We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Anita Dereen a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Anita, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Was there a moment in your career that meaningfully altered your trajectory? If so, we’d love to hear the backstory.

As many that in the wellness industry, I want to be a service to people that needed and we’re looking for a better way to deal with chronic pain. I started my career in 2013, and within two years I met Mr Jeff. He was a former military man with spinal and hip reconstruction and in spite of the intrathecal pump for pain. He lived with constant discomfort. I began to work with Mr. Jeff, his goal was to be able to ride his motorcycle again. After six week he was able to walk upright, 7 months he was on his motorcycle and 2 years later he had the intrathecal pump removed. Like Mr. Jeff and many others over the years that have found relief through the techniques, education and wisdom. I’ve learned that the most valuable skill to have, is the ability to hear a person heart through the pain.

Anita, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m Anita Dereen Scott, a NC licensed massage therapist. Clinical herbalist, Medical Massage Practitioner, that God lead into the wellness industry. Zamariya is holistic wellness spa, for people of color. Zamariya is African inspired culture and atmosphere. I created this space because after years of working in the massage industry, nothing ever looked like me and a place I felt I belong. So when you visit, you will always be greeted with a smile and a hearty WELCOME HOME. I love seeing the expressions on the faces of newcomers and regulars when they enter. They know they’re home, where love is.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

When going though school, you are thought not to get to close to clients, which schools call transference of personal and emotional space. My background in mental health helped me tremendously in hearing a client to help them better. Hearing them with require you to hear their lives, so you can provide a better service.

Have you ever had to pivot?

After 8 years in the mental health field, I found myself tired and burnt out. I had no direction as to what to do next. I ended up losing everything and moved back home with family to recover and regroup. God showed up in a way that changed the direction of my life and I will never look back.

Contact Info:

• Website: Zamariya.com
• Instagram: Zamariyaspa
• Facebook: Zamariyaspa
• Linkedin: Zamariyaspa
• Yelp: Zamariya Spa of Africa