MANDEVILLE, Manchester — When Jossette Clayton graduated from Montego Community College in St James in 2008, little did she know that 17 years later her skills as a masseuse would lead to her opening her own business here.

Clayton, the founder and proprietor of On Point Spa and Wellness Center, started her journey in 2008 when she landed the first job as a masseuse in the western end of the island.

“I started this field in 2008 with Sandals and Beaches hotels. After leaving college — my course was for two years at the Montego Bay Community College — and I went to Sandals South Coast, which was Sandals Whitehouse then, to do a working experience for six weeks. But within three days, because of my competency level, they realised that I have something, so they kept me there and I was with them until 2020.

“I was overseas at Beaches Turks and Caicos, and then after the pandemic hit I came home to Mandeville,” she told the Jamaica Observer.

She said her inspiration to become a masseuse came from having to care for her grandmother, who had issues with her back.

“I remember when she came to look for me and my mom on the weekends, and what she did was to ask me to give her a back rub; she didn’t call it massage. I was like, 10 years old. From that time I figured that I have to help people,” she said, adding that her spiritual faith also pointed her towards the career.

“I grew up seeing my mother working very hard, doing multiple jobs. I got that spirit of hard work and I asked God for direction,” she told the Sunday Observer.

Clayton pointed out that Paulette Clarke-King, corporate manager at Sandals Resorts Red Lane Spa, also inspired her.

“She is still at Sandals. She is very nice. I met some strong women in the spa who are determined, and she stood out the most in my journey and pushed me to the place where I am at right now,” the entrepreneur said.

The Westmoreland native moved to the cool hills of Mandeville, starting her spa out of her home before making the bold move of expanding the business. She received approval from Manchester Municipal Corporation to operate her spa in Marshall’s Pen, near the Mandeville bypass.

“I saw that there is opportunity here in Mandeville, because Mandeville has a lot of doctors and other persons that need wellness, so that is when my talent comes into place. I said, ‘I have been pampering on the other side for years, why not pamper my own [people],’ ” she said.

According to the entrepreneur, Mandeville is attractive to working professionals, retirees and returnees.

“I like the cool. I am from the hills of Westmoreland, and I thought that I want to do a spa in Mandeville because the cool is so attractive to Jamaicans overseas and those who return and want to visit the spa.

“We offer holistic treatments, meaning it is only holistic massages, facial wellness — it is all about wellness. We do facials, which is natural skin care that we use, and for those facials we analyse thoroughly to ensure that it is customised to treat the client’s needs,” she added.

As a certified and professional masseuse, she offers a wide range of services.

“For the pedicure, we offer services for people who are pregnant, for people who have cancer. I also do oncology massages as I am an oncology massage therapist,” Clayton said.

She shared that she also does hair and make-up for weddings.

“I have been doing that for years, and it is one of my greatest passions to see the bride walking down the aisle, looking beautiful and stunning. Also, [I offer services] for people in the gym [who are] having aches and pains, or in the office suffering from lower-back problems,” she added, explaining that her spa offers massages for people with sciatica as well as geriatric services for the older people.

“We also offer courses in massage therapy, waxing, among other services. You can come and get training in massage therapy, facials, pedicures, manicures, and body scrubs. You can find comfort in a spa that can give you luxury — that private setting to know that you are getting top-notch treatment that you don’t have to wonder who is touching you or is this person certified,” she added.

The spa’s location is situated outside the congested Mandeville town centre, which Clayton said was one of the most important factors for her when choosing the location.

“I have a great passion for therapy and for wellness. I treat everyone’s needs individually and to make everyone feel special. Some people are in the business for money but if you love what you do you will never have to work a day in your life,” she told the Sunday Observer.

“[When] I am doing a massage, it is like an art. I love what I am doing. When you come to this spa, what makes it stand out is I try to make sure that we go through the health questionnaire thoroughly and to make sure that every client’s needs are met, to where they want to be comfortable and pampered. When you come here, it is just you — it is a private getaway experience when you book for yourself or someone special to you,” said Clayton.

Jossette Clayton inside her On Point Spa and Wellness Center in Manchester. She started her journey as a masseuse in 2008 and now owns this spa. (Photos: Kasey Williams)