Help Bliss Wellness

Hi my name is Tanya Cheex aka Contessa Cintra. Since 2016 I’ve been running a small Holistic Spa business in Midtown Toronto. It was my goal to create a safe and harmonious work environment for my staff who tread the margins, be it appearance or disabilities either physical or mental, which may prevent them working in other spas. The result is Toronto’s first Alternative style spa.

As at many massage parlours in Toronto, I am frequently harassed, and dare I say bullied, by Toronto City Bylaw officers. We struggled through the pandemic lockdown where we had to remain closed for a very long time. I used our Twitter account to help promote my staff and to remain on our client’s minds until we could safely open again. We were never open during the mandated lockdowns. Instead, I’d promote the staff’s OF accounts since not everyone was eligible to receive government benefits, or were struggling with high costs of living. In 2022 Bylaw decided this was a breach of their guidelines and decided to penalize us and put us on probation for 5 years!

In the meantime the city has made it increasingly difficult to get a Holistic license. It’s expensive, and with bureaucratic roadblocks, it can take months! (One of my staff has been waiting since June 6th!) We are unable to work without a license, but hiring marginalized persons, sometimes I have to let them work to make money for the licence. Well, we got caught and threatened with closure. The tickets arrived at the wrong address and postmarked incorrectly so unless I was a time traveller, there’s no way I could appear in court! Since my business licence is up for renewal, my lawyer advised me just to suck it up and pay it - it’s actually $5000 since we are high on their radar! (I successfully got an officer removed in 2018 for sexual harassment caught on film.)

My business partner can pay his half but with me struggling to keep my head above water, it’s a little harder for me. Anything you can contribute no matter how small can help me keep this safe, sane and consensual business open. My thanks to you all who support independent small SW business!

Testimonials

Bliss Wellness is a really special place to work. Cintra encourages a supportive environment, where we all look out for each other. Our clients often comment on how positive a space this is. Because of this job, I’m able to pay my bills despite a chronic health condition — Scarlet current employee

There was a time in my life where I was going through so much that it was hard for me to hold down a regular job due to mental health problems. During this time I was hired at bliss where I worked for 4 years. I can honestly say that working at the spa saved my life in many ways but the main one being able to remain employed in a flexible and family like environment while I dealt with the things that I had going on in my personal life. If it weren’t for the support and flexibility of Cintra being there for me and keeping me employed I can’t say I’d still be here. It would be heart breaking for them to get shut down considering they employ so many people who are not only disabled and marginalized but people who are struggling with their mental health like myself. They deserve to stay opened. -Lex Lucifer former employee

I am a former staff member and long-standing friend of Bliss Wellness. I can attest from my personal experience that the spa is run with integrity and care. Cintra is an experienced and empathetic leader who provides a safe space for providers to spend their time and make a living. My experience at the spa and with Cintra touched me forever. I was always impressed by the attention and commitment to following city bylaws - which often seemed problematic and confusing. - Saige former employee

Working at Bliss has been a gamechanger for me. The calm and restorative atmosphere and the collegiality of the staff is a welcome change from the cut-throat, relentlessly fast paced conditions in other workplaces that overwhelmed and overstimulated me and led to burnout.

I credit Cintra with creating a safe, supportive and nurturing environment that allows us to thrive. I’m proud to work here. - Kiki current employee

Working at Bliss Wellness literally changed my life for the better, and I don’t say that lightly.

I was drowning in debt and student loans and felt hopeless, and I’m so lucky I found Bliss. It not only allowed me to get out of my debt fast, but I felt completely safe, protected and autonomous the entire time. It was my first experience at a job like this, and I feel so grateful. I ended up working there over 5 years and made a community of friends, as well as gaining confidence in my body and boundaries.

We absolutely need safe spaces like this that protect and empower the staff who work there, while also actively work to de-stigmatize the work.

Please help if you can!

Eden

Former Employee at Bliss

Bliss has been more than a lifeline, this place has saved my life - i've never worked in a more supportive, safe, caring, and accommodating environment. This is the first job where i don't feel exploited, and that's probably why it's the longest job i've ever kept. There is almost no workplace that would accommodate and respect my disabilities, my economic status, my needs and feelings as a human opposed to an employee - Bliss has become my family and they look out for me like family. It’s become my home away from home, and somewhere i can count on to be looked after both emotionally, physically, and financially. This place is a monumental part of my life, and any help to keep us afloat doesnt just keep the spa running, it keeps my livelihood, OUR livelihoods, from ending.—Maddy current employee