Franchisee Profile: Archna and Harin Patel

Archna Patel was born in Zambia, Africa and moved to New Jersey when she was six. Working at Walgreens Pharmacy every weekend since she was 17, Archna graduated with her Doctorate of Pharmacy in 2002 from Rutgers School of Pharmacy. She began working at a prominent pharmacy as a community pharmacist and later became a Managed Care Pharmacist. She moved into the world of medical writing in the pharmaceutical industry and has been working at Johnson & Johnson for the past two years.

Harin Patel was born in Trinidad and lived there half his life. With a degree in computer science from Rutgers, Harin began his career working for Accenture doing consulting for six years. He later moved to Princeton, New Jersey with his wife, Archna, to take a job with NRG Energy, an independent power provider working in Business Development which he has been doing for the past seven years. Harin was part of the team that developed the solar project at the new Giants Stadium among other large projects.

The couples’ passion to be independent business owners motivated them to look into various options including bodywork/massage therapy. They truly believe there is a benefit to spa-based pain management and as the elderly population grows, they feel Hand & Stone and their passion for healing will thrive.

How did you learn about the brand?

Arch and Harin: We were looking to open an independent spa as this has been a long standing passion of ours. We started exploring various types of business opportunities and had long been aware of Massage Envy. When we began to look at Massage franchises we came upon Hand & Stone.

Why did you choose an opportunity with Hand & Stone?

Arch and Harin: The opportunity with this franchise seemed to be the best fit because as we began to know and learn who the people behind this brand are, we felt a sense of community. We are in the company of many intelligent people and some who have the same goals we have in life. We did a lot of research on other concepts, but after talking with other Hand & Stone franchisees, we were sold.

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

Arch and Harin: We plan on maximizing our charity and community outreach right from the start. Our goal is to make our presence known in Hillsborough and the adjacent communities.  At this time we have begun to reach out to local massage schools to take advantage of the talent in our area—it’s always good to do that.  Additionally, we’re slated to participate in the Montgomery Township School District’s Health Fair on April 1. This fair brings in at least 500 visitors and we intend to have a strong presence as well as participate in some giveaways and offer chair massages.

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

Arch: Being a working mom, a pharmacist, a business owner and a wife, I’ve learned to pick my battles.  When we first thought about committing to this business, we realized that there would be challenges that could be out of our control. We forged ahead, determined to make this work and taking each challenge one day at a time. At the same time we have to deal with the ordinary business of life—we’re constantly learning what makes one another tick, what makes our franchisor tick or what makes my son tick. We sincerely feel we are blessed because of the support our family has given us both financially and morally to take this big step. I do remember when we made the decision to get into this business, my husband said to me, “I have confidence in us if nothing else, so I know we’ll succeed.” This is something I play in my mind all the time to keep me moving.  And it works!

Right now, this quote I borrowed from a fellow business owner suits me perfectly and speaks volumes about who I am. I am at ease with myself.

"Today may there be peace within. May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others. May you use
the gifts that you have received and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content
with yourself just the way you are. Let this knowledge settle into your bones, and allow your soul the
freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us." Mother Teresa

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

Arch and Harin: We want to learn from the franchisor and other franchisees in the business. We do plan to open up additional locations when the time is right. I do have to consider my current career as a pharmacist and how I am able to be at peace if I do leave the field.

What are some of the publications you read? Local? National? What is your goal publication with your business?

Arch and Harin: We read Time, franchise specific magazines, and the Connect, which is a local paper. We hope to spread the word about our new franchise in the local media, c and down the road possibly publish something about our experience in a national magazine or newspaper.

Do you have any other interesting hobbies or passions?

Arch: Harin and I met in college our freshman year and my goal was to get to know one person for a very long time before I married him. I certainly did. We dated for almost 10 years and then got engaged for two years and finally tied the knot in May 2005. We’ll be celebrating our eight year anniversary this coming May 1!  We have a two-and-a-half year old son, Sai, who keeps us on our toes and whom we hope will become the greatest hip-hop breakdancer out there!

