Each week Hand & Stone will highlight a franchisee. This week Lucy Frost is our spotlight franchisee.
Franchisee Since: May 2009
Franchise Location: 55 Route 9 South Suite 470 Manalapan, NJ 07726
How Lucy Frost Got Started with Hand and Stone…
Lucy was born and raised in New Jersey and is an experienced business owner. Her first entrepreneurial experience was owning and operating her own beauty salon many years ago. She then worked as a social worker for over 14 years before opening her own Hand and Stone with her husband, Norris, in May of 2009.
What Intrigued Lucy Frost about Hand and Stone…
Lucy had been a member of the Spring Lake Hand and Stone before opening her own location. As a member, she saw the continued growth of the brand, experienced the superior customer service, and witnessed the growth of clientele. Lucy became intrigued with Hand and Stone and wanted to own one of her own. In order to get her husband on board, she scheduled a couples massage one evening and used this as an opportunity to show Norris firsthand the Hand and Stone experience. After that night, Norris decided that it was time the couple opened their own location in Manalapan. The two knew that Manalapan was an untapped market and had confidence that the brand would succeed in the area.
Something Interesting About Lucy Frost’s Story…
Lucy and Norris are both over the age of 60 and their becoming franchisees of Hand and Stone is their second act careers. Norris had worked in the construction sales industry for many years, an industry heavily affected by the down economy, and felt that Hand and Stone would be a sound investment for the future. Lucy was originally a Hand and Stone member, fell in love with the brand as a client, and knew the service would thrive in her hometown of Manalapan.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
Franchisee Spotlight: Tracie Correll, owner of Hand & Stone in Goodyear
Each week Hand & Stone will highlight a franchisee. This week Tracie Correll is our spotlight franchisee.
Franchisee Since: January 2009
Franchise Location/s: Goodyear, AZ
How Tracie Got Started With Hand & Stone…
Tracie began taking classes at the local university and received a gift card from her children to Massage Envy. After falling in love with the concept, Tracie was asked to write a business paper on a niche business and decided she would focus on Massage Envy because she immediately fell in love with the concept after her first massage. Tracie began focusing her core college work on Massage Envy. After becoming familiar with the brand from afar, Tracie looked into opening a Massage Envy location in Phoenix, but soon found out that they were no longer expanding throughout Arizona, so she began looking at other massage and spa opportunities. After hearing a radio ad for Hand & Stone in Scottsdale, Tracie began doing some research and automatically knew this was the business she wanted to become involved in at this stage in her life.
After speaking with Hand & Stone and learning about how she could become involved with Hand & Stone in Goodyear, Tracie ran the idea by her husband, Steven, and soon thereafter decided to become a franchisee because of her passion for the industry and experience in the business industry.
What Intrigued Tracie and Steven about Hand & Stone…
Tracie had a wealth of knowledge in the business world, but had no massage experience. With Hand & Stone’s model, Tracie was able to receive the support from corporate and knowledge on the industry from the massage staff she hired, and utilize her business experience she had gained from the 18 years she spent at Honeywell.
Additionally, Tracie was intrigued that Hand & Stone was a young, growing brand, which she felt would gain brand awareness through its multiple locations in the Phoenix metro area.
Something Interesting About Tracie’s Story…
Tracie joined on with Hand & Stone right before the recession hit in full force, which has made Tracie think of out of the box about ways to continue to become ingrained within the Goodyear community. Some of the ways in which Tracie has continued to grow Hand & Stone within the community are through the numerous schools, churches, organizations and athletic teams that Hand & Stone sponsor. Additionally, Tracie also provides chair massages during community business mixer events.
Tracie’s daughter is also very involved with the Hand & Stone location, where she is an esthetician and a front desk manager. Tracie’s husband Steven is also there for support and additional help when needed.
Franchisee Since: January 2009
Franchise Location/s: Goodyear, AZ
How Tracie Got Started With Hand & Stone…
Tracie began taking classes at the local university and received a gift card from her children to Massage Envy. After falling in love with the concept, Tracie was asked to write a business paper on a niche business and decided she would focus on Massage Envy because she immediately fell in love with the concept after her first massage. Tracie began focusing her core college work on Massage Envy. After becoming familiar with the brand from afar, Tracie looked into opening a Massage Envy location in Phoenix, but soon found out that they were no longer expanding throughout Arizona, so she began looking at other massage and spa opportunities. After hearing a radio ad for Hand & Stone in Scottsdale, Tracie began doing some research and automatically knew this was the business she wanted to become involved in at this stage in her life.
