An unusual diversification.

AuthorDalby, Ron
PositionDavid's Massage Therapy and Computer Services

We couldn't resist this one. Where else but the main drag in Palmer would a storefront carry the sign "David's Massage Therapy and Computer Services," with follow-on advertising in the window offering geriatric massage, senior advocacy, Internet advertising and web-page design.

Life-long Alaskan David Baker operates this eclectic combination for the most basic of reasons. "I felt a struggling business in Palmer wouldn't be as apt to succeed as two struggling businesses in Palmer," he said.

Baker, skinny and just over six feet tall, expects to succeed. "The location is a prime location. If the business fails I can rent the building for twice what I pay for it. But I intend to be here a year from now."

Born in Juneau and raised in Anchorage, Baker came to Palmer during the boom years of the 1980s. "In 1985, my first wife and I were looking for a reasonable place to buy," he said. "We looked at a house in Palmer and it was love at first sight. More space, good schools, cleaner air, fresher water."

At the time he was doing shift work on the North Slope so his commute was minimal. He was downsized out of his Slope job in 1989, then began looking for work and dealing with unemployment. After filling out several state applications, he found a job at the Palmer Pioneer Home, first demonstrating his sincerity by volunteering to work free for a week while managers made their hiring decision.

Helping Pioneer Home residents plan and execute various activities ultimately led to his interest in massage. One client at the home would not participate in any of the events, "but she requested that I rub her feet once a day," Baker said. That led in turn to giving back rubs to the staff to help ease them through stressful days.

During this period, Baker took a 10-week course in massage therapy in Anchorage, whetting his appetite for more. He ultimately left his job at the Pioneer Home and took a one-year, full-time course in massage therapy from the Gatekey School of Mind Body Integration in Anchorage.

...

To continue reading

Request your trial

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT