The Michigan Massage and Wellness Superstars
Somehow, we’re already three weeks into the new year...where is the time going?
If you’ve been around the MMW realm for any length of time, you know that at our core, we are a business built on caring, compassion, a whole lot of grit, and even more stubbornness. I mean, how else do you keep a small business running for so long? It certainly isn’t luck, nepotism, connections, or a lot of business acumen. I’m a high school dropout, for crying out loud! What do I know about profit and loss or financial forecasting? And what do you mean I can’t deduct my pool as a business expense??
But you know what I do know? People. And let me take a moment to introduce you (or re-introduce you) to our kickass team that I’ve managed to assemble.
If you’ve been around the MMW realm for any length of time, you know that at our core, we are a business built on caring, compassion, a whole lot of grit, and even more stubbornness. I mean, how else do you keep a small business running for so long? It certainly isn’t luck, nepotism, connections, or a lot of business acumen. I’m a high school dropout, for crying out loud! What do I know about profit and loss or financial forecasting? And what do you mean I can’t deduct my pool as a business expense??
But you know what I do know? People. And let me take a moment to introduce you (or re-introduce you) to our kickass team that I’ve managed to assemble.
Naomi: 2019-Present
Naomi was our very first student intern and has been with us since 2019 when Carnegie Institute reached out and asked if I would like to participate in their student externship program. I have truly watched her grow up. She started out as a young 20-something, a brand new massage therapist, unsure of her path, shy, and between you and me (and everyone else reading this), I think she may have been a little afraid of me back in the beginning! And now? 2026 Naomi? She just celebrated her 30th birthday, her baby just turned ONE, she is a wife, a mom, an amazing massage therapist, and since returning from maternity leave a few months ago, she’s been helping all our new team members learn the ropes and has settled right back into her role as one of our top therapists and fills in so many gaps for me because she helped with a lot of our systems and routines that we do now. One of the perks of being one of the first employees; you start to do things your way and teach everyone else your awesome ways.
We’re saddened to say that Naomi will be stepping away from the treatment room more due to schedule changes and her husband getting an exciting new job (unfortunately not work-from-home). However, we’re thrilled that she’ll be staying on in a more administrative role, so you might hear her voice when you call to schedule! Naomi has been with us through every change over the past six years, and I’m so happy she’ll still be a part of our new growth and she is a beacon of light for our new therapists who are feeling overwhelmed and unsure, because she was in their shoes once upon a time too.
We’re saddened to say that Naomi will be stepping away from the treatment room more due to schedule changes and her husband getting an exciting new job (unfortunately not work-from-home). However, we’re thrilled that she’ll be staying on in a more administrative role, so you might hear her voice when you call to schedule! Naomi has been with us through every change over the past six years, and I’m so happy she’ll still be a part of our new growth and she is a beacon of light for our new therapists who are feeling overwhelmed and unsure, because she was in their shoes once upon a time too.
Nicole: 2021-Present
Look, you all know Nicole as the GOAT, but did you know she wasn’t even supposed to be with us?? She was also a student intern from Carnegie, and when she was wrapping up her schooling in 2021, we already had another student intern, so we weren’t really in a spot to take on another. And because of her demanding work schedule, her availability was limited. But, me being the people pleaser I am and not wanting to say no, I said, “Sure! We can find a spot for her.”
Funny story: during her internship, Nicole and I barely worked together. We were basically on opposite schedules, and I was still a full-time massage therapist back then. Naomi was the one working almost exclusively with her and showing her the ropes. And now? Nicole is about to turn 25. TWENTY-FIVE! SHE CAN FINALLY RENT A CAR! But this 25-year-old is more mature than I am some days. Not only has she been taking care of all of you for the past 3.5 years, she’s also a full-time college student working toward her Bachelor’s in Exercise Science, planning a wedding, and is my right hand in the office. She helps our new people get settled and ensures that the vibe check is always solid.
Funny story: during her internship, Nicole and I barely worked together. We were basically on opposite schedules, and I was still a full-time massage therapist back then. Naomi was the one working almost exclusively with her and showing her the ropes. And now? Nicole is about to turn 25. TWENTY-FIVE! SHE CAN FINALLY RENT A CAR! But this 25-year-old is more mature than I am some days. Not only has she been taking care of all of you for the past 3.5 years, she’s also a full-time college student working toward her Bachelor’s in Exercise Science, planning a wedding, and is my right hand in the office. She helps our new people get settled and ensures that the vibe check is always solid.
Vincent: 2024-Present
et me tell you about this young man. He just turned 22, and in the year and a half he’s been with us (between his student intern time and as a licensed massage therapist), he’s made an incredible impact. One of our longtime clients, who had seen Naomi for years, recently saw Vincent for the first time. She was initially hesitant because of a bad experience with a male therapist at another place, but she trusted us and gave it a try. Afterwards she said, “He looks like he can kick your ass and I want to call him Wreck-It Ralph — that massage was amazing!”
