Lea Stokes, Proprietor
Lea Stokes relocated to Flagler County in 1988 with her young daughter who was in the first grade. Lea worked for ITT Community Development Corporation before opening her own business, Preferred Management Services, Inc. in 1995. After 21 successful years in business, Lea sold Preferred to Vesta Property Services in 2016 and remains employed with Vesta as the Vice-President for the NE, NC, and Orlando Regions.
During her time in Flagler County, Lea has served in many leadership roles i.e. Chairwoman of the Flagler County Chamber of Commerce, President of the Flagler Beach Rotary Club, member of the Advent Health Foundation Board, and an inaugural member of the Flagler County Tiger Bay Club. Lea was also selected as the Volusia/Flagler Businesswoman of the Year in 2010.
Ocean Bliss Day Spa is the latest entrepreneurial venture for Lea and her partners. She is very excited about the opportunity to provide a “blissful spa” experience for the Flagler County residents and visitors to our community.
John Palumbo, Proprietor
John Palumbo’s personal motto is, “serenity now.” A fitting philosophy for a spa owner to have. Though John seems an unlikely spa owner, with his professional background in construction, he believes in delivering a calm and serene experience at Ocean Bliss Day Spa. He, with wife Denise, decided to create an experience which reflects their vision of the perfect spa. “It’s a good business opportunity,” he said when asked about the spa concept and opening in Flagler Beach, “and the right place at the right time.” John believes in good work ethics and it is apparent his attention to details of the physical building and the professional staff he is surrounded by. When he is not concentrating on the spa, John is passionate about animal adoption causes and in his free time enjoys playing golf, gardening and landscaping and fine dining.
Denise Palumbo, Proprietor
Denise Palumbo has been going to spas for most of her life and has always wanted to own one herself. Her career in the travel industry and traveling the world has given her an international perspective on the world of spas. In 2019, she decided to take these experiences and open the spa of her dreams. Taking some tried and true spa staples, mixing it with a personal touch, providing services in a customer centric atmosphere and blending it all together to create a unique experience is Denise’s goal for Ocean Bliss Day Spa. She brings her value for hard work and established a professional staff who underscore her belief in treating others like yourself. When not at the spa, Denise works to increase cancer awareness and helps the cause to end animal cruelty and promote animal adoption.
Ocean Bliss was created with her personal credo in mind. “Life is short, so live it.”
Erica Vandegrift/Spa Manager
Erica is a duel citizen of the U.S. and Portugal that moves to Flagler County with her parents in 1995. She is a graduate of F.P.C. that majored in Psychology at the University of Florida. Erica went on to receive a degree in Holistic Wellness with a specialty in Clinical Hypnotherapy from the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts in Tempe, AZ. She also holds certifications in Auriculotherapy, NLP, Flower Essence, Essential Oils, Toe Reading, and is a Master Herbalist.
When she is not working you can find her at the beach with her son, reading, baking, meditating, learning something new about wellness. She is a firm believer in the importance of taking care of yourself mind, body, and sprit.
Shelley Chapman, LMT
Originally from Maryland, Shelley has been a Floridian for over twenty years. Her educational background is in English Literature, Philosophy and History which she studied at Towson State University. After working in hospitality and raising a family for many years, she refocused her attentions on wellness and natural healing. She received her massage therapy education at Daytona State College. Understanding a client’s personal health practices and philosophies allows her to work with the client to both create and achieve realistic and long lasting goals.
Mission:
As a massage therapist and as a wellness professional I provide therapeutic massage and bodywork for the enhancement of health and well-being for my clients. Assessing the physical posture and presentation of the client as well as communicating with them to establish their specific needs is the key to a successful session and to achieving long term goals. I am committed to my personal growth and continued education as a massage therapist, and to work together with my clients to promote their education and participation in the healing process.
Tammy Newberry,LMT
Tammy Newberry grew up in the beautiful lowcountry area of Charleston S.C. working in the hospitality industry for many years,eventually finding her way to the healing art of massage. After graduating from Southeastern School of Massage Therapy and becoming a member of Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals,she began honing her craft in 2001. Eventually making her way to Flagler in 2003, she found her heart and grew a family all the while practicing.
Tammy hopes to guide folks to their innate ability to heal from within by therapeutic touch and integrative massage techniques. She has a passion for hand and foot reflexology,recognizing the wide scope of benefits and comfort level of this most relaxing modality,also appreciating this work on a personal level.
When It’s time for leisure-Tammy loves to have her toes in the sand or relaxing on the patio chilling and grilling.
Jamie Wright, Esthetician/Nail Tech
Jamie is a Florida girl who grew up right here in Flagler County and graduated from Flagler Palm Coast High School. She got her Full Specialist license from International Academy and has spent the last 14 years doing what she loves. Building a friendship with her clients and making them feel special is what’s most important to her. She loves binge watching the latest television series and spending quality time with her dogs, husband and friends.
Julie Grisanti, Esthetician/Nail Tech
Julie’s background will help you understand her love for making people feel and look better. Before starting her career as an esthetician, Julie spent 20 years as a critical care nurse in Buffalo New York. Moving to Florida in 2004 she graduated as an esthetician and nail technician, then taught esthetics while she worked nights as a caregiver.. She come to Bliss with 15 years experience.
Linda McGrane
After a 20 year teaching career, I received my massage therapy license, issued by the Florida Department of Health in 2004 after completing a 750 hour program at Daytona State College.People ask me, “What is therapeutic massage?” I believe that all massage therapy is therapeutic; it is a proven and effective means of managing pain and stress. It can also provide a number of other therapeutic benefits to help improve a person’s health. Whether you want a proven and effective means of managing stress, alleviate chronic and temporary muscular aches and pains, or need a chance to promote relaxation, massage can be part of your wellness plan.My specialty, besides Swedish massage, is trigger point therapy for pain relief.
Terri Marie Montano, LMT, Esthetician, Nail Tech
Terri grew up in Connecticut and recently moved to Florida. She is very excited to be in Florida and start a new chapter in her life. In 1989 she graduated from Gal Mar Academy in Connecticut as an Esthetician and Nail Technician. She continued her education and graduated from the Connecticut Center For Massage Therapy in 1997. She also went on to become a Reiki practitioner. Terri utilizes a unique intuitive fusion of massage techniques and reiki to customize each client’s experience to relieve pain, reduce stress and trauma. Her focus is to facilitate and promote a sense of calm and relaxation to help the body with its own innate ability to heal itself, for a better quality of life and health. She holds her Full Specialist and Massage Therapy license in both Connecticut and Florida. Terri brings over 30 years of experience.
In her down time she enjoys biking, hiking, yoga and meditation.