After speaking with Hand & Stone and learning about how she could become involved with Hand & Stone in Goodyear, Tracie ran the idea by her husband, Steven, and soon thereafter decided to become a franchisee because of her passion for the industry and experience in the business industry.
What Intrigued Tracie and Steven about Hand & Stone…
Tracie had a wealth of knowledge in the business world, but had no massage experience. With Hand & Stone’s model, Tracie was able to receive the support from corporate and knowledge on the industry from the massage staff she hired, and utilize her business experience she had gained from the 18 years she spent at Honeywell.
Additionally, Tracie was intrigued that Hand & Stone was a young, growing brand, which she felt would gain brand awareness through its multiple locations in the Phoenix metro area.
Something Interesting About Tracie’s Story…
Tracie joined on with Hand & Stone right before the recession hit in full force, which has made Tracie think of out of the box about ways to continue to become ingrained within the Goodyear community. Some of the ways in which Tracie has continued to grow Hand & Stone within the community are through the numerous schools, churches, organizations and athletic teams that Hand & Stone sponsor. Additionally, Tracie also provides chair massages during community business mixer events.
Tracie’s daughter is also very involved with the Hand & Stone location, where she is an esthetician and a front desk manager. Tracie’s husband Steven is also there for support and additional help when needed.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Franchisee Spotlight: Jerry and Debbie L'Heureux, owners of Hand & Stone in Glen Mills
Each week Hand & Stone will highlight a franchisee. This week Jerry and Debbie L'Heureux are our spotlight franchisees.
Franchisee Since: December 2009
Franchisee Location/s: Glen Mills, PA
How Jerry and Debbie Got Started With Hand & Stone…
Jerry, a 25-year veteran of the call center industry, had worked his entire life and thought it was time to retire. After spending four years in retirement, Jerry found himself extremely bored, as well as frustrated with the economy. Much of Jerry’s prior experience was working with Fortune 500 companies, helping their subsidiaries grow from million dollar companies to multi-million dollar companies. Jerry did some consulting outside of work and one of his colleagues had sold advertisements to the local Hand & Stone regional developer.
After a short conversation about the Hand & Stone concept and business model, Jerry realized that he could help the economy by opening a business that would supply jobs within the community, which was something he was very passionate about. Jerry began researching the franchise opportunity, met with many store managers and soon thereafter met with the Hand & Stone team to start the process of becoming a Hand & Stone franchisee. Jerry decided to partner with Patrick Purcell, a friend from his previous career and his wife Maggie.
What Intrigued Jerry and Debbie about Hand & Stone…
Jerry knew his experience in the call center industry would not go far when entering into Hand & Stone, but realized that was what the support of the franchise system was for. He was intrigued that he could become a successful business owner in an industry he did not know much about because of the knowledge and coaching of the corporate team.
Something Interesting About Jerry and Debbie’s Story…
Within the shopping center where Hand & Stone is located, Jerry has formed a retail association, where members from other businesses come together to collaborate. One of the things Jerry developed was a monthly calendar which is distributed to customers within each store, which lists all of the promotions and specials each store has for the month.
The retail association that Jerry developed hosted a father’s day car show, supporting the Brandywine Lion’s Club, which was held in the shopping center community. Each business sponsored a decade of cars from 100 year old cars to brand new cars. Hand & Stone raffled off massages and other services during the event, which proved to be a huge success with over 350 cars.
Franchisee Since: December 2009
Franchisee Location/s: Glen Mills, PA
How Jerry and Debbie Got Started With Hand & Stone…
Jerry, a 25-year veteran of the call center industry, had worked his entire life and thought it was time to retire. After spending four years in retirement, Jerry found himself extremely bored, as well as frustrated with the economy. Much of Jerry’s prior experience was working with Fortune 500 companies, helping their subsidiaries grow from million dollar companies to multi-million dollar companies. Jerry did some consulting outside of work and one of his colleagues had sold advertisements to the local Hand & Stone regional developer.
