We had the good fortune of connecting with Jo-Anne Bowie Alvarez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jo-Anne, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
Hi Jo-Anne, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I was born in Johannesburg South Africa and adopted as a baby by a loving family. My father passed away when I was 2 years old from renal failure so my mother Harriet raised me, she was my best friend and always supported me in everything I wanted to do. My mother was my role model. She had a daycare for 36 years, fostered over 48 children, and adopted 6 of us, so my love and compassion for others came from seeing my mother care for my father and so many others. I later became a school teacher like her but I wanted to do more as far as helping others more holistically. My mother was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and that’s when I decided to go to massage school so I could pursue a career in helping others feel better mentally, spiritually, and also physically. My mom, unfortunately, passed in 2019. l am who I am today because I had a loving, nurturing, and supportive mom who never gave up on me and taught me to push through hard times.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My Massage business is called Amara Rita Spa, and I do mobile massage therapy. The name Amara comes from Nigeria, It means Grace and kindness, and this is how I serve all my clients who come to me for treatments. Rita was my mother’s nickname, so I used this to have part of her in my business as my mom was the biggest role model and supporter. It took me a long time to get to where I am because I came to the United States when I was 21yr to be a live-in nanny with no family or financial support from anyone, later on, I became a pre-k teacher and here I am owning my massage business. My journey in America was not easy at all, I was in abusive relationships, I left a marriage and at one point had no place to sleep so I was homeless. I suffered a miscarriage alone and I fought many traumatic situations with no one by my side.

Studying for the massage exam was not easy and all the medical terminology can be overwhelming but I got through it. What I am most proud of is that I never gave up even though life threw me many curve balls. I knew that giving up was not an option and no matter how many times I fell I would pick myself up and keep pushing. Even after my mom passed and I felt like I had no one in my corner. I knew I wanted to help others and this is what kept me going.
I was crowned Ms. South Africa for Miss Royalty International Pageant in Chicago and my missions were child advocacy and domestic violence so when I’m not doing massages I am volunteering my time to help others however I can.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
The beach and a boat rental are a must, and we would take a drive to Orlando to go to the parks.

Here are some of my favorite restaurants
Ricky Thai Bistro
Osteria
Sins Gastrobar
Bistro Cafe

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to shout out to my wonderful husband Rafael for supporting me while I stayed up all night like an owl studying for my massage exam, for encouraging me to not give up when I felt like I was in over my head, for putting up with my endless books, flashcards, and notes laying around the house. I’d also like to shout out to my tutor Olga with Varsity Tutors who took time to tutor me weekly so I was prepared for my exam. She made my life so much easier and I passed my exam because of her classes!

I’d also like to shout out to all of my clients for supporting my business, I truly appreciate all the love and support.

Website: www.amararitaspa.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amararitaspa/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Amararitaspa/

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutMiami is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.