I love to bake and plan parties! We really love to go on vacation as a family and just have a good time. Harin loves to scuba dive.

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. 

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. 

Franchisee Profile: Tony & Brittany Rodgers of Houston, TX

Name:  Tony & Brittany Rodgers

Opening Date: April 2012

Brand:   Hand & Stone

Location: Houston, TX

 Both having similar backgrounds and goals for success, Tony and Brittany seek to open five Hand & Stone locations throughout Houston. With a strong passion for the health and wellness industry, the couple brings devotion, motivation and faith to the Hand & Stone brand.

Q: Where are you from?

A: Tony grew up in South Bend, Ind., where he graduated from a five year apprenticeship program with his associates degree in applied science. Brittany grew up in Orlando, Fla., but moved to South Bend, to go to school, where she met Tony. She attended Indiana University and graduated with degrees in psychology, social and behavioral science and radiology science.

Q: What was your career before franchising?

A: Before franchising, Tony spent 10 years in the construction industry, running large commercial accounts. Later, Tony became operations manager for a large manufacturing/recycling  facility located in Northern Indiana. Brittany worked in the medical field of Radiology where she enjoyed helping and caring for patients. She worked mostly in large out-patient centers, including one of the largest orthopedic clinics in all of central Florida. Additionally, Tony dabbled with his Realtor’s license, partnering up with a company to buy, remodel and sell prime real estate for opportunities to further his success. The couple spent two years purchasing and renovating vintage riverside homes in the Notre Dame/ St. Mary area of Northern Indiana.

Q: How did you learn about the brand?

A: Tony and Brittany learned about the Hand & Stone brand from Frannet, a leading company in expert franchise consulting.  Once Tony and Brittany  realized their strong desire for independence and accomplishment,  the couple began searching  for the next step towards success. With much research, and the assistance from Frannet, Tony and Brittany were introduced to Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa.

Q: Why did you decide to open your own business?

 A: Tony and Brittany chose to open their own business to gain personal  freedom,  stability and the chance to one day give back. They wanted the opportunity to finally reap the benefits from their devoted strength. By opening their own business, Tony and Brittany have the ability to watch their hard work pay off for future generations to come.

Q: When choosing a franchise, what were the criteria you used to make your decision?

A: When choosing a franchise, Tony and Brittany had specific criteria they were in search of. They knew they wanted to stay in the health and wellness industry due to their passionate histories for both health and wellness. They wanted a company they could stand behind, a company they felt passionate about, a company that could meet their financial goals for personal success and a company that connected with the community.

Q: What was appealing to you about joining a franchise system?

A: For Tony and Brittany, the most appealing aspect about joining a franchise system was the proven track record for success. They felt strongly about the worth of a well-established business model and felt it was a great way to get started in the entrepreneurial world of business.

Q: What are some of your achievements (professionally or personally) that you think will help you along the way in your business?

A: Tony and Brittany were once told the keys to success are devotion, motivation and faith —three things neither of them lack. Starting their entrepreneurial business journeys at a young age, the couple’s education and work experience have been their biggest achievements thus far. Priceless assets they share that will drive their success in the franchise world include dedication for hard work, a passion for continuously giving back to others and an extensive background in many aspects of the business world.

ABOUT HAND & STONE

Hand & Stone is a 50-plus unit massage and facial spa with a mission to bring massage and facial services to the masses, tapping into the day-cation market segment.  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 20 locations by the end of 2011.  For more information on Hand & Stone, visit www.handandstone.com.

Alternative Medicine Becomes Mainstream: Spa Franchise Provides Massage For The Masses

Hand & Stone Opens Doors in Mays Landing; To Relax, Rejuvenate Community with Top-Tier Cost Efficient Model

Looking to double its store count nationwide by the end of 2011, Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa will open in Mays Landing on January 31 at 4215 Black Horse Pike, bringing its total spa count to eleven in the South Jersey/Philadelphia area.

“We see Mays Landing as a prime market for our brand’s development,” said Todd Leff, CEO and President of Hand & Stone. “We are pleased to have Mitchell Sands join our system and lead our brand with top-tier services and integrity in Mays Landing.”

