Meet Helen Pacheco

We were lucky to catch up with Helen Pacheco recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Helen, great to have you with us today and excited to have you share your wisdom with our readers. Over the years, after speaking with countless do-ers, makers, builders, entrepreneurs, artists and more we’ve noticed that the ability to take risks is central to almost all stories of triumph and so we’re really interested in hearing about your journey with risk and how you developed your risk-taking ability.

I’ve always had an entrepreneurial mindset. I knew that if I was going to give 100% of my time and energy, it had to be toward building something of my own. Something where I could grow, serve, and truly reap the rewards.

Starting my luxury mobile massage business was a huge leap. I left lower-paying, more “secure” work with no plan B and built something from scratch. But honestly, the real risks have shown up in the everyday. Saying yes to a client or turning one down, raising my prices, creating new services. Every decision feels like a small gamble with long-term impact. That’s where my fear used to live.

And some risks didn’t work out. Like prioritizing high-demand clients that ended up costing me others. I’ve made mistakes, but I’ve learned. I’ve grown stronger.

Now, I don’t let fear make my choices. I take risks with intention because I know who I am and what I’m building. Even when it’s uncomfortable, I remind myself: I didn’t come this far to play small.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’m the founder of Calma Vida by Helen, a luxury mobile massage brand rooted in deep care, intuitive touch, and intentional healing. I bring the experience directly to my clients, creating calm, ease, and sanctuary in the comfort of their own space.

What makes Calma Vida unique is the soul behind it. Every part of my work is intentional, from the aromatherapy I blend to the signature rituals I design using high-end products like Hair Rituel by Sisley. I specialize in therapeutic, deep tissue, lymphatic, prenatal, and postpartum massage. Every session is crafted to meet my clients exactly where they are — physically, emotionally, and energetically.

What started as just me, a massage table, and a belief that I could build something meaningful has now become a trusted experience for so many. As a mother, a solo business owner, and someone who drives across cities to serve, this brand is my heart and hustle combined. I’ve built Calma Vida from scratch with no outside funding, just purpose, persistence, and passion.

Right now, I’m especially excited to be offering my newest ritual, The Velvet Dusk Ritual, designed for those struggling with burnout, overstimulation, or simply in need of deep rest. It includes a layered sensory experience, a weighted eye mask, tension release work, and calming techniques that guide the body into deep relaxation.
I’m also expanding my membership options so my loyal clients can receive regular care with added value. This isn’t just massage. Calma Vida is about supporting people in feeling good in their bodies, minds, and lives. That’s what I’m building: one session, one connection, one experience at a time.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, I’d say the three most impactful qualities in my journey have been resilience, a deep understanding of human anatomy, and the ability to adapt with intuition.

Resilience, paired with a positive mindset, has carried me through the natural highs and lows of running a business. I’ve learned to embrace challenges as opportunities rather than setbacks, which allows me to keep showing up for my clients and my vision even when things feel uncertain. Protecting my mindset is just as important as protecting my business because the two are deeply connected.

My background and degree in physical therapy have also been invaluable. Having a thorough understanding of human anatomy means my treatments are more than just surface-level relaxation. They are intentional, targeted, and grounded in knowledge of how the body truly works. This gives me the ability to customize each session in a way that supports both healing and long-term well-being.

Finally, adaptability and intuition have been essential. No two clients or sessions are ever the same. Being able to read a client’s needs, whether they say it directly or communicate it through their body language, allows me to adjust my approach in the moment. That flexibility creates a deeper sense of trust and connection, which is at the heart of the work I do.

For those starting their own journey, my advice is simple: protect and train your mindset daily, invest in your education so your skills stand out, and practice being fully present with the people you serve. The combination of those three will carry you further than you can imagine.

What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?

In the past 12 months, my most meaningful growth has been in attracting clients who deeply respect my time, trust my process, and genuinely value the work I offer. The services themselves have always been rooted in excellence, but there’s something powerful about working with individuals who fully align with the intention, care, and energy behind every session.

This shift came from honoring my own boundaries and recognizing that the quality of a client relationship directly impacts the quality of their experience. I’ve been more intentional about who I welcome into my space, and as a result, the work feels more fulfilling for both myself and the people I serve.

One area that continues to distinguish my work is my specialized approach to lymphatic massage, which has become a signature offering within my practice. Whether clients seek post-surgical support, detoxification, or advanced contouring, they come to me for results that are both visible and deeply restorative. This technique has become a trusted essential for those who value precision, privacy, and results that speak for themselves.

At the core of everything is humility and purpose. I see my work as a quiet, deeply personal form of care, and staying grounded in that has helped me grow a business that’s both intentional and sustainable.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.calmavidabyhelen.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/calmavidabyhelen?igsh=MTJ3dDYzazNucWRyZw==
• Yelp: https://yelp.to/B1JppOAXfM

Image Credits

Calma Vida by Helen