WHILE working from home means less

commuting time, the pandemic still has managed to create new levels of stress. This, entrepreneur Janine Khazaie well understands, and through her MassageMNL service seeks to help more Filipinos cope with their current lot, enjoying relaxing therapies in their private spaces.

Janine launched the business in 2018 in a market, packed with home service beauty and wellness providers. However, she felt she still could bring something new to the massage table. She says: “I focused on specialized and premium home service massages that were of high-end quality, but with an affordable price point.”

The early days were not without hardship. Having just delivered her son Ethan and it proved to be quite a difficult and financially challenging period. She recalls: “My husband Bobby and I had almost emptied our savings for medical bills and to support my preterm labor. Aside from taking care of Ethan, I was also running my online beauty shop Pink Beautiq, while Bobby was em

ployed at a private company.

“We were running the massage business on the side, starting with four therapists, whom we would book and drive to their appointments. While waiting for them to finish with their appointments, I would be outside handing out fliers to passers-by.”

The couple were also asked to leave their condo unit, as neighbors were not happy that it was being used as an office and staff house for MassageMNL’s employees. Unfazed, they moved elsewhere and continued their activities.

Another challenge was the public perception about home service massages at the time. Janine explains: “When we were starting, there were so many people messaging or calling if we did ‘extra service,’ and there were times when our therapists experienced clients asking them for this on the spot. It was crazy!

“That’s why it is essential how we position MassageMNL in the market, our tone of voice online, the therapists’ etiquette and how we present the business through our branding in order to gain the target market’s respect.”

The services are indeed wholesome and family oriented, and include pre- and post-natal massages and even massages for kids and babies. Also available are the Lymphatic Drainage Massage, which is promoted as a detoxifying and slimming option that boosts the immune system and helps flush out metabolic waste as well as the Myofascial Release that focuses on pressure points that trigger pain in the body. Says Janine: “We have trained senior therapists for these kind of services, and they are also the ones, who help us make sure that all our 115 therapists are able to render quality services that are up to our standards.”

Strokes of genius

Due to existing restrictions brought about by pandemic protocols, MassageMNL has had to deal with a fresh set of obstacles, which saw Janine struggling to find ways to support her team. “During the first lockdown in March last year, we all thought it was just going to last for two weeks. When the government announced that it woudl be extended, I knew I needed to do something to help my employees earn during the lockdowns, and that’s when we started MNL Riders.”

Janine had noticed that it had become difficult to book delivery or pabili (errand) services, and people really needed another option to buy groceries and other essentials. Her solution was to offer the company’s existing fleet of riders, who were transporting their therapists to their appointments. The service quickly became popular after she offered it online. To keep up with the demand, they even hired the husbands or siblings of their therapists to help augment incomes.

During that time, she was also preparing to transition her business towards the ‘new normal.’ She says: “I attended a lot of online seminars on wellness and food businesses’ best safety practices, and I started to create a protocol that strictly adhered to IATF and Department of Health guidelines.” This was implemented once they could operate again.

“Our therapists are serviced by private vehicles to and from their clients,” she reports. “They also present their updated health clearances and wear PPE’s (personal protective equipment) while they work. They get regularly tested and are now all fully-vaccinated.”

As the government loosens restrictions, Janine is now readying to launch a new service, where one can book an intimate spa party at home for events like bridal showers, gender reveal parties, or just as a special treat for the family. The Massage Bar by MassageMNL comes with an instagrammable setup along with their range of services. “We have gotten used to Zoom parties, but as more Filipinos get vaccinated, people are getting creative at planning intimate parties at home,” she says.

The reason for her untiring work ethic is that she always wanted to be an entrepreneur. She says: “I remember selling stationeries to my classmates in elementary school. I also ‘partnered’ with a neighbor in selling barbecue and fishballs and sold gulaman (jelly).” Her mother, who ran a sari-sari store in Samar province where she grew up, wanted her to take up nursing and go abroad.

Janine, however, demurred. She says: “I firmly told her that it wasn’t my calling. I went to St. Paul University in Quezon City, and majored in entrepreneurship to prepare myself for the real world, so that I’d have enough knowledge to start my own business after graduation. Growing up, my dream had always been to have my own business, to have something to call my own that I could proudly say I had built from the ground up. And now it’s a reality!”

She credits her husband for supporting this dream. “He has always been the first one to cheer me on and believe in my ideas and plans,” she declares. “He even quit his job to join me in building the brand. He is the one handling all the creatives of the company, from graphic design to photos and videos.”

Janine is glad for the support as it helps with her self-care. She says: “In promoting a wellness brand, it’s important for me to take a break from work from time to time. I like to travel, disconnect my phone and just focus on myself and family. I think now more than ever, this is the time for all of us to take care of physical and mental health. We can’t do the usual pre-pandemic things such as travel or socializing because of the daily Covid-19 risks. Relaxing and de-stressing with enjoyable things like massages ease both our body and minds during the burnout we are experiencing.”

Janine shares the lesson that she learned from the pandemic. “It made me realize that the number one priority will always be your family’s health and safety. Material things are temporary happiness, and having a happy family is the best gift you will ever have and I am grateful and blessed to have my own.”

For the other entrepreneurs whose businesses have been affected by the lockdowns, she says: “Adapt to the ‘new normal’ or even the ‘next normal.’ As entrepreneurs, we have to change with the times, we have to evolve and keep up with what’s happening globally. We need to think fast, act fast. Everyone is going digital, so go digital. Most importantly, create your own business, be unique and not a copy — put your own signature style to your business and own it!”