Hand & Stone featured in the Eastern Pennsylvania Business Journal

Hand & Stone was recently featured in the Eastern Pennsylvania Business Journal in an article titled, "Hand & Stone to open two Lehigh Valley spas." The article features Hand & Stone franchisees, Clayton Cox, John Krafty and Bonnie Horwith and discusses how even with this down economy, setting aside time and money is beneficial for everyone's whole health. Read the full article below.
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Hand & Stone featured in Newsday

Hand & Stone was recently featured in Newsday in an article titled, "Hand & Stone spa to open in Levittown." The article features Todd Leff and franchisee Paul Mahler and discusses the 70^th location of Hand & Stone opening in the Nassau Mall in Levittown at the end of March. Paul, the owner of Hand & Stone Levittown, discusses why he decided to transition from his law job at Malen & Associates to owning his own massage business. In addition, Todd shared the development goals for Long Island, with 10 outlets planned to be open in the next two years. Click here to view the entire article.

Hand & Stone spa to open in Levittown
By: James Bernstein
Hands-on businesses are growing on Long Island these days,especially the massage business.

Two companies -- Hand & Stone and Massage Envy -- are opening franchise operations, one after another, their executives say.

The newest to come to town is a Hand & Stone spa that will open at the end of this month at the Nassau Mall in Levittown. Paul Mahler, 40, an attorney and Melville volunteer firefighter, paid $39,000 for the franchise, which will operate in a 2,250- square-foot space and employ 17 people, including eight massage therapists. Mahler gave up a law job at the Westbury firm Malen & Associates, where he had worked 11 years.

Did he have butterflies?

(Read More)
 

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

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.

Hand & Stone featured in the Fairfield County Business Journal

Hand & Stone was recently featured in the Fairfield Business Journal in an article titled, "Women's entrepreneurship is climbing." The article features Hand & Stone franchisee Pam Wallace who left the corporate world after 20 years. Pam discussed what factors led her to decide on her business investment in Hand & Stone. The article also mentions that this is the state’s first Hand & Stone location, and that Pam was able to leave the corporate world behind in order to become an entrepreneur. Click here to view the entire article.

Women's entrepreneurship is climbing
By: Alexander Soule

Pam Wallace left the corporate world knowing a lot about consumer marketing and next to nothing about massage – when it came to trying her hand at her own spa in Stamford, she says that corporate training worked out the kinks that would have otherwise given her some sleepless nights.

The owner of Connecticut’s first Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa franchise was able to secure a U.S. Small Business Administration loan in just three weeks, allowing her to leave behind – for good she thinks – a corporate career that took her to Harvard Business School and through JPMorgan Chase & Co. among other stops.

“You get a good training at big companies,” Wallace said, “but I’ve always been an entrepreneur at heart.”

(Read More)

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.