Hand & Stone featured in Highlands Ranch Herald

An article called “Holiday shoppers seek stress relief,” ran in the Highlands Ranch Herald, and published Dec. 23. This article references Hand & Stone in Highlands Ranch as somewhere to go to relax after all that holiday shopping! Erik Bostrom was quoted in the article telling readers why many holiday shoppers pit stop at Hand & Stone - to get a break and some relaxation amidst all the crazy holiday shopping. View the full article here.

Holiday shoppers seek stress relief
By Chris Michlewicz

Traffic congestion. Long lines. Aching feet. They are the signatures of holiday shopping. But there is relief from the hustle and bustle if you know where to look.

With the shopping season starting earlier every year, there is little wonder why consumers tend to run out of steam by the time Christmas hits. Most people are ready to relax with a movie or curl up with a good book. However, those who become stir crazy during holiday breaks have options right in their own backyard that can melt the stress away.

Many find relief in working out, particularly yoga classes, which offer a period of silence and decompression. Moms and dads have the chance to escape the excited sounds of children on school break or the expectation to assemble toys. Recreation centers operated by the Highlands Ranch Community Association, South Suburban Parks and Recreation District, as well as public fitness facilities in Parker and Castle Rock, offer yoga classes on a regular basis.

The sessions can be therapeutic and great for the well-being of both mind and body. Some classes focus on using yoga as a tool for reducing pain, fatigue, stiffness and stress.
Some find spa treatments as a source of comfort during the stressful holiday shopping season. Whether it is someone who desires relaxation after hosting a large family dinner or out-of-town guests, a deep-tissue massage or facial can be just the answer.

“It’s a perfect way for people to get ‘me’ time,” said Erik Bostrom, owner of Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa in Highlands Ranch. “They feel more effective in other areas of their life, whether it’s as an employee, boss, mother or father. They leave with a different mind set.”

(Read More)

Hand & Stone Featured in Burlington County Times

Hand & Stone was recently featured in an article called “New Hands-On Career” in the Burlington County Times. It discusses Kathleen’s entrepreneurial story, then moves to the Vicarios having a location in Burlington County as well and being integral in helping Kathleen get her location up and running and then progresses to quoting Todd about why the business works. The article also uses statistics from the AMA to make a claim that this is an industry that is booming. Check out a portion of the story below or read the full article here.

New hands-on career

Kathleen Edwards has already had two fulfilling careers: first as banker and then as teacher.

Now Edwards, a Mullica Hill resident, has started a third career with the purchase of a Hand & Stone franchise.

Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa is a New Jersey-based company that focuses on the health-care benefits of massage and skin care.

"The franchise is popular and it was a perfect fit for me," said the new entrepreneur who opened the Hand & Stone at the Hartford Corners shopping center on Route 130 in Delran earlier this month. It is the second such outlet in the county. There are 12 either open or planned in New Jersey. (Read More)

Franchisee Profile: Maggie Brown of Scottsdale, Arizona

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Something Interesting About Maggie Brown’s Story…
Maggie Brown is a multi-faceted business owner: a Hand & Stone franchisee and the Regional Developer for the state of Arizona. Having worked in the technical sales industry for over 15 years, Maggie is now heading up the development for Hand & Stone in Arizona. When she joined the team in 2006, Hand & Stone only had two franchises up and running nationwide. Since becoming the Arizona RD, Brown has added four spas, with 15-25 employees at each, throughout Arizona. Maggie plans to develop more than 20 additional spas throughout the region and continue to strengthen Hand & Stone’s brand presence in Arizona.

What Maggie Brown Did Before Hand & Stone…
Maggie Brown began a career in technology at IBM leaving there to pursue sales and marketing ventures. As a natural entrepreneur, she founded a Manufacturer's Representative sales firm that grew to become a national sales and marketing organization called Pivotal Sales Group, LLC. She continues to expand her portfolio now as a Hand and Stone franchisee and Regional Developer of Arizona.

How Maggie Brown Specifically Found Out About Hand & Stone…
Prior to joining on with Hand & Stone, Maggie Brown was a customer of one of her competitors and noticed that the massage industry was booming. Wanting to get involved, she began researching the competitor’s brand and inquiring about franchise opportunities, but soon realized that the entire market she wanted was sold out. After thoroughly investigating the massage industry, Maggie found that Hand & Stone was superior to any other concept she had looked into. She felt that the atmosphere and experience of visiting a Hand & Stone provided a variety of high quality services, and a luxurious experience at an affordable price.

Why Maggie Brown Became and Loves Being a Hand & Stone RD and Franchisee…
Maggie Brown decided to become a franchisee with Hand & Stone right after the franchise becoming Hand & Stone’s first franchisee and the first Regional Developer, becoming a strong part of the brand’s expansion in Arizona; Hand and Stone now has 5 locations throughout the Phoenix DMA. With a strong background in sales and marketing Maggie loves interacting with people and new environments. Additionally, she has always loved the relaxing and soothing environment the spa provides and remains enthusiastic about customer engagement, where customer satisfaction has always been her highest priority. After learning the brand as a franchisee of it first and becoming passionate about the concept, Maggie made the financial decision to invest in and develop Arizona becoming the Regional Developer for Hand and Stone.

Maggie Brown also loves working with her employees and has built very strong relationships with each of them. She has seven employees who have been with her at her Scottsdale Hand & Stone since she opened in 2006. Maggie also likes the wide variety of services Hand and Stone offers in a spa-like atmosphere and environment providing her customers an ultimate relaxing and rejuvenating experience.

Franchisee Profile: Fred and Steve Vicario

Franchisee Names: Fred and Steve Vicario
Franchisee Since: February 2008
Franchise Locations: Owners of Marlton and Vorhees locations; Regional Developers of Central and South Jersey

How Fred and Steve Vicario Got Started With Hand and Stone…
Between Fred and Steve, the two brothers have extensive business experience in franchise development and small business ownership. Fred comes with a long list of experience in the franchising industry, which spans over 20 years. He got his start with Maaco, an auto body and collision center franchise, in the franchise development team where he was responsible for helping entrepreneurs become franchisees with Maaco. While there, Fred and his wife, decided to become franchisees themselves. They bought The Goddard School, which they have been running for the past nine years in Laurel Springs, NJ. Steve also owns a hardscaping business, which he has been doing for about five years.

Ready for their next adventure, Fred and Steve had discovered that the massage industry was booming and looked into their options in franchising within the industry. At first, Fred and Steve researched a competitor of Hand and Stone, but determined that the support would be better with Hand and Stone since the corporate office was virtually in their backyard. It also seemed to Fred and Steve that Hand and Stone was vested in supporting its franchisees more so than the competition.

Fred and Steve became Regional Developers for Hand and Stone…
In February 2008, Fred and Steve opened their first Hand and Stone location in Marlton, NJ. With previous experience in franchise development, they felt that they had the opportunity to build something for their futures with Hand and Stone. Only four months after opening their first location, Fred and Steve became regional developers for Hand and Stone in Central and South Jersey.

