Today we’d like to introduce you to Mariia Shevchenko Rios.
Mariia, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started Toma Head Spa during a time when I wanted to create something meaningful — something that brought people comfort. I’ve always been drawn to wellness, touch, and the idea that a simple service can change someone’s entire day.
I built everything from scratch. I learned every process myself, stayed late, fixed problems, and kept going even when it felt overwhelming. The more I worked, the more I realized that people truly needed this — a place to relax, to breathe, and to feel seen.
Today, Toma Head Spa has grown into multiple locations, but the heart of it is still the same: personalized care, peaceful energy, and helping people feel better from the inside out.
What makes this journey even more meaningful to me is that my roots in beauty go all the way back to when I was 13 years old, helping my mom in her salon in Ukraine. That’s where I first learned what it means to care for people, to create trust, and to make someone feel renewed. In many ways, Toma Head Spa is a continuation of that—just on a much bigger, more intentional scale.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has definitely been the true definition of a bumpy road. Toma has tested me in every possible way — by the universe, by circumstances, and sometimes just by pure timing. We’ve dealt with equipment malfunctions, unexpected issues, and even a fire in the business next door at our St. Pete location that affected us. Then came Storm Helene, which caused more water problems, and at one point I felt like I became half-plumber, half-handy-woman. I still keep a full toolbox in my car because there is always something to fix, tweak, or improve.
But I never want to blame these things on people — these are just the realities of running a growing business. What made everything manageable was my team. We support each other, we problem-solve, and we show up no matter what.
Emotionally, it can be overwhelming. At the same time, it is the most gratifying feeling in the world. I realized that being a founder means doing five full-time jobs at once — content creation, marketing, training, operations, and still making sure our clients feel cared for every single day. None of it is easy, but all of it is worth it, especially when I see clients leave lighter, calmer, and happier.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Toma Head Spa is a wellness-focused head spa specializing in scalp health, deep relaxation, and personalized care. We offer the kind of detox for your scalp you didn’t even know you needed — whether you’re dealing with dandruff, itchiness, hair loss, oily scalp, psoriasis, discomfort, or simply looking to unwind.
What sets us apart is the intention behind every step. We take time with each client, customize every treatment, and focus on both results and emotional well-being. Nothing is rushed, and nothing is generic — everything is built to help you feel lighter, calmer, and cared for.
I’m proud that our brand feels warm, genuine, and human. Our clients always tell us they leave feeling refreshed from the inside out. With multiple locations across Florida, my goal is to continue expanding while keeping the heart of the experience the same: true personalized care, peaceful energy, and a moment of real escape from the world.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I’ve definitely taken risks, but I see them more as necessary steps than reckless decisions. Opening a head spa in a market where most people didn’t even know what a head spa was — that was a huge risk on its own. Expanding into multiple locations, signing leases, handling build-outs, and investing my own money with no guarantees… all of that required trusting my vision completely.
I believe in the universe and in following what feels aligned. Bringing peace into the world feels like a greater purpose to me, and when I act from that place, things have a way of working out — even if the path is messy in the beginning.
For me, risk-taking isn’t about being fearless. It’s about being willing to move forward even when you’re nervous, as long as the purpose feels right. I’d rather take a thoughtful risk than stay in the same place out of comfort. Every risk I’ve taken has pushed me to grow, and it’s the reason Toma Head Spa exists today.
Pricing:
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- 160
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Contact Info:
- Website: https://tomaheadspa.net/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tomaheadspa
