Tania Vanmeter shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Tania, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
This is a powerful question, as most of us struggle in life silently. I believe that life can be beautiful in more ways than we can imagine, but if we are struggling to feel the sun on our face, it can be a lonely and dark place to be. Today I think most are struggling with the division that has taken place amongst humanity, the loss of compassion and empathy to love our neighbors has somewhere been lost in the everyday hustle of the world. The world’s moral compass is broken, which has created a “sort of speak”, broken journey from life to eternal life. We are simply called to reach out and touch the hearts of all, great and small, yet all too often I even find myself struggling to feel needed or purposeful on this earth. It is important to me, that we take a moment each day to remind ourselves that life is a blessing, and to have others in it with us, whether stranger or friend, just take that second to smile at them and tell them how wonderful they are. It is amazing how quickly we can turn a sad face to laughter by a simple compliment and smile as we pass by. One of my favorite things about what I do, is that I can connect with strangers who become family the minute they walk in. Nola’s is not just a spa, it is a place my extended family comes to receive self care in a calming space that is welcoming to all people. Just one little kind gesture can save a life.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Tania and I am the owner of Nola Scott’s Vintage Spa, downtown New Braunfels. This space I created is not an ordinary spa, from the minute you open the door leading upstairs, you will feel yourself drifting into a time that has long past. The building dates back to the late 1800s and has been everything from a Brothel to a department store, condos to business suites. The black and white floors from the 1930s still reside and the decor inside the treatment rooms will take you to the most glamourous time of the Golden Roaring 20s era. The building’s history is well known throughout New Braunfels, and is listed on the local ghost tours. This unique history is why we choose this building, there is definitely an energy of peace and love that fills our rooms, it is a nostalgic feeling of being home. One of the biggest reasons I decided to do a boutique spa was to mimic the comfort of home, to allow the clients to feel the quality of care and not as if they are just another number being rushed through a 12 room cattle call. We actually do love and care for all of our clients, and put forth the effort to ensure they are given the time and attention they deserve. Our booking is set up to ensure 30 minutes before and after each treatment, this allows the therapist to give one on one attention without the worry to rush, the end result is a client who has received more than just a massage or facial, but the knowledge the therapist was their for them. Our treatments are the time as noted, if the treatment is listed at 60 minutes, that is hands on time, we do not charge for dressing and undressing. Nola Scott”s was created in memory of my granny, Nola, and the purpose of the brand is to keep her spirit alive. She was a true testament to loving others and preparing a space for oth3ers to feel loved and needed, this has become my desire.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
Yet another powerful question, one that I am not sure I can answer. Life is full of broken bonds between 2 or more people. What I have learned over the years, is that what will be will be. If a relationship is meant to be, no bond can be broken, maybe a little tarnished or bruised, but true love always finds its way back. Whether friendship, romantic, or even work related, bonds are definitely conditional and there are some bonds that are once broken never mended. However, it is important we do not hold a grudge and that we forgive for our own healing, we can not control the actions or reactions of others. We do need to recognize the difference between a true bond, and one that is being manipulated to harm us. It is not selfish to set boundaries to protect your own interest, so long as you are respecting and acknowledging the boundaries of others. Boundaries will not ward off true interest in your bond, but be prepared for the hells rath when it is not a true bond. (something I learned recently). This I can not say loud enough for the folks in the back, if you indeed find yourself in what seems to be a broken bond in any relationship, and the second party begins to tear your character down, this is NOT a bond you want to restore, it is a bond that needs to be broken and never look back. However, if you do see compassion and forgiveness in someone, be understanding that we are all of flesh and mistakes will happen, not everyone’s intention is to hurt, we are just simply all imperfectly perfect humans, act with grace and grace will reward you. With all that being said, it is an ever twisting web of lessons and experiences, pray we never stop growing.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
AHH I would love to make a phone call to my younger self. I would tell her, STOP listening to all the mean things and never mind the judgement, you are going to have an amazing family of your own one day. Stay true to yourself no matter how much the others laugh at you, and above all, girl you are a beautiful strong and fully capable individual who is going to conquer the world one day. Listen and write down every word you granny and pawpaw say, record them, one day it will be hard to remember. Tell everyone you love them 100 times a day, because one day they will be gone and you will find your childhood family shrink in time. STOP letting other people deter you from what you were created for, join ROTC, join Drama club, sing as loud as you can, go to the parties alone, keep blaring your classical music, this is your life little girl and one day you will find yourself doing all those things anyways, SO DO IT.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
It is an unfortunate truth, but many massage therapist believe that they can heal you. It is one of those fearful things I hear other therapist say and I try my hardest to reiterate to my clients that we are here to help as much as we can, but we can not diagnose or heal, but we can help reduce pain and stress. The spa industry in general likes to lead people into a belief that we can somehow transform them from a caterpillar to a butterfly, but the truth is, the only person in control of becoming a butterfly is the caterpillar themself. The biggest lie we tell in our industry is one that I find to be self motivated and harming to all, and I hope everyone reading this, gets to this part. All therapist have something unique to offer, going to the same therapist over and over again, is not ideal. Do not get me wrong, it is great to create that relationship with your full time therapist, but it is beneficial to the client to visit other therapist in between as they will be unique in the areas they work. My favorite lie, male therapist are stronger and therefore are better at deep tissue. Incorrect. Bodywork is not about how physically strong your therapist is, but how knowledgeable they are about the human body and how it works.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Praise is not a reason to do your best, your best should be done with humility. Without humility, we become self involved, there is no place in this industry for that.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nolascott.com
- Instagram: @nolascotts
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NolaScotts/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/nola-scotts-new-braunfels?osq=Nola+Scott%E2%80%99s
