Massage therapist fulfills dream in Skokie

[admin]

* BY NATALIE HAYES | Contributor May 7, 2013 3:10PM

Vince Celdran, a Filipino immigrant, has found success with his Skokie massage studio. | Contributed photo

storyidforme: 48292482
tmspicid: 18167447
fileheaderid: 8170001
8850 Skokie Blvd., Suite 100
To make an appointment, go to http://vrc.massagetherapy.com/online-appointment or call 847-261-4883.


Updated: May 13, 2013 3:02PM
When Vince Celdran moved to the U.S. from the Philippines 13 years ago, he wanted to make the American dream a reality: He wanted to make it in the massage therapy business.
Celdran took his first job in the U.S. as a Certified Nursing Assistant, doing the dirty work at low-paying jobs in medical facilities before earning certification as a physical therapy aid.
Almost 12 years after he arrived in the U.S., Celdran finally achieved his dream of running a health care-focused business when he opened VRC Massage and Wellness in Skokie one year ago.
VRC Massage and Wellness, 8850 Skokie Blvd., Suite 100, offers massage therapy services as a part of physical rehabilitation programs that aim to heal symptoms associated with conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis and back pain.
In the past year since opening his business, Celdran has already expanded his facility from two massage rooms to four rooms and as many licensed massage therapists to accommodate the influx of customers who come in regularly to enjoy a healing massage in a relaxed and comfortable environment.
The Skokie Review talked to Celdran about his journey to business ownership and why he thinks massages should be incorporated into every healthy lifestyle.
Q: What led you to open a massage therapy business in Skokie? A:
My interests in health developed while living in the Philippines, where I worked in sales for an international health-food-product company promoting nutritional immunology. All my training in the health care field inspired me to do more, and it triggered that desire to help people achieve overall wellness. With this desire in mind, I enrolled myself in the European Massage Therapy School and became a nationally certified massage therapist. When I started doing mobile massages, most of my clients were in Skokie, so I eventually decided to open an office here.
Q: Any big challenges you had to overcome as a first-time business owner? A:
Opening a business during a recession is a great risk, but I knew that taking risks is like jumping off the cliff and building your wings on the way down. It involved a great deal of thinking of the possibilities, and it also involved giving up my previous job as a physical therapy aid. But my passion to serve people weighed the most. After some time of weighing the pros and cons, I decided to do it. During the first few months of VRC Massage and Wellness, I had a hard time expanding my clientele, because I am a male massage therapist. Most of my male and female prospective clients feel awkward being massaged by a male therapist for their own reasoning. But the main thing here is trust. I build a relationship of trust with my clients to make them feel confident, secure and safe.
Q: What are the benefits of massage therapy? A:
Our main goal is to offer vitality, relaxation and comfort to our customers, as stated by our company name. We try to give our customers the most relaxing session they’ve ever had by offering different services, and even incorporating some of the techniques to suit the customer’s needs. We can help people get that vigor of life from all their stresses, while helping them relax and relieving them of pain so they can gain comfort. Massage and bodywork is also known to promote better sleep, improve concentration, reduce anxiety and create an overall sense of well-being.
Q: What different types of massages can customers choose from? A:
We have the basic Swedish massage, deep tissue, sports, reiki, Hawaiian lomi, hot stone therapy, orthopedic massage (which includes the body and joint mobilization technique), PNF stretching, and the myofascial release. We also offer chair massages to corporate offices who want to give their employees an appreciation treat.
Q: Please describe what customers can expect when they come in for a massage. A:
We give our customers comfort and relaxation by setting a stress-free atmosphere in the spa, not only in the massage room, but also in the waiting room. So, the customers could relax from the moment they walk in. We have salt crystal lamps placed all over the spa to contribute to the customer’s wellness. The lamps emit negative ions, which bond with the pollutants (positive ions) in the air, and thus neutralize the air that we breathe in.
Another interesting thing in our spa is the couple’s room. It has two tables and two therapists. This room is especially made for couples, so that they can still be together with their significant other while having a massage session.
Q: What is the most important factor in having a great massage? A:
The therapist. Our four certified and licensed therapists each have their own specialties.
Q: As an experienced massage therapist yourself, what is your main specialty? A:
I personally specialize and was always interested in the orthopedic massage, and having worked in the orthopedic section as a physical therapy aid gave me this inspiration. I strive to heal people who have conditions that require surgery. If the level of the condition’s severity isn’t that acute yet, I try to make it possible that surgery won’t be necessary anymore. But if the condition is already very severe and surgery is mandatory, then post orthopedic massage is helpful to maintain the state of the body, and to prevent the condition from happening again.
Q: Do you have any special offers customers can take advantage of? A:
Like every business, I also run specials and discounts every month and I have membership wellness programs, which can go to up to more than 50 percent off a month. We also have a $99 package that includes a 60-minute massage plus a mani/pedi and a facial.
Q: Any advice you can offer to aspiring business owners?
A: If you can dream it, you can do it. Holding a business requires dedication but you have to put your mind to it.

---