BURRILLVILLE – Tina Breault says she has always wanted to run her own business, and at the start of 2020, she was finally on track to make her dream a reality.
“I had a strong feeling that it was time for me to venture off on my own and do what I felt I was being called to do,” she said.
In January, Breault, a licensed massage therapist, secured a space in a small building that holds a chiropractic center behind Bella Restaurant in Glendale.
“I had a feeling that it was just right, and where I was supposed to be,” she told NRI NOW.
A Burrillville native who still calls the town home, Breault began renovating the space with the help of her step father, children, and fiancé, with plans to open her new business – Solitude Massage Therapy and Wellness Center – in April.
At the time, Breault, a graduate from Bancroft School of Massage Therapy who is also a certified Reiki master teacher, was working out of a rented space at Healing In Harmony. She began booking events and appointments at Solitude in preparation for the opening, ready to begin the next phase of her journey.
“I was so excited,” she said.
But like other small business owners across the globe, she would soon learn that her dreams would have to be put on hold.
As the state reacted to the threat from COVID-19, Solitude would be ordered to shut down before she even opened its doors.
“I was worried that I would never be able to massage again,” said Breault, who notes she’s worked in the industry for more than seven years. “I missed my clients and was fearful that my career (would) be greatly affected. I defiantly had some emotional days of doubt but I never let them overcome the fire that I still had to build Solitude. ”
The months that followed were a waiting game as state guidelines gradually loosened – but reopening plans failed to mention esthetic services.
Fortunately, she says, her clients kept rebooking through months of cancellations.
“That helped me realize everything was going to be ok, and that their consistent support was my light at the end of this tunnel,” Breault said. “During quarantine and lockdown I would spend my time at Solitude with my family doing renovations. Each day Solitude was emerging and I was happy to have the time to be able to spend there and focus on what I wanted the outcome to be.”
Finally, Breault was allowed to open the massage portion of her business in June. She would work alone, unable to offer esthetic services until Phase 3 of the state’s reopening plan.
Now, Solitude is up and running, offering facials, past life regression sessions, massage, intuitive messenger readings and more; and Breault says she couldn’t be more grateful.
With the mantra, “A place where your mind and body can heal,” Breault has expanded the business, hiring esthetician Jennifer Jenks.
“Jennifer loves what she does and it shows,” Breault said. “She is creative and finds it rewarding to educate her clients with knowledge on skincare.”
Recently, Breault received a green light to open up her yoga studio, and has also begun offering outdoor yoga.
“As of right now I have two yoga instructors who are wonderful Rebecca Dybala and Jackie Plante,” she noted.
She has also started selling herbal tinctures and herbal CBD products, working with herbalist Amanda Simpson from North Scituate, the creator of Wise Moon Herbs. She has also partnered with herbalist Kelly Benson of Mindful Earth in Maine who specializes in CBD products.
Soon, Breault says, Solitude will begin to offer workshops, Reiki classes, and more.
“I am excited to watch Solitude emerge to all I have in mind for it,” she said. “I want to give back to others everything that I can, to help them on their life’s journey in a mindful, holistic approach.”
“Solitude is a place where your can be connected to yourself to recharge your mind, and body in peace,” she said.
Breault has been following safety guidelines laid out by the state including wearing face coverings, gloves and safety googles, and allowing 40 minutes between appointments for disinfecting protocols and ventilation after each session. Clients must have appointments to enter the center and pass screenings.
And will the entrepreneur is taking and measured and careful approach to protect others amid the pandemic, she says business is good.
“We are taking all protocols seriously to ensure the safety of our clients and ourselves,” Breault said. “I’m grateful and excited to give back on a new level, and the next step of my career.”
Solitude Massage Therapy and Wellness Center at 1991 Victory Highway is open for appointments Wednesdays through Saturdays, as well as Mondays. To learn more and view a full list of services visit https://www.facebook.com/solitudemassagetherapyandwellness/ Clients can also contact Breault at tinabreaultlmt@gmail.com or by calling
401-309-7011, or book an appointment here.