In the regional developer role, they work with potential Hand and Stone franchisees in Central and South Jersey including Monmouth, Ocean, Middlesex, Somerset, Hunterton and Mercer to educate them on the Hand and Stone concept and walk them through the franchise process. Currently, Fred and Steve have three locations within their territory and are in the process of opening seven more this year. Despite the economy, 2010 has been the fastest-growing year in terms of sales and number of locations for Fred and Steve, and within their territory, there is potential for 20-30 more Hand and Stone locations.

This September, Fred and Steve are opening their second location in Vorhees.

Where specifically did Fred and Steve Vicario learn about Hand and Stone?
With Fred’s experience working for Maaco for 20 years and being a franchisee within The Goddard School system, and Steve’s business ownership experience, they were ready for another opportunity in franchising. They did research on the internet and found that the massage industry was booming. They looked first at Massage Envy, but since the headquarters was in Arizona, Fred and Steve felt that they would not as valuable support from the franchisor. They also believed that Massage Envy was just interested in selling locations, not supporting the franchisees.

Hand & Stone Featured in New Jersey Business Journal

Hand & Stone was recently featured in the New Jersey Business Journal in an article titled "NJ-based franchise finds downturn a soothing time to grow" in which Bob McQuillan, VP of Franchise Development, discusses opening 4 Hand & Stone locations in two weeks. He also talks about why holiday season is optimal for growth (great opportunity for gift card sales), and Hand & Stone’s business model of massage – a service that was once considered a luxury, is now affordable and accessible to everyone. A portion of the article is included below and it can be read in its entirety by clicking here.

N.J.-based spa franchise finds downturn a soothing time to grow
By Beth Fitzgerald

Hand & Stone, a New Jersey-based spa franchise targeting customers seeking affordable treatments, is adding four new locations in the next two weeks, bringing the number to 11 in New Jersey and 36 nationwide.

Bob McQuillan, vice president of franchise development, said the pre-holiday season is a key time for new spas to open, with gift cards making up about one-third of the revenue. A new franchise that opens up just before the holidays will get an immediate infusion of cash from the sale of gift cards, he said. Cash flow from gift cards provides working capital “until the business ramps up and revenues increase,” he said. Valentine’s Day, along with Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, also are big holidays for spas selling gift cards, he said.

Hand & Stone was founded in Toms River in 2005, and is now based in Hamilton.

McQuillan said Hand & Stone is aimed at customers who want to be pampered with a massage or a facial, but can’t afford the $150 to $200 per session prices at upscale spas; Hand & Stone offers its services at around $50 to $60 — “a beautiful atmosphere, minus the champagne and the robe,” he said.

The four new locations will be in Cherry Hill, Princeton, Voorhees and Delran.

(Read More)

Franchisee Profile: Kathleen Edwards of Delran, NJ

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How Kathleen Edwards Got Started With Hand & Stone…
Relaxation! Who doesn’t like to relax? Kathleen was accustom to getting massages herself so when she learned that a family friend was working closely with a new franchise that promoted personal wellness, Kathleen listened closer. Kathleen became acquainted with Hand & Stone primarily through her relationship with the new VP of Franchise Development, Bob McQuillan. Once Bob joined Hand & Stone, Kathleen began investigating the franchise opportunity, visited the Marlton spa location and decided that it was a great opportunity for her to become a part of while also pursuing her other passion of teaching.

Kathleen had worked in banking training retail employees when she first discovered her passion for teaching. She trained bank employees on how to do their jobs, but after a while, she came to realize that although she loved the training portion of her job, she wanted to teach children instead.

After 10 years at the bank, she switched focuses to teaching children and became a high school business teacher. She is currently going into her seventh year of teaching and will continue to do so while opening and managing her new Hand & Stone location in Delran.

What Intrigued Kathleen Edwards about Hand & Stone…
The entire concept intrigued Kathleen. As a person who gets massages herself, she knew Hand & Stone was a step ahead of the competition, which helps her feel confident that Hand & Stone will do well in Delran. Kathleen notes that at Hand & Stone, customers will be able to get same-day appointments, make requests for their therapist of choice and pay 1/3 of the cost than at a high-end spa. At her spa, it will be quiet, serene and a nice experience all while providing accessibility and affordability. Her location will look and feel like a high-end spa, but because of the membership model, Hand & Stone is able to keep the cost minimal for its customers.

Something Interesting About Kathleen Edwards’ Story…
Kathleen is excited about her new Hand & Stone location because she will be providing local residents a Daycation experience. They can come to Hand & Stone and get a massage or facial spa service in a relaxing environment as a way to distress for a reasonable price. She believes that this will be a destination for area residents to get away and take some time out for themselves.

Where specifically did Kathleen Edwards learn about Hand & Stone?
For as long as Kathleen can remember she has wanted to own her own business. Through the years, she had looked into franchising, but the concepts always seem to involve food. She really wanted to wait for an opportunity that was exactly what she was looking for, although she wasn’t all that sure what that would entail.

When a family friend had mentioned he was joining the corporate team of a franchise called Hand & Stone, Kathleen got curious. She had gotten massages before and loved how she felt afterwards and the relaxing feel of the spas that she had visited.

What made Hand & Stone attractive to Kathleen is the massage for the masses concept of affordability and accessibility. Hand & Stone offers customers a low price point for the same type of massage you would receive in a high-end spa, and the spa looks and feels just like a spa you would experience at a high-end spa as well.

Hand & Stone featured in Entrepreneur

Hand & Stone is featured in December’s Entrepreneur Magazine in an article titled, “Here’s the Rub: Expensive day spas are pummeled by the recession, but franchised spas and massage centers are growing fast.” During the recession, the massage and facial concepts that have succeeded are those that offer consumers affordability and accessibility like Hand & Stone. At a low monthly membership, consumers can get the same treatments they would at a high-end day spa at roughly 1/3 the cost. Todd Leff, Hand & Stone’s CEO, anticipates being one of the top players in the massage industry in the next couple of years with a planned 250-300 locations nationwide by creating demand in the middle market. Check out a portion of the story below or read the full article here:

Here's the Rub
Expensive day spas are being pummeled by the recession, but franchised spas and massage centers are growing fast.

Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa--of Hamilton, N.J., with 34 spas and 14 more slated to open by February--is taking the opposite tack. "We very consciously fall above the massage clinic concept," says CEO Todd Leff, former president and CEO of AAMCO Transmission. He plans to open 30 to 40 units per year until Hand and Stone reaches 250 to 300 stores. "Our goal is to rival the look and feel of the high-end day spa at a price 30 to 40 percent less in a retail shopping environment. Our goal is to create a demand in the middle market, attracting folks with no spa experience or people who have done it at a resort." (Read More)

Franchisee Profile: Greg Mowry

Franchisee Name: Greg Mowry
Location: 1661 Easton Rd, Doylestown, PA 18902


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Something Interesting About Greg Mowry’s Story…
Greg Mowry is a well-established and highly experienced franchisee, having worked in the industry for no less than 25 years. His wife, Maripat Mowry, has worked alongside him as a fellow employee of AAMCO Transmissions. However, the couple’s latest venture promises to be their most enjoyable yet. Greg and Maripat will be the newest franchisees for the Hand & Stone spa, which will be opening in Doylestown, PA in September. The spa features affordable massage and a unique membership program with discounted pricing. Only time will tell how many Hand & Stone franchises the Mowrys themselves will open, but Greg expects the company to proliferate quite rapidly in the area, with at least 15 new locations opening up in the next few years.

