Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Hand & Stone featured in the Miami Herald


Hand & Stone was recently featured in the Miami Herald titled, "Help keep our economy robust by shopping local for the holiday season." The article, written by Michael Miller, mentions Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa and the positive experience Rick Griffiths and Wendy Mendes plan on bringing to the community. The article mentions their signature treatments and the goal of a luxurious spa experience that is affordable. Click here to view the entire article. 

By: Michael Miller

Husband and wife team Rick Griffiths and Wendy Mendes were looking to get into the business of making people happy by providing a positive impact in the lives of their clients. They found the answer in Hand and Stone. The aim is to be able to provide a luxurious spa experience on a more affordable scale. 

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Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Hand & Stone's Black Friday Special

Happy Thanksgiving!

We are so excited for Black Friday! We, like all of you, love to battle it out in the early morning hours for the best deals while hanging out with our loved ones. We love it so much, that this year we are joining in on the Black Friday tradition and having a deal ourselves!

This year we are helping our customers give the gift of relaxation during the holidays with a Buy One Gift Card, Get Another One Free! This deal runs Friday, 11/25/2011 thru Sunday, 11/27/2011 only.


This BOGO is valid at participating locations. Customers can receive a free one hour massage or facial gift card when they purchase any spa gift card or package at guest pricing. This offer is limited two per customer and is not valid toward cash denomination gift cards or waxing. Offers may not be combined. 

Fans can also find this special on our Facebook pagehttp://on.fb.me/HSBlackFriday 

We hope all of our fans have a very happy Thanksgiving and have a fun but safe day on Black Friday!

Friday, November 18, 2011

Franchisee Profile: Will Dennis of Greenville, South Carolina


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Name:  Will Dennis                                                          
Opening Date: November/December 2011
Location: 59 Woodruff Industrial Lane, Greenville, S.C.

As a father, husband and prior business owner, Hand & Stone franchisee Will Dennis has perfected the art of managing teams. Now, Dennis is combining his University of South Carolina business education and prior entrepreneurship in order to saturate the Greenville and Columbia, S.C., markets. By providing superb customer service and offering a place for locals to escape for relaxation, he strives to withstand competitors in the wellness and massage industries.

Q: Where are you from?
A: I’ve been a local of Greenville, S.C., my entire life.

Q: What was your career before franchising?
A: Before franchising, I was President of Consolidated Tires and The Tire Exchange, an independent chain of commercial and consumer tire stores. My father and grandfather originally owned the stores, so I was the third generation.  After several years in various positions, I took over when my dad decided to retire.  After seven years of running the business, I was presented with an opportunity to sell and began new endeavors.

Q: How did you learn about the brand?
A: I learned about the Hand & Stone brand through a franchise broker and extensive research.

Q: When choosing a franchise, what were the criteria you used to make your decision?
A: When choosing a franchise, I wanted a business that was part of a growing industry. I wanted to be in front of a major growth curve, and the wellness industry met that criteria. Additionally, I wanted to be local and close to home because I had previously traveled extensively. With three smaller children and a wife at home, I wanted to put those days behind me. It was important for me to find a business that I could eventually run without having to work 80 hours a week. I also wanted a business that I could grow through my professional and social networks. Lastly, I wanted to be part of a company where the original entrepreneur was still involved with the business. I didn’t want to join a team that had been managed by several different owners.

Q: What was appealing to you about joining a franchise system?
A: I was attracted to the franchising system because it provided a proven and sustained business model. By franchising, all I really have to do is follow the people before me and their predefined operational instructions. As a result, I’m able to spend the majority of my time on customer service rather than operational processes and procedures.

Q: With regard to your previous experience, what skills do you feel helped you in your business?
A: My ability to build a team is most definitely the single greatest accomplishment from my previous work experience. By hiring the right people to execute the company’s strategy, I’m able to place them and manage them in a fashion that encourages them to work. As a result, the company is able to provide a customer service strategy that can’t be beat.

Q: What makes your business different?
A: Hand & Stone offers a warm and comfortable environment, which allows me to provide a therapeutic experience to everyone who walks through our doors. We hope to cultivate a “mini vacation” feel, which will set us apart from competing spas.

Q: What are your expansion or development plans?
A: I bought the rights for three locations, so I plan on expanding further into the Greenville and Columbia markets within the next 24 months.

