May 16, 2017

Meet Ju Tongjan of Thai Lotus Bodywork in Broadway Suite

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ju Tongjan.

Ju, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I came to Chicago from Thailand in 2009, with my husband. I made my citizenship in the end of 2013. I had worked as a cook in a Thai restaurant, and then I n a nail salon doing foot and shoulder massage. I had been trained years before, in Thailand, to do the full range of massage and spa treatment, and had worked in large hotel spa facilities, and had also owned my own massage/spa at a beach resort. So, after a time in Chicago, I got a position at a Chiropractic clinic, doing therapeutic deep tissue massage, which had always been my specialty. I worked there very successfully for about two years, and was able to build a substantial client base for the clinic, because my sessions were very much in demand and were seen to bring about very good results, with both insurance patients, as well as walk-in clients. But because I was being booked for so many appointments, I was overbooked and overworked very heavily, and it started taking a physical toll on me. I then started looking for opportunities to start my own business. For most of 2016 I used a shared space to build up my client base, and continued to ponder the opportunities to find my own place in the area, and work on ideas for offering my expertise successfully. When I found the property where my studio is now located, it seemed perfect. It is located very close to Broadway and Argyle St, which is an area known locally as little Vietnam/Thailand. It is loaded with great Southeast Asian restaurants, shops, and markets, that are a fun destination in themselves, but also makes me feel at home, because the local population, and businesses are so familiar to me. Since the start of 2017, it has been a process of getting Thai Lotus noticed, and building a client base. The great thing about Chicago is that when people find something they like, they readily share it with friends and family. So, together with the usual business tools, website, business cards, etc., word-of-mouth has been a big part of Thai Lotus success so far.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I have been pleased with the success of Thai Lotus Bodywork, and the growth we’ve seen in the 3 months at our location in the Uptown neighborhood. The biggest challenge has been learning the business tools that actually make doing business easier, for both myself and our clients. We still hope to have a means for clients to not only book appointments online, but to also have the option to pay for the booked session at the same time as the booking.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
Thai Lotus Bodywork specializes in a traditional method on Thai massage which includes a lot of deep pressure, as well as stretching. It is performed fully clothed on a mat. I use my hands, forearm, elbow, knees, and feet, to exert the specific type of pressure that is needed for maximum benefit.

Our bodywork sessions can be quite intense, but are always performed according to the clients’ needs and most importantly, what the client indicates is comfortable for them. Some people prefer a very strong, deep, muscular workout, while others prefer a more subtle, workout. We will always follow the request of the client and stay within their comfort zone.

My hope is that Thai Lotus becomes known for a good quality, traditional Thai massage that is healing and energizing in a way that becomes part of one’s health and wellness routing. I want it to become a part of my clients lifestyle changes that lead to a more vigorous and healthy way of life.

What is your favorite memory from childhood?
Being born and raised in a very rural setting in Thailand, my childhood memories are probably very different than what they would be here. I loved climbing trees and picking fresh mangoes, papaya, coconuts, etc. We had water buffalo, cows, chickens, pigs, and there were always lots of cats and dogs roaming around the village. My father would let me walk the cows and buffalo through the village from the fields.

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