What Greg Mowry Did Before Hand & Stone…
With a 25-year history in the franchising industry, Greg Mowry has been VP of Equipment for AAMCO transmissions, a partner in several franchised transmission shops, and the owner of a cleaning company.

How Greg Mowry Specifically Found Out About Hand & Stone…
Interestingly, Greg Mowry’s new job is a direct result of his old one, as Todd Leff, the president and CEO of Hand & Stone, is the former CEO of AAMCO. As such, it was this connection that brought Greg and his wife Maripat to the massage industry. Like Leff himself, the Mowrys were intrigued by the the refreshing concept of luxurious spa experiences at affordable prices, or “massage for the masses,” as the company’s mantra goes. Upon further investigation, the Mowrys were also pleased with the franchise’s smart business model and emphasis on employee loyalty, an all-too-rare quality in today’s fickle economy.

Why Greg Mowry is Excited About Becoming a Hand & Stone RD and Franchisee…
The Mowrys are thrilled about opening up a Hand & Stone in Doylestown because of how much potential the franchise has. Not only will it be the first Hand & Stone to open in the Doylestown area, but its proximity to a nearby hair and nail salon makes for some exciting joint promotion potential. The Mowrys live a mere 15 minutes from their Hand & Stone’s Easton Rd. location, and look forward to running this feel-good business as a family. Greg and Maripat will run the franchise as a husband and wife team, and even their children have expressed some interest in working at Hand & Stone, perhaps as part-time jobs while they attend college. The Mowrys anticipate a lot of future growth for Hand & Stone throughout the Philadelphia region, but local community involvement is their current focus. They plan to team up with the Chamber of Commerce and the Better Business Bureau in order to establish strong bonds with other local business owners as well as their inevitably satisfied future customers.

“We’re very excited about bringing this fine establishment to the Doylestown community,” said Greg. “A spa is a place where people come in happy and leave even happier, and I think that’s really what this whole thing is all about.”

Hand & Stone TV segment featured on WBTV-3 Charlotte

Hand & Stone was featured on a WBTV-3 Charlotte TV segment called “Benefits of Massage”, which aired on Sunday. Chad Foster was the interviewee and massage expert and did a great job talking about why massage is a great health benefit in relation to Hand & Stone. This segmented helps to build additional brand awareness in his region for Hand & Stone, drive customers into the location, as well as attract franchise prospects to the brand. Check out the segment below!

Hand & Stone reaching out into Fairfield County

Hand & Stone was recently featured in the Stamford Advocate in an article called “Hand & Stone reaching out into Fairfield County.” Hand & Stone is moving into Fairfield County with plans to bring seven franchised locations to the area and 13-15 throughout the entire state. The first of the locations will be owned by Pam Wallace, who holds a master's in business administration degree from Harvard University, chose Hand & Stone out of a dozen franchise possibilities because of its specially priced monthly massage membership. Check out the article here:

Hand & Stone reaching out into Fairfield County

Fairfield County residents soon may have seven more reasons to feel better.


Hand & Stone, a Hamilton, N.J.-based massage and facial spa franchise, plans to open that many locations in Fairfield County in the next two years.

"We see the most growth opportunities in Fairfield County," said Bob McQuilian, Hand & Stone's vice president of franchise development. "It's very much a suburban type of location." (Read More)

Maggie Brown's entreprenurial story featured in AZ Magazine

Hand & Stone’s Arizona Regional Developer and Scottsdale Franchisee, Maggie Brown, was recently featured in AZ Magazine. The article delves into Maggie’s journey in becoming a Hand & Stone franchisee after cashing in her retirement fund. Maggie discusses being introduces to massages as a consumer first, where she fell in love with the industry and business model. Maggie felt that Hand & Stone offered a higher quality spa experience and felt that the executive team had a strong grasp on growing the business. By partnering with Hand & Stone, she has had the full support of the corporate team every step of the way and her franchisees in Arizona get the same support as well. Maggie’s story shares the risks and rewards of owning your own business and her piece of advice is, “work at something you like and the money will follow.”

AZ Magazine - Maggie Brown Article Nov 2010

Hand & Stone Founder John Marco interviewed by Advcance for Physical Therapy and Rehab Medicine

Hand & Stone was recently featured in Advance for Physical Therapy & Rehab Medicine in an article called “Five Questions with John Marco.” The article discusses how Founder of Hand & Stone, John Marco utilized his background as a physical therapist to create and grow Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa. John speaks about massage therapy being extremely beneficial for health reasons but lacking in accessibility and affordability, which ultimately gave him the idea to create the concept, Hand & Stone. Read a portion of the story below or check out the full article here:

5 Questions With: John Marco
by Jonathan Bassett

As awareness of the health benefits of massage continues to rise, massage therapy is no longer considered a luxury item. It's become a lifestyle choice for those seeking longevity and wellness.

With corporate offices in Hamilton, NJ, Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa has grown to incorporate 35 franchise locations across 11 states and in Canada. In 2005, company founder and COO John Marco leveraged a 25-year career in physical therapy to establish a unique business model that allows clients to schedule an appointment on the day of service, rather than tracking down a freelance massage therapist and waiting days or weeks for an appointment. Membership rates mean clients pay far less than traditional hourly rates.

In this interview with ADVANCE, Marco discusses his 25-year physical therapy career, how the idea of his business came about, and what's next for Hand & Stone.

ADVANCE: How did you get your start in physical therapy?

Marco: In 1977 I volunteered as a physical therapy aide in a rehabilitation hospital in Toms River, NJ. Within a few weeks a job opening became available for a PT aide position, and I took it. It didn't take long for me to see that some very special things were being done right before my eyes. I was hooked on a healing profession. I was hooked on physical therapy. (Read More)

Hand & Stone's growth plans discussed in St. Petersburg Times

Hand & Stone was featured in a well read retail column in the St. Petersburg Times discussing the brand’s new growth plans in the St. Petersburg and Tampa market. Hand & Stone’s Regional Developer, Rob Beers, discussed some of these distinguishing factors that make Hand & Stone unique in the market such as offering facials, waxing and month-to-month membership. The column discusses the fact that Massage Envy now has some new competition and that Hand & Stone is just starting to speed up its development. Check out a portion of the article below or read the full story here.

Missing cows, cheap Rays gear, new massage competition and other happenings from the retail world
By Mark Albright, Times Staff Writer

Hand & Stone, a startup chain from Toms River, N.J., recently opened locations in St. Petersburg and Palm Harbor and plans two more in Tampa.

In addition to $49-an-hour massages, Hand & Stone sets itself apart from Massage Envy, which has 10 local shops, by offering facials, waxing and month-to-month membership.

