Massage Envy Is Celebrating Nearly A Decade Of Making New Tampa Feel Better!

Massage Envy Wesley Chapel has so much more to offer than just licensed massage therapy (LMT).

With Massage Envy’s many skin care options, members and guests can enjoy a facial, add total body skin care to their massage, or combine the two for one incredible “spa day.”

Located just south of S.R. 56 on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. (in the same plaza as Nutrition Smart) in Wesley Chapel, Massage Envy has been helping the residents of New Tampa and Wesley Chapel feel better since it first opened back in 2009.

The Wesley Chapel location owned by Bobbi Royak is part of a national franchise based in Scottsdale, AZ.

Founded in 2002, Massage Envy today has more than 1,170 franchised locations in 49 states that have together delivered more than 135 million massages and facials.

“We’ve been in the Wesley Chapel market for (almost) 10 years,” Bobbi says. “One thing we try to do better than anyone else is customer service. We have some customers — and therapists — who have been with us since we opened.”

With about 35 licensed massage therapists on staff, Massage Envy offers both earlier and later hours than most of its competitors — until 10 p.m. most nights — so you can make an appointment for your massage at the most convenient time for your schedule.

“We offer memberships, which most people do because the cost is much lower than the non-member rate, especially to come on a regular basis,” says Sondra Davis, the Wesley Chapel assistant manager, adding that the cost of membership includes one massage per month, with a discounted price for additional massages the same month.

While Massage Envy has a large staff, Sondra and fellow assistant manager Carissa Epstein emphasize that when customers come in, the entire staff makes it feel personal for each client.

“Our therapists treat everyone like family,” says Carissa. “They really get to know their clients’ bodies, and can give advice and (create) customized plans.”

Sondra agrees.

“We aren’t just the ‘big chain’ that people think we are,” she says. “Our guests and members leave here both feeling good and knowing someone cares about them.”

Bobbi explains that while some people who come in for a massage just want to relax, others are dealing with injuries.

“Our therapists are well trained in all of the different modalities to target the needs of each customer,” she says. “Every customer is different and has different needs, whether it’s massage or skincare, and we have a service to help them.”

All massages are customized for the individual.

“You pay for the duration of your massage,” says Carissa, “not the type.”

You could choose a sports massage or deep tissue massage, for example, or a combination of both. Other massage types include Swedish, prenatal and geriatric massages and trigger point therapies.

Many people don’t necessarily know what type of massage they want. That’s okay. When you call to make an appointment, the front desk staff will take time to match you with the right therapist, based on what you’re looking for and the therapist’s specialties.

Whether you’re looking to relax or to relieve pain from arthritis, tension headaches, everyday aches and pains or something else, Massage Envy can customize a program to help you.

“Our goal is to make you feel better,” says Carissa.

Satisfied Customers…
Bruce and Linda Danzis are Meadow Pointe residents who discovered Massage Envy more than eight years ago. “I suffer from MS (multiple sclerosis) and my walk isn’t the best,” says Bruce, “so I was always getting knots in my back. I saw a chiropractor for 25 years, and that did nothing.”

Then, an acquaintance suggested he try his first deep tissue massage at Massage Envy.

“I went to try it and it was phenomenal,” says Bruce, who now gets a deep tissue massage twice a month and says most of the time, he stays pain-free. “Deep tissue massages have helped me unbelievably.”

Bruce says that over the years, he’s had deep tissue massages by several of the licensed massage therapists at the Wesley Chapel Massage Envy, and all have provided a quality massage that has relieved his pain 100 percent.

“They always ask me how it feels,” Bruce says, “If my lower back is not good, they continue to work on it until it’s satisfactory.”

Bruce loved Massage Envy so much, he encouraged his wife to get a massage, too. Linda saw the difference it made for her husband, and decided she would give it a try, too.

Linda says that before she went to Massage Envy, she was never even interested in having a massage.
“I thought it was a luxury thing,” she says. “But now, doing it, I understand it more and it really is a necessity. It makes your body feel so much better.”

Not only does Linda feel more relaxed and calm after a massage, she says that it has helped with pain relief for her, as well.

“One time I threw out my back and couldn’t walk,” she says. “My massage therapist got me feeling better. Anytime anything happens, you think you might go to the doctor or pop a pill or go to a chiropractor, but I go to Massage Envy.”

Bruce also appreciates the warmth of the staff.

“The best part of it is when you walk in, everyone is so happy to see you,” he says, “From the people at the desk to the manager, everyone there is beyond nice. They are so accommodating and couldn’t be any nicer if they tried. They take care of us and are just excellent.”

That’s what Bobbi, the franchise owner, always wants and expects to hear.

“We focus on wellness and making a difference in people’s lives,” Bobbi says. “People ask me why I got into this business. I got into it because it helps people who want to get massages and those who need to — and we cater to both.”

Don’t Forget About Your Skin
Not only does Linda now get a massage each month at Massage Envy, she says she gets facials there now, too.

