Name: Tony
& Brittany Rodgers
Opening
Date: April 2012
Brand: Hand
& Stone
Location:
Houston, TX
Both
having similar backgrounds and goals for success, Tony and Brittany seek to
open five Hand & Stone locations throughout Houston. With a strong passion
for the health and wellness industry, the couple brings devotion, motivation
and faith to the Hand & Stone brand.
Q: Where are you from?
A: Tony grew up in South Bend, Ind.,
where he graduated from a five year apprenticeship program with his associates
degree in applied science. Brittany grew up in Orlando, Fla., but moved to
South Bend, to go to school, where she met Tony. She attended Indiana
University and graduated with degrees in psychology, social and behavioral
science and radiology science.
Q: What was your career before franchising?
A: Before franchising, Tony spent 10 years
in the construction industry, running large commercial accounts. Later, Tony became
operations manager for a large manufacturing/recycling facility located in Northern Indiana. Brittany
worked in the medical field of Radiology where she enjoyed helping and caring
for patients. She worked mostly in large out-patient centers, including one of
the largest orthopedic clinics in all of central Florida. Additionally, Tony
dabbled with his Realtor’s license, partnering up with a company to buy,
remodel and sell prime real estate for opportunities to further his success.
The couple spent two years purchasing and renovating vintage riverside homes in
the Notre Dame/ St. Mary area of Northern Indiana.
Q: How did you learn about the brand?
A: Tony and Brittany learned about the
Hand & Stone brand from Frannet, a leading company in expert franchise
consulting. Once Tony and Brittany realized their strong desire for independence
and accomplishment, the couple began searching
for the next step towards success. With much
research, and the assistance from Frannet, Tony and Brittany were introduced to
Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa.
Q: Why did you decide to open your own
business?
A: Tony and Brittany
chose to open their own business to gain personal freedom, stability and the chance to one day give back.
They wanted the opportunity to finally reap the benefits from their devoted
strength. By opening their own business, Tony and Brittany have
the ability to watch their hard work pay off for future generations to
come.
Q: When choosing a franchise, what were the
criteria you used to make your decision?
A: When choosing a franchise, Tony and Brittany had
specific criteria they were in search of. They knew they wanted to stay in the
health and wellness industry due to their passionate histories for both health
and wellness. They wanted a company they could stand behind, a company they
felt passionate about, a company that could meet their financial goals for
personal success and a company that connected with the community.
Q: What was appealing to you about joining
a franchise system?
A: For Tony and Brittany, the most appealing
aspect about joining a franchise system was the proven track record for
success. They felt strongly about the worth of a well-established business
model and felt it was a great way to get started in the entrepreneurial world
of business.
Q: What are some of your achievements
(professionally or personally) that you think will help you along the way in
your business?
A: Tony and Brittany were once told the
keys to success are devotion, motivation and faith —three things neither of them
lack. Starting their entrepreneurial business journeys at a young age, the
couple’s education and work experience have been their biggest achievements
thus far. Priceless assets they share that will drive their success in the
franchise world include dedication for hard work, a passion for continuously
giving back to others and an extensive background in many aspects of the
business world.
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.