"Fitness centers don't sell yearlong contracts anymore, and we intend to spread that to our industry," said Rob Beers, Florida developer for Hand & Stone. (Read More)

The Morning Call focuses on Hand & Stone's plan for growth

The Morning Call just recently published a story about Hand & Stone’s expansion plans for Lehigh Valley, PA. Regional developer, Greg Shishko, spoke to reporter, Tyrone Richardson, about Hand & Stone’s plans for the market where Hand & Stone expects to open 4-6 locations over the next several years. Check out the story here:

Retail Watch Scanning the Storefronts

The affordable real estate also is fueling Hand and Stone's desire to open its first Valley location within the next six months, said Greg Shishko, one of the chain's regional developers.

The massage and facial spa chain started several years ago in New Jersey, and since blossomed to about 35 stores, including four in the Philadelphia area. (Read More)

Hand & Stone Featured in Ahwatukee Foothills News

Hand & Stone was recently featured in an article in the Ahwatukee Foothills News entitled, “Ahwatukee Hand & Stone Under New Ownership.” The article discusses Steve Currier and Craig Schumacher’s unique entrepreneur story and recent ownership of the Hand & Stone in Ahwatukee. As long-time friends and business partners, the duo has owned many different concepts including a sports fitness center, which they founded in Memphis and expanded to 20 locations. The entrepreneurial team decided to partner with Hand & Stone as they felt it was higher quality and offered more services than competition. The Hand & Stone team is a great example of thriving local entrepreneurs filling a unique void in the community. Below is a portion of the article and the article can be read in its entirety by clicking here.

Ahwatukee Hand & Stone under new ownership
Chelsea Brown

Longtime friends and business partners Craig Schumacher and Steve Currier decided earlier this year to venture into Ahwatukee Foothills and take over ownership of Ahwatukee Hand and Stone.

The duo first started working together in 1981 in Elyria, Ohio, where they both served in management and executive positions at the Scandinavian Health Spa chain. In 1999, they opened Q Sports Club in Memphis, Tenn., which would later grow to a chain of 20 sports clubs across the country.

In 2000, Schumacher and Currier sold the Q Sports Club chain to 24 Hour Fitness. Later that year Currier, with a different business partner, opened O Premium Waters in Mesa. Although Schumacher was not Currier's main business partner in this business endeavor, he did work with him and O Premium Waters off and on for three years.

In December of 2009 Currier sold O Premium Waters to Sparkletts, a water company based in Los Angeles, Calif.

After the sale of O Premium Waters, Schumacher said both men were looking into a new business endeavor, and three months later they committed to Ahwatukee Hand and Stone. Today, Schumacher and Currier offer health and wellness services at the Ahwatukee Foothills spa, 4940 E. Ray Road, which has a "no-contract-necessary policy."

"Hand and Stone is an upscale experience," Currier said.

(Read More)

Alternative Medicine Becomes Mainstream: Benefits Provided to the Masses

What was previously thought of as just a luxury and pampering experience is now being called a way of life for millions of Americans, even to the point of a necessity. Massage clearly delivers the physical and mental benefits that are very easy to understand and appreciate.

“After being in physical therapy for 25 years, I recognized that many patients’ injuries were improved better and more quickly through massage therapy,” said John Marco, Founder and COO of Hand & Stone. “No longer is massage considered a luxury item, it’s now driven by those who are seeking longevity and wellness, making it a lifestyle choice above all else.”

The industry alone had over 130 million visits annually and boasted sales of $12.8 billion in 2009 and there’s not one finite person who typically gets massages; they are from every walk of life, male or female, young to old. According to the 2010 AMTA Industry Report, massage use among 18-24 year olds has risen to 48%; massage use among older Baby Boomers (ages 55-64) has doubled in the past ten years and use among those older than 65 has tripled during the same time.

These staggering statistics indicate that consumers are “getting it” and they now understand that massage has positive medical implications. According to John Marco, massage does much more than just relax you. It:

• Relives Tension and Stress
• Decreases Pain
• Lowers Blood Pressure
• Increases Circulation
• Strengthens the Immune System
• Improves Recovery Time from Injuries
• Reduces Fatigue
• And a lot more…

Marco said that stress is the number one reason why consumers continually receive massages. Massage therapy relaxes the muscles which aids the body in generating more blood flow, and therefore helps to repair and regenerate muscles faster.

“What fuels the rapid growth of the industry is the direct ‘feel-good’ results that occur due to instant relaxation that each client experiences during and after a massage,” said Marco, “The treatment is so desirable for consumers because it has identifiable and measureable results, where they feel rejuvenated after an hour session.”

While the typical massage client used to have to track down a freelance Massage Therapist, schedule an appointment days in advance, and pay as much as $90 or more for a one-hour treatment, most Hand & Stone clients book their appointments on the same day as service and pay 30 percent less than the traditional hourly rate. Better yet, when they sign up for a one-session-per-month plan, they end up paying even less per visit.

As massage becomes more and more mainstream in the health care industry, Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa stays at the top of the game by adding locations and services to keep the brand fresh. That strategy has proven to be successful, as the addition of facials and waxing to the services roster has boosted the average store sales by over 14 percent during this past year, in a very tough economic environment. Marco expects to sign another 25 new franchisees to the Hand & Stone system this year, each one investing a total of around $325,000.

“Massage and facials are a great way to maintain a healthy body and healthy skin,” Marco said. “It provides an escape for many individuals, where you can take an hour or two to focus on pampering yourself while receiving long-term health benefits too.”

Franchisee Profile: Greg Shishko

Franchisee Since: 2008
Franchise Location: Kennett Sq, PA; Regional Developer for Pennsylvania and Delaware


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How Greg Shishko Got Started With Hand & Stone…

With recessions come obstacles, and opportunities. Such was the case for Greg Shishko, Hand & Stone’s Regional Developer for Pennsylvania and Delaware. Greg had a long career, 30 years in fact, in the banking industry. He served as Chief Financial Officer of multiple businesses with several different corporations, most recently serving as CFO of Bank of America’s U.S. Credit Card and Consumer Lending businesses. Then, in 2007, we hit a bump, the economy went south and so did the banking industry, but, Greg was ready for the challenge the new economic environment presented. He looked forward to working for himself and not being involved in the corporate rat race any longer. He began searching out independent business opportunities such as car washes or laundromats, but nothing seemed to be just right until he was introduced to the booming industry of health and wellness and a fresh concept to the Pennsylvania and Delaware region called Hand & Stone.

In 2008, Greg was on his way to his next career adventure, signing on as Hand & Stone’s Regional Developer for Pennsylvania and Delaware. He would be responsible for introducing franchise prospects to Hand & Stone in his regions. First, he opened his own location in Kenneth Square, PA to build up Hand & Stone’s brand awareness and introduce consumers to a completely new spa experience – one that was easily accessible and more affordable than typical day spas. This year, his own spa is experiencing a 50% sales increase over last year!

In addition to Greg’s Kennett Square spa, and the second Hand & Stone spa which opened in Glen Mills in Dec 2009, two more Hand & Stone locations will open in: Broomall, PA, and Doylestown, PA in early September.