Proving that massage therapy isn't just for the rich and famous anymore, the new Hand & Stone will erase what once was considered a penchant of the affluent by offering services to all levels of consumers.

Coming from a background in automobiles, motorcycles and insurance, Mitchell Sands has worked in a variety of different industries. Now, he says, he is ready to take a new direction in the massage industry where he has seen firsthand people’s passion for the job. “I look forward to working with people who not only have a passion for their career, but also enjoy bringing pleasure and relaxation to other people,” Sands says.

This will not be the only Hand and Stone location Sands will open. Native to Washington Township, Sands owns the rights to develop multiple Hand & Stone locations in Washington Township and once the May’s Landing location becomes established, he projects to open another in Rio Grande.

Launched in 2005 by John Marco, a physical therapist with 20 years of experience, Hand & Stone’s mission is to bring massage therapy to the masses. Clients enjoy the treatment, but "most aren't just coming for the indulgence," Leff said. "They're coming for stress reduction and pain relief, and many on the suggestion of their doctors."

Under the new provisions of the recently-passed health care bill, alternative medical procedures, including massages from licensed therapists at spas like Hand & Stone, are being taken more seriously by the traditional medical community. According to Leff, about 75 percent of health savings account plans and HMOs will now reimburse patients for massage therapy if their doctor writes a formal prescription. Ailments worthy of that prescription include muscle and joint pain, Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (commonly known as TMJ), and stress. According to the 2010 AMTA Industry Report massage use among older Baby Boomers (ages 55-64) has doubled in the past ten years and use among those older than 65 has tripled during that same time.

While the typical massage client used to have to track down a freelance massage therapist, schedule an appointment days in advance, and pay over $100 for a one-hour treatment, most Hand & Stone clients book their appointments on the same day as service and pay 30 percent less than the traditional hourly rate. Better yet, when they sign up for a one-session-per-month plan, they end up paying around $60 per visit.

The average customer isn't a wealthy socialite with nothing better to do; she's a 42-year-old female with an annual household income of $65,000, has children and loves to shop at Target and Kohls. With that busy, overscheduled lifestyle, it’s not surprising that the number one reason clients visit Hand and Stone is for stress reduction. Hand & Stone's clientele is roughly 70 percent female, 30 percent male, with an increasing number of male patrons.

As massage spas become more mainstream in the health care industry, Hand & Stone stays at the top of the game by adding locations and services to keep the brand fresh. That strategy has proven to be successful, as the addition of facials and waxing to the services roster has boosted the average comparable store sales by over 40 percent during this past year, in a very tough economic environment. After awarding a record 40 new franchises in 2010, Leff expects to sign another 50 new franchisees to the Hand & Stone system this year, each one investing a total of around $325,000, including franchise fees, to outfit a suburban, strip-mall location with space for at least 10 massage rooms.

"Twenty-two percent of Americans got a massage in 2009, and that figure is growing. As massage becomes a more integrated part of health care, we see this business achieving even wider-spread growth and longevity," said Leff.

Alternative Medicine Becomes Mainstream: Spa Franchise Provides Massage For The Masses

Hand & Stone Opens Doors in St. Louis; To Relax, Rejuvenate Community with Top-Tier, Cost Efficient Model

Looking to double its store count nationwide by the end of 2011, Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa will open its first location of the year in the St. Louis suburb of Des Pere, at 1070-1074 N. Ballas Road on February 7.

“We see the St. Louis metro area as a prime market for our brand’s development,” said Todd Leff, CEO and President of Hand & Stone. “We are pleased to have Christy and Tony Burke join our system and lead our brand with top-tier services and integrity in the St. Louis area.”

Proving that massage therapy isn't just for the rich and famous anymore, the new Hand & Stone will erase what once was considered a penchant of the affluent by offering services to all consumers.

“Tony and I are thrilled about opening this spa together. Our future customers will love the upscale look and feel of our spa at a fraction of the cost,” said Des Peres franchisee Christy Burke. “Not only will they enjoy the relaxation time at Hand & Stone, but they will soon realize the health benefits of regular massage use too.”

