“I created Kua Body Studios as a high-end business incubator where massage entrepreneurs and I could thrive and succeed professionally and financially while working in community.”

-Upuia Ahkiong

“Ahkiong wanted to explore the possibilities of her therapeutic art on her own, and teach others. The entrepreneurial knowledge that she learned, she later communicated to the first WE group, which she founded in Los Altos.”

–The Independent

“Ahkiong eventually struck out on her own and opened Kua Body in Los Altos in 2016. To market her massage therapy treatments, she reached out to other women entrepreneurs.”

– Pleasanton Weekly

“Our facilities are not spas but sophisticated and stylish venues. In addition, we provide ongoing professional, business, and financial mentoring for all of our team members. Our clients can expect consistent high-quality service and the opportunity to work with their own personal therapist.”

-Bay Area Women Magazine

“Ahkiong’s Kua Body massage studios in Los Altos and Pleasanton serve as tech-inspired “incubators” that help talented massage therapists grow their private practices by giving them a much higher percentage of the treatment fee than the industry’s conventional payment ratio.”

– San Francisco Chronicle

“Upuia Ahkiong, a massage therapist who has a practice in a downtown Los Altos building owned by Wojcicki, says that one of the first adjectives that comes to mind when asked to describe Wojcicki is “bold.” Ahkiong, who worked at Google for 10 years before opening Kua Body, says Wojcicki is a role model who inspired her to make her own leap into the unknown.”

– Silicon Valley Magazine

“Upuia Ahkiong had just opened her spa, Kua Body, in downtown Los Altos, when a client suggested she reach out to some of the woman-owned businesses in the area to spread the word about Kua Body… ”

– Gentry Magazine

“Kua Body Studios, which offers traditional Thai massage, is set to celebrate its grand-opening party today from 5-8 p.m. at its Pleasanton location, 555 Peters Ave.Kua Body Studios, which also has a location in Los Altos, is overseen by owner Upuia Ahkiong, a certified massage therapist who worked for 10 years as a lead massage therapist at Google in Mountain View.”

– Pleasanton Weekly

“The opportunity just presented itself and I really wanted to build my practice,” said Ahkiong, who specializes in Thai massage and several other modalities, including prenatal and therapeutic massage, as well as shiatsu and craniosacral therapy. “For me, it just made more sense to stay local – close to Google”

– Los Altos Town Crier

“Ahkiong runs Kua Body on First Street, which supports sole-proprietor massage therapists under one roof. ”

– Los Altos Town Crier

“Massage studio celebrates anniversary! Kua Body Studios is scheduled to celebrate its first anniversary Sept. 12… ”

– Los Altos Town Crier

“Los Altos businesswomen are celebrating Women’s History Month in March by making it. Women Entrepreneurs of Los Altos, a year-old social group founded by Upuia Ahkiong of Kua Body Studios… ”

– Los Altos Town Crier

“Ahkiong was new in town when she opened Kua Body’s Los Altos location in 2014. She lives in Pleasanton, where she operates her other branch of the studio, which specializes in massage and other wellness treatments. ”

– Los Altos Town Crier

“Kua Body Studios founder Upuia Ahkiong, celebrates the company’s fifth anniversary with a luau party.”

– Los Altos Town Crier

Special Mentions