My successes.

Amber Ramey, owner of Composure Self Care, has been awarded the 2024 Joseph G.E. Knight Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence by the U.S. Small Business Administration. The Knight Award is a recognition of a successful small business owner with whom SCORE Rhode Island has worked for many years. She was presented the award by SCORE RI chapter chair, Deborah Pannullo, Esq, at the recent Rhode Island Salute to Small Business Awards Luncheon.

Amber’s career as a high-performance sports massage therapist in Cranston was disrupted in March of 2020 by the worldwide pandemic. She needed to come up with a plan to ensure she could make a living in these new circumstances, so she reinvented herself by getting certified in health coaching, which was in increased demand because of COVID-19. It quickly became clear to Amber that her new knowledge of health coaching, combined with her experience in sports and orthopedic massage therapy, resulted in even better outcomes for her clients.

As her practice grew, she opened Composure Self Care, where she could create an enhanced healing environment and hire additional therapists to serve her growing customer base. Amber’s new challenge was to hire and train a team to deliver the highest level of care. She only brought people into the business who shared her passion for providing exceptional, customized care. As her clients realized the benefits of her services, her business continued to grow, resulting in a staff of three with an additional hire projected in 2024.

Amber and her team provide therapeutic touch that leads to less pain, increased mobility, and long-lasting behavioral change. As a result, Composure Self Care flourished, while staying true to its mission of providing a safe, intimate, and peaceful environment to deliver self-care in the areas of sports and orthopedic massage. The business’s 2023 annual income increased by 23% and is projected to increase by 25% in 2024.

Amber Ramey and SCORE worked together for more than three years. Her SCORE mentor, Deborah Pannullo, summed up her experience with Amber, “While mentoring Amber, it became apparent that she was dedicated to her mission of providing a comprehensive approach to healing that would not be compromised. She carries this into her hiring and training practices as well as her workspace. Her business decisions are always rooted in enhancing the client experience and superior therapeutic results. She is driven by her mission and is always striving to reach new heights.”