Franchisee Spotlight: Kelly and Joe Harris

FRANCHISEE PROFILE:

Name: Kelly & Joe Harris

Opening Date: 2/17/2013

Address: 694 N. Delsea Drive, Suite 35, Glassboro, NJ

Email: kharris@handandstone.com

Kelly, a native of Maple Shade, New Jersey graduated from Thomas Jefferson University with a degree in bioscience and medical technology. She went on to become a medical laboratory scientist for the Kennedy Hospital and worked as a laboratory manager there for several years. Joe is originally from Washington Township and made a living as a cereal entrepreneur, owning a home remodeling business called Harris Enhancements and DJ business called Starlite Entertainment.

How did you learn about the brand?

Kelly’s brother in-law is one of the regional developers for Hand & Stone in New Jersey and also Southern California.

Why did you choose an opportunity with Hand & Stone?

I saw how stressed the mothers of the community were and we used to suggest massage treatments.  We saw how successful this model was and just being able to give back to the community

What makes your business unique in the community?

We really care about this community. This isn’t just a money making opportunity, but one that will let us get more involved in the community and provide a true escape from the daily stressors of people’s lives. My previous job in the hospital was extremely stressful and demanding, so we know the benefits of massage first hand.

Are you involved with any charities or do any community outreach with your business?

We regularly donate services to the ARC, a local charity.

What challenges have you overcome to get where you are now?

Getting settled in our space was a challenge. We did most of our build-out with no electricity! We are excited to be opening soon.

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 year if the opportunity presents itself.  We would very much like to become leaders in the community.

Do you have any other interesting hobbies or passions?

Kelly and Joe have a true passion for helping others. Joe is also the exclusive DJ for Hair Cuttery! They fly Joe around to the different locations for their events.

ABOUT HAND & STONE

Hand & Stone is a 90 plus unit massage and facial spa with a mission to bring massage and facial services to the masses. Launched in 2005 by a passionate physical therapist, John Marco and now led by franchise veteran Todd Leff, Hand & Stone now has locations in 18 states and Canada.  For more information on Hand & Stone, visit www.handandstone.com.

Hand and Stone Featured in Home News Tribune

Hand and Stone was recently featured in the Home News Tribune and mycentralnewjersey.com. The article discusses AJ Borowsky's career and how he decided to open a Hand and Stone. AJ speaks on the challenges and successes he has seen, and how the successes far outweigh anything else.



"AJ Borowsky often found himself looking for a new interest. That search led Borowsky and his wife, Julie Vila, to open a Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa at The Shoppes at North Brunswick shopping center...Borowsky likes being busy. Since 2006 he has run the in-house training division at ABC News working with reporters and producers on new technology. A few years ago he went back to school for financial planning and took and passed a certified financial planner exam but never transitioned into that field. Vila, his wife of 13 years, has worked as a mainframe computer system programmer for more than 20 years. 'I'm always looking for different things to do. I get bored easily,' Borowsky said. 'My interests grab hold of me.'"

Read the full article here.

Hand and Stone Featured in The Courier Post

Hand and Stone was recently featured in an article in The Courier Post! The article discusses how husband and wife Kelly & Joe Harris will expand on their backgrounds and on their new Hand & Stone opening at 694 N. Delsea Drive, Suite 35, Glassboro, NJ. Kelly and Joe explain why they wanted to go into business together and why they specifically wanted to bring the Hand & Stone brand to the Glassboro area. Kelly and Joe also explain their future development plans for the area.  

To be or not to be? In business, that is. It’s a nagging question that haunts entrepreneurs and the following statistic doesn’t help: According to experts, more than half of self-owned start-ups close within five years. Washington Township’s Joe Harris says he always knew he wanted to be his own boss and he has proved to be an exception to the failure rate rule. Harris started his own disc jockey entertainment company when he was 15. In 2000, he founded Harris Enhancements, a home-remodeling firm. And two weeks ago, the 43-year-old and his wife, Kelly, opened a Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa franchise on Delsea Drive in Glassboro. The store is minutes away from Rowan University, Joe’s alma mater. “My father taught me from an early age it was better to be your own boss,” Harris recalls. “He would ask, ‘Why make money for a company when you could work for yourself?’ “He said the best way to be successful was to own your own business.” Harris says his DJ and remodelingbusinesses are doing well, and the fledgling Hand & Stone spa franchise has opened with higher-than-expected membership and revenues. Is Harris just lucky? “Maybe,” he responds. “But I really believe you make your own luck. I know it may be a cliche, but with me, it’s all about my customers. From the time I started my DJ business, I’ve always made sure the customer was happy.

“I’ve been very blessed and fortunate, and I have an incredible family to whom I owe a lot.” Family includes his 29-year-old wife, who until November worked in the medical field. Partnering with her husband is Kelly’s first venture into the business world, although she’s familiar with the entrepreneurial spirit. “My mother has had her own wedding invitation business since I was a little kid,” says Kelly, who started her career as a medical laboratory scientist at Kennedy Health Center in Cherry Hill. Most recently she managed the laboratory at Kennedy University Hospital in Stratford. “I went to school for medical technology and had a very good job at Kennedy. So leaving that job and starting this with Joe is a very big step for me.

To read the full story, click here.