Founder/Owner of Deeper Kneads; Licensed Massage Therapist

Penny Harner received her license in August 2002, from Hands on Therapy School of Massage in Tyler, TX. She worked for a few years in Nacogdoches. In 2008, she began working at Helping Hands Chiropractic with Dr. Karen Austin, D.C. She remained with Dr. Austin until June of 2017 when the practice was sold and began working at KH Fitness the subsequent November. 

She moved inside Physical Therapy Services called PT Solutions May 2018 when KH Fitness closed and eventually set up shop inside of a personal training gym while the business grew in numbers.

Deeper Kneads most recent move established Penny in a full Spa/Office space of her own to accommodate the growth and evolution of her “small business”.

Penny is a devoted mother to a brilliant little boy, she’s a loving daughter, dedicated leader and wonderful friend. She enjoys spending her free time with her kiddo and tending to her chickens!

Licensed Massage Therapist & Esthetician

Samantha Friedrich graduated from Stone School of Massage and became a Licensed Massage Therapist in 2017. A short 2 years later, in 2019, she returned to school to add an Esthetician’s License to the resume.

She started her massage career at Hand & Stone but in 2019, with dual licenses in hand, she found great opportunity and community at Headquarters Male Grooming Salon as their Aveda Esthetician and MT.

4 years into Male Grooming and several continued education certificates later, Samantha was looking for a path into medical massage and mentorship in the field. In 2022 she joined Penny Harner and Deeper Kneads at the Edge Performance Gym location.

A year went by, the business grew and so did DK’s ambition. In March of 2023 Sam, Penny and the DK team found themselves in their own office space! Ina group effort with Samantha as the create lead, a spa space was curated that took care of every person who walked through the door.

Samantha’s list of modalities include:

Deep Tissue, Oncology Massage, Lymphatic Drainage, Trigger Point Therapy, Myofascial Release, Cupping, Full Body Stretching, Thai on the Table and Reiki

Her focus is to use her blend of modalities to provide a unique client/pathology-based massage that increases each persons functionality and quality of life.

Licensed Massage Therapist

Catherine Conn has a background rooted in photography and has been a professional photographer for well over a decade. As a native East Texan, she feels privileged to have been raised in this unique region and was inspired to capture its essence and those who make it.

As a mother of 5 she was no stranger to the trials of life and a recent personal trial that introduced her to the healing power of touch through massage therapy. During that journey she gained a deeper understanding of the essential role massage plays in maintaining overall health and she developed the firm belief that it should be regarded as a fundamental necessity, rather than a luxury.

Catherine started her massage journey at Stone School of Massage at the end of 2024 and received her license in 2025. She is excited to develop her massage practice, her therapeutic skill and to provide a safe space with safe therapeutic touch to help the people on her table to find peace and harmony.

Licensed Massage Therapist

Heather Valle enrolled into Stone School of Massage in 2024, propelled by a passion for and commitment to the healing modality of massage and lending her hand to the quality of this community in a therapeutic way. She excelled her way academically and practically through school and became a licensed and insured massage therapist in the Spring of 2025. Since receiving her license she has shown no signs of slowing down her pursuit of bodywork education.

Her belief in the body’s innate healing abilities informs her approach offering customized Swedish and Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage. Heather strives to induce a profound sense of calm, peace and overall tension relief for everyone who comes across her table.

Out of work she is a devoted mother, wife, daughter, sister! She enjoys live entertainment, quality time with her friends and family and more often than not she’s probably getting a massage.

Licensed Esthetician

Emily Jane has solidified her position has a reputable esthetician with a skincare career spanning over 12 years. Having worked at esteemed establishments such as Dermatology Associates, Identity Day Spa, Salon Kalea and the Rose Spa at the Cascades. Her later specialization in bridal makeup culminated in a featured article in Wedded Bliss, highlighting her skill and collaborative talents.

Emily took a short retirement from skincare to focus on her family and 3 wonderful kids. Fortunately for East Texas, she’s back in the skincare game and is still driven by her commitment to enhancing individuals natural beauty and confidence.

Outside of work Emily enjoys going to the movies, listening to and singing music and spending time with her family and friends.

Head of Social Media & Marketing

Shelby Mallard began to develop a strong professional interest in social media around 2019. Her background in modeling combined with her communication skills gave her the tools needed to navigate the challenges of social media. She has had opportunities to engage in mini brand deals and focuses her primary content output on fashion!

She does enjoy engaging with that side of social media but found a passion for helping small businesses build their brand, online presence and networking outreach.

When she’s not working hard to make us over here at Deeper Kneads look good, Shelby is the Salon Manager and Social Media/Marketing Manager at Headquarters: Male Grooming Salon.

Outside of work she enjoys country music/live music events, fashion, shopping and spending time with family, friends and her beloved dog!