Know Your Mom and Pop: Revival Massage and Bodyworks

It all started during a sushi dinner in 2011. Co-owners Jessica Lavoie and Morgan Woodard became close friends after meeting in 2007 while working in the massage therapy field. They saw a field that was run by business owners who viewed massage therapy as a luxury, but they dreamed of operating a business run by people who understand the therapeutic benefits of massage therapy.  The two believed they had the experience and knowledge to venture out on their own, and it was over that sushi dinner that they decided to make their dream a reality.

Revival Massage and Bodyworks focuses on the healing aspects of massage therapy. They offer therapeutic, deep tissue, mother-to-be and sports massages, as well as a couples massage. Featuring a person-centered attitude, therapists take the time to speak with each client before the start of a massage to address their individual needs. They hope to inspire people to take care of their bodies while teaching them that massage therapy is an important aspect of self-care.

“We hope they learn that there is more to massage than just relaxation. We have one body in this life, and it’s vital to take care of it,” said the owners jointly through an emailed interview.

Lavoie and Woodard knew that they needed a strong staff to help the business grow, which made them very particular about who they would hire. Rhode Island regulations state that massage therapists must graduate from an accredited massage therapy school that includes at least 500 hours of coursework and clinical work as well as pass an exam before they can apply for their license. All therapists also pass a criminal background check and are certified in CPR and first aid. Before getting hired at Revival, each staff member was interviewed by both owners and had to provide a massage for one of them so they could get a feel for their technique. Impressing the owners meant that the clients would leave happy.

“Each therapist brings their own unique style to the table (no pun intended). We are extremely proud to have them as a part of our team,” said Lavoie and Woodard.

The customer is incredibly important to Lavoie and Woodard, and they were thinking of the customer from the moment the idea for their business was launched. They chose a location on the East Side of Providence that is walking distance from Brown, RISD and the financial district. They understand that people work and have busy schedules. To ensure that they take the time to care for their bodies, Revival has been open seven days a week since they opened five years ago, and they make sure that the evening and weekend hours are convenient for all.

Despite being voted “Best Indulgent Massage” by Rhode Island Monthly in 2015, Revival stresses the benefits of massage therapy as opposed to the indulgence of it. They focus on what they do well, offering a select number of services instead of a full scale “spa” that other businesses offer. “Restore. Renew. Revive!” is more of a mantra than a tagline.

Revival has become a part of their local community. While it helps get the word out, it also helps them achieve their mission of educating the public about the world’s oldest medical treatment. They make their presence known at such local events as PVDFest, Providence Flea and Celebrate Downcity. They also bring chair massage to local schools and businesses.

The owners say, “The community has accepted us and we couldn’t be more honored.”

A positive experience leads to word-of-mouth promotion, and a quick look at their Yelp reviews confirms that most reviewing customers leave Revival feeling good about their experience. Lavoie and Woodard take the time to listen to feedback, both the positive and negative. They respond quickly to the rare negative feedback, doing what they can to correct an unpleasant experience. This helps them learn and grow, something they hope to continue to do while educating the public.

This December marks the five-year anniversary for Revival, and they have no plans on slowing down. Proud of their accomplishment, they know that continuing to grow and expand will help them further make a name for themselves in this industry.

“Being open for five years is no small feat, and we plan to provide our services for many years to come,” said the spa owners, optimistic about the future.

Revival Massage and Bodyworks is located at 1 Meeting St, 3^rd Floor Unit 2, PVD. Massages are available by appointment only. Call 401-270-5077 or email revivalmassageri@gmail.com to schedule an appointment. revivalmassageri.com

Need a last-minute gift? Revival Massage and Bodyworks is offering 10% off gift certificates in December.