By Krystal Smalley
ksmalley@wbcowqel.com

Though Jeanine Snyder is no stranger to massage therapy, the idea of hanging her shingle is an exciting and nerve-racking ordeal.

A ribbon cutting this morning will introduce Snyder and her business to the Bucyrus community. Snyder has joined Tonya’s Hair Fashions, Air Force One, and Indoff Business Essentials at the newly dubbed Warren Place, 121 W. Warren St.

For the past nine years, Snyder has balanced her nursing duties at Marion City Schools with massage therapy, scheduling appointments after her school day ended and on the weekends. This summer will serve as her test drive at her own location before the school season starts back up.

“My goal for massage is I am not your necessarily deep tissue pain. That’s not my thing. I want it to be relaxing . . . I want you to leave and feel like Jell-O,” Snyder explained as she set in her little space of Warren Place.

Entering Warren Place from the back door or taking a walk down the hall from the front will lead a client right to Snyder’s door. The muted purple walls, soft music, and sparsely decorated room are created to keep Snyder’s clients in a calming mood.

“I want you to feel relaxed. In doing so we can get to some of those other issues,” Snyder said. “My theory is if you just go in full force, it’s harder on me and it’s harder on the client as well. It’s much easier to get everybody relaxed and then work into those issues that you’re having.”

The jump from nursing to massage therapy was a natural step for Snyder, but the leap into her own place of business was not.

“This is not what I had planned,” Snyder chuckled.

Tonya Lohr, who purchased Warren Place and drew other businesses into the building with her, convinced Snyder to take a leap of faith. Before making the move into Warren Place, Snyder worked as a massage therapist in salons and took appointments in her home.

“This is totally out of my comfort zone,” Snyder admitted. “This is a leap of faith and very scary, but exciting, as well.”

With apprehension and excitement swirling, Snyder was ready to tackle the challenge before her.

“It’s a perfect opportunity,” she said. “A perfect opportunity with the way things fell into place with Tonya, the opening, me being off this summer to be able to get things kind of into a routine so when I go back I can juggle everything.”

Snyder will be taking appointments in the evening and on Saturdays. Appointments can be made by calling 740-360-4433.