Local residents of the St. Louis metro region, collectively Christy and Tony Burke have years of experience in management and business ownership, so while they recognize the difficulty of opening a business in this economy, they’re ready for the challenge. The Burkes don’t plan on just stopping at one location in the area, their future plans call for another four to five locations over the next several years with every member of their family contributing to the new spa’s success including their four children.

Launched in 2005 by John Marco, a physical therapist with 20 years of experience, Hand & Stone’s mission is to bring massage therapy to the masses. Clients enjoy the treatment, but "most aren't just coming for the indulgence," Leff said. "They're coming for stress reduction and pain relief, and many on the suggestion of their doctors."

Under the new provisions of the recently-passed health care bill, alternative medical procedures, including massages from licensed therapists at spas like Hand & Stone, are being taken more seriously by the traditional medical community. According to Leff, about 75 percent of health savings account plans and HMOs will now reimburse patients for massage therapy if their doctor writes a formal prescription. Ailments worthy of that prescription include muscle and joint pain, Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (commonly known as TMJ), and stress. According to the 2010 AMTA Industry Report massage use among older Baby Boomers (ages 55-64) has doubled in the past ten years and use among those older than 65 has tripled during that same time.

While the typical massage client used to have to track down a freelance massage therapist, schedule an appointment days in advance, and pay over $100 for a one-hour treatment, most Hand & Stone clients book their appointments on the same day as service and pay 30 percent less than the traditional hourly rate. Better yet, when they sign up for a one-session-per-month plan, they end up paying around $60 per visit.

The average customer isn't a wealthy socialite with nothing better to do, she's a 42-year-old female with an annual household income of $65,000, has children and loves to shop at Target and Kohls. With that busy, overscheduled lifestyle, it’s not surprising that the number one reason clients visit Hand and Stone is for stress reduction. Hand & Stone's clientele is roughly 70 percent female, 30 percent male, with an increasing number of male patrons.

As massage spas become more mainstream in the health care industry, Hand & Stone stays at the top of the game by adding locations and services to keep the brand fresh. That strategy has proven to be successful, as the addition of facials and waxing to the services roster has boosted the average comparable store sales by over 40 percent during this past year, in a very tough economic environment. After awarding a record 40 new franchises in 2010, Leff expects to sign another 50 new franchisees to the Hand & Stone system this year, each one investing a total of around $325,000, including franchise fees, to outfit a suburban, strip-mall location with space for at least 10 massage rooms.

"Twenty-two percent of Americans got a massage in 2009, and that figure is growing. As massage becomes a more integrated part of health care, we see this business achieving even wider-spread growth and longevity," said Leff.

Hand & Stone Expands Skin Care Service and Products with Dermalogica

Hand in hand with its mission to begin aggressive nationwide expansion, Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa stays at the top of the game by adding not only locations but new products to keep the brand fresh and to give consumers more reasons to keep coming back. Most recently, Hand & Stone began distributing Dermalogica, a 25-year old professional skin care line free of common irritants and ingredients that improves skin health, at its spa locations nationwide.

Hand & Stone researched Dermalogica intensely to ensure it was the right fit to carry at their spas nationwide. What they discovered was a perfect match as both brands were founded on the belief that massage and skin care is not about pampering or luxury, but rather about the health benefits associated with them.

“We had been examining skin care product lines closely for the past several years,” said Todd Leff, CEO of Hand & Stone. “The addition of facials and waxing to the services roster at Hand & Stone as well as growth in massage has boosted the average comparable store sales by over 40 percent during this past year, in a very tough economic environment. We see this category only increasing in years to come and needed the right skin care line for our spas. Dermalogica comprises everything we were looking for.”

Dermalogica has grown to a worldwide brand with a cult-like following among professional skin therapists and consumers alike due to its no-nonsense skin care that helped it grow from a modest store-front in Marina del Rey to today’s 145,000 square foot global headquarters in Carson, California.

