RETIREMENT did not mean the end of going to work for Bermudian Mary Soares, rather it provided her the opportunity to branch out and do something different.
After 13 years with the Bank of Bermuda, she retired in September and only two months later opened her own business -- the Nail Hut Sanctuary. "I was looking for something else to do and I am trained in business management so I thought I'd manage a business,'' she said.
"This seemed like a nice little retirement type job for me and my husband.'' Mrs. Soares maintained a regular regimen of beauty therapy treatments during her years at the Bank and opted to start a business in this area.
Coincidentally when she advertised for staff, she attracted some of her therapists.
"Debbie was the only one who applied when I was looking for a masseuse,'' she said, "and I was very comfortable with that because she had given me massages in the past.'' Mrs. Soares was also able to retain her longtime nail technician CJ who had been contemplating leaving the Island.
"CJ told me she was looking at going back to the US before she decided to work here,'' said Mrs. Soares "everything just fell into place so nicely.'' The new business is located at the Brunswick Mall on Brunswick Street in Hamilton. And although she only opened its doors in November Mrs. Soares is already looking at expansion.
"We could branch out and do hair as well,'' she said.
A long list of special massage treatments and consultations are offered at the shop currently and many are completely new to the Island.
Debbie Gwilliam, the massage therapist on staff is recently returned from over a year's training in several of the latest techniques including Brazilian massage and La Stone therapy.
"The Brazilian massage is a very spiritual treatment,'' she said. "It begins with a brisk massage followed by a gentle massage working within the aura.
Discovering the beauty of retirement "This is a very deep massage and can take you into past life regression.'' Ms Gwilliam noted that she was fully trained to handle the results the massage could unleash in clients. Proficient in many counselling type therapies she also offers a specific treatment for survivors of abuse as well as Cosmic Ray healing, Reiki healing, meditation and intuitive therapies.
All the rage in Europe and the US La Stone, a special massage treatment with hot and freezing cold rocks will also be offered at the Nail Hut Sanctuary.
"I will offer a full body massage in the La Stone treatment,'' said Ms Gwilliam, "but also as an introduction will have a back massage available.
"The treatment consists of placing alternately heated then frozen stones on the body,'' she said.
"It relaxes the muscles, eases pain, stimulates circulation, calms the mind and is very soothing to the spirit. It is deeply nurturing on many levels.'' In addition to the well-known Swedish, aromatherapy and reflexology massages specialised treatments are also available for golfers and pregnant women.
"The treatment room is a lovely relaxing place with lavender walls where people can come and get real relief from their daily stresses.''
