Who hasn’t at one point dreamed of opening a business with their best friend? For Albert Lea residents Brooke Leedom and Mady Blanchard, this isn’t just a dream — it’s real life.
Leedom owns Rest & Restore Massage Studio, and Blanchard owns Skindalous Esthetics, both at 123 S. Newton Ave. in Albert Lea, next to the post office.
Leedom has been a massage therapist for the past 11 years, training at Riverland Community College in Austin. She has spent the past 10 years at a clinic in Austin. She moved into her own space in Albert Lea in August.
Leedom said she specializes in deep tissue massage, Swedish massage, orthopedic cupping and lymphatic draining for post-operative patients. Right now she is doing some continuing education to be certified to treat TMJ disorder and facial cupping as well.
Having recently become the mother of twin girls, Leedom said she was looking to open a massage studio that would allow her more flexibility for her schedule, her husband’s schedule, and the schedules of her children as they get older.
Blanchard, a licensed esthetician, has been doing skin care in Albert Lea for three years. She said she got her basic esthetician training at Nova Academy of Cosmetology in Rochester. Later, she became one of the first advanced practice estheticians to graduate from the program at Riverland, she said.
She began practicing at Daisy Blue, focusing on holistic and natural skincare remedies. Now, as an advanced practice esthetician, she also offers chemical peels, dermal cleaning and other services.
One of her most popular services is the head spa, which she said has gained popularity from Tik Tok. There are not a lot of head spa practices in the area, she said, the closest being around the Twin Cities and Mankato.
Skindalous Aesthetics also offers luxury pedicures.
Leedom said Blanchard reached out to her when they were both looking to open their own locations.