After a short conversation about the Hand & Stone concept and business model, Jerry realized that he could help the economy by opening a business that would supply jobs within the community, which was something he was very passionate about. Jerry began researching the franchise opportunity, met with many store managers and soon thereafter met with the Hand & Stone team to start the process of becoming a Hand & Stone franchisee. Jerry decided to partner with Patrick Purcell, a friend from his previous career and his wife Maggie.
What Intrigued Jerry and Debbie about Hand & Stone…
Jerry knew his experience in the call center industry would not go far when entering into Hand & Stone, but realized that was what the support of the franchise system was for. He was intrigued that he could become a successful business owner in an industry he did not know much about because of the knowledge and coaching of the corporate team.
Something Interesting About Jerry and Debbie’s Story…
Within the shopping center where Hand & Stone is located, Jerry has formed a retail association, where members from other businesses come together to collaborate. One of the things Jerry developed was a monthly calendar which is distributed to customers within each store, which lists all of the promotions and specials each store has for the month.
The retail association that Jerry developed hosted a father’s day car show, supporting the Brandywine Lion’s Club, which was held in the shopping center community. Each business sponsored a decade of cars from 100 year old cars to brand new cars. Hand & Stone raffled off massages and other services during the event, which proved to be a huge success with over 350 cars.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Hand and Stone was recently featured in The Record!
Sunday, June 13, 2010
BY JOAN VERDON
The Record
STAFF WRITER
Todd Leff’s original plan after he stepped down as CEO of the AAMCO transmission and auto repair franchise chain was to retire and play a lot of golf. "That lasted about three months," he says. Instead of spending his time relaxing on the links, he decided to go back to work helping to build a new chain that wants to market mass relaxation.
Massage for the masses is the mantra at Hand & Stone, a chain of massage and facial spas that offers 50-minute massages for $49.95 to its members.
The company, based in Toms River, plans to move its headquarters to Hamilton this summer. It has 31 spas in nine states and Canada, and expects to open 20 to 25 new locations this year, with North Jersey being a major target for expansion.
The company was founded by a physical therapist, John Marco, in 2005, who is the company’s chief operating officer.
Leff, 51, signed on as an investor last year and is overseeing the company’s marketing, franchise development, real estate and finance functions as president and CEO. Career changes are nothing new for Leff. He was a federal prosecutor in Philadelphia for five years in the 1980s, before joining Cottman Transmission as corporate counsel. He became CEO of Cottman, and when the two transmission chains merged, he became CEO of AAMCO. He spoke with The Record at Hand & Stone’s newest New Jersey location, in Hamilton. (Interview condensed for space.) (Read More).
A Job Stimulus Program that Costs the Government Nothing
by Todd Leff, CEO of Hand and Stone
The other day I was listening to a radio broadcast discussing whether the billions we spent on the stimulus program actually created any meaningful jobs. The pundits were discussing how we could spend more to create jobs. The irony is that Hand and Stone has been trying to create jobs these past several months and has run into the job creation obstacle known as “local government regulation.”
Consider our frustration in trying to establish a Hand and Stone in a retail shopping center. After months of finding a location and negotiating a lease, we then face applying for building permits. Our construction is not overly complicated, typically involves 2,500 square feet and is in a retail shopping center. The standard wait time just to get building permits reviewed in many communities is six weeks. With layoffs in local government and some localities (like in California) only working four days a week, it may take two months or more to get building permits approved. Once approved, we can build a spa out in 8 weeks.
Another obstacle unique to our business is that many localities have zoning ordinances that prohibit or require a zoning variance for “massage parlors.” While we try and explain that we are a “day spa,” in some cases we are required to go through a full variance process taking another several weeks or months.
What is the cost of this delay? When we build out a Hand and Stone we employ carpenters, painters, tile setters, electricians – probably 10-15 craftsmen on every site. Once we open, we employ front desk staff, therapists and aestiticians – maybe 15 people when we open. We are waiting on permits for 8 new spas right now. So by my calculation we could be creating jobs for 120 workmen right now and 120 spa staff in 8 weeks if we could get these permits today.
