25 Years of Wellness!
My how time flies! I can still visualize the scene 25 years ago when our 3 children and I were sitting around the kitchen staring out the window waiting for “daddy’s” first client.
Our basement was the setting for the client; portable massage table, clean sheet covering it, soft lighting, we were so excited. Dennis was downstairs pacing!!!
The car pulled up to the house, stopped, backed up, pulled up, backed up, pulled in our driveway, backed out, and sped away!!!! That was when Dennis and I decided that working out of our home was not the best way to approach our new venture!
Shortly after our no-show client Dennis scouted areas for an office, found one, yeah and in Solon, how exciting; Suite 120 was the number of our first office. We knew it was meant to be since Dennis was a Pipefitter in Local 120 here in Cleveland, a sign from above! In May of 1987 our dream became a reality.
Chagrin Valley Massotherapy became a dream come true for the Gibbons Family; our children didn’t quite understand what Daddy did, but their support and excitement prodded Dennis into becoming the gifted Massage Therapist that he is today. Dennis’ transformation from rugged pipefitter, working outside in the winter, inside in the summer, working high in the air, and working underground, to a shirt and tie, to owning a business was peaceful, exciting, and guided by God. Dennis’ understanding of the human body, muscles, bones, ligaments, tendons, blood flow, and the stress put on the body is truly a gift.
Dennis’ new path in life took him down many avenues; massage therapy was known mainly in regard to “massage parlors”, but the Irish in Dennis and being the sole support of a wife and 3 hungry children forced him to make massage therapy a viable and respected profession. The children and I were blessed to have the company of Dennis’ father while Dennis was on his mission to build his practice. Grandpa would keep us busy, entertain the children and I while Dennis would speak at runners clubs, libraries, evening education classes at various places. Dennis would set up his massage table at the then Revco Marathon, at finish lines at numerous marathons. All Dennis’ energy and knowledge grew Chagrin Valley Massotherapy.
This was just the beginning of our dream! Dennis’ blessings continued as he became friends with his neighbor in the office building. This man became our mentor, our advisor, and Dennis’ best friend. Tom Herrick guided Dennis on financial matters as well as business protocol. Finance and business was not taught in massage school, and Dennis and I had never owned our own business, so the gentle guidance and kindness shown to us was invaluable, and to this day, we give thanks to Tom and his lovely wife Dorothy for taking these “green” proprietors to great heights! Our lessons from Tom gave Dennis and I the gift of expanding our office and moving from Solon to our current location in Beachwood. Every step is a challenge, and with a support staff behind us, we are here and in the process of expanding our services even further.
Dennis, being Dennis, accomplished his goal of learning more techniques in massage through working with the Cleveland Ballet, runners, Rudolph Nureyev, and dancers. His work took him to Las Vegas to a former dancer’s center where Pilates was taught and Dennis would put on seminars of various massage techniques. We both were clueless as to why he would go to Las Vegas 4 times a year, and in the beginning it would be for only 2 days. We couldn’t afford to close the office for any longer periods of time. But we knew that God was guiding us this way and who are we to question why?
As it turned out, God did direct Dennis in the right direction by going to Vegas. There Dennis learned the meaning and process of fundamental movement. He observed Dolly’s Pilates classes, and he realized how massage and movement are “one”.
Here we go!!!! We both knew that it was time to fulfill another dream; bring on Licensed Massage Therapists who can work in our professional setting. A former dancer and client who now has a very successful practice in Tulsa, (Dani) also teaches pilates in her center. Her husband made their Pilates machines, and was kind enough to not only make our machines (of which they are still in use today), but also hauled our machines to our Solon office, and yes, assembled them for us too! So many wonderful people we have encountered on this journey that have shown us love, kindness and a desire for us to succeed.
Massage Therapy became Muscle Release Therapy, a modality created by Dennis to go beyond massage for longer lasting pain relief. The children and I were blessed by being the “experiments” for MRTh, and heaven knows between our children playing sports and me being “clumsy”, we were more than happy to be the receptors of his gift.
Our dream, Chagrin Valley Wellness Center, is today our place of professionalism, sincere desire for healing; a Center for LMT’s to share their gift of touch to alleviate pain. We are blessed with a gifted Reiki Master, Reflexologist, Acupuncturist, Fundamental Movement Instructors and our client care personnel.
Dennis, Valerie, Denny, Kathy and I have been blessed with a vision that came together by love, support, sacrifice and energy. My how time flew, and it has been quite a blessed ride!!!
