Meet Daton Williams

Today we’d like to introduce you to Daton Williams.

Hi Daton, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was first introduced to a massage therapy in 2012 when my ex-girlfriend surprised me with a couples massage. Initially, I was a bit hesitant about going, but little did I know that experience would ultimately change the course of my professional life. Not only did I enjoy the massage itself immensely, but I struck up a conversation with my massage therapist. That one conversation inspired me to immediately research local massage therapy schools, and less than two weeks later, I was enrolled as a part-time student at the Atlanta School of Massage. Prior to becoming a licensed massage therapist, I worked in law enforcement for over 15 years, but policing was never my passion. I have always been interested in public service, health and wellness, mindfulness, meditation, exercise, and other alternative forms of medicinal treatments and stress relief. In fact, when I was in law enforcement, I became a general instructor with a focus on health and wellness at the police academy, and I was instrumental in bringing mindfulness and meditation to my former department, so massage therapy was a natural fit.

At one point, I was working part-time at a chain massage therapy practice and still policing, but I noticed I was happiest when I was interacting with my massage clients. I learned in my studies and training that massage therapy is so much deeper than feeling relaxed for an hour. Massage incorporates elements of anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, orthopedic assessments, and pain management, I found that many of my massage techniques were providing real relief to people that had chronic ailments, including back and neck strain, bursitis, tendonitis, and arthritis. It became evident that my true calling in life was to educate my clients on of all of the benefits of massage, such as improved circulation, stimulation of the lymphatic system, increase joint mobility and flexibility, stress reduction, improved recovery from soft tissue injuries, bolstering the body’s immune system, and reducing the effects of chronic diseases that disproportionately impact black people such as hypertension, diabetes, inflammation, and chronic stress.

I felt a bit constrained working for the chain massage company, so I decided to start my own massage practice where I could really service my community on my own terms. There was a desperate need for quality massage services on the south side of Atlanta. We are a black-owned business, and our mission statement is to keep wellness in our community at an affordable price, so it is accessible to everyone.

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?
I built my business off of hustle, grit, and sheer determination. I left a stable career in law enforcement after 15 years, so failure was not an option. That said, it’s a long-distance between having an idea, even a good idea, and actually seeing it come to fruition. I faced some of the same obstacles and challenges of any start-up business, particularly a small, minority business. I had no real capital and not much of a following, so I had to come up with creative and cost-effective ways to market and promote my business when I first started out. I came up with the name Rejuvenation of Atlanta Body and Foot Spa in my living room with my family. I wanted something bigger than just me working as a massage therapist.

I had a name, but I didn’t have any clients or a location. I literally started my business working out of the Greenbriar Discount Mall, offering free chair massages and working solely off tips. Then I brought in another massage therapist and we began going to different gyms and local events around the city, offering free chair massages and promoting our mobile services. Eventually, I was able to secure a commercial location off Campbellton Road, but I didn’t have a real advertising or marketing budget. I traded in my personal SUV and brought a van and wrapped it in my logo with all of my contact information on it. Initially, this was my sole form of transportation, so everywhere I went, I was literally a driving billboard.

Then I utilized social media, particularly Instagram, to promote my business. I started uploading content almost daily, my followers began to increase exponentially, and my business just grew from there. Once I created a logo, I began to offer merchandise to further promote the Rejuvenation name, and my business has continued to thrive. I have been really blessed. Even during the pandemic when the city went on lockdown, I wondered if the clients would come back when we re-opened, but thankfully they did. I think that is a testament to the services we provide. You can have all the marketing and promotion in the world to get people in the door, but quality, care, consistency, and adaptability to current events are what keeps people coming.

Since that time, Rejuvenation of Atlanta Body and Foot Spa has grown and we now have Rejuvenation of Atlanta Spa Suites where we offer other entrepreneurs a place to grow and promote their services, including a chiropractor, a hairstylist, a sister lock installer, and a full detox room. Rejuvenation of Atlanta has a 5-star rating on Google, and we have quickly become the go-to massage therapy practice on the southside for post-operative massages, lymphatic drainage, and body sculpting. Our apparel line, Rejuvenation of Atlanta Apparel, LLC, offers affordable post-operative garments, waist trainers, and various stages of fajas and body shapers for our clientele.

Rejuvenation of Atlanta is just getting started. I envision a full-service spa and wellness center, which will be a premier facility not just on the southside but in the City of Atlanta. Continue to support this black-owned business and we will continue to support you by providing quality, affordable services in our community.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
We offer the following services: Swedish Massage Daily Special, Deep Tissue Massage, Trigger Point Massage, Neuromuscular Therapy, Sports Massage, Reflexology, Foot Detox, V-Steam, Post Operative Massage/Lymphatic Drainage, Colombian Wood Therapy, Normatec Compression Device for Legs, Hips, and Arms.

Pricing:

• $45 Swedish Massage Daily Special

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: Rejuvenation-of-atlanta.square.site/
• Instagram: Rejuvenation_of_atlanta_spa