Here’s a solution even if just for the short term. Why don’t local governments use a “fast track” system for approval of plans for retail spaces under 5,000 square feet. Most of those businesses will be owned by small businesspeople and the construction is relatively straight forward. The local authorities should have one week to review an architect’s plans and if not construction may start. We’d speed up the process, create jobs, and get business moving again. If any locality is willing to make this “fast track” commitment, let me know, I’d love to build a Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa in your community.
The other day I was listening to a radio broadcast discussing whether the billions we spent on the stimulus program actually created any meaningful jobs. The pundits were discussing how we could spend more to create jobs. The irony is that Hand and Stone has been trying to create jobs these past several months and has run into the job creation obstacle known as “local government regulation.”
Consider our frustration in trying to establish a Hand and Stone in a retail shopping center. After months of finding a location and negotiating a lease, we then face applying for building permits. Our construction is not overly complicated, typically involves 2,500 square feet and is in a retail shopping center. The standard wait time just to get building permits reviewed in many communities is six weeks. With layoffs in local government and some localities (like in California) only working four days a week, it may take two months or more to get building permits approved. Once approved, we can build a spa out in 8 weeks.
Another obstacle unique to our business is that many localities have zoning ordinances that prohibit or require a zoning variance for “massage parlors.” While we try and explain that we are a “day spa,” in some cases we are required to go through a full variance process taking another several weeks or months.
What is the cost of this delay? When we build out a Hand and Stone we employ carpenters, painters, tile setters, electricians – probably 10-15 craftsmen on every site. Once we open, we employ front desk staff, therapists and aestiticians – maybe 15 people when we open. We are waiting on permits for 8 new spas right now. So by my calculation we could be creating jobs for 120 workmen right now and 120 spa staff in 8 weeks if we could get these permits today.
Here’s a solution even if just for the short term. Why don’t local governments use a “fast track” system for approval of plans for retail spaces under 5,000 square feet. Most of those businesses will be owned by small businesspeople and the construction is relatively straight forward. The local authorities should have one week to review an architect’s plans and if not construction may start. We’d speed up the process, create jobs, and get business moving again. If any locality is willing to make this “fast track” commitment, let me know, I’d love to build a Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa in your community.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Franchisee Spotlight: Maria Cermatori, Owner of Hand and Stone in Spring Lake
Each week, Hand and Stone will highlight a franchisee. This week, Maria Cermatori, is our spotlight franchisee.
Franchisee Since: October 2006
Franchise Location/s: 1325 Warren Ave., Spring Lake, NJ 07719
How Maria Cermatori Got Started With Hand and Stone…
Maria never quite imagined herself as a small business owner, but when the opportunity fell in her lap six years ago, she couldn’t pass it up. Maria worked in the financial industry for six years prior to becoming Hand and Stone’s first franchisee.
Her husband, Paul, was a business acquaintance with John Marco, Hand and Stone’s Founder. When John was beginning to launch Hand and Stone as a franchise, Paul helped him establish the business plan. Through that process, Paul and Maria became very intrigued with the concept, and eventually they bought the first franchise in Spring Lake, NJ, which opened in October 2006.
Four years after their opening, the Spring Lake spa is extremely well established and Maria credits that to her emphasis on customer service. She and her employees make sure that every guest that walks in the door has a wonderful experience every time. Her location is both a destination for local residents and those visiting the area.
What Intrigued Maria Cermatori about Hand and Stone…
Sparking from Maria’s passion of providing each guest the best experience every time, she finds it invaluable to being involved within her community. She is involved with three area chamber of commerces and donates gift certificates to local schools and charities. Maria also hosts spa parties at her location where groups can come in for a night dedicated to them and receive a collection of Hand and Stone massage services.
Something Interesting About Maria Cermatori Story…
Maria’s second Hand and Stone location is under construction in Brick, NJ. The new Hand and Stone location in Brick will open later this summer and will be the first Hand and Stone location in that market. It is the 36th Hand and Stone location.
Franchisee Since: October 2006
Franchise Location/s: 1325 Warren Ave., Spring Lake, NJ 07719
How Maria Cermatori Got Started With Hand and Stone…
Maria never quite imagined herself as a small business owner, but when the opportunity fell in her lap six years ago, she couldn’t pass it up. Maria worked in the financial industry for six years prior to becoming Hand and Stone’s first franchisee.
