New Hand & Stone Opens in Geneva, Ill.

By Amy E. Williams, Daily Herald 

A new business is open in Geneva along the Randall Road corridor aimed at helping you feel and look better.

Hand & Stone opened May 3 at 1416 S. Randall in the Randall Square Shopping Center at the intersection of Randall and Fargo.

This is the second Hand & Stone franchise location for Geneva resident Kathy Hendershott. Her first is in Wheaton, and Hendershott said she is excited to bring the business to her own town.

"As Geneva residents, we wanted to bring the Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa philosophy and services to our local community," she said. "The people in this area are very health conscious, and we have the opportunity to provide the benefit of massage and facial services to local residents, our neighbors and friends.

"We have a passion for health and wellness and have enjoyed working with clients to provide the quality of services," Hendershott said.

"While massage and facial services are good for your health, wellness and personal care, this is also a feel-good industry and we really love seeing clients so relaxed and smiling when they leave."

Hand & Stone offers massages, facials and hair removal services. Clients can purchase services one visit at a time, or the company offers a monthly membership-type program.

Customers can just walk in; however, Hendershott recommends they call ahead for an appointment.

Hendershott said she's hoping to open a third location soon in Naperville. There already is another Hand & Stone location along the Randall Road corridor in Algonquin, 710 S. Randall Road.

Hendershott said she's excited to meet all of the customers trying out her new location in Geneva.

"We look forward to working within the local community and want to thank our many customers, employees and friends for helping to make Hand & Stone Massage and Facial so successful," she said.

Franchisee Spotlight: Conne Lineman, Montgomeryville, PA

On Nov. 25, 2013, Connie Lineman will be opening a Hand and Stone location in Montgomeryville, Pa. The spa will be Lineman’s first business ownership venture, but she’ll be in good company; her business partner, Maripat Mowry, comes from a experienced franchising family and has her own Hand and Stone spa in Warrington, Pa.

Connie Lineman is a long-time resident of Pennsylvania, having grown up in the Warminster, Pa. area and attended college at Wilkes University. After graduating in 1993, she began working for Cottman Transmission, where she first met the Mowry family – Maripat worked in accounting for the automotive franchise, and Maripat’s husband, Greg, was Lineman’s boss. She continued working with the company until 2010, when she was offered a promotion with MAACO in King of Prussia, Pa. However, when the company relocated, Lineman decided to forgo moving and instead, stayed in the area.

Not long after, Lineman ran into the Mowrys at an event and the former colleagues began talking about business opportunities. Maripat mentioned that she was hoping to open expand with a second location of her already successful Hand and Stone spa and asked Lineman whether she wanted to get involved. Lineman accepted the offer and the two signed on to open a spa in Montgomeryville.

How did you learn about the brand?

I originally worked for Maripat at her first Hand and Stone location for the first six months, then left because of my job offer at MAACO.

Why did you choose an opportunity with Hand and Stone?

I think it’s a relaxing, fun atmosphere. People come here to relax and they leave happy, and I love that. I think our business model is very strong. We’re helping our customers be better parents, better spouses, and better friends by allowing them to treat themselves to some self-care.

What are your expansion/development plans? Number of units? Timeframe? What is your end goal?

Being a multi-center owner is not outside the realm of possibilities. When I made this decision to be a small business entrepreneur, I thought, “Who better to invest in than yourself?” There are some very successful spas out there, and there’s no reason we won’t be a top-level spa; we’re located in a busy shopping center, with great foot traction and movement. I’m already very excited about our prospects — give us a few months to get this under our belt and we’ll see where to go from there.

Hand & Stone featured in My Suburban Life

Hand & Stone featured in My Suburban Life in an article titled, "Hand & Stone spa opens Wheaton location." The article elaborates on the new Hand & Stone that opened in Wheaton, IL by Mike and Kathy Hendershott and the brands unique concept and expansion plans.  Click here for the entire article or begin below.

Hand & Stone spa opens Wheaton location

WHEATON – A spa boasting convenience and affordability is now open in Danada Square.
Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa, which opened Monday, July 15, will provide massages and facials to Wheaton residents and add almost 20 jobs to the business community, with plans to eventually expand....

