Franchisee Profile: Paul Mahler of Levittown, NY

Name:  Paul Mahler

Opening Date: March 26, 2012

Brand: Hand & Stone

Location: Levittown, NY

Paul Mahler is a native of Melville, NY and has spent his entire life living and working in the area. He worked as a lawyer in Long Island and graduated from Hofstra University Law School. Paul also volunteers as a paramedic and a firefighter for the Melville Fire Department. He will be opening the 70^th location of Hand & Stone in Levittown,NY at the end of March.

What was your career before franchising?

Before franchising with Hand & Stone, I worked for two different Law Firms for nearly 15 years on Long Island and practiced intellectual property and creditor’s rights law. I am the ex-captain of the Melville Fire Department but still volunteer as firefighter and advanced emergency medical technician working on Friday nights and am constantly on call.  

Why did you decide to open your own business in the wellness industry?

I always wanted to open my own business and have just been looking for the right opportunity. One of the things that I was looking for with a new business was one that really would have a direct impact on someone’s day. The wellness and spa industry is one where people always walk out more relaxed and happier than when they came in, and I thought that would be a nice transition from practicing law. It’s also a growing industry and that was appealing from a business perspective for the potential growth opportunities. 

As a paramedic, I know how frequently people get injured and how massage can be used for therapy and rehabilitation. By providing this service, I knew that I could help customers for both relaxation and for total wellbeing.  

How did you learn about Hand & Stone?

When I started looking into franchise opportunities, I was a member of a competitor of Hand & Stone and noticed how the spa was always busy. I did the majority of my research online and as I learned about Hand & Stone, I recognized a tremendous difference in the cooler color palette, design and its services. As a male owner and operator, I felt that Hand & Stone was a better fit for my background and offered a better environment for customers to take a break from the stressors of daily life. Hand & Stone was founded by a physical therapist, John Marco, and it was an important factor to me that the company had real experience of the industry and truly knew the health benefits associated with massage.

What was appealing to you about joining a franchise system?

Franchising is a good way to enter into a business as opposed to a startup company.  Hand & Stone is great about training, setup support and the structure that they offer to its franchisees is impeccable. I liked that there was an outline of how to get started and that the national headquarters was located so close to my new spa. The corporate team truly cares about its franchisees and their success.

What makes your business different?

Hand & Stone provides value because they offer high quality products and it’s affordable for a wider base of customers. There will be an emphasis on customer service and education, so we can provide our clients with the best experience possible.  

What are some of your goals for the first year?

I have some big aspirations for our first year in business, but I hope to have 600 of members, and believe that if we can provide them with a complete experience, we should have no problem achieving that. I want to focus on developing and marketing the business to the local community and find ways to get involved with community projects.

ABOUT HAND & STONE 
Hand & Stone is a 60-plus unit massage and facial spa franchise with a mission to bring massage and facial services to the masses, meeting demand of consumers who wish to receive the long term health benefits of these services.  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 15 locations by the end of 2012.  For more information on Hand & Stone, visit www.handandstone.com. 

Hand & Stone featured on BlogTalkRadio Franchise Interviews

Hand & Stone was recently featured on BlogTalkRadio.com on the show Franchise Interviews. The interview featured Todd Leff, CEO and President of Hand & Stone, who discussed the history of Hand & Stone as well as the massage industry. He covers how Hand & Stone provides quality, therapeutic client focused massage that are personalized to fit the individual customers needs. Click here to listen to the full interview.

Hand & Stone Meets with Franchise Interviews

Hand & Stone on Blog Talk Radio Feb 29

Hand & Stone featured on Denver's CBS 4 Morning Show

Hand & Stone was recently featured in a segment on Denver's CBS 4 Morning Show. The segment featured Hand & Stone's Colorado Regional Developer, Erik Bostrom and focused on being eco-friendly and also demonstrated several massage techniques. During the segment,  Erik discusses the ways in which the Hand & Stone brand is friendly to the environment. Click here to view the entire segment or watch it below.