Vincent's current plan is to begin fire academy training with the Detroit Fire Department in the spring, and while we’ll miss him when he goes, he knows he’ll always have a home with us. In the meantime, Vincent’s passion is working with athletes. As a weightlifter, martial arts enthusiast, and overall health nut, he thrives on helping people recover from intense workouts. And yes, while he can deliver pressure like Thor’s Hammer, he also brings a deep, relaxing flow to every session. As one client said, “That was the deepest and most intense yet most relaxing massage I’ve ever had.”
He’s helped our newer team members get comfortable with deep tissue work. Melissa walked out of a training session with him feeling more confident (and less sore) thanks to his body mechanics coaching. He’s our all-around Mr. Let Me Help You Out, and he’s AWESOME.
Vincent's current plan is to begin fire academy training with the Detroit Fire Department in the spring, and while we’ll miss him when he goes, he knows he’ll always have a home with us. In the meantime, Vincent’s passion is working with athletes. As a weightlifter, martial arts enthusiast, and overall health nut, he thrives on helping people recover from intense workouts. And yes, while he can deliver pressure like Thor’s Hammer, he also brings a deep, relaxing flow to every session. As one client said, “That was the deepest and most intense yet most relaxing massage I’ve ever had.”
He’s helped our newer team members get comfortable with deep tissue work. Melissa walked out of a training session with him feeling more confident (and less sore) thanks to his body mechanics coaching. He’s our all-around Mr. Let Me Help You Out, and he’s AWESOME.
And now, onto our new players... but first, another story.
Fun fact: I hired three new people within a month, staggering their onboarding about two weeks apart. For someone who had only ever hired like three people in 20 years, maybe not my smartest move. Turns out, when you’re still working full time (that’s 20 clients/week; and don’t give me the "Oh, you only worked 20 hours?" line because I dare you to give even two 30-minute massages back-to-back and see how you feel), you kind of drop the ball in other areas. Like trying to figure out how to be a boss.
When my first three employees started as student interns, their onboarding happened naturally. Suddenly, I had three new people who were ready, willing, and able, and I had to catch up.
When my first three employees started as student interns, their onboarding happened naturally. Suddenly, I had three new people who were ready, willing, and able, and I had to catch up.
Melissa: 2025-Present
Did you know that in her previous professional life, Melissa was a Registered Nurse for 15 years? Most of that time was spent in the operating room assisting with nearly every kind of surgery. No surprise, she’s taken a shine to Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD). In her second week, she casually mentioned, “By the way, I signed up for that MLD course you told me about.”
Oh, you mean the $1200/60-hour training that took me 20 years to take? And she’s been a massage therapist for two months? Hell yeah — way to commit! And commit she did. She quit her hospital nursing job! That’s a huge leap. Nursing can be a lucrative and stable profession, but it can also be soul-crushing and emotionally draining. Melissa decided it wasn’t worth the burnout. Now she’s on the schedule 4–5 days a week and crushing it with her MLD skills. She’s also diving into post-op training and recently gifted herself (and all of MMW) with MPS training.
And she’s just getting started. Melissa is also growing her massage skills, especially in post-operative and orthopedic work. With her clinical background and a fellow GenX kid, she has settled right into the mix.
Oh, you mean the $1200/60-hour training that took me 20 years to take? And she’s been a massage therapist for two months? Hell yeah — way to commit! And commit she did. She quit her hospital nursing job! That’s a huge leap. Nursing can be a lucrative and stable profession, but it can also be soul-crushing and emotionally draining. Melissa decided it wasn’t worth the burnout. Now she’s on the schedule 4–5 days a week and crushing it with her MLD skills. She’s also diving into post-op training and recently gifted herself (and all of MMW) with MPS training.
And she’s just getting started. Melissa is also growing her massage skills, especially in post-operative and orthopedic work. With her clinical background and a fellow GenX kid, she has settled right into the mix.
Sarah: 2025-Present
n fact: Sarah is the ONLY therapist on the team with prior experience elsewhere. Naomi, Nicole, and Vincent all started with us as interns, but Sarah came in with nearly seven years of massage experience. Her passion shows in every session. She brings such a peaceful, calming energy to the treatment room. She’s just a good person. And in an industry that is notoriously difficult to find qualified, trustworthy and motivated people, she is a gem.
She spends her time enjoying vegan meals with her boyfriend, loves bouldering and hiking, and understands how our hobbies can impact our bodies. She’s been expanding her training in Thai massage and stretching. Clients say that when she incorporates these techniques, it feels like they’ve been transported to another world. She's also a Level 3 Reiki Practitioner so it's no doubt she's able to bring people into parasympathetic bliss.