Throughout our 25 years in the wellness arena I have witnessed beautiful moments of pain release. The greatest honor is to see a client enter a room with pain on his/her face and exit the therapy room or Fundamental Movement Studio with a smile on their face. I have had the pleasure of people telling me “I love your husband”; that is a very high compliment because I know that he is a gifted man. Our therapists receive high praise for their gift of touch, and we are grateful that Tanya, Jennifer and Dana desire to be a part of our dream! Allison, Terry, Cindy, Jarvis and Lydia are such a blessing and we are thankful that they are on the team of Chagrin Valley Wellness Center and share their gifts.
Thank you to our clients of CVWC for your continued trust in us, and for allowing us to be a part of your life in achieving a better quality of life for you. We thank you for your referrals, which is how Dennis built Chagrin Valley Wellness Center. There is no greater honor than helping a client who then tells their family/friends/co-workers about us!
As I reflect on the past 25 years I am grateful, blessed and amazed at the twists, turns and different directions my life has taken me. I have been blessed with my husband of 42 years, who I loved as a Pipefitter, and admire for his touch for wellness and who I love as a gifted Massage Therapist. But most of all, through all of the business bumps along the way, I am in awe of Valerie, Denny and Kathy who supported their dad’s and mom’s dream and always encouraged us. I am in awe of our Grandchildren, Alexandra Ann, Marisa Rose, Annalise Marie, Dennis Edward and a soon to be fifth grandchild in September, they show unconditional love with their hugs, kisses and genuine “I love you” Gram and Poppa. I am blessed and I thank my children, son-in-law Ralph, daughter-in-law Carla, and soon to be son-in-law Dave for loving my children, for the gift of my grandchildren. Poppa loves when any of the grandkids come to him with an ache or pain and want him to set up the portable table at home and “massage” them. Gram kisses their boo-boo’s while Poppa works his magic on them to make them “all better”!
Happy Mother’s Day to all of our clients, relatives, friends and supporters who are moms, godmothers, aunts, and sisters and sisters-in-law! May your lives be blessed with love, health, happiness and possibilities.
Happy Mother’s Day to my precious, understanding and gifted daughters Valerie and Kathy and to my daughter-in-law Carla, who is nurturing our grandchildren into wonderful little people.
Happy Mother’s Day to my mother and mother-in-law both of whom are in Heaven watching over us! Thank you for the gift of life for me and Dennis!
God Bless!
Marge
Our basement was the setting for the client; portable massage table, clean sheet covering it, soft lighting, we were so excited. Dennis was downstairs pacing!!!
The car pulled up to the house, stopped, backed up, pulled up, backed up, pulled in our driveway, backed out, and sped away!!!! That was when Dennis and I decided that working out of our home was not the best way to approach our new venture!
Shortly after our no-show client Dennis scouted areas for an office, found one, yeah and in Solon, how exciting; Suite 120 was the number of our first office. We knew it was meant to be since Dennis was a Pipefitter in Local 120 here in Cleveland, a sign from above! In May of 1987 our dream became a reality.
Chagrin Valley Massotherapy became a dream come true for the Gibbons Family; our children didn’t quite understand what Daddy did, but their support and excitement prodded Dennis into becoming the gifted Massage Therapist that he is today. Dennis’ transformation from rugged pipefitter, working outside in the winter, inside in the summer, working high in the air, and working underground, to a shirt and tie, to owning a business was peaceful, exciting, and guided by God. Dennis’ understanding of the human body, muscles, bones, ligaments, tendons, blood flow, and the stress put on the body is truly a gift.
Dennis’ new path in life took him down many avenues; massage therapy was known mainly in regard to “massage parlors”, but the Irish in Dennis and being the sole support of a wife and 3 hungry children forced him to make massage therapy a viable and respected profession. The children and I were blessed to have the company of Dennis’ father while Dennis was on his mission to build his practice. Grandpa would keep us busy, entertain the children and I while Dennis would speak at runners clubs, libraries, evening education classes at various places. Dennis would set up his massage table at the then Revco Marathon, at finish lines at numerous marathons. All Dennis’ energy and knowledge grew Chagrin Valley Massotherapy.
This was just the beginning of our dream! Dennis’ blessings continued as he became friends with his neighbor in the office building. This man became our mentor, our advisor, and Dennis’ best friend. Tom Herrick guided Dennis on financial matters as well as business protocol. Finance and business was not taught in massage school, and Dennis and I had never owned our own business, so the gentle guidance and kindness shown to us was invaluable, and to this day, we give thanks to Tom and his lovely wife Dorothy for taking these “green” proprietors to great heights! Our lessons from Tom gave Dennis and I the gift of expanding our office and moving from Solon to our current location in Beachwood. Every step is a challenge, and with a support staff behind us, we are here and in the process of expanding our services even further.
