Massage Meets Community: The Tocar Spa Story

A brutal winter, nonstop school pivots, and the kind of stress that sneaks into your shoulders and never leaves, that’s where this conversation starts. Then it opens into something bigger: what it really takes to build a wellness business that lasts in Columbia, Maryland, and why massage therapy is shifting from “nice-to-have” to part of a real health routine.I’m joined by Stephen Conti, owner of Tocar Spa in Howard County, and his origin story is the definition of a zigzag. He takes us from growing up in PG County to UMD, from early career twists to going all-in on massage, and finally to opening his own brick-and-mortar spa. We talk about what clients can expect at Tocar Spa, why he intentionally avoids a sterile franchise vibe, and how his team customizes massage, facials, waxing, and specialty services like four-hand massage, Lomi Lomi, and couples massage lessons.Stephen also shares a side of the industry most people never see: he serves as chair of the Maryland State Board of Massage Therapy. We get into how licensing and regulation work, why small business owners suddenly start paying attention to policy, and how accessible local delegates and county leaders can be when you actually pick up the phone. We also address the hard topic of illicit massage establishments and how that connects to human trafficking prevention work right here in our community.If you care about wellness, small business in Howard County, or how local policy shapes your daily life, hit play. Don’t just listen—go experience it. 💆‍♀️✨ Head to https://tocarspa.com/experience/ to book your session. 🌿💫Follow Tocar Spa to stay connected and see what real, community-driven wellness looks like: 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tocarspa/ 📲 👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TocarSpa 💙 ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0Y9huGLlnwAbFOSbqBm-OA 🎥Support the show🎙️ Thanks for tuning in to MomTalk Maryland — where community, connection, and conversation collide! 💻 Visit us at thecolumbiamdmom.com 📧 Join our newsletter for episode updates, exclusive content, and local happenings: Subscribe! 📲 Follow along on Instagram: @the.columbiamom🗣️Got a topic idea, guest nomination, or want to sponsor an episode? Let us know!🎬 Watch behind the scenes of the podcast on YouTube: Subscribe to the MomTalk Maryland Podcast Playlist 🎧 Like what you heard? Leave a review & share with a friend who needs this convo in their life!