Among Massage Envy’s most popular skin treatment options are microderm infusion, an exfoliating treatment that adds serum into the skin, as well as chemical peels.

There also are enhancements to your full body massage, such as Cy-Me (pronounced “see me”) boosts, which are Massage Envy’s exclusive serums and are infused into the massage lotion to treat the whole body, in formulas such as hydrating, firming and clarifying.

Other massage enhancements available at Massage Envy include total body stretching. Carissa says it’s an assisted stretching program that includes breathing techniques to help clients relax.

“It’s good for athletes,” Carissa says. “Golfers and tennis players especially love it, either in conjunction with their massage or on its own.”

Got To Have ‘Percussion?’
Massage Envy also offers a technique called percussion, which uses a vibrating massage device prior to your massage, with the client fully clothed. Carissa says 10 minutes of percussion, which is meant to be a massage enhancement, is equivalent to 30 minutes with the massage therapist using his or her hands.
Massage Envy is involved in the community, too.

“We donate a lot of massages back to the community for school auctions and events,” says Bobbi. “We are very involved in those kinds of things; we like to be part of the community.”

Massage Envy Wesley Chapel is located at 1821 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Suite 124. It is open Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m. – 10 p.m., from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Sunday. For more information or to make an appointment, visit MassageEnvy.com or call (813) 948-5600.

Creativity Unpinned Offers Unique Gifts, Artisan-Created Crafts & More!

Bracelets made from recycled t-shirts.

Moving, metal art made from nuts and bolts that look just like a dog, a scuba diver and even a Minion from “Despicable Me.”

There also are margarita glasses that seem to belong in a chemistry lab.

There’s something special about the kinds of hand-made, artisan-created treasures you can find at a weekend craft fair.

At Creativity Unpinned, you don’t have to wait for the weekend or take a long drive to find unique gifts. Owner Wendy O’Neill says that it’s like the craft fair comes to you, all in one convenient place, available whenever the mall is open.

Creativity Unpinned is one of the newer stores at the Shops at Wiregrass, and is located in the space that was formerly occupied by the Gymboree store.

It opened in April, and since then, Wendy says more and more customers are discovering her many one-of-a-kind items that are either the perfect gift — or even the perfect find for themselves.

At Creativity Unpinned, 56 different artisans currently rent space to share their hand-crafted treasures.
“Everybody’s stuff is different,” Wendy explains, saying that all but three of her artisans are local.

She also explains that 80 percent of what’s in the store is hand-made, while the other 20 percent is a collection of unique lines of items, such as Mozi rings, or their glow-in-the-dark counterparts, Glozi rings.

“They are crazy fun,” Wendy says, showing off the unique contraption that is somewhat reminiscent of the old Slinky, but instead rolls up and down your arms and can be passed from person to person.

“We like to be interactive,” she says, so she hands the toy to anyone who wants to try it in the store.
Creativity Unpinned is filled with handmade items so that everyone can find something special, such as tooth fairy pillows, hand-drawn artwork and cards, stunning photography, doll outfits and hand-painted glassware.

There’s a Christmas section with the eye-catching and fun Deb’s Tacky Sweaters.

“They are hilarious,” Wendy says, showing off sweaters, sweater vests — even a dress — decorated with outrageously tacky ornaments, sure to be the talk of any Christmas party.

Many other Christmas-themed gifts are available, too, such as dish towels and “Santa Cam” ornaments.
Wendy also says that items throughout the store reflect popular themes, such as unicorns or mermaids, which are hot sellers right now.

Book pillows are a popular item, she says, with a pocket sewn into the pillow that you can tuck a book into. The vendor who makes the book pillows even provides a free book of the customer’s choice with the purchase of a pillow.

See something you like but it’s not exactly right? Because most of the store’s items are handmade, nearly anything at Creativity Unpinned can be custom-made, such as a book pillow customized to complement your child, grandchild, niece or nephew’s favorite bedtime story.

Wendy says her customers love their pets, and items throughout the store with pet themes also are popular. Plus, you can order a personalized caricature of your pet, or pick out handmade clothes for your pooch — anything from a leather jacket to a bathrobe.

Creativity Unpinned also features a wide variety of price points, since vendors set their own prices. There’s even a line of kids’ items that is priced intentionally so kids can choose something they can buy with their own allowance money.

Wendy says there is room for about 75 vendors in the store, but that there is a waiting list for several types of artisans, such as those who create jewelry.

“We want a nice variety of jewelry,” says Wendy, which she says she now has with different artistic influences from countries such as Venezuela and Mexico, a variety of materials from natural items such as flowers and leaves to Italian glass. “But, we don’t want to become a jewelry store.”

She says she looks for high quality, and she has turned vendors away whose quality wasn’t up to her standards.

“We give creative entrepreneurs the opportunity to own a business,” Wendy says. “It amazes me what our artisans come up with. They really blow me away.”