Hand & Stone believes that Dermalogica will create exceptional brand awareness for its skin care services including facials and microdermabrasion while its revolutionary hot stone massage therapy is getting consumers in the door and its membership model is keeping them coming back.

While the typical massage client used to have to track down a freelance massage therapist schedule an appointment days in advance, and pay over $100 for a one-hour treatment, most Hand & Stone clients book their appointments on the same day as service and pay 30 percent less than the traditional hourly rate. Better yet, when they sign up for a one-session-per-month plan, they end up paying just $49 per visit.

“We are revolutionizing how consumers approach massage and facial services. Instead of considering them a luxury, we are working to show consumers the health benefits involved, from anti-aging benefits to stress reduction, pain relief and much more,” Leff said.

Hand and Stone featured in the OC Metro

Hand and Stone was featured in an article in the OC Metro, an Orange County business publication, called “Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa expands in O.C.”, which published yesterday, January 17. The article focuses on Shahira Raineri's expansion to the west coast, and her grand opening on January 28 at Mission Viejo. Click here to view the entire article.

Hand and Stone Massage and Facial expands in the O.C.
by CAITLIN ADAMS

Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa, a New Jersey-based corporation, is opening its second store in Orange County next month at The Market Place in Tustin.

The day spa’s first O.C. location debuted last month in Mission Viejo, and company officials are holding a grand opening event celebrating the launch on Jan. 28. Attendees will also be able to enjoy 10-minute sample spa services.

(Read More)

Hand & Stone moves into St. Louis

Hand & Stone has just announced its expansion plans for St. Louis. Check out the St. Louis Business Journal article to find out more about Hand & Stone’s development in St. Louis and throughout the Midwest. The brand’s entrance into the market will be led by a husband and wife entrepreneurial team: Tony and Christy Burke!


Hand & Stone Massage to enter St. Louis market
St. Louis Business Journal - by Kelsey Volkmann

Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa plans to enter the St. Louis market this fall when husband-and-wife franchisees open a location in Des Peres.

Christy and Tony Burke plan to open a massage and facial salon in a shopping center in November, with four or five other area locations to follow.

Bob McQuillan, a vice president of franchise development for the Hamilton, N.J.-based company, said Hand & Stone picked St. Louis for its expansion because it wanted to add new time zones and locations in the Midwest. Other targets for expansion are Chicago and Indianapolis, he said.

The company has 32 stores but plans to have 50 by the end of the year, McQuillan said.

Read More


The St. Louis Post-Dispatch also featured a story about this expansion, and you can read it here: Hand & Stone to open first local massage franchise in Des Peres

A similar follow-up on this story was also posted by the St Louis Business Journal, and you can read it here: Franchise Mania in St Louis

Franchisee Spotlight: Christy & Tony Burke, Owner of the first Hand & Stone in Missouri

Each week Hand & Stone will highlight a franchisee. This week Christy and Tony Burke are our spotlight franchisees.

Location: Des Peres, MO
Address TBA—Proposed opening date: 11/1/10

Something Interesting About Christy & Tony Burke’s Story…
For Christy Burke, opening her own franchise is a breath of fresh air. Having worked as a low-level manager for a supermarket chain for the past eight years, Christy is more than ready to take on something that she herself can control. As such, she and her husband Tony are teaming up to open the state of Missouri’s very first Hand & Stone spa, a venture they expect to be challenging but also highly rewarding and a lot of fun. The Burkes will run the franchise as a husband and wife team, and even their four children, whose current ages range from 10 to 16, have expressed some interest in working at Hand & Stone someday, perhaps as a part-time job. The Burkes anticipate a lot of future growth for Hand & Stone throughout Missouri, hoping to eventually open four or five locations.

What Christy & Tony Burke Did Before Hand & Stone…
Christy worked as the manager of a grocery store chain in Missouri for eight years before she decided she was ready to be her own boss. The new Hand & Stone franchise will be Christy’s pet project—she will handle management and day to day operations. Her husband Tony has worked in the aerospace industry for the past 25 years, and will continue his work as an automated specialist, a title he earned three years ago, even as he takes on the financial side of the new Hand & Stone franchise. Notably, Tony will be a valuable member of the team, given his past business experience as owner of a small general contracting company.

