Felicia Brown, LMBT, Marketing Consultant

Felicia Brown, LMBT

Felicia Brown, is the owner of Spalutions! and provides continuing education, business consulting and marketing coaching for massage and spa professionals. She is a sought-after public speaker with appearances at many national and international spa and massage conferences. Felicia is also a licensed massage therapist, Certified Guerrilla Marketing Coach and NCBTMB Approved Provider.



Felicia has been featured in numerous trade publications including DAYSPA, Spa Magazine, Skin, Inc., Massage Therapy Journal, Massage Magazine, Massage & Bodywork, Spa Management Journal, Spa Business and Dermascope. She is the Membership Chairman of the Day Spa Association and provides free business advice on her blog (http://blog.spalutions.com). She has also won numerous awards including 2009 Spa Person of the Year (Day Spa Association) and 2005 Small Business Person of the Year (Greensboro Chamber of Commerce). She also received National Volunteer Committee of the Year (American Massage Therapy Association.)



Felicia is passionate about inspiring others in and out of the spa industry. Her personal philosophy of engaging in “cooperative competition” and sharing her knowledge and experience with others has been a cornerstone of her career since becoming a massage therapist in 1994. Felicia continues to apply this way of thinking in her coaching, consulting and teaching as well as her work with the Massage World Record project. “I love the potential this event has to make an impact on massage therapy and causes like Susan G Komen Foundation. I also love the enthusiasm of the founders!” -Felicia Brown

It doesn’t seem like a ‘big deal’ to most people, but to massage therapy professionals, what’s been developing in Nevada could become a huge advancement for license portability and promotion of industry standards that are becoming more congruent from state to state as time moves on.

MWR Project Inc has had and continues to have the privilege of working with the Nevada State Board of Massage Therapists (NSBMT) on developing fair and systematically-beneficial rules that have integrity for license Applicants and massage-receiving Public alike regarding charitable events in Nevada.

Reasoning for Jurisdictional Licensing

The main responsibility of and reason the NSBMT was born is to protect the Public – to promote Public Safety where the purveyance and conveyance of massage therapy modalities is concerned…in every place in the state of Nevada.

Nevada has its challenges:  illegal prostitution using the massage therapy industry as a front, human trafficking is rampant in Sin City (Southern Nevada), and regulation of a large resort spa industry consumes the time and resources of a relatively new Board in the Nevada State government system – only 5 years old.

When one talks about portability – like the ‘import’ of, from another state – the NSBMT takes an administrative look and puts every new & transferring-in applicant under the microscope.  It is their responsibility to Public Safety that demands that all ‘I’s are dotted and ‘t’s are crossed.

MWR Project’s Interest in Nevada’s Massage Law

One of the subjects of massage law that concerns the MWR Project and its subsequent Petition to the NSBMT regards performance of massage at charitable events by out-of-state licensed massage therapists.

There are written massage laws in other states, more or less regulated, that explicitly and in detail state the role of an out-of-state therapist that practices in their state; most states with the “charitable” laws already written favor charitable performance of massage therapy by LMTs licensed in other states.  Nevada’s law is not currently written as favorably regarding accessibility of the Nevada jurisdiction for out-of-state licensed professionals to perform massage, specifically for charitable purposes.

It has been a necessity for the Project to adhere to state massage law and, moreover, a desire to be in line with the jurisdictional Board of Nevada and local business license departments has led MWR Project to Petition the NV State Board.

In its June 11th Petition, and on behalf of the Project, David Otto requested that a policy or process be devised that produces, on behalf of the NSBMT, a list of NSBMT-approved LMTs from other states to perform massage therapy on the Public attending their charitable, nonprofit-oriented Event.

What has been concluded by the NSBMT is that there is a POSSIBILITY and, now, a PROBABILITY that the massage law in Nevada may allow out-of-state, state-licensed and qualifying massage therapists.  A Temporary License Policy for out-of-state massage therapists is currently in the vetting stage, and a formal presentation and vote by the Board is intended to commence and bear fruit in the NSBMT’s October 2010 Public meeting.

Why a ‘Temporary License’?

