"IN THE NEWS"

 MTHS Grad Starts Business

By Susan Defeo

2002 MTHS graduate, Sherrie Green, started her own professional massage therapy establishment in Rio Grande and is open for business.

Sherrie Green

There’s a poem by Shel Silverstein that begins, “All the Woulda-Coulda-Shouldas layin’ in the sun, talkin’ ‘bout the things they woulda coulda shoulda done.” Well, Mr. Silverstein certainly was not talking about Sherrie Green when he composed those lines. At the young age of 23, Sherrie, a 2002 MTHS grad, recently opened her own business called Calm Effects, located at 200 Hirst Ave. in Rio Grande, where she offers professional massage therapy. It is something she has worked hard for.
“Originally I was attending ACC after high school with the intentions of becoming a teacher. Life happened and my parents adopted five special needs children. I dropped out of college so I could watch the kids while my mom worked in order to get benefits for our family. I then learned what stress is,” she laughed, “and the need for stress relief. After reading about massage therapy, I went on to attend Atlantic County Healing Arts Institute nights and weekends. I can see the difference it makes in lives.”
Owning a business has made a difference in Sherrie’s life, too. With little spare time, hobbies and relaxation have to wait. Instead, she uses her time enjoying her family and friends, and works constantly to improve her business and career. “I really do enjoy learning different methods of stress relief and rejuvenating body, mind and soul through massage therapy. I currently am certified in aromatherapy and hot stone massage in addition to Swedish and Deep Tissue massage therapy and am planning on taking even more courses.”
Education and enthusiasm weren’t the only factors in starting up her business, however. “I was fortunate enough to meet a woman named Carlyn Graham-Conover who owns Focused Solutions Counseling Center and the building it contains. She had enough confidence in me to give me ‘the break’ needed to start my own business. With the help of family and friends (and all my savings) we converted an unused room in her building to a calm retreat used for massage therapy.”
As well as the therapies mentioned, Sherrie offers such specials as “Foot Fancy,” which includes a warm foot soak infused with your favorite essential oil, and a foot massage; and “Pretty Palms,” a 30 minute paraffin wax dip and hand massage. Both come with a 60 minute full body Swedish massage. “Pampering Parties” are also available for get togethers, ladies night out, Sweet 16s, and bachelorette parties.
When asked what she might say to someone who would like a massage but is shy about being touched by a stranger, Sherrie replied, “A massage is great because not only is it stress reducing and relaxing, it is also actually very good for you. It can improve circulation, lower blood pressure, and can break down scar tissue among other health benefits. People can be reassured by always having massage therapy done by a professional, certified massage therapist. Part of our training includes proper draping and making sure our client is always comfortable. Everything always remains on a professional level and communication is very important.”
I feel calm already. If you would like to reap the benefits of a soothing massage by a certified massage therapist and AMTA member, don’t be a woulda-coulda-shoulda. Call Sherrie at Calm Effects at (609) 972-3766.

 To My Sister Lacy: I love and miss you very much! We all do. Come home soon.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~