourself with people who have passion and energy, and the rest will follow.
- Your network is your greatest resource. — No one succeeds alone. Building a strong network of mentors, peers, and colleagues is one of the best investments you can make.
Sustainability, veganism, mental health, and environmental changes are big topics at the moment. Which one of these causes is dearest to you, and why?
Mental health is a cause very close to my heart. I have had close family members struggle with mental health and addiction. Post-pandemic, the rates of anxiety and depression are at an all-time high. Massage therapy has been shown to reduce cortisol levels and help alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety. We have a real opportunity to contribute to mental wellness in a meaningful way. Helping people relieve stress and reconnect with themselves through the services we provide feels deeply rewarding.
What is the best way for our readers to further follow your work online?
I’m always open to connecting with others in the industry. The best way to follow my work is on LinkedIn — feel free to connect with me directly at www.linkedin.com/in/kristenbendt/. You can also stay updated on everything happening with MassageLuXe by following our company page.
Thank you for these fantastic insights! We wish you continued success and good health.
About the Interviewer: Wanda Malhotra is a wellness entrepreneur, lifestyle journalist, and the CEO of Crunchy Mama Box, a mission-driven platform promoting conscious living. CMB empowers individuals with educational resources and vetted products to help them make informed choices. Passionate about social causes like environmental preservation and animal welfare, Wanda writes about clean beauty, wellness, nutrition, social impact and sustainability, simplifying wellness with curated resources. Join Wanda and the Crunchy Mama Box community in embracing a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle at CrunchyMamaBox.com.