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Hand & Stone featured in the Port Washington Patch

Hand & Stone was recently featured in the Port Washington Patch in an article titled, "Hand & Stone Spa: A Place to Unwind in Port Washington." The article begins with a description of the spa and the importance of relaxation, and then goes into Rosalia Yarrington’s background in the corporate world and how after raising her children she decided she wanted to get involved with a franchise, so decided to open a Hand & Spa. The article then details the problems that she faced after Hurricane Sandy. After some details about the services they provide, the article ends with information that Hand & Stone is looking to open more locations in the Long Island area and how much a prospective franchisee can expect to invest (with a link to the franchise website).  Click here for the entire article or begin below.

Hand & Stone Spa: A Place to Unwind in Port Washington

By: Adina Genn

A sense of tranquility permeates the new Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa at 987 Port Washington Boulevard.

With its soft lighting, earth-tone painted walls, and soothing music, it’s easy to see why on a recent Friday morning, new and established customers dropped in to learn when they could schedule a massage or facial.

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Hand & Stone featured in Nazareth Patch

Hand & Stone was recently featured in the Nazareth Patch in an article titled, "Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony Held for New Hand & Stone." The article focuses on the new Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa opening by Clayton Cox and John Krafty and the ribbon cutting with The Easton Area Chamber of Commerce. Highlighted in the article are various types of massages and facials offered at Hand & Stone. The article also has many good photographs of the ribbon cutting ceremony and the Hand & Stone location.  Click here for the entire article or see below.


Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony Held for New Hand & Stone
By: Mallory Vough

The opening of a new business can be hectic and a little stressful, to say the least. Unless, of course, the business you're opening is a newHand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa.

Clayton Cox and John Krafty, owners of the new Hand & Stone in Lower Nazareth Township, cut the ceremonial red ribbon Sunday afternoon, marking the grand opening of their business.

"This was a venture we decided to take on a year ago, and it's really an honor to see it come to fruition," Cox said. "We look forward to being a part of the community and contributing to the community."

The Easton Area Chamber of Commerce hosted the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

According to Cox, the Hand & Stone located in the Lower Nazareth Commons Plaza has been open since January, but he wanted to wait until spring to hold the grand opening.

While members of the public waited to enjoy complimentary chair massages and waxing (chin, eyebrow or lip), Cox and Krafty gave tours of the 11-room spa.

If a tension headache has you feeling weary, Cox explained, the signature hot stone massage will melt away that tension and stress.

The stones, which come in a variety of sizes for different parts of the body, are heated to 120 to 130 degrees. But don't worry about getting burned. Cox said that each massage therapist is trained to give an introductory stroke so the heat isn't jarring.

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Hand & Stone featured in Stamford Advocate

Hand & Stone was recently featured in the Stamford Advocate in an article titled, "Hand & Stone spa arrives at Ridgeway." Stamford Advocate reporter Olivia Just compiled an article in which Hand & Stone franchisee Pam Wallace discussed what factors led her to invest her business in Hand & Stone, particularly to provide consumers with an enjoyable experience and the ability to create jobs in the Stamford area. CEO Todd Leff commented on the past and future national growth of the company, as well as their membership program that allows members to come in for spa treatments at reduced prices. Click here to view the entire article. 


Hand & Stone spa arrives at Ridgeway
By: Olivia Just


When Pam Wallace turned her mind to owning a business, she looked for something that would satisfy consumers and provide her with the income stream to support herself.

What she found was Hand & Stone, the membership-based massage and facial spa franchise that is broadening its appeal across the country.

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Hand & Stone featured on NorthJersey.com

Hand & Stone was recently featured on NorthJersey.com in an article titled, "Tending to Business: Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa." In the article, the new Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa, owned by brothers Jeff and Ken Silbert, is recognized as the first location in Bergen County. Jeff talks about the goal of Hand & Stone, which is to bring affordable massages and facials to everyone in the community. He also talks about the relaxed setting of the spa and the way in which they put guests at ease from sound to lighting. The Mayor of Emerson attended the grand opening and cut the ribbon in front of the store. Click here to read the entire article.

