Debbie Igunbor - Digital Business Spotlight

Founder of Unlayer | Social Science Researcher | Licensed Massage Therapist | Licensed Esthetician
📍 Austin, TX

UNLAYER: START AT THE SURFACE

There are layers to our bodies, minds, and lives — and for Debbie Igunbor, founder of Unlayer, self-discovery begins by working through them.

Blending her background in social science research, massage therapy, and esthetics, Debbie is creating a wellness experience centered on helping people reconnect with themselves, their bodies, and what makes them whole.

Inspired by her own journey of shedding self-doubt and rediscovering her creativity, Unlayer invites people to go deeper — whether through massage and facials, workshops, community spaces, or meaningful conversations.

With its October launch approaching, Unlayer is more than a wellness brand. It is an invitation to pause, explore, and return to yourself.

Start at the surface. Unlayer, one layer at a time.

Follow: @unlayer.co
Waitlist: Launching October | 20% off first service for waitlist members

1. What inspired you to create Unlayer, and what does “let’s start at the surface” mean to you and the people you serve?

There are layers to our bodies, to our minds, and to our lives. I spent most of my life living based on everyone else’s perception. Stacking layers of self-doubt, low self-esteem, and a lack of decision-making. The bottom layer has held what I truly held dear - my creative expression, my bubbly personality, my colorful outfits, and my unique hairstyles. Starting at the surface means working through the layers at the top until you reach the bottom layer that represents you and your soul. My logo represents a maze leading to the center, which represents the soul. As a massage therapist, I want people to be in tune and learn about their bodies. When I start my sessions, I start at the surface, and as the session continues, I go deeper. I hope to create a space for people to go deeper and reach the bottom layer that represents them - whether that’s through touch, through workshops, or community spaces and learning more about ourselves.

2. You’re a social science researcher, Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT), and Licensed Esthetician (LE). How do your different areas of expertise come together in the Unlayer experience?

As a social science researcher, I am very interested in community and how we develop and become the people that we are. In addition to my logo representing a maze, it also represents a bar chart. Part of my brand identity is using data to learn more about ourselves. I own a research firm called Antumbra Research, where I conduct independent research studies and enjoy learning about different perspectives and how people come to learn more about themselves. I am currently conducting a study on community building - how it’s built, retained, developed, and how social media impacted how we define or represent communities.  

As a wellness practitioner, I want to create a space for people to feel comfortable, seen, and safe. I hope to not only serve my clients and future clients through massage and facials, but also create a space of comfort and acceptance as we continue to learn about ourselves and shed the layers that do not represent us.

3. What do you want people to discover about themselves—physically, mentally, or emotionally—when they choose to Unlayer?

I want people to discover themselves and their bodies. As we grow older, we tend to lose ourselves to be accepted, physically, mentally, or emotionally. Being in my 30s, I am learning to come back to myself, revisit my interests, and learn to accept myself, no matter the judgment or criticism. It takes some time, and that’s why I emphasize starting at the surface as we unshed ourselves layer by layer and rediscover what makes us whole.

SERVICES & BOOKING

4. What services or experiences can people book with Unlayer right now, and where can they go to book?

Currently I have a waitlist for my mobile massage and facial services. I plan to launch officially in October, and I am offering 20% off the first service with me if they sign up for the waitlist (sign up here!). Additionally, I will be hosting workshops about learning about your skin, partnering with mental health providers to learn how to de-stress and be in tune with yourself, and hosting events for people to come together, learn a skill, or have deep discussions. I am looking forward to connecting and contributing to finding yourself, one layer at a time.