I’ve never been the type to fit into a traditional box — and I always knew the 9-to-5 life wasn’t for me. I wanted freedom, purpose, and the ability to build something on my own terms. Back then, I didn’t have a word for it. Today, I know exactly what it is: entrepreneurship.
My path wasn’t linear, but every step added something essential. I studied marketing and advertising at university in Lisbon and made it to the final year — but I couldn’t picture myself boxed into a predictable office job. So I left, became a flight attendant, and leaned into a life of movement, service, and high standards. That’s also where I met my then-husband — a pilot — and as we began planning a life abroad, I knew I needed a profession that could travel with me. One that didn’t depend on language, local licenses, or validation of degrees. That’s when I trained as a beautician, with additional massage training, and shifted toward a career I could take anywhere — independent, skill-based, and hands-on.
In 2012, I moved to Shenzhen, China, where I opened my first business: a small beauty room offering aesthetic treatments. I ran it for over a year before deciding to close it shortly before the birth of my son, to fully focus on motherhood.
But stepping away from clients didn’t mean stepping away from business. Like many expats in China, I thought I’d struck gold being so close to the world’s manufacturing hub — the perfect place to start an export or e-commerce business. I registered a U.S. LLC, dove into Amazon FBA, and invested several thousand euros in inventory, shipping, licenses, taxes, tools and so on… I did the research, followed the strategies, and put in the work. Still, the business didn’t take off.
It was a hard hit. But I didn’t walk away empty-handed. That experience taught me more than any course could — about risk, systems, and what it really takes to build something sustainable.
I doubled down on learning. I spent years studying the deeper side of business: client psychology, brand consistency, retention strategies, operations, and online presence. I absorbed everything — books, podcasts, case studies, YouTube, training platforms. Slowly, I was building not just knowledge, but a clear vision of how a business should run: structured, intentional, and built to last.
Massage also became part of my daily life in China. In that culture, massage wasn’t a luxury — it was health care. I paid attention. I noticed what made the difference: presence, structure, and consistency. That shaped my standards. Without knowing exactly what I was preparing for, I was preparing.
In 2018, I moved to The Hague, Netherlands — and everything clicked. Dutch culture taught me structure, boundaries, and efficiency. It gave me the framework I didn’t know I was missing.
Then in 2019, through a completely unrelated contact, I met Zuzana — the founder of Massage Sense. She mentioned she was considering selling. This wasn’t luck. It was preparation meeting opportunity — and I was ready.
Massage Sense had a reputation for quality and integrity. I didn’t want to reinvent it. I wanted to protect what worked, improve what didn’t, and build something that would last.
I wasn’t a massage therapist, but I brought with me a strong background in aesthetics, service experience, and business strategy — plus a deep respect for the profession. My focus was clear: raise the standards, refine the systems, and build a reliable, emotionally intelligent team that clients could trust.
That team became the heart of the business. I hired people not just for their skills, but for their energy, accountability, and presence. I made it clear that we weren’t here to rush, sell, or please everyone — we were here to do things properly.
Then came 2020 — and with it, five months of forced closure due to lockdowns. No income. Full expenses. No guarantees. But our clients stayed. Many bought gift cards they couldn’t use. Others with prepaid sessions simply waited. That quiet loyalty confirmed everything we stood for: quality, care, and trust.
In 2023, I moved back to Portugal with my son. It was a big shift, but by then, the business was solid — not just because of systems, but because of the people in place. My team didn’t just support the transition — they made it work. They showed up, took ownership, and kept the quality sharp without anyone watching over their shoulder.
In 2025, we continue to evolve. From new equipment and improved aesthetics to smarter booking systems and a more streamlined website — we’re upgrading everything that matters. Our goal is to make life easier for clients, with all the information, options, and support available online — clear, efficient, and on point.
Massage Sense continues to be one of the top-rated massage practices in The Hague — not because we market louder, but because we operate better. No rushed sessions. No overbooked therapists. No cutting corners. We protect the quality of the experience from start to finish.
Some things take a few tries to get right — but when they do, they stick. For me, that’s Massage Sense. Built with intention, refined over time, and held together by people who care. You could say… third time’s a charm.
If you’re a client, you’ll notice the difference. Our sessions are crafted, not templated.
If you’re a therapist, you’ll feel the difference. Your time is respected. Your growth matters. And your work won’t go unnoticed.
Massage Sense is more than a business.
It’s a reflection of everything I stand for: presence, structure, integrity, and care — lived out through the people, the standards, and the experience we deliver.
If that speaks to you, there’s a good chance you’ll feel right at home here.
— Margarida
Owner & Director