Javier Molinares
AL DÍA TODAY
MELBOURNE – Last Friday, May 24, TAO Medical Retreat celebrated its soft opening, a tremendous success. The Brevard Hispanic Chamber of Commerce congratulates Jennifer Dowdell and Brian Dowdell, M.D., M.S., of TAO Medical Spa of Melbourne, FL, for this outstanding achievement.
Jennifer’s story began in Cartagena, Colombia, and she has become an inspiring example of hard work and success.
She grew up in the Nuevo Bosque neighborhood, where her parents still live. She started her education at the public school “La Femenina” and later graduated from the Universidad de Cartagena with a degree in Business Administration.
“My dream was always to have my own business,” says Jennifer. Her hard work helped her become one of the top students at the university. However, her life changed when she moved to Argentina. There, she continued her studies at the Universidad del Museo Social Argentino, earning degrees in Business Administration and Accounting.
Jennifer spent almost nine years in Argentina, working in banking and finance. She then moved to Miami, Florida, where she faced new challenges as she didn’t speak English.
In Miami, Jennifer worked two jobs, including hosting at a popular restaurant and selling cigars on Ocean Drive.
“I worked 16-hour days, earning between $300 and $500 daily while learning English,” she shares. Her relentless work ethic and desire to improve her language skills eventually led her back to Argentina to complete her thesis and finalize her degree.
Al regresar a Miami, la vida de Jennifer cambió una vez más cuando conoció a su esposo, el Dr. Brian Dowdell, en un restaurante de South Beach. Su relación intercultural floreció a pesar de las barreras del idioma, gracias a la ayuda del traductor de Google.
Después de un breve noviazgo y viajes internacionales, se establecieron en Melbourne, Florida, donde comenzaron su familia y emprendimientos comerciales. Jennifer canalizó su pasión por la moda abriendo una boutique, trayendo los vibrantes estilos de los diseñadores latinoamericanos a la comunidad de Melbourne.
“I wanted to offer something unique,” she explains, curating a collection of clothes from Colombian, Costa Rican, Peruvian, and Mexican designers.
Jennifer’s business philosophy grew as she balanced motherhood and her business. Her boutique now works on a consignment model, letting her offer more designers without high inventory costs.
Besides her boutique, Jennifer helps her husband with his real estate and medical businesses, using her skills in accounting and administration. Her new spa venture is the next step in her career and shows her entrepreneurial spirit.
“Brian always trained and committed himself to opening his spa, but he never did because he was very busy with his other clinic. When we met, I encouraged him to explore this area, as it’s trendy,” revealed Jennifer. This mutual interest led to their first real estate partnership in Colombia, under the name TAO (Together As One), where they invested in properties and gained significant returns.
Their business ventures continued to grow, culminating in the creation of the TAO Medical Retreat. The spa opened this month with a soft opening on May 24.
“The retreat offers wellness services like weight loss management, IV therapy, hormone replacement, facials, massages, and more,” Jennifer explains. The spa aims to provide a holistic experience combining medical and aesthetic treatments with relaxation and meditation, all while enjoying Colombian coffee.
The services offered at TAO include Injectables and fillers (Botox/Dysport, dermal fillers, PRF), Laser and energy treatments (BBL Photofacials, RF Microneedling), Facial Rejuvenation (HydraFacial, Facials, Chemical Peels, Thread Lift), and Wellness solutions (Massages, Solutions by Age, For Men).
TAO founder Dr. Dowdell, M.D., M.S., has put together a team of experts to provide high-quality aesthetic care in Melbourne, FL, and nearby areas. Dr. Dowdell has extensive training and experience in regenerative medicine for aesthetics and is certified in neurotoxin, PRF, thread lift, and filler procedures. All the team members share Dr. Dowdell’s commitment to advancing standards of care for their clients while providing relaxing, rejuvenating experiences.
“This is a celebration of our journey and the support of our friends, family, and founding members,” said Dr. Dowdell, addressing the attendees during the opening event. “TAO is a resort-style medical sanctuary designed to help women and men escape their routines and immerse themselves in an ultra-luxurious environment. At the same time, they pursue their beauty journey and wellness.”
Jennifer and Dr. Dowdell conceived TAO approximately two years ago, with design services from Brian Ellison. It reflects their global travel experiences.
“TAO is actually an acronym,” Dr. Dowdell explains. “TAO stands for Together As One, whether in marriage, a workplace, or the community.”
As they embark on this new venture, the Dowdells are not just opening a medical retreat but also celebrating the trust and support of their first 50 clients.
“We’re not just opening a town medical retreat. We’re not just celebrating that. We’re also celebrating our founding members who represent the first 50 clients that place their trust in us from day one. For that, we’re forever grateful,” Dr. Dowdell concluded.
The Brevard Hispanic Chamber of Commerce invites everyone to visit TAO Medical Spa and explore its full range of services. TAO Medical Spa has something for everyone, from relaxing treatments to refreshing retreats. Visit discovertao.com to learn about the services and book an appointment. Enjoy a day of relaxation and wellness.
Jennifer Dowdell’s journey from Cartagena to Melbourne shows the value of hard work, adaptability, and vision. Her story inspires many and highlights the contributions of immigrants to the American dream.
For more information, contact TAO Medical Spa of Melbourne, “Together As One,” by calling 321-372-1132. The spa is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and is closed on Sundays. Visit the location at 308 S. Harbor City Blvd., Suite C, Melbourne, FL 32901.