My Career: ‘I love seeing customers relaxed and restored,' says holistic therapist

Name: Tracy McCarthy

Age: 55

Lives: Kinsale, Co. Cork

Job title: Founder, Naturally Balanced Wellness. I run three businesses; one is my holistic therapies, where I am an active therapist in Kinsale and Clonakilty; the second is Naturally Balanced Oils, natural oils for face and body; and the third is Naturally Sauna, face and body oils for the sauna.

Salary bracket: As a self-employed business owner, this varies from year-to-year depending on the growth and needs of the business.

Education background: I trained in holistic therapies, beauty, massage and reflexology over 18 years ago, and have continued to build on that through hands-on experience, management, education and ongoing professional development throughout my career.

Hobbies: I enjoy spending time with family, being outdoors, walking by the sea, travelling, and anything connected to wellbeing, self-care and learning.

Describe your job in five words: Calm, caring connection, healing and rooted

Describe yourself in five words: Warm, driven, curious, caring, and resilient.

Personality needed for this kind of work? A real mix of empathy, creativity, resilience and self-motivation. You need to enjoy working with people, be able to listen, and also be practical enough to make decisions, solve problems and keep moving forward when things do not go to plan.

How long are you doing this job? I founded Naturally Balanced Wellness in 2022, but have worked in holistic therapies, beauty, client care, management and education for more than 18 years.

How did you get this job? In my late thirties, after the birth of my sixth child, I decided to follow a path that had always been close to my heart. I had long been fascinated by the body’s ability to heal and restore itself, and I truly believed in the positive difference that holistic therapies could make to people’s lives.

I trained in massage, reflexology, beauty, neuromuscular therapy, body treatments and many holistic therapies and over the years I had the privilege of working with many wonderful clients.

Every treatment reinforced my passion for helping people feel better, not just physically, but emotionally. Seeing the confidence, comfort, and wellbeing that came from taking time to care for themselves inspired me to continue learning, growing, and eventually creating Naturally Balanced.

Over time, I also moved into management and education within the industry, which gave me a wider understanding of both the client experience and the business side of wellbeing. Working closely with people every day showed me that small, consistent moments of care can make a real difference.

Naturally Balanced grew from that experience. Clients often asked what they could use at home between treatments, so I began creating simple blends and products inspired by the work I was doing with them. What started as an idea rooted in hands-on client care has grown into a Kinsale-based Irish wellness brand creating body oils, face oils, essential oil blends, soaps, foot soaks, room sprays and thoughtful self-care gifts.

I still value the practical side of the work enormously. It keeps me connected to what people actually need, while Naturally Balanced allows me to bring those ideas to a wider audience through products, events, stockists and online sales.

Do you need particular qualifications or experience?

Yes. Qualifications and practical training are very important in this field, particularly in holistic therapies, massage, reflexology, beauty and skincare. Just as important is experience working directly with people. You learn so much by listening to clients, understanding their needs and building trust over time. Ongoing education is also essential, especially when you run a product-based business and need to understand areas such as ingredients, safety, retail, customer service and compliance.

Describe a day at work:

No two days are exactly the same, which is one of the things I love about it. A typical day can start with checking customer orders, messages, stock levels and plans for the week. From there, I might be preparing products, working with suppliers, organising packaging, speaking with stockists, planning an event or creating content for social media and the website.

There is also a lot of behind-the-scenes work involved in running a small business: replying to emails, looking after accounts, organising deliveries, reviewing sales, planning new ideas and making sure the customer experience feels personal from start to finish.

Some days are more client-focused through therapies and treatments, while others are focused entirely on the brand. At different times of the year, I could be preparing for a market or trade event, meeting other business owners, developing a new product or working on how Naturally Balanced can grow sustainably.

How many hours do you work a week?

Usually 40-50, although it can be more during busy periods, product launches or event weekends.

Is your industry male or female dominated? The client-facing side of holistic therapies, beauty, and wellbeing has always attracted a diverse mix, and the same is true of the retail and manufacturing side of the business, where I have enjoyed working with individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.

Does this affect you in any way?

I have found women in this industry incredibly supportive. There is a real sense of community, particularly among women who are building businesses while managing family life and other responsibilities. That said, it is important that women in business continue to be visible, confident and properly supported, especially when it comes to funding, growth opportunities and leadership.

Is your job stressful? How? Rate it on a scale of 1-10:

It can be, particularly because you are responsible for every part of the business. You are always thinking about stock, sales, customers, finances, events and the next step. I would rate it around a 7 out of 10. The pressure is real, but it is balanced by the reward of building something meaningful and seeing people genuinely connect with it.

Do you work with others or on your own?

Both. Naturally Balanced has grown through a real team effort, and I work with others across different parts of the business. At the same time, as the founder, there are many decisions and responsibilities that sit with me. Being able to collaborate while also trusting your own judgement is very important.

When do you plan to retire or give up working?

I do not see myself completely stepping away from this kind of work anytime soon. I love the people, the creativity and the sense of purpose behind it. I think the role may evolve, but I would like to continue creating, supporting clients and encouraging other women in business for as long as I can.

Best bits: Seeing a client leave a treatment feeling relaxed, restored, and cared for, or watching a customer genuinely enjoy a product we have created, is incredibly rewarding. Knowing that we have made a positive difference to someone’s wellbeing is what continues to inspire me every day.

I also love meeting people at events, hearing their stories, working with other local businesses and seeing Naturally Balanced grow from a small idea into something people recognise and trust. Being based in Kinsale and connected to West Cork gives the brand a real sense of place too.

Worst bits: The uncertainty that comes with running a small business can be challenging. There is always something to manage, whether it is stock, costs, admin, logistics or trying to make the right decision for the future. It can also be difficult to switch off, because the business is always in the back of your mind.

Advice to those who want your job? Learning the practical side of the industry before launching a business gives you invaluable experience and a much deeper understanding of what your clients truly need. Listen carefully, be prepared to start small, and allow your business to grow naturally.

You don’t need to have all the answers from day one. Building a successful business is a journey that takes time, patience, and resilience. Stay true to your values, keep your customers at the heart of every decision, and don’t be afraid to ask for advice or support.

I would also encourage anyone starting to make the most of the support available. Our Local Enterprise Office (North & West Cork) has been instrumental in our journey, providing guidance, mentoring, and opportunities that have helped us grow.

I am also a member of Cork Craft & Design, a social enterprise representing more than 110 professional makers and artists, and a fantastic organisation.

Finally, never underestimate the value of networking. Building genuine relationships with other business owners can open doors, provide encouragement, and remind you that you’re not building your business alone.

Any other comments?

I am involved in Cork Craft Month which returns this August with its biggest programme yet, featuring over 90 workshops, demonstrations, exhibitions and markets designed to connect the public directly with the county’s vibrant craft community.

I’ll be running a workshop on natural oils for face and Gua Sha techniques at Greywood Arts in Killeagh on August 21 from 7-8.30pm. Book at corkcraftanddesign.ie which contains a full programme of events.

niques at Greywood Arts in Killeagh on August 21 from 7-8.30pm. Book at corkcraftanddesign.ie which contains a full programme of events.