Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennessa Sabella.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I became a yoga instructor when I was in college in Philadelphia, PA. It was a great balance to the high stress, fast pace of class, and I soon found myself spending more time in the yoga studio than at school. I loved helping people feel more free in their body, and teaching came easily to me. I traveled the country teaching yoga classes and landed in Portland, Oregon, where I lived for several years. After three rainy seasons, I moved to St. Croix in the US Virgin Islands. Yoga classes on the beach were amazing, but I missed family and friends back on the mainland. I moved back home to attend Atlanta School of Massage in 2003, wanting to deepen my understanding of the body and learn more ways to help clients heal.
After ten years of practicing massage therapy in a variety of settings, from spas to chiropractic offices, I began to focus on pregnant clients. I found it rewarding and magical to work on women during this time in their lives. After having my own children, that passion came with a deeper sense of empathy.
Being a mother is equally rewarding and trying. I often joke that motherhood is a very advanced training in self-development. Most new moms endure intense physical changes and an ever-changing series of mental and emotional challenges. I witnessed many times as clients came to my massage room to alleviate chronic pain, tension, and stress, and to refill their own energy. Many moms, however, feel a tremendous sense of guilt for taking the hour out of their day for themselves. I have made it part of my mission to encourage moms to take care of themselves first. The clients who have followed this advice find they are more emotionally and physically available for their families because they have more energy, less pain, and better sleep.
In 2016, I opened the doors to Bliss Mama Wellness. I wanted to bring together my love for teaching yoga and helping women relax and find peace in their bodies and minds, through massage therapy, health coaching, and spa services. When we initially opened, we had a yoga space, but as the spa clientele grew, we decided to sacrifice the classroom for more therapy rooms. We hope to expand to eventually include yoga again.
Our new excitement at the spa is the launch of our skin care program. I spent the last year working with a medical esthetician in Canada to formulate our own signature skincare line. I wanted to deliver a clean, natural, botanically based product line with the effectiveness of medical spa products. Bliss Mama Skincare is a holistic anti-aging line of products that is safe for pregnancy and for women with hormonal challenges. The feedback has been phenomenal, and clients are seeing improved skin tone, reduced age spots and wrinkles, and brighter complexion in just a month’s use. The skincare products will be available on Amazon in time for the holiday season.
This year, I also became nationally certified as a Continuing Education provider for massage therapists and taught my signature course, Integrative Prenatal Massage to 2 groups of students. I find teaching to be very rewarding. One of the classes I taught was in Savannah, GA. My favorite moment was bringing in pregnant volunteers from the community to receive complimentary prenatal massages. These moms were so gracious and appreciative. It allowed my students to feel the profound effect we can have on expecting mothers. It was beyond rewarding for me to see how many pregnant moms will benefit from the techniques I teach, through the hands of my students.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I don’t think smooth is the right word. I follow where life leads me. There have been many twists and turns along the way, and unforeseen directions on my path. There were certain moments where I knew I had to settle with what I had, or dig deep and take a risk.
As a healer, I know how to help my clients. As a business owner, I have had to learn a lot about what it takes to be successful. I’ve learned how to create a brand that stands out to our clients, how to choose partnerships, office space, and employees that I can trust to represent the business with integrity. I’ve learned how to create healthy boundaries and balance between business and family, which has been a key to my happiness on
this journey.
Please tell us about Bliss Mama Wellness.
Bliss Mama Wellness offers healing spa services for women of every age and stage of life. Our spa is relaxing from the moment you step in the door. You can feel that you have stepped into a place where it is safe and comfortable to let go of life’s to-do list, worries, and responsibilities. Our team of massage therapists and estheticians are knowledgeable, friendly and welcoming. We enjoy getting to know our clients and helping them take the steps to live healthier happier lives.
We specialize in services geared towards women, including pregnancy, fertility, postnatal massage therapy, fibromyalgia, arthritis, lymphatic massage, advanced facials, health coaching, and life coaching.
Our facials target common complaints and treat signs of aging. We use advanced technology hydrodermabrasion, radio frequency, and microcurrent. Bliss Mama skincare, our holistic anti-aging product line is paraben free, vegan, botanically based, and highly effective.
We also enjoy partnering with local nonprofit organizations in our community, touching the lives of domestic violence survivors, pregnant teens, and families in poverty. For me, making an impact and giving back are big parts of feeling successful and proud.
A complete list of services can be found on our website.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
We learn as we go. I think every mistake has lead to necessary lessons and new possibilities. I guess if I knew then what I know now, I would have been more relaxed and less scared. Business growth and personal growth are all about acting courageously, and moving forward even when things feel big and scary. As an entrepreneur, you have to trust in the bigger picture and in your own strengths and abilities.
Pricing:
- Massage therapy and spa services $45-$245
- Facials $80-$125
- Skincare products $32-$48
Contact Info:
- Address: Bliss Mama Wellness
110 Samaritan Dr. suite 202
Cumming, GA 30040 - Website: www.BlissMamaWellness.com
- Phone: 770-722-2711
- Email: info@blissmamawellness.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blissmamawellness/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/blissmamawellness
- Yelp: https://yelp.to/qTKq/DVXyMPstuR
- Other: https://g.co/kgs/bBT9Ez
Image Credit:
Lauren Boyd Photography
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