Unique Wellness Business Opens Up in Port Resident's Home

Mary Bernadette always thought she would have her own business, but over the years the timing never seemed right.

If it wasn’t full-time work and raising her three kids, then there seemed to be a financial block. If it wasn’t a financial block, it was fear.

After ten years of owning her home at 128 E. Kane St., in Port Washington, Bernadette is now turning her dream into a reality — with a little help.

Bernadette is a licensed occupational therapist and has turned her home into DwelLogics, an education and wellness center offering therapies and services to support a preventative health-maintenance model of self care.

When her home was built decades ago it was zoned for both residential and commercial, so turning her home into a business was as simple as checking with the city to make sure it was okay.

"I want to be community-based," Bernadette said. "I want to be in my community. I want to do something here."

To help get DwelLogics up and running, licensed massage therapist Tricia Stephan is going to be operating her massage and body works business, Compassionate Touch, out of DwelLogics out of Bernadette's home.

"(Bernadette’s) dream has been my dream since the very beginning," said Stephan. "I didn’t have the financial means to open my own facility, so this is the perfect fit."

To add to Bernadette’s concept of community, Stephan has decided to offer adjustable rates for her services every Wednesday. People can come and pay whatever they can afford.

"The people that need the massage the most can’t necessary afford it," said Stephan.

Stephan met Bernadette, by chance, at a hair salon recently. When Bernadette found out that Stephan was a licensed massage therapist, the two struck up a conversation and an instant bond was formed.

Stephan is now creating an entire treatment curriculum for DwelLogics and helping Bernadette find additional licensed therapists in the fields of acupuncture, nutrition, reflexology and psychotherapy.

"We are looking at the whole body," Bernadette said. "It’s my passion to make an environment functionally and beautiful and restorative. (My home) is a perfect example of that."

While the hope is to keep expanding, according to Bernadette and Stephan, the duo want to maintain the proper perspective and remember why they’ve started this venture in the first place.

"We want to be complimentary to the other businesses in Port Washington that offer massage and therapy services," Bernadette said. "There are many massage therapists in the community … however none of them offer the other wellness services that we offer and plan to offer."

One of the services that DwelLogics offers that other facilities don’t is a huge outdoor garden. Bernadette’s garden has been featured in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and other publications and has been known the last few years for hosting summer concerts on Saturday evenings with local musicians performing for the community. 

“Now that DwelLogics is a reality, we’re going to offer our clients Yoga and Tai Chi, as well as outdoor massage, in our garden,” said Bernadette.

Bernadette and Stephan don’t know exactly what the future holds for them and their joint venture. The goal right now is to do what they’re passionate about and to say to others, "take care of yourself."