Wheaton Family Opening Massage Studio Oct. 31

Ernie Holton, a Wheaton resident who spent more than 30 years in operations management in industrial distribution is shifting gear to own a family business in the massage therapy field. 

Holton, his wife, Doris Holton and their son, Jamal Holton, will open Elements Therapeutic Massage studio at 371 Town Square in Wheaton Monday, Oct. 31.

Holton has always entertained the idea of owning his own business. With corporate offices in another state, Holton said he was privileged in his former career as a facility manager because it often felt like running a business. 

Last year, he decided to make the switch and began researching potential businesses.

“I wanted to do something where I’d have the satisfaction of knowing that I helped someone,” he said.

He chose Elements because of his son, Jamal, who earned a degree in massage therapy from Everest College in Burr Ridge. 

“We brought our son into the fold and felt like it’d be a good fit based on my 30-plus years in business management and my wife who’s worked in the school system and has good relational skills. The only thing we were missing was a background in therapeutic massage,” Ernie Holton said.

With Ernie Holton’s business and HR background, Jamal Holton’s massage therapy background and Doris Holton’s education and relational background, Holton knew their model would work.

He added, “We’re not looking to work forever and ever, but if we launch the business—a successful business and a well-run business, this is a great opportunity for him (Jamal) to step into the business he loves in a managerial role with the potential to open other businesses.”

Eventually, Holton’s guidance in the operational aspect of the business will give Jamal the tools he needs to be an effective manager. “I’ve talked to him about that, and explained to him it’s not something you learn overnight … but it is something you can learn.

“Now I get the chance to work with my son and with my wife—which is great. It’s no longer me just going to the office. Now they get a chance to join in with my excitement and they have their own excitement … my wife is fired up, my son is fired up.”

Holton loved his career in facility management. “I take nothing away from my former experience—it was great … I worked really hard for my employer and did everything I could do to ensure success of the business," he said, "but now I’m in a different arena. I just really love working with my family.”

Holton said he’s confident that the current economic climate will not be a detriment to his family’s business. “People are invested” in the benefits of therapeutic massage, he said. “I don’t believe in this climate we’re going to be particularly vulnerable.”

“People need massages,” he said. “We’ve got a good business model based on some sound principals and I believe we’ll be able to reach out and service the community well.”