“Cuddle Up To Me” was established in 2013 as a service to provide platonic cuddling at your home. However, Samantha Hess has decided to end the program after nine years and thousands of sessions.
PORTLAND, Ore. — Samantha Hess Had just had a divorce with her high-school sweetheart. She realized that the only thing she needed was a romantic touch at the age of 28 when she started dating as an adult.
“And I realized that what I really needed was a hug. Hess stated, “I only needed a hug.”
She had an idea in 2013: to offer a hug and cuddle session to a stranger who was looking for the same kind.
Hess explained that he started by posting on social networks and telling his friends. They all said I was going mad and that I would die.
Her business was called “Cuddle Up To Me.” She created her business plan, and clients signed waivers. Within six months she was meeting her first client. It was going well.
“It took two weeks for me to have my first appointment. After six months, it was already two months before I could schedule another one. Hess explained that there was a huge need.
“Cuddle Up to Me” was originally an outpatient service that offered a housecall.
“I would visit people’s homes, movies theaters, and lots of parks. These types of services aren’t dangerous or frightening for people. I’ve never had to stop a session before it was over. Hess stated that people are kind and respectful. “People have never had the chance to see a movie with someone who wasn’t their immediate family. It’s great to be able sit down next to someone to watch a movie.
She realized that the demand for cuddling was higher than she could handle on her own after a year. In 2014, she opened her first shopfront and hired employees. She also trained them in cuddling using a program she developed.
Hess’s unique business idea was immediately in the news and even attracted the attention of producers of “America’s Got Talent”. She flew out to an audition, where she cuddled up next to host Nick Cannon and was then brought back to cuddle with Neil Patrick Harris.
“I love that this work can be silly. Hess stated, “I like to think this is inner-child work.”
Hess, who is a self-described extrovert was enjoying her work. Then, the pandemic struck.
Hess stated that the pandemic destroyed her world and she couldn’t touch it again.
She created a website to help her clients connect. virtual eye-gazing video. Hess and his partner met outside, sat apart in a park, and then moved indoors, with the windows open, as the restrictions began lifting.
Her business was reduced from a retail space measuring 4,000 sq. feet to a one-room office measuring less than 100 sq. feet.
Hess ended her 3,200-plus sessions, which lasted anywhere from 30 minutes up to five hours and cost between 80 and 100 dollars per hour.
“This business really taught my so much. She wept, and said that she was going to start crying. “The biggest lesson I learned was that every person I have met is worth loving if I took the time to see them and get to know them.”
After nine years of touching people’s lives and just listening, it is time to move on.
“Witnessing inexorable suffering and tragedy for nine-years takes its toll,” she stated. “I’ve seen life’s worth of trauma, and have held space for people going through difficult times.
Hess indicated that now she will take her time and listen to herself. She has plans to write another book.
“It’s so frustrating that I have this to go, and it’s too late. It’s time.” Hess stated.
from Salem – Salem Local News https://bit.ly/3RhVnyQ
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