Today we’d like to introduce you to Joann Brito.
Joann, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My initial journey into my massage career was not a planned one. I owned a physical therapy and rehabilitation facility for over five years before deciding to transition out of that aspect of the business. I had completed massage therapy school a year prior, but upon completing school never went to take the state exam because I got so consumed with work. Honestly, I originally decided to go to massage school to have it as an added benefit for my practice but did not think I’d be using it much, so taking the exam wasn’t at the top of my priority list at the time… boy was I wrong!
Once I made the decision to leave my practice, I decided to take the exam so I could not only have a license in my back pocket but also to allow me to have something to do until I figured out my next step. I knew I wanted to work with some aspect of the human body, as I loved therapy and recovery so much, but was unsure if I wanted to open another facility or not. Well, the massage Gods had other plans for me, and this “temporary job” has turned into an amazing career that has taken me to places I never thought I’d go for over a decade and counting now. I’ve met and had clients from all walks of life, some have become close friends, and I love that my craft continues to make a difference in peoples lives.
Has it been a smooth road?
Something that’s not hard for me, but I’ve seen with some therapist I mentor, is networking and wanting to meet people. In this modern tech world, take advantage of social and business groups to network at in person, online communities for your industry and ones tailored for businesswomen and entrepreneurs. When I started out, the options were limited so you literally had to go out and hit the pavement at a business’ and events to get your name out. Now, everything you need to get started, ability to research information and finding networking and marketing resources are on your phone and at the touch of your fingers.
Mapping out what best suits your business needs may take a little trial and error, but consistency with the process is what will sustain you and give you the results you desire for the long term. So, do not let any missteps you may encounter discourage you, and be sure to learn from that lesson & move on to the next task at hand.
Also, if you are thinking of reaching out to a mentor for guidance, be sure to do your homework prior so they see you aren’t afraid of work and are serious and prepared to take in the knowledge they may choose to share. If they have online courses, books, webinars, social media, etc., invest your time and possibly a little money because the information you may be seeking may already be there for you to grasp. This discovery process also prepares you to maximize the guidance you desire with the time you have with them.
I tell my clients and my mentees that ambition and dedication have no off-season!
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I specialize in fascia and sports therapy massage and am known as the Massage Ninja. I’ve been trained in various modalities such as assisted stretching, gua sha tools, and Kinesio taping, but vacuum cupping is my all time favorite modality to use with my clients. I also perform backstage massage at venues and travel often for my clients.
The majority of my client base are athletes and musicians, but I enjoy working on anyone needing to give their body a reboot & wanting to be “fixed.” My style of bodywork is unique but very effective… I call it to pain with a purpose! 😉
The past two years I’ve really enjoyed mentoring and training therapist in the industry. I recently wrote my first book on how to set up and run a mobile massage company titled, “Guidebook to Mobile Massage: Tips from the Massage Ninja,” and it’s available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Apple.
So much of the media coverage is focused on the challenges facing women today, but what about the opportunities? Do you feel there are any opportunities that women are particularly well positioned for?
Women are positioned for whatever opportunity they have a passion for. I’ve always been a believer that you create the opportunities you desire for yourself, whether they are available to you or not, and I’m a living testament of that. I’m a single mother, do not have a college degree and had never worked in any aspect of healthcare prior to coming to Houston 18 years ago, but my initial experience working in rehab and recovery has led me to the career I have today.
Hard work… passion… patience… and a ton of research will prepare and lead anyone, particularly women because we are innately resilient beings, to your purpose!
Pricing:
- eBook: $9.99
- Paperback: $19.99
- Hardcover: $23.99
- Books Available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Contact Info:
- Website: www.joannbrito.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/massageninja/
- Other: https://linktr.ee/massageninja
Image Credit:
Cupping treatment on glutes, IT band and hamstrings, Me & NFL Vet – Andre Johnson, Cupping treatment on back, PJ-Life… perks of the job, NFL clients (left-right): Johnathan Joseph, Alfred Blue, Braxton Miller, My daughter Sara & I, Dj Sam Sneak, Duckie, myself & my boss Rick Ross for Italy leg of work trip, Book: Guidebook to Mobile Massage: Tips from the Massage Ninja
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.
