Meet Hannah Sykes and Pin It Up Acupuncture

Hannah’s academic pursuit began with an associate’s degree in liberal arts from Howard Community College. She was pursuing her Bachelor of Arts at Mansfield University where she developed an interest in Eastern Medicine. Hannah had the opportunity to study abroad in China. During the trip, she sought treatment for mold allergies. While pursuing her master’s degree, she received acupuncture treatments that healed chronic panic attacks she didn’t even know she was having. Hannah correlates living with panic attacks to an example of a phrase she uses with her patients, “In the absence of the symptom life takes over.”  She went on to get her master’s degree at Tai Sophia, now Maryland University of Integrative Health.

Hannah gives me a lesson in Acupuncture. “Nerding out,” is what she calls it. Her knowledge isn’t limited to its physical applications but extends to a philosophical understanding of the interconnectedness of the mind, body, and spirit of healing. She explains the 5- element acupuncture theory to me. Water, Wood, Fire, Earth, and Metal and how Chinese medicine teaches, “The body is a microcosm for the world. It’s more how the physical world shows up outside is mirrored in the body.” She explains, “We can’t treat the world for a storm. But in the body, we can pull apart the components that make a whole symptom and treat the whole person.” 5-Element acupuncture is both a theoretical framework and a practical therapeutic approach.

The decision to establish PinITUp in Sykesville was influenced by Hannah’s desire to be in a community-oriented setting similar to her upbringing in a colonial New England town. Being on Main Street aligns with her fond memories of a small town where she knew all the local businesses. “I loved knowing they were always there and owned by people my friends and neighbors knew.” She felt connected to the community. 

Hannah muses about the joys of socializing with her fellow business owners. She also believes that to have that community, you must keep showing up for it. PinITUp is regularly involved in and a sponsor of events happening on Main Street. This is largely due to her three children, Chris, Hazen, and Eva. 

Chris, the oldest, helped at all the events by watching her siblings and is now in the Air Force. Hazen, who is ten, comes down for all the events. He likes to draw people in with one liner jokes. Events provide the perfect audience for this. He LOVES to talk about PinITUp! Lastly, Eva is five. She is always smiling, dancing, and sharing as much as she can with everyone. Including, free water if she can catch you walking down the street on a hot day.

Hannah has a magnetic attraction to authenticity. In a world inundated with scientific jargon and impersonal transactions, her emphasis on human connection serves as a beacon for those seeking a deeper, healing experience. It’s about the soul behind the ailment. This genuine approach to healing resonates with her clients on Main Street. 

PinITUp has a fusion of brand and personality. Their logo is a direct representation of Hannah’s own personal style. In 2017, inspired by her love of pin up style, Hannah collaborated with a local high school student to design the logo for PinITUp. “She drew a picture that I had described on a white/black board. I then took that to Jen Lleras at Hamstead Marketing and Design in 2019. She designed the current pin up girl and later, the pin up couple.”  The logo embodies Hannah’s personality, also showcased as she walks Main Street in her fabulous handmade dresses, created by her forementioned husband (Jonathan), owner and creator of Friki Tiki. 

The front of the store displays custom pieces by Jonathan (Friki Tiki) and merchandise that also aligns with Hannah’s unique tastes. The selection of art pieces, curated for events like the Art and Wine Festival, contribute to the overall ambiance of the space. Hannah shows me a digital art piece that creates a moving picture with the help of an app. There are PinITUp kits sold with a bandana, eyeliner, and bright lipstick so that the buyer has all the tools to recreate Hannah’s signature pin up style, with a supplemental video showing you to achieve the look in under 5 minutes. These offerings not only enhance the aesthetics of PinITUp but also reflect Hannah’s creative spirit. 

Hannah’s approach to demystifying acupuncture goes hand in hand with her choice to incorporate her personality into PinITUp’s brand. The way she uses terms like “pins” instead of needles and emphasizing safety measures, Hannah brings appeal to the practice. This integration sets PinITUp apart from other businesses in Sykesville. 

This August marks the 5-year anniversary of PinITUp in Sykesville. “The celebration includes a party and a rebranding as PinITUp- Holistic Boutique.  We’ve expanded our modalities to include massage and Reiki. Our new massage therapist is Maven Dooley, she has over 20 years of experience and all the CEUs to support it. We are looking to have more modalities too! We are looking for the right people with skill sets that will best fit into our brand and community.”  

In Sykesville, Hannah Sykes has crafted more than a business at PinITUp; she’s fashioned a sanctuary for healing intertwined with her personal flair.