ABOUT HAND & STONE
Hand & Stone is a 50-plus unit massage and facial spa with a mission to bring massage and facial services to the masses, tapping into the “day-cation” market segment.  Launched in 2005 by a passionate physical therapist, John Marco and now led by franchise veteran Todd Leff, Hand & Stone now has locations in 12 states and Canada with plans to open an additional 20 locations by the end of 2011.  For more information on Hand & Stone, visit www.handandstone.com.


Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Hand & Stone featured on MarieClaire.com

Hand & Stone was recently featured on MarieClaire.com. Hand & Stone was included in their holiday gift guide called “Super-Sweet Holiday Gifts for Couples” and highlights Hand & Stone’s Couple Massages. Click here to view guide.


Super-Sweet Holiday Gifts for Couples

By: Kate Schweitzer


Got a couple of couples on your list? Or are you half of one? Either way, since this gift counts double, it may just be the trickiest one you'll buy this season. Here, our ideas for what'll make any duo happy.

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Monday, November 7, 2011

Hand & Stone featured in Coloradobiz

Hand & Stone was recently featured in the Coloradobiz in an article entitled "Hand & Stone, Waxing the City, in the Business of TLC." Coloradobiz reporter Michelle Davenport spoke with Hand & Stone owner and regional developer Erik Bostrom about the growth of the massage industry and of his business, Hand & Stone.  Despite recent economic woes, there’s one thing people aren’t giving up on, themselves.  The strength of the industry is a reason why entrepreneurs are diving in and Bostrom is helping them fuel their entrepreneurial spirit in this industry. Click here to view the entire article.

By: Michelle Davenport

The massage industry has seen 15 percent growth over the past three years and now generates annual sales of $12 billion. The skin care industry is also made its beauty mark, generating $18.7 billion in revenues in 2007 and projected to grow by 40 percent next year.
Erik Bostrom, owner of Hand and Stone in Highlands Ranch and Colorado's regional franchise developer, is capitalizing on the growth of the spa industry. Hand and Stone is a full-service day spa, and Bostrom's location features 10 treatment rooms in a 3,000-square-foot facility.
"One of the real benefits we have with Hand and Stone is really delivering world-class spa services conveniently," Bostrom said. "We have very affordable programs. Most of our clients see us monthly, and it's less than $50 a month."


Friday, November 4, 2011

Franchisee Profile: Beth Maynard of Exton, Pa


Location: Exton, PA

Q: Where are you originally from?
A:  I’m from Gainesville, FL, but I moved to Exton, PA eight years ago.

Q: Before Franchising, what were you involved with?
A:  I worked in the privatized student housing industry for 21 years. I fell in love with that specific industry because it was always exciting, fast-paced, and interesting to see how different colleges handle the privatized student housing industry.  I loved the energy and involvement with the college-aged students. It’s fun to work with students who you are providing their very first housing experience to and the parents who are dealing with letting their children go into the real world for the first time.

Q: How did you learn about the brand?
A:  The only other thing I could imagine doing outside of the student housing industry was owning my own spa.  However I had no idea there were franchises in the day spa segment out there.  I saw this franchise opportunity with Hand & Stone was actually quite shocked.  I thought it was perfect because I have no prior experience in the massage industry but Hand & Stone could teach me all I needed to know.  In less than 30 days, I signed up as a franchisee.   

I have literally no competition in my market and everyone I’m spoken with so far has made me believe that this concept is going to do really well.  People want a place to go to and relax, but there’s really nothing in Exton that can provide that experience.  This whole process is really exciting because it’s my first time as a business owner.  I have loved finding a business that means something to me and taking it through the entire process of getting it up and running. I’m excited to work for myself and expand when the time is right.

Q: Why was this brand the right fit for you?
A:  I had always gotten massages to help with stress so I was very interested in massage from a health benefit standpoint.  That is what the corporate team is all about. I felt like Hand & Stone was a step above the competition from the look and feel of the spa to my interactions with the corporate team.  I feel comfortable that I will be successful as a result of great support I will receive from them. 

Q: What are your future goals? Development plans?
A:  It’s my goal to own three locations; two in Pennsylvania and one in Florida. 

ABOUT HAND & STONE
Hand & Stone is a 40-plus unit spa chain with a mission to bring affordable massage and facial services to the masses. Launched in 2005 by founder and COO John Marco and led by franchise veteran Todd Leff, President and CEO, Hand & Stone now resides in 12 states and Canada with plans to open an additional 40 locations by the end of 2011.  For more information on Hand & Stone, visit www.handandstone.com.
 
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