Expectant parents, especially the first-timers, should find Mom Massage a respite from the constant worrying that stretches for nine long months until the baby is born. This sentiment was turned into a profitable business by Vier Tajonera.

“It started when my wife, Justine, had a hard time looking for a massage therapist when she was pregnant. Most spas did not want to touch her because most spas do not provide pregnancy massages,” he explains.

If his wife was willing to pay premium price for a pregnancy massage, Tajonera realized that other women in a similar situation might be willing to do the same. This prompted Tajonera to start Mom Massage in 2007 to offer home-service massages for pregnant and lactating mothers in the Quezon City area, where such a service was unavailable. The couple did this with an initial capital of P50,000 from their savings.

As for marketing their services, they did this by setting up a website, email blasts, text messaging, and word of mouth.

A WELCOME SERVICE

The company’s vision revolves around the importance of breastfeeding children from at least six months onwards. Its mission is to provide support to pregnant women through their massage services such as the Prenatal Massage which aims to relieve expectant mothers from various pains that comes with pregnancy.

Another service is the Labor Massage that helps in shortening labor, and might even assist in inducing labor when the mother is past her due date. They also offer a Postnatal Massage which helps mothers get back to their pre-pregnancy figure, and a Lactation Massage that helps in opening the milk ducts and ease the flow of breastmilk.

The services are delivered by two regular therapists, with another two on call, all of them government trained.

“They were all trained by a DOH accredited trainer. They all went through two months of rigorous training and had to go through a two- week practicum at Fabella Hospital,” explains Tajonera. “It is imperative that each Mom Massage therapist knows what she is doing.”

Expectant mothers, particularly those who are carrying a child for the first time reacted warmly to Mom Massage. “A lot of pregnant women were thrilled and very happy that this type of service is finally available. Women wouldn’t appreciate our service until they realize how uncomfortable it is to carry a baby for nine months,” says Tajonera.

A HANDY RESOURCE FOR MOTHERS 

He also points out that with the growing realization of the importance of breastfeeding, Mom Massage puts an emphasis on helping mothers succeed and manage breastfeeding. “It [breastfeeding] isn’t as easy as it sounds. A lot of women give up easily and just opt to give formula instead. Mom Massage is here to help mothers succeed in breastfeeding. We give free breastfeeding consultation to our clients,” explains Tajonera. 

After two years of offering home massages, Tajonera finally opened a massage center early this year. Although they never really experienced any difficulties throughout their operation, the emergence of numerous spas worries Tajonera.

“A lot of spas are starting to add pregnancy massage in their list of services. And they’re charging much less than we do. This makes me suspicious about the quality of massage they give to pregnant women,” he says.

To raise awareness on the benefits of pregnancy massages and the importance of it being executed in the correct manner--- Mom Massage is currently setting up classes for expecting couples wherein they will be taught basic pregnancy massage techniques that they can do on their own.

Mom Massage’s clientele continue to rise with each year, to accompany this growth, future parents will be pleased to find that the couple also owns a branch of Diaper Depot, which is located beside their new massage center. Diaper Depot enables parents to purchase high-quality diapers in factory prices.

“Having a Diaper Depot store is one way for us to retain our massage clients. Since we know that all our clients have babies, it is logical that they’ll need diapers,” Tajonera points out.

Contact Details:

Address: Unit G, F & J Don Antonio Arcade, #17 Holy Spirit Drive, Don Antonio Heights, QC
Tel Nos. 412-9003; 374-5062
E-mail: mommassage.ph@gmail.com;
Website: http://mommassageph.com, http://www.mommassage.multiply.com