There are several key factors that legally complicate MWR Project’s Main Event – work with us for a minute: the logical conclusion will make sense:

The purpose of law is to protect the Public – the purpose of regulation is to enforce the law, which protects the Public.  Assuming all Massage Practitioners follow the Massage Law, the Public is safe.  So who can be a Massage Practitioner?  The Board decides through an application process, which evaluates moral fiber, competency, and intent to follow the massage law once the applicant is licensed.  Renewal of a license also depends on these things.

An event like the Massage World Record Attempt of “Most Simultaneous Massages Performed” connotes a large effort: possibly in the scope of “the World,” to be exact.  Well, Nevada Massage Law does not allow the (unauthorized) World to come in and practice.  And, until a few days ago, it hadn’t considered anyone outside the state of Nevada to be legally able to practice massage in Nevada, without their entire process being completed successfully – proof of credentials, Federal background check, financial commitment, and time are the main costs associated with the Nevada process.

(TENTATIVE) Logical Conclusion:  Now, the result of a concerted effort of the Board members and Administrative Staff and David’s Petition, there is a Temporary License Policy for charitable events being considered, and, upon final review and approval of the NSBMT, the Policy will determine that, in so many words, any out-of-state state-licensed massage therapist that meets the minimum requirements of Nevada’s application regarding number of education hours (at a minimum, and yet to be determined) WILL BE ABLE to apply for a Temporary (90-day) license to perform massage at [registered] Nonprofit Organizations’ events where touching the Public is part of the intent.

Portability = Possibility

If you consider portability’s definition, MWR Project has only brought to the attention of the NSBMT the POSSIBILITIES of a collaboration of State Boards of Massage Therapy – the NSBMT has done a wonderful thing by considering (and finally approving in October 2010, fingers crossed!), deriving policy, and applying the principle of (im)portability of comparable State massage therapy licenses.

This could not be closer to the intent of MWR Project to increase the visibility locally and participation nationally of massage therapists from all over the country!

Some More FAQs

Here are some facts we know and can ascertain will most likely be true:

• Washington, D.C. & the 50 U.S. States’ LMTs will be able to apply through a process mediated by the Nonprofit Organization [MWR Project Inc, in our case] and the license will be applicable only to this Event, in May 2011.
• Unless otherwise noted (please contact MWR Project with questions), a list of states/jurisdictions will be supplied by the NSBMT and constantly updated to the Project that will be communicated to those LMTs expressing interest as to each LMTs eligibility for Temporary License.
• Current state licenses (at the time of the Event, e.g. “through May 2011”) will be required during the application process.  This means that up to 3 months before the Event, we anticipate your needing a current (“good through May 2011”) state license in order to be eligible to receive your Temporary Nevada Massage Therapist license.
• Based on the NSBMT’s activity in moving this Policy development rather quickly and steadily, we anticipate Registration for all U.S. LMTs to perform at this event to be OPEN in late October 2010.

Future FAQs

There will be more details as the Policy is finally unfolded, written, and lays out the “A, B, Cs” of how this pilot Policy and flagship Event will work with the NSBMT to “make it so”- so everyone is protected and covered.  Please keep an eye out for the October 15^th decision, announcements, and updates that pertain to your performing massage in Nevada if you are a state-licensed out-of(-Nevada)-state massage therapist.  Keep up with the news through MWR Project’s RSS Feed (direct to your Inbox) or express your interest in being a massage therapist at the BIGGEST massage ever™!

We would like to mention that the process takes time – and that time is favored when considering Public Safety – solid processes and decisions are not easily made when many people are involved and/or affected.  All probabilities, challenges, and solutions have been derived and addressed in a well-thought-out and comprehensive Policy that considers all parties the process of regulating charitable application of massage therapy.

Thank  you

MWR Project would like to thank each Board Member for considering and HAVING this conversation.  We would also like to especially thank Lisa Cooper, Executive Director for the NSBMT, for hand-developing the currently-considered and –developing Policy that allows qualified and eligible Licensed Massage Therapists from other U.S. jurisdictions to practice in Nevada.  Without the integrity of the process being upheld by Lisa and all the current Board Members alike, the process would be lost and POSSIBILITIES would never become REALITIES.

