heather
human resources & facilities specialist
joined bijin in 2006 and rejoined in 2023
Heather attended the University of Kansas and JCCC studying sociology and criminology. While attending college, she decided that she wanted follow her passion for helping people — that this was her true north. Realizing she had a gift and love of massage from a very young age (friends and family can attest!), she elected to head down that path.
Heather graduated from Massage Therapy Training Institute in KCMO. After practicing massage at a local hospital and chiropractor for a number of years, she joined the bijin massage team in 2006 and for 11 years as the Lead Massage Therapist. She was instrumental in introducing Hot Stone massage, the Heads, Hands and Feet Service as well as bijin’s Melt Away product. She also traveled to Kripalu, in Massachusetts, to study Ayurvedic Massage.
When the pandemic hit in 2020, Heather decided to retire from massage after 20 years and refocus on a new career path. Eventually, she landed at a startup company and helped it expand to three locations in three years. In her role, she wore many hats but ultimately landed in the HR position where she found her passion again — helping people. Admitting that she always wanted to return to bijin, the stars aligned in 2023 and she is thrilled to return as HR Specialist. Her can-do spirit and caring nature make her a wonderful addition to the team — she’s a listener, a hard worker and loves to be there for people. “I am very excited to work with a strong team of women again. I feel like I’ve come home!”
Fun fact: “When I was a kid, I was playing in a neighbor’s treehouse that was very high up in the tree. I fell out and landed in the bushes below. I thought I broke my leg so I jumped up, hurdled the fence and ran all the way home screaming, “MOM! I broke my leg! I broke my leg!” Needless to say, the running proved to my mom and friends that I was fine!”