Hand & Stone featured in Coloradobiz

Hand & Stone was recently featured in the Coloradobiz in an article entitled "Hand & Stone, Waxing the City, in the Business of TLC." Coloradobiz reporter Michelle Davenport spoke with Hand & Stone owner and regional developer Erik Bostrom about the growth of the massage industry and of his business, Hand & Stone.  Despite recent economic woes, there’s one thing people aren’t giving up on, themselves.  The strength of the industry is a reason why entrepreneurs are diving in and Bostrom is helping them fuel their entrepreneurial spirit in this industry. Click here to view the entire article.

Hand & Stone, Waxing the City, in the Business of TLC

By: Michelle Davenport

The massage industry has seen 15 percent growth over the past three years and now generates annual sales of $12 billion. The skin care industry is also made its beauty mark, generating $18.7 billion in revenues in 2007 and projected to grow by 40 percent next year.

Erik Bostrom, owner of Hand and Stone in Highlands Ranch and Colorado's regional franchise developer, is capitalizing on the growth of the spa industry. Hand and Stone is a full-service day spa, and Bostrom's location features 10 treatment rooms in a 3,000-square-foot facility.

"One of the real benefits we have with Hand and Stone is really delivering world-class spa services conveniently," Bostrom said. "We have very affordable programs. Most of our clients see us monthly, and it's less than $50 a month."

(Read More)

Hand & Stone featured on New Observer

News Observer Editor David Bracken spoke with Raleigh entrepreneur Chris Parks in article, "Spa Venture Opening Soon," about getting into the massage industry after being down on his luck in corporate America. Despite two layoffs, Parks held his head up and kept moving forward. The growing massage industry captured his attention, and he says “I went from tobacco to Twinkies. I was providing somethingthat people liked but it wasn't necessarily good for them. Now I'm in anindustry where I can provide something people really love and it has excellent health benefits." Click here to view the entire article.

Spa Venture Opening Soon
By: David Bracken

To understand how Chris Parks ended up on the verge of opening a Hand & Stone spa franchise in North Raleigh, you have to go back three years.

Parks, 40, had worked in sales and marketing for the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. for more than 16 years before he was laid off in the fall of 2008. He then went to work for Hostess Brands, calling on convenience stores and pitching the company's Twinkies, CupCakes and other products.

Less than a year later, Parks, who lives in Apex, was laid off again.

(Read More)

Hand & Stone Rides Wave of Massage Industry Growth

Massage and facial spa franchise experiences surge in sales, membership base

There can be no doubt that the past year has been one of the most stressful for American families. That may be why as Americans pull themselves out of the trenches of a battered economy and many industries remain flat in growth, the massage industry is consistently attracting more customers. Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa, a massage and facial spa chain that has aggressively expanded during the past year, has benefited from the industry surge with growth in sales, its membership base and geographical footprint.

Since Jan. 1, sales at Hand & Stone spas open for 24 or more months have been up 36 percent, with its membership base growing by 27 percent. By expanding its service lines to facials in 2010 in addition to massage, the spa chain’s product sales and facial services have increased by 41 percent so far in 2011. First-time customer traffic has increased by 40 percent over the past year, demonstrating that the concept is attracting first-time spa goers.

“What we’re seeing is a rapid growth in our business,” said Todd Leff, president and chief executive of Hand & Stone. “Not only are experienced spa goers looking for affordable massage and facial services for the health and wellness benefits, but more people who have never tried massage are now visiting spas. Our mission of making spa services more convenient and more affordable for the middle market has struck a chord with consumers.”

Aside from attracting additional customers, Hand & Stone is quickly growing its footprint through franchising. Opening 12 new locations in 2010, the chain has added nine spas so far this year and will open 20 more before 2012. By opening a massage and facial spa through franchising, executives and managers who have lost their jobs or have been underemployed throughout the downturn are having success as first-time business owners.

“Our franchisees are mothers, fathers, former corporate executives, people who were laid off during the recession — they’re people with varied backgrounds and experiences,” Leff said. “But what brings them together is a desire to have something for their own in an industry that improves consumers’ health and wellness. With the growth we’re seeing for this business model — growth that is expected to continue — people from all walks are seeing that this is a wise business decision.”