More than just a day spa, the mission of Rosa Maria Brooks’ business is to help people create and maintain an optimal lifestyle, supporting, inspiring, and encouraging through therapeutic massage and other tools, safely and easily, with the use of noninvasive technology.
She opened Rosa Maria’s Wellness Spirit Of Healing And Astrology Center, LLC, in Hastings, Nebraska, in 2009. Rosa Maria offers massages, cupping, hot stones, essential oils, and aromatherapy, among other services.
“From an early age, in my native Colombia, I became interested in the sciences that contribute to the mental, spiritual, and physical welfare of human beings,” she said. “I sensed that these three aspects are the key to happiness and success at any stage of life.”
The business owner has been a Center for Rural Affairs client since 2013. In that time, she has received one-on-one technical and loan assistance. Her dedication to expanding her business has led the Center to choose her as the recipient of their 2018 Latino Entrepreneur Award.
During the grand opening of the Center’s new Grand Island office earlier this month, Griselda Rendon, loan specialist with the Center for Rural Affairs, presented Rosa Maria with the 2018 Latino Entrepreneur Award. She was to be honored during an award ceremony in March 2019 in York, but it was cancelled due to inclement weather.
The Latino Entrepreneur Award is presented annually to an entrepreneur who has effectively utilized the services of the Center for Rural Affairs, is successfully operating and growing their business, and who best exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit that is so crucial to Latino-owned businesses and the rural Nebraska communities they call home.
“Rosa Maria is a very outgoing, successful business owner who does not give up, and is always looking for new ways to bring in new customers,” Griselda said. “She is very attentive and caring with her customers and makes everyone feel welcome.”
The business owner has also attended Center for Rural Affairs training events including the annual Women Entrepreneur Conference, participated in the Latino Business Walking Tour in Grand Island, and more.
“Rosa Maria is very outgoing and always willing to try new things to grow her business,” said Griselda. “It has been an honor to work with her. She really loves what she does, and you can tell. Her passion and desire to help others is enormous.”
With future plans to utilize more of the Center's services, Rosa Maria is grateful for the assistance she’s received over the years.
“The Center has become an important part of how I’ve been able to grow my business in the last several years, and I’m very thankful for that,” Rosa Maria said.
Learn more about Rosa Maria and her business in a blog we published in October 2018.
