She’s Behind Two of Birmingham’s Most Beloved Day Spas
Meet Jill Copeland, the massage therapist behind The Retreat Day Spa and Mockingbird Day Spa. We caught up with Jill to hear about the joys and challenges of business ownership, her passion for the services they offer, and more! Image: The Retreat Day Spa
A former youth minister, Jill Copeland has always been drawn to service vocations. But once she discovered massage therapy, she knew she had found her niche. Today, she brings that same heart for service to her two sister spas, The Retreat Day Spa in Cahaba Heights, and Mockingbird Day Spa in Trussville.
The Retreat is a Certified Green Spa, recognized for its sustainability and organic products, while Mockingbird proudly stands as Trussville’s first day spa, specializing in clinical and medical esthetics. We caught up with Jill to learn more about her journey, her passion for wellness, and what makes these two spas so special.
First, what brought you to Birmingham?
We moved from Birmingham to Alexander City when I was two years old. I lived there until I graduated high school and then moved to Auburn. After graduation, I worked briefly as an Episcopal youth minister in Montgomery before deciding to move back to Birmingham and attend the Red Mountain Institute for the Healing Arts to become a massage therapist in 2002.
How did you find your way to massage therapy?
I was at a loss for what I wanted to do with my life, and one day, in quiet reflection, I decided to research massage schools. I toured Red Mountain a few days later and signed up for their next class, which was starting within a few weeks. I got all the validation I needed when I realized their logo matched a vision I had six months before even moving to Birmingham or considering a career in massage therapy.
Tell us about taking ownership of The Retreat Day Spa. Was that a scary move, or one you were ready for?
Taking ownership of The Retreat was a stressful time in my life, as my children were only two and six years old. When I initially took it over, things seemed easy enough in the 800-square-foot, two-room spa, but that quickly shifted, and I realized I had to move and grow quickly. Within a year, with no prior experience in buildouts, I had created a 2,300-square-foot, six-plus-room operation in Cahaba Heights. And it all turned out beautifully!
What led to opening the second spa, Mockingbird Day Spa?
In those first years in Cahaba Heights, I realized what an important role businesses play in the community. I loved the relationships I made with both clients and other business owners, and I knew when the time was right, I wanted to recreate that in my community of Trussville.
Does each spa have a distinct “personality”?
We consider Mockingbird Day Spa the moody half-sister of The Retreat. Both spas are beautiful and relaxing, but Retreat has a bright, uplifting vibe with minimal decor, and Mockingbird has a dark, antique library feel inspired by my business partner, Brittany Martin. The Retreat maintains the goal of being an Organic Spa while Mockingbird delves more into clinical and medical esthetics (such as chemical peels, Botox, and permanent makeup).
For those who are unfamiliar, can you briefly explain your areas of massage expertise: CranioSacral therapy, Visceral Manipulation, and Fertility Massage?
Shortly after graduation, I started taking classes in CranioSacral therapy, where I learned that a light touch can have an incredible impact on the body — specifically on the nervous system and supporting the body in self-healing. Visceral Manipulation came as a natural addition, learning to feel for the movement and vitality of the organs and encourage them into a healthier rhythm and range of motion.
After taking a Fertility Massage Specialist course, I realized just how powerful the combination of skills would be in helping women achieve healthy pregnancies. It has been the most rewarding aspect of my career. Over the past 10 years, I have helped dozens of women conceive and carry to term. I’ve worked with women in all stages of the process, from trying to conceive to beginning medical interventions, all the way up to IVF with donor embryos.
What do you like to do when you’re not working?
I feel like I’m always working or tending to my kids, now 13 and nine. I try to squeeze in porch time with my girlfriends, because that is what feeds my soul. When I find the time, I love wandering down to the Cahaba River in Trussville and wading in to look for fossils.
Who or what is inspiring you right now?
I’m finally finding time to be in the kitchen again after years of being too busy and overwhelmed. I’ve been stockpiling the Lazy Girl High Protein recipes from StyleBlueprint!
What is your best piece of advice?
Never stretch a spasm. Don’t push against the protective mechanisms of your body. Most issues will resolve when given the space and time to calm and heal. Our society has taught us to jump in and fix things by stretching and pushing through pain, but our bodies are designed to self-heal.
LIGHTNING ROUND!
Three things you can’t live without: The Turmeric Energizing Treatment from Eminence Organic Skin Care, my morning coffee from local Higher Ground Organic Roasters, and my Joe Purdy playlist on long drives in the country.
Last delicious local meal: Ramen from Umami
Favorite place to vacation: Mentone, Alabama
Your go-to gift to give: A spa gift certificate!
Book(s) on your bedside table: Winter Garden by Kristen Hannah and Being Mortal by Atul Gawande
This article contains product affiliate links. We may receive a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links.
**********
Birmingham women are doing inspiring work. Meet more of them over at our FACES archives!
Katie Leigh Matthews
A Birmingham native, Katie is a lifelong waterfall chaser and is passionate about the outdoors. She also loves connecting with remarkable women in the Birmingham community and bringing their stories to life. Katie has been writing professionally for over six years; you can find more of her work at Moms.com and Islands.com.