What Intrigued Greg Shishko about Hand & Stone…

Greg was attracted by the growth in the popularity of massage across all age groups, and the increasing recognition of the benefits of massage by the medical and insurance communities. Greg also valued the flexibility that the Hand & Stone corporate team gave to its franchisees and Regional Developers. The corporate team welcomes franchisees input; in fact many of the franchisees suggestions have been incorporated into the business. Also, Hand & Stone is based almost immediately in Greg’s backyard, which makes it convenient for him to quickly and easily communicate with the corporate team and simplifies travel and training for franchisees.

On the consumer side, Greg was impressed by the abundance of services offered at Hand & Stone. The competition only offers massage, but Hand & Stone takes it two steps further with facial treatments and waxing services. The franchise also looks to expand their service line when it makes sense.

Community Involvement…

Greg recognizes that the best way to gain clientele is by being committed to the local community and he is! Greg and his team sponsor local high school sports teams, participate in community events like the town’s festivals and concert events, and donate generously to local charities. His location also offers classes at the spa in massage and aesthetics for the Chester County Night School and provides internship opportunities through Pathstones, a private, not-for-profit regional community development and human service organization providing services to farm workers and low-income families; and the list goes on and on.

Something Interesting About Greg Shishko’s Story…

Greg is married and has four college-aged children. All of his children are attending or have attended Penn State. His two oldest work at Bank of America, following in their father’s footsteps – for now. His 18 year old son and 20-year-old daughter are still in school, and his daughter is managing his spa in Kennett Square while majoring in communication and working toward graduation in December.

Where specifically did Greg Shishko learn about Hand & Stone?

When Greg was looking for independent business opportunities, he looked into a variety of different concepts. As part of his search, he began working with a franchise broker who introduced him to Massage Heights at first. He had actually attended Massage Height’s discovery day, but while there, his wife convinced him to call John Marco, founder of Hand & Stone. Because Hand & Stone seemed more flexible with its franchisees and was located closer to him, he went with Hand & Stone.

How Hand & Stone Adjusted to the New Economy

Bob McQuillan, Vice President of Franchise Development for Hand & Stone

Over the past two years, the state of franchising has changed quite a bit. Positively, a new report just released by the U.S. Census says that 10.5% of U.S. businesses are franchises, which indicates a large percentage of people are still continuing to turn to franchising. However, the tightened credit crisis has been the main contributor to the change in the franchising industry, but Hand & Stone is doing some innovative things to keep growing amidst a tough economy.

From the franchise level, we’ve gone back to basics. We are developing and leveraging strategic relationships in the franchise industry to help foster the growth of our business. We are turning to business coaches (franchise brokers) to help bridge the relationship with prospective franchisees, and we work very closely with them to get their clients into our system.

One of the negative effects of the economy has been the ability for a franchisee to get financed in a new business. We (the franchisor) are pulling out all the stops for franchisees – leasing arrangements, home equity loans, and 401k rollover programs are some of the ways that we are helping aid first-time business owners in the process, and thus, we’ve been fortunate to recruit a very sophisticated group of franchisees.

Additionally, Hand & Stone is experiencing a very positive effect from corporate America down-sizing, as we are seeing more qualified prospective franchisees with a very sophisticated set of skills that enables them to be a perfect fit for our type of business. As companies continue to offer early retirement packages or downsize their current workforce, companies like Hand & Stone will be a good place for them to turn to and utilize those skill sets.

Local Mom and Career Woman Wins Hand & Stone’s Hardest Working Person in America Contest

Chosen by Fan Votes on Facebook, Joanne Vadas Wins Free Massages for a Year from Hand & Stone

In a nationwide contest hosted by the 30-plus unit massage and facial spa Hand & Stone, Howell, New Jersey mom, caregiver and nurse, Joanne Vadas, was named “Hardest Working Person in America.” Nominated by her daughter Natalie, Joanne’s story captured the hearts of Hand & Stone fans nationwide, who voted her story the most compelling in the nationwide Facebook contest. As winner, Joanne Vadas will receive free massages for an entire year at Hand & Stone’s Spring Lake location for her selfless giving and hardworking character.

Natalie’s nomination stated, “My mom, Joanne, is the hardest working person I know. My father passed away last year from malignant melanoma so for the past two years my mother has been consumed with not only taking care of him for his last few months, but now she is working so very hard to keep this household afloat. She is a nurse in a dermatologist office, and she is on her feet all day-- with one knee replaced and the other needing to be replaced any day now (which she would, except she cannot afford to take the time off of work). She does everything for everyone, but never anything for herself.”

Natalie Vadas’ nomination was one of seven heart-felt nominations selected to move to the final round, where Hand & Stone’s Facebook fans voted on the nominations to determine the winner. Joanne Vadas was announced the winner on Monday, Sept. 20, 2010. The 2nd place winner is Jean Sable of Phoenix, AZ.

“I am amazed, awe struck. I was completely unaware about Natalie (Joanne’s daughter) signing me up for the contest,” said Joanne Vadas. “It came as quite a surprise just how many people had nice things to say and showed their support for me.”

Hand & Stone’s “Hardest Working Person in America” contest was designed to build individualized and personalized connections with would be and established members alike.

“Especially in trying economic times, Americans are forced to work harder and longer hours,” said Todd Leff, CEO of Hand & Stone. “We wanted to hear our member’s stories, as well as the stories of their friends and families, and then reward them with a little relaxation.”

The contest launched Hand & Stone’s social presence and built individualized and personalized connections with their Facebook fans and educated fans about Hand & Stone’s services.

“While the typical massage client used to have to track down a freelance masseuse, schedule an appointment days in advance, and pay over $100 for a one-hour treatment, most Hand & Stone clients book their appointments on the same day as service and pay 30 percent less than the traditional hourly rate,” said Leff, noting that when they sign up for a one-session-per-month plan, they end up paying just $49 per visit.

As massage spas become more mainstream in the health care industry, Hand & Stone stays at the top of the game by adding locations and services to keep the brand fresh. That strategy has proven to be successful, as the addition of facials and waxing to the services roster has boosted the average store sales by over 20 percent during this past year, in a very tough economic environment. Hand and Stone expects to open 15 new locations currently under construction by the year end.

"Most of our franchisees have no massage experience, they are just business people who understand that this industry is ripe for growth and love the fact that we are providing a positive health related service," Leff said. "Twenty-two percent of Americans got a massage last year, and that figure is growing. As massage becomes a more integrated part of health care, we see this business achieving even wider-spread growth and longevity."

Hand and Stone franchisees Fred and Steve Vicario featured in the Courier Post

A great article called “No-frills approach to spa pampering,” published Sunday, Sept. 15 in the Courier Post in which Fred and Steve Vicario, franchisees and regional developers of Hand & Stone, were interviewed. It discusses multiple facets of Hand & Stone including Hand & Stone’s model, the customer benefits of getting a monthly massage service, the breadth of services like waxing and facials, the growth of Hand & Stone in South Jersey, and the franchise opportunity. Check out a portion of the article below or read the full story here.