Tending to Business: Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa

By:  Aimee La Fountain

Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa

bringing affordable massage and facial services to everybody.

Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa held their grand opening on Dec. 22 in Emerson. "We're proud that this is the first Hand and Stone in Bergen County," said owner Jeff Silbert.

Emerson was a natural choice for Silbert when deciding where to locate Hand and Stone. "My business partner and brother, Ken, loved the town of Emerson and its location. Emerson and the surrounding [areas] are great northern New Jersey family towns," he said. "The look and feel of the Pascack Valley Shopping Center with great co-tenants made it an easy decision for us."

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Hand & Stone featured in the Clark Patch

Hand & Stone was recently featured in the Clark Patch in an article titled, "Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa Opens in Clark." In the article, Hand & Stone franchisee Kim Cagle talks about her career transition and her enthusiasm for working in the health and wellness industry. She discusses the membership programs and some of the services that are offered, along with her favorite treatments. She also focuses on their great customer service and their goal to make every guest who walks through the door feel special. Bob McQuillan, VP of Franchise Development for Hand & Stone, talks about how Clark is a thriving market and mentions their expansion plans in New Jersey. Click here to view the full article. 

Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa Opens in Clark

By: Jessica Remo

Kim Cagle couldn't be happier she traded in her law career for the spa.

"I love the idea of working in a positive, happy environment, and I love the health and wellness aspect of massage and facial," Cagle says of her new business, Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa, which opened on Nov. 28 in the Clark Circle shopping complex.

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Franchisee Profile: Will Dennis of Greenville, South Carolina

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Name:  Will Dennis                                                          

Opening Date: November/December 2011

Location: 59 Woodruff Industrial Lane, Greenville, S.C.

As a father, husband and prior business owner, Hand & Stone franchisee Will Dennis has perfected the art of managing teams. Now, Dennis is combining his University of South Carolina business education and prior entrepreneurship in order to saturate the Greenville and Columbia, S.C., markets. By providing superb customer service and offering a place for locals to escape for relaxation, he strives to withstand competitors in the wellness and massage industries.

Q: Where are you from?

A: I’ve been a local of Greenville, S.C., my entire life.

Q: What was your career before franchising?

A: Before franchising, I was President of Consolidated Tires and The Tire Exchange, an independent chain of commercial and consumer tire stores. My father and grandfather originally owned the stores, so I was the third generation.  After several years in various positions, I took over when my dad decided to retire.  After seven years of running the business, I was presented with an opportunity to sell and began new endeavors.

Q: How did you learn about the brand?

A: I learned about the Hand & Stone brand through a franchise broker and extensive research.

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

A: When choosing a franchise, I wanted a business that was part of a growing industry. I wanted to be in front of a major growth curve, and the wellness industry met that criteria. Additionally, I wanted to be local and close to home because I had previously traveled extensively. With three smaller children and a wife at home, I wanted to put those days behind me. It was important for me to find a business that I could eventually run without having to work 80 hours a week. I also wanted a business that I could grow through my professional and social networks. Lastly, I wanted to be part of a company where the original entrepreneur was still involved with the business. I didn’t want to join a team that had been managed by several different owners.

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

A: I was attracted to the franchising system because it provided a proven and sustained business model. By franchising, all I really have to do is follow the people before me and their predefined operational instructions. As a result, I’m able to spend the majority of my time on customer service rather than operational processes and procedures.

Q: With regard to your previous experience, what skills do you feel helped you in your business?

A: My ability to build a team is most definitely the single greatest accomplishment from my previous work experience. By hiring the right people to execute the company’s strategy, I’m able to place them and manage them in a fashion that encourages them to work. As a result, the company is able to provide a customer service strategy that can’t be beat.

Q: What makes your business different?

A: Hand & Stone offers a warm and comfortable environment, which allows me to provide a therapeutic experience to everyone who walks through our doors. We hope to cultivate a “mini vacation” feel, which will set us apart from competing spas.

Q: What are your expansion or development plans?

