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Massage ... is a very ancient form of treatment, so
ancient that one may consider its history to be as old as
that of mankind and its beginnings prehistoric.
- Dr. Emil A.G. Kleen, Massage and Medical Gymnastics, 1921.
âA Small Gem, in a Growing Cityâ
The story behind Open Arms
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO
OPEN ARMS WELLNESS CENTER
Celebrating 12 Years in Business &
Ashley celebrates 13 Years Licensed
A moment like this gives you a minute to sit back and take in everything that has been accomplished in 11+ years for Open Arms Wellness Center. Something that humbles the heart and reminds you every day why you chose the career that you did.
In April 2011, Ashley J. Hirzel; owner of Open Arms Wellness Center, graduated from The Healing Arts Institute of Perrysburg, Ohio with a Diploma of Massage Therapy accompanied by additional certifications in Prenatal & Fertility Massage, Deep Tissue, Sports Massage, Chair Massage, LaStone Therapy, and Aromatherapy.
Soon after graduation Ashley received her license from the Ohio State Medical Board in July of 2011. Ashley had a vision. This vision revolved around the thought of having a space of her own in Oregon Ohio to practice massage therapy. In this vision she wanted to provide affordable therapy that allowed her clients to return at a reasonable rate.
Ashley was also focused on creating a place for clients
to feel at ease and comfortable. She chose Oregon Ohio not only because it was close to home but because she knew that the healing efforts of massage therapy would be welcomed by the Oregon community.
It was not until January of 2012 that her vision was beginning to come full circle when a room had become available at a local salon. She worked up a business plan that was comprised of everything she had imagined and began her journey in this one room.
Ashley began advertising intensely to get the word out about the new massage therapist coming to Oregon Ohio. She worked through social networking, the suburban metro press, and also made several in person visits with flyers to local doctorsâ offices and other small businesses.
Within two weeks of her making her debut at the Oregon salon she was filling her appointment books with new and returning clients very quickly. However, within 3 months of being in this one therapy room there became a 6 week wait to see this newly licensed practitioner.
After 6 months of being at the local salon her original vision began to evolve into a place where more massage therapists could join her on this journey, a place much larger, and quieter. She wanted this place to be where clients could call it a home away from home. Her search ended with a small studio space on Navarre in July of 2011. It was at this point where Open Arms Wellness Center made its true debut.
After realizing word of mouth was a very powerful
form of advertising from her initial endeavor Ashley looked to add additional therapists. Open Arms then welcomed massage therapists and estheticians all in like mind. Creating a wide variety of new services other than just massage therapy. These services, such as facials, scrubs, wraps and waxing added an even greater draw for potential clients.
Soon Open Arms was 6 therapists working together created such a wonderful and friendly environment that they simply ran out of space to handle their clients in a timely fashion. At this point it became evident that in order to serve both new and regular clients in a timely fashion they simply needed more space. It was at this point another search began.
In July 2012 exactly one year after their grand opening Ashley received the keys to their much more spacious location in the same building on Navarre where it all began, except in a different suite. Without notifying the girls, Ashley met with each of them privately and took them on a âfield tripâ to
show them their new home. In August of 2012 they previewed their new location to their clients and the community.
During the creation of Open Arms Wellness Center we were faced with many obstacles. One which any small business owner can attest to is meeting the financial demands of owning a small business of any size. And then came CoVid. CoVid came in like a hurricane for many small businesses. Open Arms in particular had to shut down for over 3 months and in return eventually closing the second part of their
business, the Yoga Loft 2 years ago. Slowly but surely Open Arms has been finding their feet again and re-establishing what it once was.
Ashley helps Open Arms continue to grow and is always looking for new inspiring ways to boost the attention of the Oregon Community. As such, taking a step into the beauty world and recently graduating from The Toledo Beauty Academy in Esthetics which is quaintly located in Oregon, Ohio.
Keeping it local! With the addition of natural beauty and in combination with what we are already offering, Ashley's hope is to see Open Arms soar back to its original state.
Open Arms was created by a therapist, for a therapist. While going through school every therapist has a dream. This is a dream made up of what they want to do when they graduate and what they want to ultimately become. For Ashley, creating an environment that every therapist would want to be a part of had become her primary goal. A place that is not only a work place, but a place you want
to go to enjoy.
Family, that is what Open Arms has become, everyone, including therapists come
through our doors with âOpen Armsâ. It is because of this family that Open Arms has begun to thrive.
Every therapist that works in the studio reaches out with healing to every client that enters. More and more of our clients have joined the family of returning regular clients. We educate our clients on the benefits and not only do they retain the knowledge we share with them but they feel the benefits in
their everyday life as they continue to receive massage.
Providing a safe environment for both clients and therapists at Open Arms may not seem like much to the average passerby. However, each therapist must be medically licensed by the State of Ohio with a minimum of 750 hours of training. They must complete 24 hours of continuing education every
two years in order to keep their license current. This allows them to stay current with the ever changing landscape of the Medical industry.
Open Arms Wellness Center is still continuing to grow. We are very thankful to the community and the City of Oregon for being so welcoming to our small business over the past 11 years! Our area is swarming with opportunity and growth! We put our hearts out there, we reach out there and most of
all; we are out there!
Being a part of this growing community has been a blessing to Open Arms; itâs the simple word of mouth that will get you where you want to go!
Thatâs what it can do for you because
thatâs what it has done for us!
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