Hand & Stone featured in Mullica Hill Mom blog

Hand & Stone's new Mullica Hill, NJ location was featured on this popular blog designed to explore "topics that we care about: people, places, events and (of course!) deals" for the Mullica Hill community.

The story talks about the new location in Mullica Hill Shopping Plaza, seasonal promotions going on at the new store, a little background on the crew and benefits of signing up for the Healthy Lifestyle Program.

Hand & Stone is now open in Mullica Hill
By Marisa Miloszewski for Mullica Hill Mom

We’re thrilled to welcome the brand new Hand & Stone massage and facial spa to Mullica Hill! Hand & Stone is now conveniently located in the Mullica Hill Plaza shopping center (in the former Blockbuster space.)

New owners Christopher and Elissa McShea and Melanie Vesper are excited about their new venture and couldn’t be more pleased with the warm welcome they’ve received from our community.


Click here to read the entire article.

Hand & Stone featured on WBTV Charlotte

For the segment, Jessica showed some easy techniques that viewers could do at home to help stay relaxed during the stress that comes with the holidays.  She also did a great job discussing the importance of getting a regular massage to help keep you more relaxed overall.

To watch, click here or on the video below. WBTV 3 News, Weather, Sports, and Traffic for Charlotte, NC

Meet Hand & Stone franchisee Teri Evans

Teri Evans is originally from a small town in Louisiana and earned multiple degrees from Northwestern State University in Louisiana for computer information systems and business administration. Teri has a background in technology, and has been the director of IT for the past six years for a small company in the health care industry. She has lived in Austin for the past 15 years and is now opening her first Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa location. 

How did you learn about the brand?
The company I worked for was bought by a larger company and due to downsizing my position was no longer available. I took some time off and traveled the world for six months while at the same time figuring out my next move. I knew I had always wanted to own my own business, and after my rest and time away I knew this was the right time for me to pursue my dreams. I began researching franchising, and worked with a franchise consultant. After several recommendations, I decided Hand & Stone was the right opportunity for me.

Why did you choose an opportunity with Hand & Stone?
I love the Hand & Stone business model. During my travels, I often sought out different spas to try out and I am also a regular spa visitor, so I have always had an interest in the industry. I also have a passion for the health industry and personal health.

What makes your business unique in the community?
The full-service aspect of our business and the service we provide sets us apart in the community. There is another location just outside of Austin, but this will be the first location in Austin city proper.

Are you involved with any charities or do any community outreach with your business?
I volunteer for Eels on Wheels, and also work with the Girls Settlement Home in Austin. I also work with First Tee of Austin, teaching golf to young girls ages 5-18. I plan on making my Hand & Stone location a true community service.

What challenges have you overcome to get where you are now?
I had been doing a lot of research before expressing my plans to open my own business. The initial reaction from people around me expressing their doubts and concerns about opening a business was challenging to hear, however I’m excited about the opportunity to prove it to everyone that Hand & Stone will flourish throughout the community!

What are your expansion or development plans? What is your end goal with Hand & Stone?
I am planning to open three locations. Eventually, I would like to open more than three and even venture outside of Austin. I believe in this model and see the potential of the brand.

Do you have any other interesting hobbies or passions?
I play a lot of golf and love to scuba dive and travel! I’m glad that I’m able to give back to the community through my passions.

Meet Denise Vizzini of Hand & Stone in Royersford, PA

Denise Vizzini is originally from Newtown Square, PA and has been a sole proprietor of a massage therapy business in South Jersey for 15 years. She brings this experience to a Hand & Stone Franchise located in Royersford, PA.

How did you learn about the brand?
I passed by a Hand & Stone location one day, I didn’t know what it was so I checked it out. I liked what my experience was and did a lot more research and found out that it was a solid franchise.

Why did you choose an opportunity with Hand & Stone?
We did some research on other concepts and felt that the beliefs and culture of Hand & Stone fit our values best. We feel that massage therapy as well as facials should be affordable and accessible to everyone. The vision of the company was very important to me as well.

What makes your business unique in the community?
I have 15 years of customer service experience in this industry. I will use this experience coupled with the franchise model to grow my business. What really makes my business unique is we are providing a high level quality service at a reasonable price for both massages and facials.

What challenges have you overcome to get where you are now?
Once I chose this career path it just kind of took off. I started this career to help my mom, who was in a horrific car accident, and now it’s taking on a life of its own! Hand & Stone is allowing me to continue to stay in this industry and give back to the community and help people at the same time. It’s a wonderful opportunity and I’m excited to be able to service the community.

What are your expansion or development plans? What is your end goal with Hand & Stone?
We would like to open another location within the next two years. Maybe one day, my children will be interested in operating the Spas.

Do you have any other interesting hobbies or passions?
I love to travel and spend time with my family and my 4 dogs!!

Hand & Stone featured in 5280 Magazine

Hand & Stone was featured in the November issue of 5280 Magazine, a Denver area publication with a circulation of more than 80,000.

The article discusses how Julie Bulatovic has trained almost 80 percent of her therapists in oncology massage techniques to cater to cancer patients and their families. The article details Julie’s work with a local non-profit and a few Denver hospitals to bring free and discounted massages for patients and their families. Julie also notes that Hand & Stone owners across the country are interested in the therapy and she hopes her efforts can be a model for other franchisees.

Healing Hands

A local spa gears its services towards cancer patients

by Julie Dugdale

Click below to see the article.


Hand & Stone 5280 Article Nov 2012

Hand & Stone featured in The State

Hand & Stone of Columbia was recently featured in an article in The State, a newspaper covering South Carolina. The article covered Hand & Stone of Columbia's opening as well as a free massage promotion they held last week.

A mass of new merchants

Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa will open next week, but its workers were giving previews on the sidewalk outside the store Thursday during Whole Foods’ opening celebration.

The retailer is “a franchise of basically day-spa services that are targeted to the middle market,” president and chief executive Todd Leff said.

Hand & Stone offers a membership to consumers who get discounts for committing to one massage or facial each month. For $49 a month, they get a massage or a facial. A typical day spa might charge $90 to $100 for those services, Leff said. (READ MORE)