No-frills approach to spa pampering
By EILEEN SMITH • Courier-Post Staff • September 5, 2010

EVESHAM — At Hand & Stone, the spa concept has been massaged to make the price of pampering more accessible.

There are no fluffy white robes, no showers, no lounge with cucumber water and fashion magazines.

"Our clients want to come in, get a service and get on with their busy lives," says Steve Vicario, who owns the spa at Green Tree Plaza with his brother, Fred.

One in four American adults -- 24 percent -- got a massage last year, according to "American Spa Industry Insider," a trade publication.

Hand & Stone franchises grew 30 percent in 2009, capitalizing on cheap rents and other incentives offered by landlords amid a glut of vacant commercial space.

"We have been able to reduce start-up costs by as much as $100,000," says Vicario, 37. "That's part of the reason we are growing so quickly." (Read More)

Hand & Stone hires in down economy, gets featured on CNNMoney.com

Hand & Stone was recently featured on CNNMoney.com as a small business that is hiring in today’s economy! Maria Cermatori, owner of Hand & Stone in Spring Lake and the new location in Brick, was interviewed for the story. The article talks about the popularity of reasonably priced massage and facial services as a segment that consumers are still enjoying despite the recession. Due to Maria’s success, she’s hired 10 employees in the past year for her existing location and will hire about 30 for her new location in Brick. Check out a portion of the article below or read the full story here:

Small businesses that are actually hiring!

Hand & Stone
Location: Spring Lake, N.J.
Employees hired in last year: 10
Total Employees: 35

Recessions are stressful. So reasonably priced massages and facials -- ranging from $49.95 to $79.95 -- have been very popular at Maria Cermatori's Hand & Stone franchise. So popular, in fact, that Cermatori opened another location in nearby Brick, N.J., on Wednesday. She has hired 10 employees for her existing store in the past year, and recently brought on 17 more for the new location. She expects to bring on another 10 to 15 employees in the next month or so. (Read More)

Hand & Stone Featured in Denver Business Journal

The Denver Business Journal just published an article called “Business owners have mixed feelings about coupons” which features Hand & Stone franchisee Erik Bostrom discussing how listing his business on Groupon affected his business. Erik says his spa has seen an increased amount of traffic and signups as a result of the 1,288 people who purchased the Groupon. A portion of the article is below and the full story can be read by clicking here.

Business owners have mixed feelings about coupons
By Ed Sealover

Erik Bostrom, owner of Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa in Highlands Ranch, placed a 60 percent-off coupon for a hot-stone massage with Groupon in August.

He was just hoping to attract a few new customers. But within 24 hours, he sold 1,288 of the deals, far more than even the trendy national couponing site told him to expect. He had to ask staffers to work extra hours. And it’s become harder — though not impossible, he insists — to book an appointment at his spa.

(Read More)

Hand & Stone Featured in Orlando and Tampa Business Journals

Hand & Stone was recently featured in The Orlando Business Journal in an article entitled “Spa franchise opening 6 new area locations, adding 150 new jobs”. The article was also published by The Tampa Business Journal. The story focuses on Hand & Stone’s expansion and continued growth throughout central Florida, and it also announces Hand & Stone’s intentions of bringing on new franchisees to be owner/operators. A portion of the article can be found below and the full article can be viewed here.

Hand & Stone sets target of 20 sites statewide
by Melanie Stawicki Azam

A New Jersey-based massage and facial spa franchise is looking to go from two Tampa Bay locations — one in St. Petersburg and another in Palm Harbor — to as many as 10 in the next two year.

Hand & Stone also is looking to grow in Southwest Florida, between Sarasota and Naples, and the company is working to triple its Central Florida locations during the next two years. It is targeting Winter Park, Dr. Phillips, Clermont, Waterford Lakes, downtown Orlando and Melbourne in Central Florida.

A new franchisee is opening the Dr. Phillips location in the first quarter of 2011, said Rob Beers, regional development director. Hand & Stone is seeking entrepreneurs for the other sites.

(Read More)

Meet Our Florida Regional Developer, Rob Beers

How Rob Got Started With Hand & Stone…

Prior to signing on with Hand & Stone, Rob worked with and owned a few different businesses in the real estate industry and sports memorabilia market. He owned a different franchise focusing on specialty sports & celebrity retail and collector’s items for 11 years, gaining extensive knowledge in franchising and business ownership. He also has served as director for a small real estate firm in the Washington DC area since 2000.
A year before Rob sold his memorabilia franchise, he decided he wanted to look for another growing industry; the next big player in franchising. Rob not only wanted to own a franchise location but he also wanted to get involved in the growth aspect of the business and play a larger part in building a brand nationwide.

After searching for a year, Rob discovered Hand & Stone, which had just been introduced to the franchising world, having only two locations at the time. Seeing that the brand had tremendous growth potential, a superior, quality product, and a strong executive team, Rob felt that Hand & Stone would be a great concept to expand throughout Florida. Rob signed on as the Regional Developer for Central & Southwest Florida and opened his own franchise in October 2008 in Kissimmee.

Something Interesting About Rob’s Story…

As the Regional Developer for Central Florida, Rob has been responsible for adding four more Hand & Stone spas in his market; Lake Mary, Palm Harbor, St. Petersburg, and Winter Springs. Two more will be opening in the Orlando market in the next six months. Focusing on growing the brand throughout Central Florida, Rob plans to develop 10-15 new locations in the cities of Orlando, Tampa, Sarasota, Ft Myers and Naples. Passionate about the brand, Rob has taken an active role in providing support to his fellow franchisees in the Central Florida region and focuses on creating a team environment.

Where Specifically Did Rob Learn About Hand & Stone?

Rob started to research various franchises while investing in a real estate company. Rob searched through the internet, spoke with existing franchisees and researched concepts from top to bottom for an entire year. After his year of searching, he felt that Hand & Stone was exactly the opportunity that he was looking for and outmatched all competing brands that he looked into. Although it was a risk at the time, he believed in the concept and was passionate about spearheading the brand’s growth in Florida.

Franchisee Profile: Shahira Raineri

Franchisee Since: Summer 2010
Franchise Location: Mission Viejo and Tustin, California

How Shahira Raineri Got Started With Hand & Stone…
For over 20 years, Shahira led teams in Marketing and Product Management in the corporate world and wanted to take this experience to be an owner of her own business. Her career experiences allowed her to work on many projects including launching new products and services as well as new brands, all of which helped Shahira recognize her passion for starting new ventures. At the same time, she grew tired of the slow-moving bureaucracy plaguing the corporate world. Shahira decided to take her skills and accomplishments and move in a direction that would allow her to become her own boss.

Shahira made a list of things she enjoyed and began some serious soul searching. Before long she began looking at franchises, particularly those in the service industry. As a massage enthusiast, Hand & Stone became a clear choice.

What Intrigued Shahira Raineri about Hand & Stone …
In the early stages of her search, Shahira looked at a number of massage franchises in addition to Hand & Stone, including Massage Envy and Massage Heights. However, Hand & Stone’s sound business strategy helped rule its competitors out, and a meeting with Hand & Stone CEO Todd Leff cemented the brand as the right choice. Shahira knew the excellent executive management of Hand & Stone combined with her extensive experience in brand creation and new project launches would be a recipe for success.