A: I bought the rights for three locations, so I plan on expanding further into the Greenville and Columbia markets within the next 24 months.

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.

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.

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Hand & Stone Opens Its First Location in Bergen County, New Jersey

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

Hamilton, NJ – Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa will open its first Bergen County location in Emerson, New Jersey at 494 Kinderkamack Road on October 17, 2011 in the Pascack Valley Shopping Center, also home to Stop & Shop and Marshall’s.

“We see the towns in Bergen County such as Emerson as a prime market for our brand’s development,” said Todd Leff, CEO and President of Hand & Stone. “We are pleased to have Jeff and Ken Silbert continue to lead our brand with top-tier services and integrity in this new market for us.”

The Silberts come from a strong business background where Ken was a senior managing partner with Accenture and Jeff leads his own advisory firm helping ambitious business owners scale their companies.  With decades of combined business experience and different strengths, the brothers desired to go into business together.  Ken will use his operations experience to guide them while Jeff will focus on business development for Hand & Stone.

The brother franchisee team will lead the development of 10 new locations in North Jersey, beginning with the Emerson location followed by a new location in the town of Aberdeen in Monmouth County opening in November.

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.

“I’m thrilled to be opening our first Hand & Stone spa in Emerson,” said Jeff Silbert, owner of the new location.  “I am looking forward to bringing affordable and effective massage and facial services to the community of Emerson and its neighboring towns such as Westwood, Oradell, and Washington township.”

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.

ABOUT HAND & STONE
Hand & Stone is a 50-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 20 locations by the end of 2011.  For more information on Hand & Stone, visit www.handandstone.com.

Franchisee Profile: Chris Parks of Raleigh, NC

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Projected Opening Date: November 2011

Location: North Raleigh

Q: Where are you from?

A:  I’m from Tennessee.  I moved to Wilmington, NC for college and went to UNC-W.  Since then, I’ve already moved several times for corporate careers. Finally, after 12 years, I made it back to North Carolina, relocating to the Raleigh area.

Q: What was your career before franchising?

A:  For my over 15 years in corporate America, I worked with consumer product goods companies including RJ Reynolds and Hostess brands in various roles of sales and marketing. After two layoffs, I decided business ownership was a way that I could choose my own destiny.

Q: How did you learn about Hand & Stone?

A:   A franchise broker (Entrepreneur Source) called me out of the blue. Just prior to that, my friend who had also taken a severance package had told me he was going to open a franchise so the broker’s timing was spot on. I chose to also look into franchising.

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

A:  Opening my own business symbolizes freedom and flexibility to me. The accomplishments that I have in my business will be so much greater.  Ultimately I realized that you can continue the madness in corporate America or you can control your own destiny. 

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

A: My franchise consultant and I went through a discovery phase. I filled out surveys, questionnaires; talked on the phone about my personal goals. I spoke about wanting to have an opportunity to have residual income and selling a profitable business when the time comes. I chose Hand & Stone because it is my time to help people feel good in a healthy way.

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

A:  I wanted structure, support, a team environment and networking that franchising offers. Since this is an established system, there are other franchisees I can talk to for advice and guidance while starting my business.

Q: With regard to your previous experience, what skills do you feel helped you in your business?

A:  I think the most important skill that I’ve refined throughout my career is being a team player. I have a knack for dealing with customers in good or bad situations; assembling successful and cohesive teams to reach goals.

Q: How did you finance your business?

A:  I looked into all avenues. I chose to get financed through a private investor. It is a win/win situation.

Q: What obstacles have you overcome to get where you are today with your business?

A:  I have been through two corporate downsizings and a full range of emotions that come with that. After being with a company for 16 years, I went through many different emotions, but the biggest thing I’ve learned from the experiences is that now is the time for me to get out of my own way. Working for a large company, you have the security or the feign security, but when you are on your own, it is all on your shoulders. I had to realize that I could do it on my own. I finally got to that point after this second downsizing.

Q: What are your expansion or development plans?

A:  I would love to develop more than one location, at least three to five ideally.  

Franchisee Profile: Kathleen Edwards of Delran, NJ

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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.