Today we’d like to introduce you to Andres Rodriguez.
Hi Andres, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Shortly after moving from Colombia as a teenager I knew I wanted to help people for a living but didn’t know how. My options were being a police officer but I was really never into guns. Other option was to be a comedian because I LOVE to make people laugh and bring smiles to their faces but there’s a problem, I’m extremely shy…. The other option was to be a doctor or surgeon but I really didn’t like blood and my hands are too heavy so maybe that wouldn’t be a good fit… finally, probably in my senior year I decided I could be a massage therapist. This way I could help people, bring smiles and my heavy hands will come very “handy”!!
I always got good feedback from helping others when they had neck or shoulder pain/tightness. I really didn’t know what I was doing—maybe you can call that intuition—but I always felt that I could help people through massage.
But things didn’t work out at the moment because I couldn’t afford school then. So, I did some college and started working in the hospitality industry for more than 15 years but massage was always in my mind even though there were times I thought it was too late and that dream would never happen.
One day, unexpectedly, I got fired from my job and the first thing that came to my mind was: massage school!! I talked it over with my then-fiancé, and she supported the idea. I had some savings and found a school that had a new program starting within a month so I didn’t hesitate and went for it!!
I started doing chair massage events, worked at a spa in Brickell but wasn’t so busy. Then, in 2018 I got the chance to work at a day spa in Miami Beach. Within months there I became the lead therapist, received lots of reviews and requests which boosted my confidence level to an all-time high!!
I became very successful at the spa plus I started my own mobile practice so I was getting private clients as well. I was really busy and then in 2021 my daughter was born so I knew I couldn’t work long days anymore because I wanted to be there for her as much as possible. In 2022, I made the decision to quit the spa and focus on my own practice and my family and it was the best decision. There are busy days but I always have time to spend with my daughter, and take frequent vacations. Also my wife works nights so it’s good to have a flexible schedule so I can help out at home.
I love what I do and people see it and fee It. My clients always refer me to friends and family. I don’t spend a dime in advertising, I’m just lucky to have the most amazing clients!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It was rough at the beginning, especially after I graduated and also as a male therapist. I applied to many places but didn’t really get a chance, I even offered almost free massages just to get my name out there but didn’t get much. There were many times I wondered if I made the right decision but little by little I started seeing the light! I knew I only needed one good chance to prove myself, but it took tooooo long…
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Fkn Relax 305 aka Relax 305 Therapeutic Massage ?
I started Fkn Relax 305 in 2019. I came up with that name with one of my clients because my massage is very therapeutic yet relaxing, sometimes it could be painful, and the client may curse during the session! (I’m not gonna hurt you for no reason).
I’m only mobile that means you’ll get the massage in the comfort of your home/hotel so you don’t have to deal with Miami traffic.
I perform deep tissue massage and use stretching techniques that work on muscles you didn’t know you had. It’s a perfect massage for athletes but also for someone that works on a desk and might not be so active. Everyone is different so I always ask the client what their goals are for the session so I know what approach to take. I can help with post surgery recovery or rehab after an injury, I also specialize in prenatal massage and do chair massage events at parties, offices, schools and more.
As far as the name “Fkn Relax” could be a little risky but for Miami I think it fits well. I always get good feedback from new clients saying they decided to book with me because they needed to “fkn relax” some people might not like it so much but for the most part it’s been great for business.
I recently started doing business as Relax 305 Therapeutic Massage as well because sometimes I do events in schools (chair massages for teachers) so I don’t want some parents to think that I’m using F bombs all day in front of my daughter, even though some of the parents that I know love the name and the massages of course!
What are your plans for the future?
So far business is great thanks to my amazing clients and all the referrals they send my way! But maybe expanding even though it’s hard to find reliable people. So far I’m only mobile but perhaps I’ll open a location in the future. Also I would love to get more corporate chair massage events of my own because most of these events come from a big company.
Pricing:
- $120/hr (for now)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.relax305.com
- Instagram: Fknrelax305
- Facebook: Relax 305 Therapeutic Massage
- Other: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ebQivbXk7tpVhydU7?g_st=ipc
