Today we’d like to introduce you to Enrique Solano.
Enrique, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Massage was never part of my original plan. In my late teens, I was pursuing musical theatre in Puerto Rico for about three years, preparing for scholarship programs and fully committed to that path. Then one day, in between classes, something shifted, it just made sense. I didn’t have a background in massage or any formal exposure to it, but I felt a strong innate passion that I couldn’t ignore.
That decision brought me to Minnesota in 2008, where I trained and graduated in 2010. From the beginning, I approached massage differently, I wasn’t interested in just learning routines, I wanted to understand how to actually help people feel better in a lasting way.
A few years into my career, I started receiving massages from other therapists, and that’s when things really became clear. The experience often felt disconnected, like the therapist was following a script instead of truly listening. Even as a massage therapist myself, I would leave sessions thinking, this isn’t what people should be paying for.
That realization pushed me to go deeper. I began refining my own approach, one that focuses on listening, adapting, and working with the body in a way that feels intentional, not automatic. Over time, that became the Onalos Method which is my last name spelled backwards. A technique built from years of hands-on experience and a commitment to doing what’s actually best for the person on the table.
Today, Onalos Massage is built on that standard. It’s not just about relaxation, it’s about results people can rely on. Many of my clients live active lifestyles and push their bodies hard, but they come back with confidence knowing that whatever strain or tension they bring in, it will be handled. That trust isn’t given upfront, it’s built through results first, session after session.
That consistency has earned us a loyal following, over 225 five-star reviews, and a strong reputation in the community. But more than anything, I stand for servitude. When someone walks through our doors, they’re trusting us with their time, their money, and their body, and my responsibility is to meet that with a level of care they won’t find just anywhere.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Building something that’s different always comes with resistance, both from within the industry and in day-to-day operations.
One of the biggest challenges has been maintaining a high standard in an environment where consistency isn’t always guaranteed. Whether it’s training, staffing, or scheduling, I’ve had to make difficult decisions to protect the quality of the experience we provide. That includes addressing situations where people weren’t aligned with the level of care and accountability I expect.
There have also been moments where plans didn’t go as expected, whether it was disruptions in training or operational setbacks, but those situations forced me to adapt quickly and take full ownership of the direction of the business.
What those challenges have taught me is that you can’t say you put clients first unless your actions prove it. Especially when it’s inconvenient or difficult. Every decision has to come back to one question: does this truly serve the person walking through the door?
That’s what I mean by servitude. It’s not just about how we treat clients during a session, it’s about the standards we protect behind the scenes, so they consistently receive the level of care they’re trusting us to provide at Onalos Massage.
We’ve been impressed with Onalos Massage & Cryoskin, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Onalos Massage is built around one core idea, results first, trust second. Everything we do is designed to make sure clients not only feel better during a session but continue to feel the difference afterward.
We specialize in customized bodywork through what I’ve developed as the Onalos Method. It’s not a routine or a preset flow; it’s an adaptive approach based on what the client’s body is actually presenting that day. That means no two sessions are the same, and nothing is done automatically. Every movement has intention behind it.
What sets us apart is the level of attention and accountability we bring to each session. Many clients come to us after having great experiences elsewhere, and I respect that. But there’s a pattern I’ve noticed over the years, sessions tend to start with familiarity, then shift into something new. Clients will often say, “this reminds me of my last therapist,” and then halfway through, it becomes, “I’ve never had that done before.” By the end, the most common response I hear from 16 years doing this is that they’ve never experienced a massage quite like this.
That difference comes from truly listening and adapting in real time, not following a script. The goal isn’t just relaxation it’s to address what’s actually going on so clients can move better, recover faster, and trust that their body is being taken care of.
We’ve become known for that reliability. Our clients live active lives, and they know they can come in with tension, strain, or ongoing issues and leave feeling a real difference. That consistency has led to over 225 five-star reviews, an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, and strong ties within the Inver Grove Heights community.
Brand-wise, what I’m most proud of is that we haven’t compromised that standard as we’ve grown. Every decision comes back to one question: does this truly serve the client at the highest level?
That’s what defines Onalos. It’s not about offering more, it’s about delivering something people haven’t experienced before, and making sure they feel the difference every time they come in.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was very observant and naturally focused. I was fortunate to be guided by strong mentors in different areas of my life, martial arts, musical theatre, business, and family. Each of them instilled a sense of discipline and accountability in me early on.
I’ve always had a strong drive, and people often say it seems like I was just born that way. But for me, it came from consistency of showing up, doing your best, and taking full responsibility for whatever was in front of you. That mindset stayed with me and shaped how I approach everything I do today.
I also found early on that I enjoy helping others understand things. Whether it was through training, performing, or just everyday situations, I’ve always had a natural inclination to teach and guide.
Looking back, those traits of being observant, disciplined, and committed to doing right by the person in front of me, are exactly what led me to develop my approach to massage. It’s not just about doing the work, it’s about understanding what’s in front of you, adapting to it, and making sure the person you’re working with leaves better than when they came in.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://massagebook.com/biz/onalosmassage
- Instagram: @onalosmassage
- Facebook: @onalosmassage
