Envy massage recipients no more
A Middle Tennessee entrepreneur with a military background has entered the fight to win the hearts, minds, and weary bodies of consumers, with a massage facility that's the envy of the rank-and-file of salons and spas everywhere.
Hunter Shelden owns Massage Envy in Cool Springs, the 200th of 600-plus awarded franchises in a national network (250 have been built). Massage Envy lifts massage out of the lap of luxury and sets it down in the realm of affordable therapy.
Shelden opened the business in April, with 12 therapists. He has 22 now, and a total staff of over 30. Massage Envy does everything for its therapists, in the way of marketing and promotion and business administration, so that they can concentrate on what they love to do. The therapists are not contract labor, as they are at many salons and spas, but employees, with benefits and with sales associates that help bring in clients. Shelden will maximize his operation with 35 therapists.
The 3,330-square-foot facility has 12 massage rooms, each outfitted with a hydraulic-cable massage table. The licensed, nationally tested and certified therapists customize the massage to the client, and no matter the massage, the rate is the same. Therapeutic massage, in a nutshell, is the manipulation of muscles and tissues to prevent and alleviate pain, discomfort, and stress. Massage therapy promotes relaxation and rejuvenation, good health and an improved state of mind.
Clients at Massage Envy can get comfortable with a variety of massages, including trigger point, Swedish (for overall body relaxation), deep tissue (to loosen tight muscles), sports (for weekend warriors and marathon runners alike), reflexology, and prenatal. The goal of the enterprise is to make it easy and desirable for clients to come in regularly, by making them conscious of their bodies' needs and making it affordable for them to address those needs.
"It's very holistic," says Shelden, an easygoing soul who had a desire to own his own business by the age of 30. He and his wife thought this one would be fun, and they saw it as a great opportunity in a niche environment. Shelden, who still has a commitment to the Air Force Reserve one weekend a month, is the owner/operator of the franchise (he has the rights to a Green Hills location also), and he says it's been a quick-learning environment.
The concept behind Massage Envy - that of a convenient and affordable massage - has rubbed people the right way. Shelden says 20 percent of his customers have never had a massage before. The company offers a $39 introductory rate for a customized massage. A one-hour therapy session includes a therapist consultation as well as the hands-on treatment. A membership program provides the opportunity for massage therapy on an ongoing basis.
Anyone who's ever had a massage can call to mind that experience of profound serenity and well being. Therapeutic massage can relieve stress, improve posture and circulation, lower blood pressure, relax muscles, help manage pain, improve flexibility, relieve tension-related headaches, strengthen the immune system, enhance post-operative or post-injury rehab, reduce recovery time from allergies, depression and anxiety, arthritis, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, asthma and bronchitis, insomnia, fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and help you balance your checkbook. (Just kidding about that last one.)
In short, regular massage therapy can make you the envy of your harassed, harried and high-strung friends and neighbors.
Massage Envy is at 1731-A Mallory Lane in Cool Springs (in the Shoppes at Mallory Lane at Mallory Lane and Bakers Bridge Road). Hours are 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat. and 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sun. Call 615-309-7575.