Meet Elizabeth Catalano of Body Zen Skin Care and Wellness in Cambridge and Newton

Today we’d like to introduce you to Elizabeth (BZ) Catalano.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I started Body Zen Skin Care and Wellness in October of 2012. I have a BS in Athletic Training from Northeastern University and am a Licensed Esthetician, Massage Therapist, Kripalu trained yoga instructor and Divine Sleep Yoga Nidra® guide. I had been a massage therapist for 8 years and an esthetician for 5 when I began my own venture. My graduation from the Muscular Therapy Institute was in 2004 and my graduation from The Elizabeth Grady School of Massage and Esthetics was in 2007. I had always wanted to run my own spa since taking my business module in 2003. I found a room for rent in a hair salon in Porter Square and found an online booking system. Some clients from previous places of employment followed me to my own business and I have been able to grow my clientele over the past 5 years with the help of wonderful clients taking time to write Body Zen raving reviews on the internet. This past year found me bringing on 2 wonderful colleagues; Natalie Goodwin, LMT, LE and Ayurvedic Health Counselor and Heather Smidt, LMT, Reiki Master Teacher, and Licensed Acupuncturist. My business has also moved from Porter Square to Central Square as of 2/5/2018 and we have also expanded to Newton Centre. As a business, we offer tailored facials, face and body waxing (with both hard and strip waxes), and various massage modalities. I am available at our new location in Central Square for facials and waxing Monday-Thursday, 1pm-7:30pm, Heather is also at our Central Square location offering massage on Sundays from 10am-3pm. Natalie is in our Newton Centre location offering facials, waxing, and specializing in Pre- and Post-natal massage on Sundays from 10am-3pm and Mondays from 1-6pm.

Has it been a smooth road?
The biggest challenge has been advertising. I’ve advertised online, in a Playbill, in a local magazine, and have also joined a local business owners group. I’ve found that word of mouth and personal reviews online for my business have been the main way we get new clients.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
Body Zen Skin Care and Wellness is best known for our Brazilian Bikini waxing services. We use a high quality hard wax that sticks more to the hair than to the skin. This is a gentler option and even the most sensitive skins can receive waxing services from us. I am very proud to be a woman in business and that I get to support my colleagues that are 2 other exceptional women and service providers. Any service that you book at Body Zen will be tailored to meet your needs and we pride ourselves on using high quality products that offer fantastic results.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Cambridge is a great location to be in business! There are so many people that come to this area to go to one of the variety of universities that are in the area. Someone once shared with me that Boston is the Hollywood for scientists. A lot of the clients that I see are students; be it undergrad, graduate, or doctorate level. Lots of researchers and people employed by the institutions of higher learning come in for services.

For someone just starting out, I would suggest that they are aware of how much it costs to run a business. Research the area where you want to be in business. How are you going to get the word out about what it is that you do? Once people know, how do you keep those clients?.

Pricing:

• Brazilian Bikini Wax $65
• Bespoke Facial $95
• 60 minute Therapeutic Massage $100

Contact Info:

• Address: 485 Massachusetts Avenue, 3rd floor Cambridge, MA 02139 796 Beacon Street, 2nd floor, Newton Centre, MA 02459
• Website: www.bodyzenbliss.com
• Phone: 617-999-8368
• Instagram: @body_zen_skin_care
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BodyZenSkinCareAndMassage/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/body-zen-skin-care-and-wellness-cambridge
• Other: https://www.yelp.com/biz/body-zen-in-newton-centre-newton-2

Image Credit:
Elizabeth (BZ) Catalano
Michael Catalano

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