Conversations with Allison Naples

Today we’d like to introduce you to Allison Naples.

Hi Allison, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My journey to becoming a licensed massage therapist did not start until I was 48. After having shoulder and neck pain that caused bad headaches that doctors could not help me with, I decided to take myself to a massage therapist. She was incredible and help me tremendously! No more headaches! I thought…I want to do that! I want to make people feel this way!

So off to school, I went! The body is amazing. A true therapist will realize how the whole system works together; how muscles overlap, where they insert where they attach, where ‘the nerves run through the body and how they affect totally separate areas; what role the ligaments play….. there’s just so much to say on how things affect each other within the body system. A good therapist realizes all this and that’s what my massage therapist and school taught me to pay attention to. I became my own business and was able to work hours that benefited me in my life, Canton Massage Bliss. Then I wanted to help other therapists be able to live off of their chosen path of massage or therapy, so I opened a Business building with rooms to rent.

I believe there are benefits to working for a corporate spa, but I wanted to create a space for those therapists that wanted to charge their own rate, sell their own product, make their own hours, and be able to make a living off of it. So, I bought a building and rehabbed it with my husband, and now have two therapists renting rooms. Dr. Ana Villanueva does Jabez Wellness acupuncture and Mary Abernathy is a licensed massage therapist for her company, RDT Massage. I currently have two more rooms for rent and big plans for next year!!

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Becoming a licensed massage therapist was challenging only because my schedule was tight since I was a full-time teacher during the day. But I made it work,, and I had a very understanding teacher at my massage school. The second big challenge was remodeling the building I am currently in. It was an eye-opening experience trying to meet all the county requirements. They were very helpful but I never knew what My husband and I were getting into. Now that we’re in the building, it was all worth it and I’m glad we persevered!

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a licensed massage therapist that specializes in looking at issues from all angles. I believe their is more than one way to tackle a problem and sometimes that means working with other professionals to make sure your client gets what they need. I am proud of the fact that I enjoy working with other therapists of all kinds because I feel like my clients get the best care possible when professionals work together to solve the problem. I will never say that I know all the answers to an issue but I will always try my best and do my research!!

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
My husband is a huge cheerleader for me and he has driven me to always be the best I can and work with my strengths. The therapist that made me decide to go this course was Irene Mieller of Mieller Massage. She retired and now runs Sacred Spirit jewelry and relics.

Barbara Moore was a mentor that taught me to listen to my gut and pay attention to what your insight and hands tell you.

My clients – they are the best. I honestly am blessed with wonderful clients. They have taught me how to really listen to someone when they are speaking to you about there on issues and how to allow them to help me fix those issues.

Pricing:

• 30 min focus massage $40
• 1-hour massage $70
• 90 min. Massage $100

Contact Info:

• Website: Cantonmassagebliss.com