From the outside, a small yellow house illuminates a cozy atmosphere in the heart of downtown Bastrop. Three businesses call the building home: Admiring You Wellness, True Massage and Wellness and Christopher Andrew Hair.
Admiring You Wellness
Owner of Admiring You Wellness Isabel Meijering opened the practice in Austin in 2020 before moving to Bastrop in 2022. The business offers cupping therapy, acupuncture, life coaching and microneedling, as stated on its website.
“The people here are so loyal and kind and just ready for different experiences than what they've had in terms of health and in the medical system,” Meijering said. "It's been really fun to get to know the community but also to educate and provide services that haven't been here for all that long.”
Meijering won the title Best of Bastrop Acupuncturist in October 2024. She said her combination of emotional and physical health helps her business stand apart in the wellness community.
“I love to blend acupuncture, cupping or herbs with also working on whatever is happening in your mind—limiting beliefs, working on releasing old stagnant emotions,” Meijering said. “It’s a really fun and creative blend of modalities to get a well-rounded approach that I don’t always see with practitioners.”
Meijering provides free 15-minute consultations for new clients who are interested in learning how her holistic approach can be used for any healing or wellness situations they are experiencing.
True Massage and Wellness
Sara Walli, owner of True Massage and Wellness, offers clients four types of massages: prenatal, integrative, manual lymphatic drainage and a mini-massage for pre-existing clients. She said she focuses on creating a comfortable atmosphere for her work to help clients feel supported in their wellness journey.
“Massage is a way for people to come together as the best version of themselves and it’s a peaceful energy,” Walli said.
Despite being located in the same building, Walli said each business owner creates their own environment in their respective spaces to differentiate themselves from one another.
“Each of our rooms has a different theme, so my room is different from the rest of the building,” Walli said. “Once you come in you don’t even feel like you’re in the regular world, which is what I wanted.”
Christopher Andrew Hair
Founded in 2017, Christopher Andrew Hair built up a word-of-mouth clientele and connected with the other Awaken Bastrop business owners to expand into the shared space. He offers a unique holistic haircare experience and energetic hairdressing alongside a full-service salon that offers everything but relaxers and perms.
“Energetic hairdressing is just a modality of all versions of energy healing,” Andrew said. “There are over 250,000 versions, kind of a combination of Reiki and color healing.”
Andrew works with his clients from start to finish and focuses on their overall hair and scalp health.
“[Scalp Therapy] is something kind of new popping up in the beauty industry, taking time to slow down and making sure that we're focusing on the actual skin care and health of the scalp because that's the root of everything,” Andrew said.
The products also stand out at Christopher Andrew Hair, by not including ammonia, heavy smells, or anything too agitating to clientele. Andrew said he also offers holistic wellness services including aromatherapy, energy work and sound healing while clients are in the shampoo bowl for a well-rounded experience.
The impact
The Bastrop community has been positively receptive to the collective with customers approaching each business with an open mind, Walli said.
“We definitely have some curious people come in and we have a high return rate, like once they try massage or acupuncture or hair, I see their face again,” Walli said.
Andrew said the community can learn about the business collective's goal in the community through their mission statement:
“The mission of Awaken Bastrop is to create a unique sanctuary for the community to come, where we focus on holistic wellness, beauty and spiritual and personal growth, Andrew said. “We’re dedicated to nurturing and empowering individual's unique paths toward self-discovery, healing and their unique purpose. Through a fusion of diverse services and a welcoming atmosphere, Awaken Bastrop aims to uplift and support its community, fostering a space where guests can find solace, connection and transformative experiences. The mission is rooted in promoting a collective commitment to making a positive impact on individual lives and the world at large, guided by compassion, authenticity, and a dedication to holistic well-being.”
Looking forward
When asked what the future hopes for Awaken Bastrop are, Walli and Andrew said the group hopes to continue their work in the local community.
“Just keep growing individually as our own businesses and collectively keep taking care of people,” Walli said.
- 1003 Jefferson St., Bastrop
- www.awakenbastrop.com
