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How Kathleen Edwards Got Started With Hand & Stone…
Relaxation! Who doesn’t like to relax? Kathleen was accustom to getting massages herself so when she learned that a family friend was working closely with a new franchise that promoted personal wellness, Kathleen listened closer. Kathleen became acquainted with Hand & Stone primarily through her relationship with the new VP of Franchise Development, Bob McQuillan. Once Bob joined Hand & Stone, Kathleen began investigating the franchise opportunity, visited the Marlton spa location and decided that it was a great opportunity for her to become a part of while also pursuing her other passion of teaching.
Kathleen had worked in banking training retail employees when she first discovered her passion for teaching. She trained bank employees on how to do their jobs, but after a while, she came to realize that although she loved the training portion of her job, she wanted to teach children instead.
After 10 years at the bank, she switched focuses to teaching children and became a high school business teacher. She is currently going into her seventh year of teaching and will continue to do so while opening and managing her new Hand & Stone location in Delran.
What Intrigued Kathleen Edwards about Hand & Stone…
The entire concept intrigued Kathleen. As a person who gets massages herself, she knew Hand & Stone was a step ahead of the competition, which helps her feel confident that Hand & Stone will do well in Delran. Kathleen notes that at Hand & Stone, customers will be able to get same-day appointments, make requests for their therapist of choice and pay 1/3 of the cost than at a high-end spa. At her spa, it will be quiet, serene and a nice experience all while providing accessibility and affordability. Her location will look and feel like a high-end spa, but because of the membership model, Hand & Stone is able to keep the cost minimal for its customers.
Something Interesting About Kathleen Edwards’ Story…
Kathleen is excited about her new Hand & Stone location because she will be providing local residents a Daycation experience. They can come to Hand & Stone and get a massage or facial spa service in a relaxing environment as a way to distress for a reasonable price. She believes that this will be a destination for area residents to get away and take some time out for themselves.
Where specifically did Kathleen Edwards learn about Hand & Stone?
For as long as Kathleen can remember she has wanted to own her own business. Through the years, she had looked into franchising, but the concepts always seem to involve food. She really wanted to wait for an opportunity that was exactly what she was looking for, although she wasn’t all that sure what that would entail.
When a family friend had mentioned he was joining the corporate team of a franchise called Hand & Stone, Kathleen got curious. She had gotten massages before and loved how she felt afterwards and the relaxing feel of the spas that she had visited.
What made Hand & Stone attractive to Kathleen is the massage for the masses concept of affordability and accessibility. Hand & Stone offers customers a low price point for the same type of massage you would receive in a high-end spa, and the spa looks and feels just like a spa you would experience at a high-end spa as well.