And thank YOU for reading this: your interest in reading this whole article has just signed you up to PARTICIPATE in the BIGGEST massage ever™!

• Secure the Venue
• Understand fully what licensure is required for every body in the room
• Know what dates which permissions/policies go into effect, in time for this event

On August 13^th, 2010, the NSBMT is meeting and David’s petition will be addressed pertaining to such permissions. These proposed policies have been in the “draft box” for some time, as discussions take place about changes within our legislation, revisions made, loop holes considered. We were informed that a goal for this meeting was to have such a policy written which allows out-of-state practitioners, who currently hold a valid license within their state, to perform therapeutic massage at charitable events in Nevada.



We are very excited about this potential decision, as it meets two of the three goals listed.  When we open registration upon securing the venue, it will be possible to post update information, such as numbers of therapists, clients, vendors and sponsors enrolled, and begin to create the BIGGEST massage ever.



Please write to us if you have questions about your performing a massage at this unique Event – we’d be happy to get you “in the know” about how you may participate!

Call Nathan at (503)706-2480 to book your special MWR Project rate!

Nathan, You, and all the people who you tell about this Project – THANK YOU!

The Las Vegas Youth Orchestras facilitate an after school program to develop the desire and talent of promising and budding musicians – for over 25 years now.  The LVYO works closely with the Clark County School District; MWR Project believes that the Southern Nevada Public, Parents, and FANS of music and these dedicated students is where we’d like to focus a partnership – a complimentary association that adds a positive dynamic to the experience of massage and healing.

It has been part of the Vision of the Project to have LIVE music playing during the Attempt at the BIGGEST massage ever:  the official Guinness World Record® Attempt at the Most Simultaneous Massages Performed.  We believe music therapy has a growing affect on clients of massage therapy and patients who are looking for additional ways to enhance the healing properties of combining holistic, healing methods of touch & music.

Gayla has been working diligently to bring the philosophies, pragmatism, and presentation of a large-scale production to be a part of the Event we’re naming the Massage World Record project, and that honors the Mission of the LVYO to support it’s members and beneficiaries.

We can think of no better way to make your massage more enjoyable and productive – physically, mentally, and spiritually – than to experience the combined effects of therapeutic massage and live, master performances by an 88-piece Las Vegas Youth Orchestra.

We are very excited to announce that the Las Vegas Youth Orchestras organization agrees…and that they’ve committed to perform at our proposed May 8, 2011, Event!  Please read below for their PRESS RELEASE:

LVYP @Artemis Ham Hall, UNLV - Winter Concert

The Las Vegas Youth Philharmonic (LVYP) announces their partnership in support of the MWR Project, Inc.  LVYP encourages participation by all in voting every day during the Pepsi Challenge Voting Campaign to win the Pepsi Challenge grant!

The LVYP is pleased to participate during MWR’s main Event of the Attempt at the Most Simultaneous Massage Therapy Sessions Performed, sanctioned by the Guinness World Record organization, in May 2011.  The orchestra will perform during the event.

The Las Vegas Youth Philharmonic, (Charles A. Jackson-Music Director) is the topmost level of a 4-tiered youth orchestra.  With over 300 students enrolled, the after-school program has served southern Nevada for over 25 years.  The LVYP has received global recognition with their European Tour of 2008 where the students performed at the world-class venues in Salzburg, Vienna and Prague.  The orchestra is currently preparing for their next tour to China in June of 2011.  For more information about the LVYP go to the website www.lvyo.org or email friends@lvyo.org.



Thank you, LVYO, Bev Patton, Chuck Jackson, and Hal Weller, for affording us the opportunity to work with you and your students & Musicians!

Kim Moffatt, LMT, Therapist Coordinator

Kim Moffatt, LMT NCTMB

Kim brings on board her 5 years of experience in working with nonprofit organizations in San Diego, CA.  She has been a Licensed Massage Therapist for the past 7 years. She’s contributed to the massage education of others in her position as a Classroom Manager and Teacher Assistant at her alma mater, the Nevada School of Massage Therapy.  Kim spent over a year in the South Pacific, Kwajalein, Marshall Islands, where she worked as a civilian on an Army Military Base; she had the honor being able to touch many enlisted men and women as well as Marshallese natives and government employees.  Her experience as a Massage Director at a Las Vegas day spa has assisted her in successfully operating her private practice.  Her passion lies in teaching each client more about themselves by incorporating Cranio-Sacral Therapy, SomatoEmotional Release (SER), or Lymphatic Drainage in her massage and bodywork. And for infants and toddlers, she’s seen first-hand the incredible results using Cranio-Sacral for her pediatric clients.