Dennis, being Dennis, accomplished his goal of learning more techniques in massage through working with the Cleveland Ballet, runners, Rudolph Nureyev, and dancers. His work took him to Las Vegas to a former dancer’s center where Pilates was taught and Dennis would put on seminars of various massage techniques. We both were clueless as to why he would go to Las Vegas 4 times a year, and in the beginning it would be for only 2 days. We couldn’t afford to close the office for any longer periods of time. But we knew that God was guiding us this way and who are we to question why?
As it turned out, God did direct Dennis in the right direction by going to Vegas. There Dennis learned the meaning and process of fundamental movement. He observed Dolly’s Pilates classes, and he realized how massage and movement are “one”.
Here we go!!!! We both knew that it was time to fulfill another dream; bring on Licensed Massage Therapists who can work in our professional setting. A former dancer and client who now has a very successful practice in Tulsa, (Dani) also teaches pilates in her center. Her husband made their Pilates machines, and was kind enough to not only make our machines (of which they are still in use today), but also hauled our machines to our Solon office, and yes, assembled them for us too! So many wonderful people we have encountered on this journey that have shown us love, kindness and a desire for us to succeed.
Massage Therapy became Muscle Release Therapy, a modality created by Dennis to go beyond massage for longer lasting pain relief. The children and I were blessed by being the “experiments” for MRTh, and heaven knows between our children playing sports and me being “clumsy”, we were more than happy to be the receptors of his gift.
Our dream, Chagrin Valley Wellness Center, is today our place of professionalism, sincere desire for healing; a Center for LMT’s to share their gift of touch to alleviate pain. We are blessed with a gifted Reiki Master, Reflexologist, Acupuncturist, Fundamental Movement Instructors and our client care personnel.
Dennis, Valerie, Denny, Kathy and I have been blessed with a vision that came together by love, support, sacrifice and energy. My how time flew, and it has been quite a blessed ride!!!
Throughout our 25 years in the wellness arena I have witnessed beautiful moments of pain release. The greatest honor is to see a client enter a room with pain on his/her face and exit the therapy room or Fundamental Movement Studio with a smile on their face. I have had the pleasure of people telling me “I love your husband”; that is a very high compliment because I know that he is a gifted man. Our therapists receive high praise for their gift of touch, and we are grateful that Tanya, Jennifer and Dana desire to be a part of our dream! Allison, Terry, Cindy, Jarvis and Lydia are such a blessing and we are thankful that they are on the team of Chagrin Valley Wellness Center and share their gifts.
Thank you to our clients of CVWC for your continued trust in us, and for allowing us to be a part of your life in achieving a better quality of life for you. We thank you for your referrals, which is how Dennis built Chagrin Valley Wellness Center. There is no greater honor than helping a client who then tells their family/friends/co-workers about us!
As I reflect on the past 25 years I am grateful, blessed and amazed at the twists, turns and different directions my life has taken me. I have been blessed with my husband of 42 years, who I loved as a Pipefitter, and admire for his touch for wellness and who I love as a gifted Massage Therapist. But most of all, through all of the business bumps along the way, I am in awe of Valerie, Denny and Kathy who supported their dad’s and mom’s dream and always encouraged us. I am in awe of our Grandchildren, Alexandra Ann, Marisa Rose, Annalise Marie, Dennis Edward and a soon to be fifth grandchild in September, they show unconditional love with their hugs, kisses and genuine “I love you” Gram and Poppa. I am blessed and I thank my children, son-in-law Ralph, daughter-in-law Carla, and soon to be son-in-law Dave for loving my children, for the gift of my grandchildren. Poppa loves when any of the grandkids come to him with an ache or pain and want him to set up the portable table at home and “massage” them. Gram kisses their boo-boo’s while Poppa works his magic on them to make them “all better”!
Happy Mother’s Day to all of our clients, relatives, friends and supporters who are moms, godmothers, aunts, and sisters and sisters-in-law! May your lives be blessed with love, health, happiness and possibilities.
Happy Mother’s Day to my precious, understanding and gifted daughters Valerie and Kathy and to my daughter-in-law Carla, who is nurturing our grandchildren into wonderful little people.
Happy Mother’s Day to my mother and mother-in-law both of whom are in Heaven watching over us! Thank you for the gift of life for me and Dennis!
God Bless!
Marge
