Today we’d like to introduce you to Karina Ruiz.
Karina, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
When I was a young girl, my mother would ask if I could give her a foot massage. I was like, sure. She would always say that, I was so good at it. I thought, she was just saying that so that I could continue doing it. Through out the years, she would give us massages as we grew older when we were sick or because we had growing pains. My goal was to be a elementary bilingual teacher. They had weekends, holidays, nights and summer off. That was the perfect career. Then, one day in my senior year we had to write an essay about a career we planned on pursuing. Whenever we finished our assignment we would then be able to leave class early. I flipped through a career book. My thought was pick the easiest one to write about and leave early. I stumbled upon Massage Therapist! I decided to write about it. I, then saw the amount of time to finish school was very little, at that time, it was about 350 hours. I thought, well, maybe I can go to school for massage therapist, get a part time job and finish my career in teaching. I did that as planned. I almost didn’t get my license. I finished the school but my test to receive my license was held in Austin. I already had planned to take my test but during that time, Ike was coming! Evacuation had began. I almost didn’t make it, but we did. It took us 36 long hours on the road to get from Galveston to Austin which normally would’ve been 4 hours the most. I took my test and passed. I was working at a retail store at Mall of the Mainland after I received my license. I was 19 and just got offered assistant manager position. I also just applied at Massage Envy. It was one of the hardest choices for me at the time to chose between the two. I turned down the position and went to work for Massage Envy 25, minutes from my house. That retail store closed almost a year later. I was still going to school. I met a therapist who told me to apply at the San Luis Spa in Galveston because the pay was double the amount I was already getting. I applied but never heard back. Still focusing on my teaching career, two years later, I got a call from the San Luis Spa. I was back in my Galveston. During this time, I was going to different schools sitting in teachers classes as part of my teaching career. At this point, I had my Associates in General studies from Galveston College. University of Houston was next for me. Then one day, my very outspoken mother told me, “I don’t think you should be a teacher. I don’t think you can handle that many kids in class. You love kids but not to discipline kids.” I looked at her and thought she’s right. I love, love children, but I love the fun stuff playing being silly, etc . After going to all levels of school, I realized how much work, time and sometimes money teaches really invest. It’s not all fun, games and great hours. I continued working at the San Luis. I also did our calls at the time. After 3 years of working, there my husband and I decided to open a small place so that people can come to me and I wouldn’t have to carry around a big table. We definitely didn’t know what we were getting ourselves into. We did not get any loans. We thought just a room, some sheets, table and music. Boy, were we wrong it took so much time, money sweat and tons of support to get it up and running. We had many sleepless nights because he was working and building rooms, counters, putting floors, new restrooms, painting, etc. The place needed a lot of work. Through God’s grace and family’s support, we did it! We opened April 17, 2011. It was the best decision we made! I am a proud B.O.I (Born on Island). I’ve been nominated twice for best massage therapist. Our Spa has been nominated three times. We’ve mad top 10 in Best of Galveston. We’ve won a Bronze award for “Best of Galveston Awards” in 2017. Galvez which is a beautiful big hotel got Gold, the other beautiful big hotel and spa which I worked at Spa San Luis received silver and my 1100 sq. ft. spa received bronze. We are so proud of that and very grateful to all our locals for being loyal and voting also our clients that visit us every time, they are in town from all over the world especially Houston ! We offer a variety of services massages, spa parties, kids spa, outcall services, company chair massage events, hair services, waxing, wraps, back and foot treatments, cranberry and chocolate back mask. It was definitely meant to be and not a coincidence. I specialize in Swedish, deep tissue, sports massage, prenatal aromatherapy, reflexology and Thai just to name a few. 13 years of massaging and 7 years of owning our own business, I’m beyond thankful for the choices I made. I absolutely love what I do. The people are great, hours are amazing (I make my own schedule) pay is great. I get to spend all the time I want with my ten year old Jose and my two-year old Kariana. I don’t feel like I’ve worked a day in my life because I love what I do! I’ve literally massages from 0 years old til 101! Massage is for everyone. Thankful to God, Jesus, my family, friends, clients and all my Galvestonians that support small/local businesses!
Has it been a smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth ride. In the beginning we didn’t realize how much it took to start a business. It’s not just a table, sheets, some lotion and music. There’s building, permits, signs cable, credit card machine, certificate of occupancy, cleaning product, utilities, phone bill, etc! It cost us about $75 just so that we could put our own sign up! Ha! It got better but then it got harder. The building was not in the best of shape. There were A/C issues, boiler exploding, water everywhere. Thank God for HomeTown Bank, for unexpected events like this. It was good for awhile then, I had my two-year old Kariana unexpected complications. I’ve worked through my whole pregnancy for both. I had a c-section and would be out for a while. The hard part was when you don’t work, you don’t get paid and the bills don’t stop! I did have a great friend and therapist Gabby who helped me by massaging all my clients. Everything was going back to work but then 6 months later, I was t-boned and hit twice, that’s how fast the car was going. They ran a red light. My mother and both kids were in the car with me. Thank God we survived! Car was totaled. I was out again. Chiropractor Dr. Lori Antman is right next door to my shop she helped me get through it. After recovery back to massaging. At this point, we’re living in Dickinson, 8/2017 here comes Harvey. We we’re rescued by boat. It got a little rough again losing everything in the house and trying to focus on work. However besides my family, my amazing clients were so amazing, understanding helpful during this time! Carol & Charlie Martorell, Mrs. Powers, Kevin and Edie Herrington, Kim and John Patchell, Gary, Ginny and Debra just to name a few. So, understanding with whether my A/C was out again or my schedule was crazy! Now, here we are 2018 and it’s just been a blessing to be busy and open!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Heavenly Touch Salon & Spa – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
We are most known for massages and our cosmetologist Tiffany’s super relaxing hands even during a wax! I’m very proud that people will come from all over the world literally and ask for me because someone they know came once during vacation and they told to come and ask for me! It’s amazing when someone asks for a massage on social media and you receive like 10 tags or mentions of my name or Heavenly Touch Salon & Spa. We’ve had all types of clients and I love it 😍! Proposals, anniversary, birthdays bridal parties it’s amazing to be apart of it. We’ve also had tears of sadness and tears of happiness! We do have several cancer patients who are terminally ill. At first, it was hard knowing they would pass. However, having those moments with them, sharing laughs during their last months is hard but rewarding knowing that we could help make it a little bit more peaceful. Many clients with cancer have absolutely just enjoyed the touch. Knowing that we can be there for them is a blessing. They all tell me that at that moment the massage eased the pain whole lot. The bond is great!
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I absolutely love the city of Houston, they have been so great to us. Being a 30 to 45 minute drive brings us many clients. Especially beach house rentals and weekend getaways, golfers, bikers, fishers, everyone! I love the beautiful city of Houston every time I can, I go. Whether a weekend getaway at Marquis, taking kids to discovery green or just going for some great food! We love the buildings, people shopping and city life. The one thing I dislike might be probably, the traffic but really, I don’t mind sitting there and enjoying the scenery.
Pricing:
- $35.00 30 Minute Massage Therapy
- $65.00 60 Minute Massage Therapy
- $90.00 90 Minute Massage Therapy
- $35.00 Cut & Style
Contact Info:
- Address: 4631 Fort Crockett Blvd
Galveston, TX 77551 - Phone: 409.256.1035
- Email: heavenlytouchgalveston@live.com
- Instagram: Islandskinnymassages
- Facebook: Heavenly Touch Beauty and Wellness Spa
Image Credit:
Sandy C Photography
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