Something Interesting About Shahira Raineri’s Story…
Shahira put a lot of time into finding the perfect market to open Hand & Stone locations. She ultimately chose the Orange County, California area. The two initial locations, Mission Viejo and Tustin, are both located in high-income areas. Shahira is so confident about the Orange County region that she’s uprooted her family in New Jersey and moved 3,000 miles to the area. She has even signed on with Hand & Stone as an Area Developer, meaning she will be responsible for franchise development throughout the region. Current plans include opening two locations in fall 2010 in Mission Viejo and Tustin in Orange County, with another location on the books. Her future plans include 3 more locations in the area and as area developer, to bring many more future franchises on board in the Orange County, California region.

Hand and Stone featured in Philadelphia Business Journal

Hand & Stone was just featured in the Philadelphia Business Journal because of its success helping franchisees save money! With the economy in a rough patch, Hand & Stone is pitching in where it can to support their franchisees. Check a portion of the story below or read the entire article here:

In a slow year, franchisors cut deals to keep growing
Philadelphia Business Journal - by Sonja Sherwood Staff Writer

With business loans still hard to come by, franchisors unwilling to sacrifice growth are making their systems more affordable to new owners by reducing franchise fees, offering incentives, providing in-house financing or scrutinizing their business model for savings that can be shared throughout the system.

Hand & Stone, a Hamilton, N.J.-based spa concept with eight locations in the Philadelphia area, saves each franchisee tens of thousands of dollars on average by negotiating favorable rent and cashback from the landlord for tenant improvements.

“A lot of landlords have got a lot more vacancy than they used to,” said Bob McQuillan, vice president for franchise development. “There’s not a lease that we’ve done that we haven’t received money back from the landlord.” (Read More)

Franchisee Profile: Steve Currier and Craig Schumacher

Something Interesting About Steve and Craig’s Story…
Since Craig and Steve took over the Hand & Stone location in Ahwatukee in March 2010, they have doubled their customer count (in 90 days). With their past experience together in business ownership, Craig and Steve have hit the ground running right and plan to expand with additional locations throughout the region because of the vast success with their first location.

How Steve and Craig Got Started With Hand & Stone…
Steve and Craig have been involved in the fitness industry since 1979, when they were co-owners of several fitness clubs throughout Ohio and Michigan. As time progressed, Steve and Craig opened over 20 Q, The Sports Club locations throughout Florida, Tennessee, Texas, Arizona, California and Nevada, which provided high end gym memberships at low cost. Steve and Craig eventually sold their fitness club’s to a large international company, which still operate today.

Craig ventured into business with Massage Envy, working at the corporate level to help develop the brand nationally, which was founded by a past business partner of Craig and Steve’s from the fitness industry. After discovering the Hand & Stone concept and realizing that it was the next generation of Massage Envy, Craig and Steve decided to get back in business together and partner with Hand & Stone and become business owners of the spa in Ahwatukee, which allowed for them to become involved in a concept with infrastructure already in place.

What Intrigued Steve and Craig about Hand & Stone…
Craig and Steve realized that Hand & Stone was a step ahead of Massage Envy, meaning that Hand & Stone was more contemporary, less pedestrian and ultimately provided an all-around better experience to members. Craig and Steve were intrigued by the fact that Hand & Stone provides more spa like features, including facials and stone massage, which are a big part of Hand & Stone’s ability to bring massage to the masses at an affordable rate.

Where Specifically Did Steve and Craig Learn About Hand & Stone?
Craig and Steve learned about Hand & Stone while Craig was working for Massage Envy, one of Hand & Stone’s main competitors. Craig realized that Hand & Stone was the next generation in massage services and decided to become involved in the concept with his lifelong friend and business partner.

Hand and Stone Feautred in Colorado Springs Gazette

Hand and Stone was recently featured in a great article in the Colorado Springs Gazette called, “Prime territory? Four franchisors see Springs as ripe for business,” which published Saturday, August 14. The article was built from an in-depth interview with Erik Bostrom about why Colorado Springs is a great expansion market for Hand & Stone, what makes Hand & Stone a step above the competition and who makes the ideal franchisee. A portion of the article is below and you can view the article in its entirety here.

Prime territory? Four franchisors see Springs as ripe for business
By Bill Radford

HAND & STONE
Hand & Stone, a massage and facial spa, was launched by a physical therapist in New Jersey in 2005 and has grown to about 30 locations. Erik Bostrom operates a Hand & Stone franchise in Highlands Ranch; he’s also regional developer for Colorado and is looking at three markets: northern Colorado, Denver and Colorado Springs. He envisions two to three locations in the Springs and 20 or so in the Denver area.

In Colorado, “we’re looking at kind of a perfect storm of conditions that make it perfect to grow,” he said. Colorado’s economy is starting to recover more quickly than the nation as a whole, he said; at the same time, a soft commercial real estate market makes acquiring property easier. And Colorado’s active, healthy lifestyle provides the ideal clientele, he added.

Bostrom said he is particularly interested in the Springs because of its large population of former military.

“Folks that are former military tend to do very well in franchises,” he said. “They understand the benefits of following a designed system.”

Bostrom cites a total initial investment of $280,000 to $375,000 for a franchisee. Beyond the finances, he said, he’s looking for franchisees with solid management skills.

“We’re going to teach you the industry,” he said. “That’s what we’re experts in.”

Another massage franchise, Massage Envy, is already settled in town with two locations in the Springs.

“I give Massage Envy credit,” Bostrom said. “They were the first in this industry.”
But he said, “I think we’ve built a better mousetrap in a number of different ways.” One factor he cites is the breadth of Hand & Stone’s services, going beyond massage to include services such as facials, chemical peels, microdermabrasion and a variety of waxing services.

(Read More)

Hand & Stone moves into St. Louis

Hand & Stone has just announced its expansion plans for St. Louis. Check out the St. Louis Business Journal article to find out more about Hand & Stone’s development in St. Louis and throughout the Midwest. The brand’s entrance into the market will be led by a husband and wife entrepreneurial team: Tony and Christy Burke!


Hand & Stone Massage to enter St. Louis market
St. Louis Business Journal - by Kelsey Volkmann

Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa plans to enter the St. Louis market this fall when husband-and-wife franchisees open a location in Des Peres.

Christy and Tony Burke plan to open a massage and facial salon in a shopping center in November, with four or five other area locations to follow.

Bob McQuillan, a vice president of franchise development for the Hamilton, N.J.-based company, said Hand & Stone picked St. Louis for its expansion because it wanted to add new time zones and locations in the Midwest. Other targets for expansion are Chicago and Indianapolis, he said.

The company has 32 stores but plans to have 50 by the end of the year, McQuillan said.

Read More


The St. Louis Post-Dispatch also featured a story about this expansion, and you can read it here: Hand & Stone to open first local massage franchise in Des Peres

A similar follow-up on this story was also posted by the St Louis Business Journal, and you can read it here: Franchise Mania in St Louis

Franchisee Spotlight: Christy & Tony Burke, Owner of the first Hand & Stone in Missouri

Each week Hand & Stone will highlight a franchisee. This week Christy and Tony Burke are our spotlight franchisees.

