Ledesma Terry
Desi Terry is a dedicated wellness practitioner, entrepreneur, and retired Army officer who has spent over a decade helping others improve their health and quality of life. After serving 18 years in the military, she made a transformative decision to pursue a more holistic path, driven by a desire to reduce reliance on medication and focus on long-term wellness. This journey led her to establish her business, Desi Therapy, where she has practiced massage therapy for 13 years while also offering esthetician and nail services.
Grounded in a philosophy that prioritizes whole-person care, Desi emphasizes the connection between the mind, body, and soul in achieving true wellness. While her foundation has been in physical bodywork, she is now expanding her focus to include mental health and mindfulness practices. She believes that healing begins with intentional thought, and that combining positive mindset with practices like massage and yoga can significantly enhance overall well-being. Her approach reflects a deep commitment to helping others not only feel better physically, but also develop healthier mental and emotional patterns.
Throughout her career, Desi has remained committed to service, mentorship, and community impact. In addition to running her business, she is actively involved in advocacy and support organizations, particularly those serving veterans and individuals in need. Her background in leadership, combined with her passion for holistic health, positions her as a powerful voice in the wellness space. As she continues to evolve her practice, Desi is focused on creating meaningful change by empowering others to take control of their health and discover their purpose.
• Professional Massage Therapist
• Professional Nail Technician
• Aesthetician/Esthetician and Skin Care Specialist
• Project Management
• University of South Carolina
• Southeastern Esthetics Institute
• Southeastern Institute-Columbia
• The Nail school of Manicuring
• Liberty University- M.A.
• Northern Michigan University- B.A.Sc.
• Massage Therapist of the Year
• Nationally recognized as an advocate with NOVA
• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Incorporated
• AMTA
• Girl Scouts
• Disabled Association of Veterans
• Hush No More
• Hardy Hands
• Boys & Girls Club
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to having good mentors and having good friends that were always supportive and promoting. My mentors like Dr. Vanessa Guyton, who has always given me the insight to follow my heart and make an impact on the world, and Natasha McFarland, who has kept me motivated and confident over the last 10 years. She taught me that it's not about how many people do what we do, but it's about how you do what you do, and to focus on collaboration over competition rather than feeling competitive with other people in aesthetics and massage.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've received is that it's not about how many people do what we do, but it's about how you do what you do. My mentor Natasha always talked to me about collaboration over competition, helping me never feel competitive with other people, especially being in aesthetics and massage. I've also learned to follow my heart and make an impact on the world, which has guided my professional and personal journey.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don't be afraid to try new things and bring your gifts to the world.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge in my field right now is AI, because people want instant gratification and AI can provide some of that instant gratification, but people are looking for more. As far as opportunities, there's always opportunity to learn because as human beings, we evolve every day. We're not reinventing things - massage and aesthetics have been around for years - but we evolve with how we use our tools and materials. When we know better, we do better.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in my work and personal life are collaboration over competition, mentorship and support, mindfulness, and making a meaningful humanitarian impact through service to others.