Her husband, Paul, was a business acquaintance with John Marco, Hand and Stone’s Founder. When John was beginning to launch Hand and Stone as a franchise, Paul helped him establish the business plan. Through that process, Paul and Maria became very intrigued with the concept, and eventually they bought the first franchise in Spring Lake, NJ, which opened in October 2006.
Four years after their opening, the Spring Lake spa is extremely well established and Maria credits that to her emphasis on customer service. She and her employees make sure that every guest that walks in the door has a wonderful experience every time. Her location is both a destination for local residents and those visiting the area.
What Intrigued Maria Cermatori about Hand and Stone…
Sparking from Maria’s passion of providing each guest the best experience every time, she finds it invaluable to being involved within her community. She is involved with three area chamber of commerces and donates gift certificates to local schools and charities. Maria also hosts spa parties at her location where groups can come in for a night dedicated to them and receive a collection of Hand and Stone massage services.
Something Interesting About Maria Cermatori Story…
Maria’s second Hand and Stone location is under construction in Brick, NJ. The new Hand and Stone location in Brick will open later this summer and will be the first Hand and Stone location in that market. It is the 36th Hand and Stone location.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Todd Leff, President and Chief Executive, Hand and Stone
With over 20 years of franchise leadership experience, each brand Todd Leff has worked with has experienced explosive national growth and increased profitability. Currently, Leff is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Hand and Stone, a 30-plus unit massage and facial spa franchise, based in Hamilton, New Jersey, with a mission of bringing massage and massage services to the masses. At Hand and Stone, Leff is responsible for franchise, marketing and operational developments. Over the next five years, Leff plans to take Hand and Stone from 30 spas to more than 250 across the nation in addition to increasing the variety of spa services offered at Hand and Stone.Prior to Leff investing in and joining Hand and Stone in July of 2009, Leff served as CEO of Philadelphia-based Cottman Transmission, leading its growth from a small regional company to a 400 unit national transmission repair and complete car care chain. In 2006, Leff successfully engineered the merger of Cottman Transmission and AAMCO Transmissions (owned by American Driveline Systems, Inc.). At that time, Leff became the president and CEO of American Driveline Systems, Inc., as well as its subsidiaries AAMCO Transmissions and Cottman Transmission, creating the world’s largest chain of transmission specialists and one of the leaders in complete car care services. Under Leff’s leadership, American Driveline Systems, Inc. grew to 1,100 locations and achieved system wide sales of $600 million in 2008 employing over 6,000 team members nationwide.
In addition to his extensive franchise career, Leff was a lead trial attorney with the United States Department of Justice Antitrust Division, from 1985-1990. Leff is a cum laude graduate of Temple University School of Law, where he served as an Editor of the Temple Law Review. He received his undergraduate degree with distinction from Villanova University.
Leff’s proven leadership has propelled him to the front of the industry as an expert in franchising and business. He is a frequent author, lecturer and panelist at franchise law and business conferences, including serving as the plenary session speaker at the 41st Annual International Franchise Association (IFA) Symposium. Leff also serves on the International Franchise Association’s Research Committee where he plays a key role in formulating research strategy and assisting in projects for the IFA.
Leff resides with his wife, Cindy, in Warrington, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia. They have four children, Jillian, Hallie, Kylie and Alex.
For more information on Todd Leff and Hand and Stone, visit www.handandstone.com.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
The Richmond Times-Dispatch recently wrote about Hand & Stone!
Hand & Stone spa chain eyeing Richmond area
Louis Llovio
Jun 04, 2010
Hand & Stone, a New Jersey-based chain of spas, is looking to move into the Richmond area.
The company wants to add several locations in the market by the end of next year. It is in the process of finding space and franchisees.
As part of its expansion plans, Hand & Stone wants to open 30 spas in the state within three years, including eight in Richmond. (Read More)
Louis Llovio
Jun 04, 2010
Hand & Stone, a New Jersey-based chain of spas, is looking to move into the Richmond area.
The company wants to add several locations in the market by the end of next year. It is in the process of finding space and franchisees.
As part of its expansion plans, Hand & Stone wants to open 30 spas in the state within three years, including eight in Richmond. (Read More)
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