Kim welcomes the opportunity working on the MWR project.  “The awareness this project will bring to the public eye is huge.  To educate the importance on how massages can benefit their bodies and having it be a part of their healthy lifestyle.” – Kim Moffatt

The collaboration is an effort to promote and benefit the massage therapy industry that is building a veritable warehouse of information designed to support the viability of massage therapy as a healthy choice for many people. Considerations in delivering a massage therapy session are always a concern of the informed practitioner, but information about how, when, why, and by what method to deliver massage is not available from just one source.

MWR Project supports the MTF as the future of the massage therapy industry’s Messenger, a resource and repository of scientifically-studied, -developed, and -supported documentation of real-life applications for considerations in massage therapy, for the massage practitioner and the general public.

It is with a collaborative & on-going spirit of commitment that MWR Project announces their work with the Massage Therapy Foundation. Their goal is to raise and donate a portion of the net profits raised through each Massage World Record Event to a foundation that strives to improve and ever-substantiate the need for massage therapy in the health care and wellness industries as an adjunct choice and well-documented, results-oriented mode of healing.

About the Massage Therapy Foundation: “The Massage Therapy Foundation advances the knowledge and practice of massage therapy by supporting scientific research, education, and community service. Goals: 1. Advance research on therapeutic massage and bodywork; 2. Foster massage therapy initiatives that serve populations in need; 3. Promote research literacy and capacity in the profession; 4. Support the evidence-informed practice of therapeutic massage and bodywork based upon available research, client factors, and practitioner experience and judgment; and, 5. Fortify the Foundation’s financial resources and organizational effectiveness.” Visit the Massage Therapy Foundation’s website for more information.

Berea, KY – June 17, 2010:

Ryan Hoyme, aka “the Massage Nerd”, was gracious and connected with MWR Project Inc at the World Massage Festival for a live broadcast on his internet BlogTV show. This was the first time David and Gayla have done a video interview for MWR Project Inc and were very excited to ‘be present’ at the Festival and on Ryan’s live show.

You may click through to Massage Nerd’s YouTube channel to view more of his interviews with massage industry professionals and companies.

Ryan Hoyme is a massage therapist and massage therapy Instructor in Minnesota – he is the Producer (and Director) of his industry-famous, weekly, live internet show about everything Massage Therapy. He’s been the Massage Nerd, producing the show, and making himself available to promote massage industry businesses and people for 5 years. His website and YouTube channel are among the most-visited massage therapy sites on the internet. Check out his website at www.MassageNerd.com for a plethora of information that will satisfy even the voracious massage therapy information appetite!

Laura Stendel, Therapist Coordinator

Laura Stendel, BA, LMT

Laura complements the project by bringing her 3+ years of massage therapist managing skills and 5+ years of massage therapy passion to the table. Laura is a Licensed Massage Therapist and the Regional Director of Operations for Casino’ssage Inc. She also co-Organizes the Las Vegas Massage Therapy Meetup® group since May of 2008, is an Advisory Board Member for Anthem Institute’s Massage Therapy Program, and is a Professional Member of the American Massage Therapy Association. She is voted the National Association of Professional Women’s (NAPW) VIP Woman of the Year in 2009 and 2010, and is an active member of the Las Vegas Spa Association (LVSA) for 3 years.
Laura attended California State University – San Marcos, and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. Laura’s dedication to leading and educating massage therapist colleagues is evident in her participation in and promotion of all the groups in which she takes part and actively manages – she lends a sense of integrity and professionalism to every massage therapy venture of which she is a part, and is very enthusiastic about the Massage World Record project.
“I want to work with the Massage World Record project because it’s new and exciting; being an organizer and a therapist, it gives me an incredible opportunity to give my talents.”