My dream job didn’t exist so I created it – people judge me and think it’s odd, but I’m always fully booked

A SAVVY mum has revealed she created her dream job after discovering it didn't exist - and she's been overwhelmed by bookings.

Luci Banks, 27, promises clients "relaxation like they’ve never experienced before" during her unique sessions.

Luci Banks launched her own ASMR massage business in 2023

Luci is fully booked months at a time thanks to her unique business

People up and down the country are desperate to get booked in with the mum

And the sessions in question? ASMR massages.

ASMR stands for Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response.

It’s the term used to describe the relaxing, tingly or goosebump sensation you feel in your body in response to certain triggers - with videos flooding YouTube and TikTok.

An ASMR massage aims to set off that reaction by combining slow gentle stroking movements, hair brushing, skin tracing and the use of tools such as make up brushes and feathers.

It's literally spine-tingling.

Luci - mum to Alfie, aged six - said: "I was about 14 when I first discovered ASMR massage videos by accident on YouTube and I just couldn’t believe it was a thing that people were making videos about.

"But for as long as I can remember I’d always enjoyed having my hair brushed or my back tickled and always wished you could pay someone to do it for you.

"I would often ask my gran or bribe my younger cousin to do it for me and a lot of my clients tell me they used to do the same when they were younger."

She had been juggling an office job and her own balloon business before finally deciding to take the plunge with her unique idea.

She told the Scottish Sun Online: "It had always been something I’d thought about even before I knew it was a thing.

"Then after years of watching ASMR massage videos on YouTube and seeing the comments from people saying exactly what I was thinking 'I wish this was a service you could pay for' I knew there was a huge gap in the market.

"But it wasn’t until last year that I finally found the courage to pursue this as a career."

Luci launched her business, Light ASMR Massage, in May 2023 and now has almost 300 clients, with many of them making monthly bookings.

She is regularly fully booked for months at a time, and has even held pop ups across the UK to keep up with demand.

Her 30-minute treatments, based within Naked Aesthetics Lounge in Paisley, cost £40 while an hour is priced at £60.

But despite her obvious success, Luci has also faced judgement from people who don't understand her business.

"It’s what held me back from doing this for so long", she admitted.

"I still do get judgement now but I get it, it’s a whole new service that people don’t know much about.

"But the reality is most people have experienced ASMR themselves even if they haven’t heard of it before.

"Many of my clients tell me my treatments take them back to their childhood where their friend, sibling, parent or grandparent would play with their hair or trace their back.

"It’s a nostalgic and comforting feeling for most people and I have developed my treatments in a way that most people will enjoy and find them relaxing even if they aren’t familiar with the term ASMR."

She added: "I think most people assume that I whisper or make 'ASMR sounds' during the treatment because that’s what ASMR is predominately known for.

"But I focus on inducing ASMR with light touch triggers like hair brushing and tracing on the skin."

And Luci has also become a viral sensation after posting a video about her "dream job" on TikTok (@lucibanks).

Her clip racked up 1.2 million views with ASMR fans desperate to book in with her.

"Oh my god, I always say I’d pay someone to gently strike my arm, back, head etc. Def going to book", gushed one.

A second echoed: "You are in Scotland??!!! I will be booking 100%."

And a third wrote: "Wait real life ASMR is a thing?! My life has been madeeeee."

Luci has also been inundated with requests from people to travel up and down the UK because there aren’t any similar services near them.

One social media user said: "I need! This would blow up in London. How amazing. If you come south I’ll be there."

Another wrote: "I need this so much but you’re 7 hours away from me."

A third added: "This is an absolute dream, so gutted you’re so far away."

Meanwhile, a fourth confessed: "My dream. I would honestly drive there for this!! We need this in Manchester."

Speaking about her viral success, Luci revealed that 90% of her bookings since September have been a direct result of her video.

"TikTok changed my life", she said.

"I started with nothing so to be in the position I am now, doing something I absolutely love and have wanted to pursue for such a long time, in such a short space of time is surreal to me and I am so incredibly grateful for that one TikTok that changed everything!.

"I don’t think I’ll ever get over it and I can’t thank all of my friends, family and clients for all of their love and support over the last year, I wouldn’t be here without any of them."

She added: "I hosted my first pop ups in Glasgow and Newcastle last year and I hope to do more this year.

"On top of that I’ve been asked by hundreds of people to train them and help them start their own ASMR business so I now offer one-to-one training which is perfect for people who are looking for a complete career change.