Sarah has also helped me navigate the ups and downs of being an employer by offering feedback from her past experiences so I can ensure that the staff has a healthy and happy environment. And with her background in events, she’s helped us start fielding on-site chair massage requests. Her calm demeanor has a ripple effect, and her massages are truly something special.
She spends her time enjoying vegan meals with her boyfriend, loves bouldering and hiking, and understands how our hobbies can impact our bodies. She’s been expanding her training in Thai massage and stretching. Clients say that when she incorporates these techniques, it feels like they’ve been transported to another world. She's also a Level 3 Reiki Practitioner so it's no doubt she's able to bring people into parasympathetic bliss.
Sarah has also helped me navigate the ups and downs of being an employer by offering feedback from her past experiences so I can ensure that the staff has a healthy and happy environment. And with her background in events, she’s helped us start fielding on-site chair massage requests. Her calm demeanor has a ripple effect, and her massages are truly something special.
Siomara: 2025-Present
Last but absolutely not least is Siomara. Before moving to Michigan, she lived in Brazil, where she worked as a Physical Therapist in hospitals and clinics. While she’s not licensed as a PT in Michigan-because really, at our age who wants to go back to school for that long?!-she’s set to graduate from massage school in April 2026. And with her massage training, stretch certification, Pilates instruction, and PT background, she brings a multi-faceted approach to bodywork.
Her calm energy, ninja-like palpation skills, and attention to detail will make you wonder why you ever went to those stretch places where everyone gets the same cookie-cutter treatment. We may no longer have the externship program, but we’re lucky to have time with Siomara while she finishes school so she can hit the ground running when she’s licensed, but in the meantime spend an hour on her table and get stretched like you never thought you could and enjoy freedom in your newfound mobility.
Her calm energy, ninja-like palpation skills, and attention to detail will make you wonder why you ever went to those stretch places where everyone gets the same cookie-cutter treatment. We may no longer have the externship program, but we’re lucky to have time with Siomara while she finishes school so she can hit the ground running when she’s licensed, but in the meantime spend an hour on her table and get stretched like you never thought you could and enjoy freedom in your newfound mobility.
And finally, Rebecca: 2004-Present
Everyone thinks all I do is vacation anyway so why not use a vacation photo? :-P
What started as a mild interest in something I’d never even experienced (massage) back in 2002 has turned into something so much bigger. I thought massage would be something I could do as a stay-at-home mom (because isn't that what we were supposed to do? Get married and have babies?) My husband would work, I’d do the mom thing and see clients occasionally and pay for our family vacations.
Then real life happened. Dating in Michigan? Let’s just say… slim pickings. Over the years, my work became my baby. After spending eight years in our current location in Troy, and how has it been eight years already?!,and seeing this kickass team that I’ve built, I’ve become a different kind of mom.
I’ve mentored brand new therapists, helped them develop their skills, and turned a 'hobby' job into a full-blown business with taxes, leases, payroll, marketing, oh my! And trying to keep everyone happy (and booked and busy). It’s not easy.
Honestly? Sometimes it’s easier being in the treatment room. There, you're appreciated. You’re not dodging telemarketers, being told to charge clients for credit card fees (I won't, and that’s a hill I’ll die on so please tip your therapist in cash or Venmo!), or staring at empty appointment slots trying to fill them.
But with this little army of misfit therapists? We’re making a way bigger impact. And nothing beats hearing one of my therapists come out of a session smiling from ear to ear, exhausted after beating muscles into submission for the past 90 minutes, and saying, “I love my job!"
In Good Hands,
Rebecca Tamm, Owner/Founder
Michigan Massage and Wellness
Then real life happened. Dating in Michigan? Let’s just say… slim pickings. Over the years, my work became my baby. After spending eight years in our current location in Troy, and how has it been eight years already?!,and seeing this kickass team that I’ve built, I’ve become a different kind of mom.
I’ve mentored brand new therapists, helped them develop their skills, and turned a 'hobby' job into a full-blown business with taxes, leases, payroll, marketing, oh my! And trying to keep everyone happy (and booked and busy). It’s not easy.
Honestly? Sometimes it’s easier being in the treatment room. There, you're appreciated. You’re not dodging telemarketers, being told to charge clients for credit card fees (I won't, and that’s a hill I’ll die on so please tip your therapist in cash or Venmo!), or staring at empty appointment slots trying to fill them.
But with this little army of misfit therapists? We’re making a way bigger impact. And nothing beats hearing one of my therapists come out of a session smiling from ear to ear, exhausted after beating muscles into submission for the past 90 minutes, and saying, “I love my job!"
In Good Hands,
Rebecca Tamm, Owner/Founder
Michigan Massage and Wellness
