Meet Gina Ortiz | Founder of HOA Mobile & GA licensed Massage Therapist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Gina Ortiz and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Gina, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
The thought process behind my business was simple. How can we as an industry adjust to the changing social habits of the people? Covid stopped the world in its heels and changed the day to day habits of just about everyone. However, it seemed that one thing most people did not want to give up in all the sacrifices being made in the name of disease control, was their self care services. Massage therapy was amongst those services that citizens held protest demonstrations to be able to participate in. Even so, that didn’t mean that everyone was inclined to take part in the same way to they use. In fact, quarantine in and of itself adjusted most individuals to feel safer and become accustom to receiving services in their home. Hands On Approach Mobile provides the ability for residents of Atlanta and Metro Atlanta to do just that; enjoy high quality, professional massage therapy in the comfort of your own home with predictable scheduling and competitive prices.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Hands On Approach Mobile is an Atlanta based mobile massage concierge service provider. We make wellness convenient by providing a quality therapist at your door step while also freeing you from worrying about providing supplies. We bring it all to you. We don’t aim to reinvent the wheel, we only seek to make it run better. In comparison to our competitors we offer predictable scheduling for our customers and fixed prices. We eliminate any bidding wars between appointment times and therapist availability. This ensures that as a customer you can 100% expect to receive the appointment you made on the day and time you reserved it as well as appreciate that whether you made the appointment a week out or the same day your price will be the same. In the last 8 years I have worked for small and big companies in addition to having experience in managerial positions in the spa industry. The design of our business model is an accumulation of all that experience to provide the best service for customers and the best work-life balance for therapist. Transitioning from employee to self starting business owner and operator was more terrifying than I would compare it to being easy versus hard. Overcoming the scary thoughts of failure was a matter of envisioning a real trajectory plan for the business, setting monthly goals, and learning with the help of a mentor how to truly read the data.
One of the greatest lesson I’ve learned so far is the value in being able to pivot. Operating a business you realize it is ever evolving, changing and growing. The ability to pivot can ensure the longevity and sustainability of any business but especially a small business.
What I would love the world to know is that as the owner there are certain things I value that I model this business after. One, is the necessity and access to quality massage therapy services. Quality massage therapy is a real solution to chronic and acute muscular system issues as well as a psychology solution for the human need to receive positive touch. Our mobility ensures that even those with driving impairments or simple geographic inconveniences can still receive the therapy they need. Another value I have that is implemented into my business is professionalism. Even with massage therapy coming into the light of acknowledged alternative medicine it still has dark clouds lingering nearby because of those who chose to taint the name. I strive to have my business be amongst those that solidify how massage therapy ,whether in your home or at a clinic or spa, should be viewed; with integrity and professionalism at all times.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I am absolutely in love with Atlanta and love when my friends and family come to visit me. If I am the one to plan the itinerary heres how it would go. There are a few breakfast spots we would plan depending on the day of the week. On the weekends we would check out Sea Salt Seafood Lounge or Salt and Pepper Kitchen for breakfast food with brunch vibes. During the week it would be Egg harbor cafe on Peachtree, delicious food with a great picture perfect city view on the patio. For lunch any day we would definitely check out 26 Thai and sushi in Brookhaven or have them to meet up with my friends at Red Pepper on Piedmont. I’d encourage them to get dressed to impress for dinner as we would have reservations at the Lazy Betty, the Garden Room, or Davios. Our activities throughout the week would likely be fun times at The Painted Duck, a cutesy shoot at the Selfie Museum, a free comedy show at The Library on peters street, relaxing vibes at the Roswell Waterfall, and maybe a few cocktail hours at Tribeca or Spaceman Rooftop bar. And if they really want ‘down-home’ Atlanta vibes I’d gladly show them around Edgewood to take pictures at all the beautiful murals or take them skating at Cascade to witness Atlantas best skaters.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
We do not live in a vacuum. I absolutely believe that would like to recognized those who knowingly and unknowingly helped to give me the confidence to make such a leap. My first shoutout is to my big sister Akiesha Ortiz who has always been a model figure for me. Above many of her accomplishments it was her leap from being a 20 year educator to her pursuit in education policy as a Harvard GSE graduate that encouraged me not to be afraid of the unknown. My second shoutout is to my Father Eliud Ortiz, with his impressive military background, who has inspired me to never lose my will to fight for what I believe in.My third shoutout is to my mentor Cesar who has shined a big bright light on this business path so that I may see through the darkness a little better. My fourth and final shoutout is to one of my favorite life coaches and authors Jen Sincero, whose book series “You Are A Badass’ has practically infused into my being while flaming the biggest fire inside of me that wakes me up everyday knowing I AM CAPABLE, I AM A BADDASS. Thankful for all their nuggets of encouragement and wisdom that have helped me journey into the world of being an entrepreneur.

Website: www.hoamobilemassage.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/hoamobilemassage

Twitter: www.twitter.com/hoamobileinc