Creativity Unpinned sometimes does classes and special events, such as the class on making shadowboxes that was taught after hours one Sunday evening.

Fund Raisers, Too!
A recent fundraiser allowed each vendor at Creativity Unpinned to choose a charity they would like to support. Shoppers voted for their favorite one, and the winning charity – Trinity Outreach – will receive $500, the proceeds of a special sale of items donated for the event. “It raised awareness for charities,” explains Wendy, “and people had fun with it.”

Creativity Unpinned has three employees, and like Wendy, they are all dedicated to top-notch customer service.

“We’ll point out things to you and tell you the backstory that makes an item even more interesting,” Wendy says. “We can do that because these items aren’t mass produced.”

She emphasizes that she wants customers to come in and touch and smell and feel the products, which is something her vendors appreciate.

For example, there is Rhonda McDaniel’s line of artisan soaps, called A Caring Touch Skin Therapy.

“I love being a vendor at Creativity Unpinned because my products are available to customers at the mall,” Rhonda says. “I like shopping there myself.”

While she mostly sells her products online, she likes that her website now tells people they can visit Creativity Unpinned to see her products in person.

Rhonda says she loves interacting with the customers who are interested in her artisan soaps. “When I go in the store, I can see their excitement about the product and answer their questions,” she says.

Creativity Unpinned is located at 28163 Paseo Dr., #180. For more information, search “Creativity Unpinned” on Facebook, or call (813) 575-9605.

Local Teen Lands Role In NYC Musical For Teens With Bleeding Disorders

Natalie Rubin says she lives by a personal mantra.

“Although having an illness limits you,” she says, “for every one thing you can’t do, there are a million things you can do.”

The Freedom High senior has a blood disease called Von Willebrand disease, a genetic disorder caused by a low level of clotting proteins in the blood. It was discovered when Natalie was 12. She got really sick, and the medications prescribed to her thinned her blood, resulting in her entire body being covered with bruises and petechial, or small red or purple spots caused by bleeding into the skin.

Now 17, Natalie has lived with the disease ever since. She tries to focus on things she loves, such as music and her position as a woodwind captain in Freedom’s band, playing tenor sax in marching band and bass clarinet in concert band.

She has to be extra cautious, though, because she bruises so easily, and her disorder can mean her blood doesn’t clot.

“When they throw rifles in marching band, I always think that I have to be very careful,” she says, as a bump to the head could be catastrophic for her.

While Natalie recognizes her limitations — she can’t play lacrosse or give boxing a try, both things she says she’s wanted to do — she looks for opportunities to live out her personal mantra and focus on the things she can enjoy to the fullest.

When the opportunity to audition for a unique opportunity to be in a New York City musical focusing on teenagers affected by blood disorders such as hemophilia and Von Willebrand disease, Natalie submitted an audition video and an essay, where she shared her personal mantra.

Although she called it “a long shot,” Natalie was one of only 25 teenagers from across the U.S. who ultimately were chosen for the performance,  called “Hemophilia: The Musical.”

Their essays were the inspiration for the songs that were written for the production.

Natalie’s aforementioned personal mantra was used in the production.

On Nov. 9, Natalie and the other teenagers arrived in New York City. and the spent some time touring the city, as well as many hours in rehearsals.

They had prepared at home, where their rehearsals were spent working with a professional voice coach, choreographer and others to bring their voices together for the one performance of the musical, held just a few days later — on Nov. 12, at the New World Stages in Manhattan.

“It was such an amazing, extravagant trip,” Natalie says, explaining that it was provided to the students at no cost to them, and included a stay in NYC’s Fashion District and being shuttled around the city to tourist destinations such as Times Square, where Natalie and the other teens’ names were highlighted on one of the city’s famous huge billboards, advertising the musical.

She says her favorite thing about participating was all the people she met, and she took away from it a message of how precious life is.

As a high school senior, Natalie is looking toward her future. She says she plans to major in medical genetics.

“Growing up with a health condition, it makes you feel different,” Natalie explains. “Then, maybe you go to camp and meet people like you and feel like you fit in, but you realize you’ve bonded over a sad thing. I want to cure something so kids don’t have to feel like that.”

She volunteers as a youth ambassador for the Hemophilia Foundation of Greater Florida, which serves people with bleeding disorders such as hemophilia, Von Willebrand disease, and others. She says the foundation is a great source of support to her.

Natalie adds that her participation in “Hemophilia: The Musical”  helped her think about what it really means to be a teenager living with a bleeding disorder. She explains that she is part of the first generation to have access to blood factor products, which are lifesaving to people with conditions like hers.

“I’m not lucky that I have this illness,” Natalie says, “but I am lucky that I have a full life and I can live with it. The last line of the musical is, ‘We’re still here today.’ It’s powerful because we’re here in honor of all the people who can’t be here because of their bleeding disorders.”

To view the performance, visit BreakingThroughHemophilia.com.