AW Spotlight
Massage Envy . . . Professional Massages, Murad Facials and an Annual Subscription to Happiness
By Krista Martinelli
When you walk into Massage Envy, you immediately notice the relaxing atmosphere and the many choices you that you have when it comes to finding the perfect massage for your needs. You sit down and start with a glass of cool cucumber water or lemon water. Browse through the book of “Who’s Who” among their staff. Massage Envy proudly employs approximately 55 employees. You can flip through their book and get to know their various professional massage therapists, their hometowns, their hobbies and their areas of specialization. “It’s all about finding the right therapist to meet your needs,” says Josephine Kern, who is co-owner of the Royal Palm Beach Massage Envy along with her husband Bob. Their four sons, Kevin, David, Jerome and Mike, all play a role in managing the business as well.
The Kern family is happy to be putting smiles on people’s faces, erasing the stress. They have seen someone develop, for example, from walking with a cane to being able to walk cane-free after just a few months of massage, stretching and targeting problem areas. They’re also happy to be able to employ so many people, during this time of economic strain.
It’s a busy spa with over 2,500 members just for their location in the Costco plaza on Southern Boulevard. With a $20 per month subscription, members enjoy a $39 relaxing, one-hour massage each month or a facial, along with other perks and opportunities to upgrade. Their customers enjoy the affordability and the flexibility they find at Massage Envy. They are open seven days a week, late hours and accept walk-in appointments. Members of Massage Envy can also receive their massage at any of the over 600 Massage Envy locations that now exist.
When it comes to choosing your massage, you can opt for reflexology, sports, maternity, trigger point, muscle therapy or upgrade to an aromatherapy or hot stone massage. Within the aromatherapy, there are four aromas to choose from: relaxing (mainly lavender and chamomile), refreshing (lemon, geranium, rosewood, may chang and cedar wood oil), lavender garden (patchouli, grapefruit, sweet orange and two lavender oils) or mint & rosemary. Anyone suffering from chronic pain or limited mobility might appreciate the ProHeat Deep Muscle Therapy massage. This massage offers warm towel compression, therapeutic heating oil, target areas of the body and finishes with a cooling gel to release tension.
On a Friday afternoon, I visited Massage Envy for a massage with Claudine. Running on very little sleep, I warned her that I might fall asleep during the massage, which is a nice combination of truly relaxing, plus a little embarrassing. She just assured me it happens to a lot of people and that I should take advantage of the time to relax. She was prompt, polite, made sure that I was getting the right amount of pressure and provided for a truly relaxing experience. So relaxing that I did, indeed, fall asleep toward the end of it. By the way, according to Josie Kern, one hour massage can be equivalent to as much as five hours of sleep. I needed that!
Another relaxing option at Massage Envy is the Murad facial.
Choose from four Murad healthy skin facials – Anti-Aging Facial, Sensitive Skin Facial, Clarifying Enzyme Acne Facial and the Environmental Shield Vitamin C Infusion Facial. The world-renowned skin care expert Dr. Howard Murad shared his line of products with Massage Envy, so that clients can restore their skin affordably and conveniently. These one-hour facials offer the following benefits: moisturizing skin, increasing the body’s circulation, reversing visible signs of aging, improving skin tone, alleviating redness and sensitivity, reducing wrinkles, reducing blemishes and breakouts. Massage Envy Spa clients enjoy having the new option of a facial, another great item added to the Massage Envy menu of services.
Originally, the Kerns were impressed with the franchise of Massage Envy, seeing that their locations were very busy and yielded such good results for their customers. Jerome and Michael Kern decided to buy the Massage Envy rights from Miami up to Port St. Lucie, along with buying a location in Davie. Then parents Bob and Josie decided to buy a second location in Royal Palm Beach. Meanwhile, Jerome is launching a new fitness business, in the same plaza as the Royal Palm Beach Massage Envy, called Orange Theory Fitness. Orange Theory, based on scientific research, is a program that pushes you to burn fat for 24 to 38 hours after you complete your workout. It’s a high energy class that is designed to get you into the best shape in your life, coming in the next couple of months.
The Kerns also own European Wax Center, a hair removal spa, also located in the same plaza as Massage Envy. One of the finest body wax systems in the world, European Wax is a convenient, affordable way to remove hair. An advantage to customers is that they can receive discounts on both Massage Envy and European Wax Center at the same time. Just stop in Massage Envy for more information.
Speaking of special offers, Massage Envy is now offering beautiful gift baskets during the holiday season. Buy 4 gift cards and receive a FREE gift basket or one free massage. The gift basket comes with these holiday specials too . . .
· $105 includes a 2-hour massage, gratuity
· $120 includes a 1-hour massage, facial and gratuity
· $175 gift card purchase
· $177 3-month membership, includes three 1-hour massages
· $150 purchase of Murad products
Call Massage Envy at (561) 422-8889 or stop by for further details on the holiday gift certificates and gift baskets.
What makes the Royal Palm Beach Massage Envy the busiest location in South Florida? It just might be the personalized attention that their customers get. Thanks to the involvement of Bob, Josie and Kevin Kern, “we always have an owner on the premises and we’re always happy to talk to them,” says Kevin. In general, people are beginning to see the therapeutic benefits of massage. They love it as a path to wellness, instead of having to take so many pills, according to Kevin Kern. At Massage Envy, the therapists want all ages to feel comfortable, from young people up to senior clients. “It’s all about listening to their needs,” says Josie.
With 45 therapists and being open 7 days a week, scheduling is “a little like a chess game,” says Kevin Kern, who seems to enjoy the challenge. Kevin is also the head golf pro at the Palm Beach Gardens Golf Course. Michael and Jerome Kern tend to travel a lot as regional representatives for Massage Envy. Meanwhile, David Kern visits from Buffalo a couple of times each month. The Kern family works well together in their multiple businesses, all bringing different skills to the table.
The Massage Envy staff stays busy and is also required to stay up-to-date in their education as well. Massage Envy offers education courses, so that all employees are skilled in the latest techniques and the different modalities.
The clients of Massage Envy tend to walk out feeling rejuvenated, refreshed and relieved. “We take care of people the best we can,” says Josie, summing up the most satisfying aspect of the business. “And they keep coming back.”
Massage Envy Spa®
Southern Blvd.
Costco Shopping Plaza
Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411
(561) 422-8889