Changing the conversation on relaxation, therapy, and wellness in Guyana, five minutes at a time.

MOST Friday afternoons, between the hours of 15:00 hours and 17:00 hours, Shenelle Prescott could be found along the Kitty seawall doing what can be considered one of the most unique businesses in Guyana: giving head massages. It certainly is not something you see every day, but Shenelle’s five-minute massages for $500 have been gaining great traction online and even more foot traffic. Sitting down for an interview with Pepperpot Magazine, Shenelle, known as Nelle by her clients, shared the real-life benefits of a good massage, why she believes the massage business is gaining traction, and walked us through how she launched her business, ‘Nelle’s Touch.’

Where It All Started: Calm, Challenge, and Certification
When we think about massages, we often think of high-end massage parlours and full-body, deep-tissue massages. But East Coast native Shenelle aims to change and challenge the norms of what it means to get a good massage. Professionally, Shenelle is a secretary at the Guyana Forestry Commission, but she has always had an interest in things that calm the nervous system. That’s why in 2021, amidst the height of the pandemic, Shenelle found herself studying structural massage and Swedish massage. Sharing what led her to study this little-known craft in Guyana, she said, “I have always liked calming things, things like ASMR. I would watch videos like that to sleep and it’s relaxing and so on.” She further added, “In 2021, it was the pandemic and I was not doing anything, so I decided to study massage at Carnegie and the University of the West Indies.”

Although she was certified, it was not until her mother fell ill in 2021 that she put her skills to good use. Like so many older folks, Shenelle’s mother struggled with joint pain. Stepping up to the plate, Shenelle gave her mother a massage. The immediate relief her mother experienced further inspired the idea of making massages a business venture. But creating a business model that most Guyanese have not even heard about came with some hurdles. One of the biggest challenges Shenelle has faced is the reluctance from some people who don’t fully understand how the head massage works. As she shared, “Some people have misconceptions about it. They think that it’s more than a massage, but I assure them it’s just a head massage targeting the head and shoulders,” she said.

More Than Relaxation: What a Five-Minute Massage Can Really Do
So what does a massage from Shenelle look like? A look at her TikTok page would showcase exactly how an appointment works and why so many people are interested in it. Shenelle begins each session by taking the necessary precautions between clients, ensuring both her hands and the client are clean and ready for the massage. Walking the Pepperpot Magazine through how clients can book an appointment and what they can expect, she shared, “Most of my clients reach out via TikTok for more. Then they would decide if they want a massage and I tell them the pricing and when I’ll be at the seawall. And then they’ll come to WhatsApp to book the session,” she stated.

Getting a head massage, or any massage in fact, is not just a fun five-minute experience. According to experts, a good head massage can achieve a wide range of benefits, including stress and tension relief, improved circulation, headache and migraine relief, and potential stimulation of hair growth. It can also enhance relaxation, mental clarity, and even improve sleep quality. Based on feedback from her clients and her own expertise, Shenelle shared, “A head massage is not just calming. It helps in tension relief and stress relief. If you’re studying, migraine, it eases headaches. It calms your nervous system,” she shared.

Beyond the Business: Building a Culture of Calm
On the topic of why she believes that people are so interested in her massages, Shenelle shared that in a fast-paced world, people are often stressed, and when they see a healthy means of relaxation, they are intrigued. “What I have found is that plenty of people are interested in things like ASMR and this calming content. So, when they see the chance for a head massage, they are interested.” Although fresh to the scene of business, Shenelle has big hopes for Nelle’s Touch. The aim, she says, is to create a safe space where people can come and experience a massage. With the support she has received thus far, Shenelle believes her dream could become a reality. “In the next few years, I want to have a space where people can come and enjoy a massage. I would like it to be somewhere out of Georgetown, maybe somewhere in Paradise, where I am from,” she shared.

As rare as it may seem, Shenelle says that she has seen other people venture into the same type of business, simply setting up shop with a goal, a skill, and plenty of enthusiasm. “I think that therapeutic and massage venues in Guyana are limited, but it is coming along. There is a new massage place or something like that opening every two, three months,” she stated. Shenelle believes that these new businesses represent a shift in the way we Guyanese see massages and other therapeutic avenues. She added, “I think we’re now getting into massage, and we are now learning about it and now seeing the benefits.”

Now, Shenelle plans to keep doing what she loves at the seawall while building her brand at her own pace. She hopes that as more people learn about the benefits of head massages, they’ll become more open to trying new ways to relax and take care of themselves. With growing support and interest, she believes Nelle’s Touch is just getting started.