Location: Des Peres, MO
Address TBA—Proposed opening date: 11/1/10

Something Interesting About Christy & Tony Burke’s Story…
For Christy Burke, opening her own franchise is a breath of fresh air. Having worked as a low-level manager for a supermarket chain for the past eight years, Christy is more than ready to take on something that she herself can control. As such, she and her husband Tony are teaming up to open the state of Missouri’s very first Hand & Stone spa, a venture they expect to be challenging but also highly rewarding and a lot of fun. The Burkes will run the franchise as a husband and wife team, and even their four children, whose current ages range from 10 to 16, have expressed some interest in working at Hand & Stone someday, perhaps as a part-time job. The Burkes anticipate a lot of future growth for Hand & Stone throughout Missouri, hoping to eventually open four or five locations.

What Christy & Tony Burke Did Before Hand & Stone…
Christy worked as the manager of a grocery store chain in Missouri for eight years before she decided she was ready to be her own boss. The new Hand & Stone franchise will be Christy’s pet project—she will handle management and day to day operations. Her husband Tony has worked in the aerospace industry for the past 25 years, and will continue his work as an automated specialist, a title he earned three years ago, even as he takes on the financial side of the new Hand & Stone franchise. Notably, Tony will be a valuable member of the team, given his past business experience as owner of a small general contracting company.

Why Christy & Tony Burke are Excited About Becoming Hand & Stone Franchisees…
The Burkes are thrilled about opening up a Hand & Stone because of how much potential the franchise has. They are particularly excited because they will be the first to bring the Hand & Stone franchise to Missouri. While they realize they’re opening their new business in a tough market, the Burkes say they are more than ready for the challenge, and look forward to their first opportunity to work together as a team. Their confidence comes not only from their trust in each other, but also from their enthusiasm for the brand itself. They love the wide variety of services that Hand & Stone offers, from massages to facials to waxing, and they appreciate the spa’s uncommonly reasonable prices and know their customers will too.

Community Involvement…
The Burkes have always been deeply involved in their community, and look forward to running their new franchise with a community-oriented spirit. Already involved at their local church and their children’s schools, the Burkes plan to utilize these local ties for the betterment of both their business and their community. They also plan to team up with the Chamber of Commerce in order to establish strong bonds with other local business owners as well as their inevitably satisfied future customers.

Can Entrepreneurs Succeed as Franchisees?

Hand & Stone was recently featured on AllBusiness.com! The article focuses on entrepreneurs becoming franchisees, including the pros and cons of franchising from an entrepreneurial background. Steve Currier and Craig Schumacher both came from strong entrepreneurial backgrounds, building from the ground up 50,000-square-foot fitness clubs in various parts of the United States. A portion of the story is shared below, and you can view the full article here.

For many people, franchise ownership is the most direct path to business ownership. You buy into an established brand, follow a specific business model, respect set policies and procedures, and have your franchise up and running in no time. But what about people who were previously entrepreneurs and are now looking to purchase a franchise? In such cases, does the franchise model spell success, or is it a recipe for disaster?

For Craig Schumacher and Steve Currier, owners of a Hand & Stone franchise in Ahwatukee, Arizona, franchise ownership offered them an opportunity that they couldn’t quite grasp as entrepreneurs. So, after more than a decade of building up 50,000-square-foot fitness clubs in various parts of the United States and establishing a place in the fitness industry for their independent venture Q The Sports Club -- which, at its peak, employed 4,000 people -- the pair decided to change gears and invest in a massage and facial spa franchise.

Read More

Featured in The Trentoninan in Trenton, NJ

Hand & Stone was recently featured in The Trentoninan in Trenton, NJ about its new Hamilton location as well as CEO Todd Leff’s decision to move the franchise’s headquarters to the Hamilton area. The new spa location has been receiving tremendous traffic since its opening in early June. Leff hopes to capitalize on the demand in the area by drawing on Philadelphia’s “wealth of talent in franchising” to bolster his management team.


HAMILTON — “It was awesome. I really enjoyed it. I’m really relaxed now,” said 25-year-old Lindsay Linderman of Bordentown after she received a 15-minute rubdown at the new Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa at the Hamilton Marketplace.

“He did exactly what I needed him to do: He relieved the tension in my back,” Linderman said of the Hand & Stone employee who gave her the soothing massage.

That man was Anton Yankelevich, 26, who became a certified massage therapist about two years ago after giving up on his unrewarding stints as a car salesman and construction worker.

“I’m doing something I enjoy,” Yankelevich, a Philadelphia resident originally from Ewing, said of his prowess as a massage therapist. “It’s kind of an art. I like muscles.”

When Yankelevich found out how pleased Linderman was with his massage, his face widened with a big grin and he said, “That feels good. Just making the world a better place.”

Yankelevich’s co-workers share the view that they make people’s lives better through the therapy they provide as massage therapists.

Click here to read the rest of this article.

Franchisee Spotlight: Paulina Laskosky, Owner of Hand & Stone in Menomonee Falls

Each week Hand & Stone will highlight a franchisee. This week Paulina Laskosky is our spotlight franchisee.

Franchisee Since: October 2008
Franchise Location/s: Menomonee Falls, WI

How Paulina Laskosky Got Started with Hand and Stone…

Paulina and her family immigrated to America from Canada in 1999. She had worked in the corporate world for a global marketing firm for many years and then became a full-time stay at home mom before becoming a small business owner. She has always been a spa enthusiast. Paulina enjoyed being able to escape to a calm and soothing atmosphere and has had a spa membership for as long as she can remember.

She always wanted to open her own spa business and felt that she had expert knowledge from her passion for the spa industry. When researching spas online, she found that Hand and Stone offered more services to their customers including facials, and was attracted to the franchise support that Hand and Stone offered. Paulina and her husband, Michael, opened their first Hand and Stone location in Menomonee Falls in October of 2008.

Paulina’s location is the only Hand and Stone in the state of Wisconsin and she intends to expand her business in the future to other nearby areas.

What Intrigued Paulina Laskosky about Hand and Stone…

Paulina was attracted to Hand and Stone’s franchise system for many reasons. She was intrigued by the support system set in place by Hand and Stone that allowed her to maintain her business while staying at home with her kids and even having time for personal activities. She was attracted to the franchise concept because she could focus on the customer experience and marketing for her location. Paulina did not have to worry about building a brand from the ground up and knew that Hand and Stone would be a safe investment in that it was continuing to grow in a down economy.

Something Interesting About Paulina Laskosky’s Story…

Paulina is the mother of two children and deeply involved within the community. She participates in many local school fundraisers and is also involved in church events. She also plays in a soccer league of 1800 women which she says has been a great source of customers. She credits word of mouth as a main tool for her marketing efforts and is known as the “Hand and Stone Lady” in the local area.

Paulina is originally from Poland and immigrated to Canada in 1981. Her and her family then moved to America in 1999.