Photo Karen Graham
Melissa Blakely will be putting on a lot fewer miles in her daily routine beginning this month. After sharing space with Oasis Boutique owner Nancy Fallis in downtown Millbrook for all 13 years of her professional career as a Registered Massage Therapist, Melissa is realizing her dream of setting up shop in her new home in Cavan. She is reluctant to part ways with Fallis, as the association has worked well for both businesses. They share many clients, and Blakely’s clients passing through the Ladies’ boutique and Oasis shoppers seeing Blakely’s studio at the rear of the store has worked well for these business owners. But Blakely and her family have recently moved into a new home on Darling Crescent off Stewart Line in the north end of Cavan, which is ideally set up to house a massage clinic.
It was Nancy Fallis who suggested she go out on her own 13 years ago when Blakely first graduated from the RMT program at Fleming College and she invited Blakely to share her business location.
While there is a trend these days for Chiropractic clinics to offer on-site massage therapy, for Blakely, working on her own is ideal. Blakely sets her own hours, and has never practised more than four days per week. It’s not that she is not motivated, but her work is physically and emotionally demanding. Customers must leave their appointment feeling relaxed and nurtured, which not only requires that the service provider has technical skills in terms of massage techniques but also the right frame of mind. Blakely’s clients can affirm that she is good at what she does as she is focussed and present at each appointment, and her massage skills are impressive.
She has many regular customers who recognize the benefits of her services, and who couldn’t use a bit of tlc once in a while? A good massage can relieve many symptoms, including stress, muscle aches and pains, headaches, sports injuries or it can just be a luxurious indulgence.
Blakely’s new clinic will be open for business beginning September 6th. Her hours will be flexible at first as she finds the rhythm of her clients in this new location where she will offer appointments of 30, 45 or 60 minutes in duration. If booking an appointment for yourself seems a bit self-centred, you can purchase a gift certificate for a stress-out loved one or drop a hint that you could use some stress relief yourself. A massage could be just the thing to get you going as you gear up for a busier routine after the dog days of summer. To book an appointment or learn more, call (705) 277-9345 or visit Melissa’s Facebook page. KG
Best of luck, Melissa.