Franchisee Profile: Debbie Gulledge

Debbie (54) spent most of her young life traveling; by the time she was 18 she had moved 23 different times. Her father was in the military but the main reason they traveled so often was his love and craving for flipping houses. He would travel to different towns or different states buying homes and renovating them to sell. Debbie followed her family as they moved but finished up her high school and college years in Oregon, where she attended the Marylhurst University and majored in communications. Right before graduation, she joined the National Guard for Oregon and eventually became a corporal, then transitioned to sergeant, and left the Oregon Military Academy as a Captain in 1995. She had been in the Army National Reserve for a total of 15.5 years.

Due to her husband, Mike’s employer, she and her family moved to Tampa, FL. where they remain today. Debbie has always been involved in a high stress career environment, especially as a female in the armed forces. She started researching different spa franchises after her mother was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer. Debbie took her mother to massage therapists as a way to ease the illness, stress, and assist with the vigorous chemo therapy her mother was going through. A year later, her mother passed away but the benefits of the massages she was receiving really helped her deal with the difficult health scare. A year later, on Veteran’s Day, Debbie was out celebrating with friends when her daughter was struck by a car on the way to church. Her daughter suffered severe neck and back injuries. Massage therapy was a big part of her rehabilitation process. After experiencing these difficult life situations, Debbie had made up her mind to open up her own massage and spa location, to help others achieve a healthier and more grounded sense of physical self.

Debbie’s personal experience with the military, and her close ties with the lifestyle (her father served for four years before the Korean War and her son is a First Lieutenant at the University of Hawaii), Debbie always tries to help those in the armed forces. Veterans, alongside teachers and first responders, always get 15% off membership for massage plans, as do their family members. This discount is always in place and Debbie uses it to give back to those who serve in her community.

In order to celebrate Memorial Day, Debbie’s Hand & Stone location is offering all veterans a free service enhancement through May 31 including services such as foot exfoliations, hot towel services, scalp massages, or aroma therapy options.

Debbie also introduced a line to all Hand & Stone locations called Warrior Princess and 10% of all proceeds of the products go to the Wounded Warrior Project. Debbie believed so much in this line of products it was her who called corporate and asked them to stock locations with the brand.

How did you learn about the brand?

I started doing research a couple of years ago due to the family experiences I had dealt with. I think treating your life and body with respect and taking care of it is important no matter what your current health situation is. It’s beneficial for mind, body, and soul.

Why did you choose an opportunity with Hand & Stone?

Hand & Stone had a very strong business and corporate model. We saw the Hand & Stone location and instantly felt the luxurious and calming surroundings, while still being able to feel like we could afford the services. They have a month-to-month program for participants, which was good for us as new business owners. Hand & Stone also had a veteran discount rate. I was able to purchase the franchise, with my retirement money, at a discounted price because of my history with the military. This was extremely beneficial.

What does Hand & Stone provide that others can’t?

The original owner of Hand & Stone was a massage therapist himself, so he comes from a knowledgeable background. Knowing what customers need and what to look for in employees have allowed us to serve our clients in the best way possible. We’re confident in all of our 23 current part-time and full-time employees.

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

Stress was one of my biggest challenges. I still had a full time position when I opened my first location in 2012, so I was working a lot on the weekends and evenings. It was really challenging from that perspective. Working alongside my husband can pose its own challenges; we needed to keep a strong connection with each other while recognizing that we’re both in stressful situations. Financially, we had to look at our retirement funds in order to open up a business. We have two kids in college and we really had to believe in the business to take that financial leap at the time. Opening up in Tampa presented its own frustrations because we didn’t have brand awareness; there weren’t any previous locations in the area so people had to get to know us.

What are your expansion or development plans? What is your end goal with Hand & Stone?

We will be opening our second location in Tampa in the fall of 2013. If it makes sense for us to open more in the area, we’ll definitely consider it down the road.

Do you have any other interesting hobbies or passions?

I love to travel and always try and find time to get away to experience new things.