Why Christy & Tony Burke are Excited About Becoming Hand & Stone Franchisees…
The Burkes are thrilled about opening up a Hand & Stone because of how much potential the franchise has. They are particularly excited because they will be the first to bring the Hand & Stone franchise to Missouri. While they realize they’re opening their new business in a tough market, the Burkes say they are more than ready for the challenge, and look forward to their first opportunity to work together as a team. Their confidence comes not only from their trust in each other, but also from their enthusiasm for the brand itself. They love the wide variety of services that Hand & Stone offers, from massages to facials to waxing, and they appreciate the spa’s uncommonly reasonable prices and know their customers will too.

Community Involvement…
The Burkes have always been deeply involved in their community, and look forward to running their new franchise with a community-oriented spirit. Already involved at their local church and their children’s schools, the Burkes plan to utilize these local ties for the betterment of both their business and their community. They also plan to team up with the Chamber of Commerce in order to establish strong bonds with other local business owners as well as their inevitably satisfied future customers.

Franchisee Spotlight: Paulina Laskosky, Owner of Hand & Stone in Menomonee Falls

Each week Hand & Stone will highlight a franchisee. This week Paulina Laskosky is our spotlight franchisee.

Franchisee Since: October 2008
Franchise Location/s: Menomonee Falls, WI

How Paulina Laskosky Got Started with Hand and Stone…

Paulina and her family immigrated to America from Canada in 1999. She had worked in the corporate world for a global marketing firm for many years and then became a full-time stay at home mom before becoming a small business owner. She has always been a spa enthusiast. Paulina enjoyed being able to escape to a calm and soothing atmosphere and has had a spa membership for as long as she can remember.

She always wanted to open her own spa business and felt that she had expert knowledge from her passion for the spa industry. When researching spas online, she found that Hand and Stone offered more services to their customers including facials, and was attracted to the franchise support that Hand and Stone offered. Paulina and her husband, Michael, opened their first Hand and Stone location in Menomonee Falls in October of 2008.

Paulina’s location is the only Hand and Stone in the state of Wisconsin and she intends to expand her business in the future to other nearby areas.

What Intrigued Paulina Laskosky about Hand and Stone…

Paulina was attracted to Hand and Stone’s franchise system for many reasons. She was intrigued by the support system set in place by Hand and Stone that allowed her to maintain her business while staying at home with her kids and even having time for personal activities. She was attracted to the franchise concept because she could focus on the customer experience and marketing for her location. Paulina did not have to worry about building a brand from the ground up and knew that Hand and Stone would be a safe investment in that it was continuing to grow in a down economy.

Something Interesting About Paulina Laskosky’s Story…

Paulina is the mother of two children and deeply involved within the community. She participates in many local school fundraisers and is also involved in church events. She also plays in a soccer league of 1800 women which she says has been a great source of customers. She credits word of mouth as a main tool for her marketing efforts and is known as the “Hand and Stone Lady” in the local area.

Paulina is originally from Poland and immigrated to Canada in 1981. Her and her family then moved to America in 1999.

Franchisee Spotlight: Tracie Correll, owner of Hand & Stone in Goodyear

Each week Hand & Stone will highlight a franchisee. This week Tracie Correll is our spotlight franchisee.

Franchisee Since: January 2009
Franchise Location/s: Goodyear, AZ

How Tracie Got Started With Hand & Stone…

Tracie began taking classes at the local university and received a gift card from her children to Massage Envy. After falling in love with the concept, Tracie was asked to write a business paper on a niche business and decided she would focus on Massage Envy because she immediately fell in love with the concept after her first massage. Tracie began focusing her core college work on Massage Envy. After becoming familiar with the brand from afar, Tracie looked into opening a Massage Envy location in Phoenix, but soon found out that they were no longer expanding throughout Arizona, so she began looking at other massage and spa opportunities. After hearing a radio ad for Hand & Stone in Scottsdale, Tracie began doing some research and automatically knew this was the business she wanted to become involved in at this stage in her life.

