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Building a Successful Holistic Business

Tuesday, August 26, 2025, 04:05 PM

Member Spotlight: Jel Rasri

When Chewaporn "Jel" Rasri moved to Canada 18 years ago, starting a business wasn't part of the plan, let alone in holistic health. But a sudden need to support her mother's health, a natural love for connecting with people, and a lot of persistence turned a passion into a career.

Today, Jel runs a thriving holistic health business that serves a loyal and growing client base across 13 locations. She regularly stands as an esteemed Thai massage judge in international competitions.

We sat down with Jel to learn how she navigated the early days, grew her business, and why it's never too late to build something meaningful — especially when it helps others feel their best.

Jel Rasri at a WMF event surrounded by media

Jel's Beginning

Jel immigrated from Thailand in 2007, where she spent many years as a successful chef running a restaurant. While she pursued training in Thai massage back in 1999, she didn't initially plan for a career in holistic health.

It was when her mom started to experience intense pain that Jel dove in fully. While her mom waited for surgery, Jel got to work, performing Thai massage and other techniques to help ease her pain — and it worked.

Her mother's pain subsided, and it opened Jel's eyes to a new opportunity. "I thought, wow, I can really help people," she says.

Caring for others always felt natural to Jel, and Thai massage became her true calling.

In 2010, Jel joined the NHPC. Four years later, she opened the first Soul2Sole Massage & Wellness Clinic in Edmonton, Alberta.

Building a Business from the Ground Up

As many small business owners can relate, it wasn't a straightforward path to opening the doors. Jel credits the support of the community for helping her business thrive, along with being part of a professional association like the NHPC to help her build credibility.

While there are many paths to success, Jel found that dedicating time to getting to know her client's needs and offering a flexible schedule were large reasons for growing lasting relationships.

"I even came in on Christmas Day one year for an emergency session," she laughs.

Speaking with Jel, you can see why her clients love her. She has a contagious energy, but she is also a savvy businesswoman who takes her position seriously — she strives for consistent, quality care across all clinics, ensuring each therapist she hires is well trained and equipped to succeed.

Supporting other practitioners has been an added plus, as Jel finds inspiration and purpose in helping new practitioners build their careers. 

Soul2Sole employs 100 practitioners across 13 Alberta locations. Jel is expanding into Ontario and BC next.

"I never imagined the business would expand like it has," Jel says. Soul2Sole now offers sports massage, craniosacral therapy, Thai stem compress, stone therapy, myofascial cupping, prenatal massage, and more.

Creating a Niche

Jel knew she had to make her business stand out to ensure lasting success. She's proud to bring authentic Thai healing to her community, where people can experience real Thai massage.

"Combining modalities makes us unique," she explains. The combination of deep tissue techniques with Thai massage has been a powerful and popular offering. They work in tandem to support the client's treatment goals.

Thai massage helps open circulation and mobility, preparing the body to allow deep tissue techniques to be more effective and less painful. Deep tissue techniques ground the treatment by addressing underlying muscular issues.

The result is a treatment that relieves tension, promotes balance, and improves mobility.

A Thai massage practitioner uses their elbow to work on a client

Advice for Other Practitioners

Jel's advice is simple: "Build your business with heart, stay true to your values, and surround yourself with people who support your vision."

She adds that your career doesn't need to stop at the treatment room — get out in the community! Engage in local events, whether it be volunteering at a local marathon or attending an international competition.

A cover of a magazine featuring Jel

Jel just served as a judge in Bangkok, Thailand, at the Thailand International Nuad Thai Championship 2025. The event showcases top practitioners from around the world, highlighting various Thai massage categories and promoting traditional Thai healing arts globally.

Jel enjoys attending events like this to connect with other passionate practitioners and she looks forward to the next one. As President of the Universal Thai Wellness Association (UTWA), she'll be hosting the UTWA –  World Thai Wellness Championships 2025 alongside her team at West Edmonton Mall on September 26 and 27.

Jel sitting as a judge on Thai massage

Holistic health care doesn't need to be a first career. It's never too late to begin, and NHPC is here to help you from the start, no matter when that beginning is.

Jel's Quick Tips for Success:

  • Follow your passion.
  • Expand your offerings.
  • Get out to community events.
  • Find what makes your practice unique.
  • Be part of a community that supports you, like the NHPC.
Jel Rasri

Connect With Jel

Jel invites you to keep up with her on Soul2Sole's social media and reach out to her at jel@soul2solestudio.com with any questions about Thai massage or starting a business. She enjoys helping other practitioners any way she can.

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