A loan helped to reopen Inclusive Massage East Bay after an extended closure due to a medical emergency.


César's story

I started my massage practice in late 2019, and it didn't really take off due to the global pandemic that started a few months later.

As an Oakland native, it was and continues to be important to me to be of service to my community. In 2021 I realized that there are so many people who are interested in massage therapy but don't know where to go for fear of being judged, or worse, on account of their gender presentation, race, and/or size. Thus, I rebranded: Inclusive Massage East Bay (IMEB). Within 6 months my practice went from a handful of clients to fully booked 6 months in advance. Clearly, there is a need.

In May 2022 I was able to expand into a commercial office with 4 treatment rooms, and that August I was able to hire a second massage therapist. Four months later, everything came to a screeching halt. "You have cancer." I had to shut down IMEB, with no idea what would come next. With incredible support from my community, I weathered that storm. It is now time to bring IMEB back to life.

The plan is to hire multiple massage therapists and begin to develop educational resources so that other health and wellness practices can incorporate inclusive practices. Your contribution will help IMEB become a leader in the effort to make the massage industry more inclusive.


This loan is special because:

It supports a small business owner with 0%-interest, zero-fee capital.



Loan details


About Inclusive Massage East Bay

Industry: Health
Years in operation: 3 years - 5 years
Website: inclusivemassagespace.com

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Loan details