After speaking with Hand & Stone and learning about how she could become involved with Hand & Stone in Goodyear, Tracie ran the idea by her husband, Steven, and soon thereafter decided to become a franchisee because of her passion for the industry and experience in the business industry.

What Intrigued Tracie and Steven about Hand & Stone…

Tracie had a wealth of knowledge in the business world, but had no massage experience. With Hand & Stone’s model, Tracie was able to receive the support from corporate and knowledge on the industry from the massage staff she hired, and utilize her business experience she had gained from the 18 years she spent at Honeywell.

Additionally, Tracie was intrigued that Hand & Stone was a young, growing brand, which she felt would gain brand awareness through its multiple locations in the Phoenix metro area.

Something Interesting About Tracie’s Story…

Tracie joined on with Hand & Stone right before the recession hit in full force, which has made Tracie think of out of the box about ways to continue to become ingrained within the Goodyear community. Some of the ways in which Tracie has continued to grow Hand & Stone within the community are through the numerous schools, churches, organizations and athletic teams that Hand & Stone sponsor. Additionally, Tracie also provides chair massages during community business mixer events.

Tracie’s daughter is also very involved with the Hand & Stone location, where she is an esthetician and a front desk manager. Tracie’s husband Steven is also there for support and additional help when needed.

Todd Leff, President and Chief Executive, Hand and Stone

With over 20 years of franchise leadership experience, each brand Todd Leff has worked with has experienced explosive national growth and increased profitability. Currently, Leff is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Hand and Stone, a 30-plus unit massage and facial spa franchise, based in Hamilton, New Jersey, with a mission of bringing massage and massage services to the masses. At Hand and Stone, Leff is responsible for franchise, marketing and operational developments. Over the next five years, Leff plans to take Hand and Stone from 30 spas to more than 250 across the nation in addition to increasing the variety of spa services offered at Hand and Stone.

Prior to Leff investing in and joining Hand and Stone in July of 2009, Leff served as CEO of Philadelphia-based Cottman Transmission, leading its growth from a small regional company to a 400 unit national transmission repair and complete car care chain. In 2006, Leff successfully engineered the merger of Cottman Transmission and AAMCO Transmissions (owned by American Driveline Systems, Inc.). At that time, Leff became the president and CEO of American Driveline Systems, Inc., as well as its subsidiaries AAMCO Transmissions and Cottman Transmission, creating the world’s largest chain of transmission specialists and one of the leaders in complete car care services. Under Leff’s leadership, American Driveline Systems, Inc. grew to 1,100 locations and achieved system wide sales of $600 million in 2008 employing over 6,000 team members nationwide.

In addition to his extensive franchise career, Leff was a lead trial attorney with the United States Department of Justice Antitrust Division, from 1985-1990. Leff is a cum laude graduate of Temple University School of Law, where he served as an Editor of the Temple Law Review. He received his undergraduate degree with distinction from Villanova University.
Leff’s proven leadership has propelled him to the front of the industry as an expert in franchising and business. He is a frequent author, lecturer and panelist at franchise law and business conferences, including serving as the plenary session speaker at the 41st Annual International Franchise Association (IFA) Symposium. Leff also serves on the International Franchise Association’s Research Committee where he plays a key role in formulating research strategy and assisting in projects for the IFA.

Leff resides with his wife, Cindy, in Warrington, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia. They have four children, Jillian, Hallie, Kylie and Alex.

For more information on Todd Leff and Hand and Stone, visit www.handandstone.com.

The Richmond Times-Dispatch recently wrote about Hand & Stone!

Hand & Stone spa chain eyeing Richmond area
Louis Llovio
Jun 04, 2010

Hand & Stone, a New Jersey-based chain of spas, is looking to move into the Richmond area.

The company wants to add several locations in the market by the end of next year. It is in the process of finding space and franchisees.

As part of its expansion plans, Hand & Stone wants to open 30 spas in the state within three years, including eight in Richmond. (Read More)