Franchisee Spotlight: Anna Spade, Huntington Beach, CA

Anna Spade, 52, a 30-year veteran in the marketing and advertising sales industry, started her education at the George L. Graziadio School of Business and Management at Pepperdine University.  From there, she went on to get her MBA in technology management at University of Phoenix and finally finished with a certificate in internet marketing from Full Sail University in Florida. While getting her multiple degrees and certificates, she worked in the telecommunications industry. 

Spade started her career at GTE Directories in their Human Resources department.  When GTE was bought by Verizon Information Services, she grew and changed with the company – in 1996, she moved on to work as a marketing manager and senior staff consultant at GTE Directories/Verizon Information Services. 

In March of 2012, Spade left her position and ultimately decided to open her Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa. With her multiple business degrees and years of experience helping family members and friends with their business plans, she decided it was time to open her own retail store.

Why did you choose an opportunity with Hand & Stone?

After I left the Yellow Pages and Internet advertising industry, I started to look around for a different job, but I couldn’t find anything that I felt was right for me.  During the last five years of my career out on the streets as a media consultant, I frequently got massages; I need them for stress relief and overall relaxation on the weekends after a hard work week.  I saw a large area for growth in the spa community and I want to be in the kind of environment that Hand & Stone has created.  I felt that Hand & Stone had a good strategy and was already a well-known brand. 

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

I knew very little about the spa industry when I made my decision to purchase the franchise. But now I am attending classes at the Career Academy of Beauty so I can obtain my Esthetician’s license. I am learning a lot about different skin types and conditions as well as how to individualize treatments so they are appropriate for each client. I want to be knowledgeable about the inner-workings of my business so I can run the store as well as one of the staff estheticians.

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

I like reading the Huntington Beach Independent newspaper to learn about what’s going on in the community.  I also enjoy the Orange County Living magazine because it has a lot of interesting articles that provide you with good information that is important before making buying decisions.  It has lots of great photos and high quality contractors and other service providers that advertise there.  A slightly more glamorous magazine that I enjoy is Orange Coast Magazine.  It covers everything about Orange Coast area including entertainment, shopping, dining, cooking and relaxing.  When I’m shopping for a deal or just looking for entertainment ideas, I check out the Clipper Magazine.  I also like over-sized direct mail pieces, especially if they are magnetic and include a calendar along with the marketing message.  They are not only useful, but a constant reminder for those who like to stick them on their refrigerator doors.

Franchisee Spotlight: Howard Turetzky and Howard McClurd, Willow Grove, PA

Howard Turetzky, 47, and Howard McClurd, 53, met more than 20 years ago at the medical supply company they both worked for, which aided their decision to go into business with Hand & Stone. “Due to our love of medical supplies, we decided to go into the healing arts of massages and skin care,” Turetzky said. Their first location opened in June of last year, and the duo plans to open a total of five spas.

Turetzky attended Rider College for accounting and Indiana University of Pennsylvania for political science, and McClurd was pre-law at Temple University. The latter went back into his family’s business in the auto industry before entering the medical supply field. He also went on to invent a children’s toy called the Kool Rider – a bike accessory designed to mimic the sound of a motorcycle. He’s a race car enthusiast, and he uses a Kool Rider-branded car, which also now features the Hand & Stone logo, at various fundraising events.  “In terms of race car driving, I’m retired,” he said. “But it’s an Indy race car, so it’s pretty unique, and 100 percent of any money it raises goes to charity.” Helping others is a passion for both of these men, as McClurd also raises money for Live Strong and sits on the board for Dragonfly Forest, a camp for children with serious illnesses and disorders.

The pair have set impressive records for Hand & Stone as the fastest growing spa the brand has seen to date.

How did you learn about the brand and why did you decide to open your own location?

We were looking for something in the medical field that was a little more holistic in nature. We were initially applying for another location and ended up with our spot.

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

We’re going to have five locations over the next two years. The third and fourth spots will hopefully be opening next spring in Plymouth Meeting, Penn. and Oxford Valley, Penn. 

Hand & Stone featured in Wyckoff Patch

Hand & Stone was recently featured in the Wyckoff Patch in an article titled, "New Spa Strives for 'Affordable Luxury.'" For the entire article click here or begin below.

New Spa Strives for 'Affordable Luxury'
By: Devin McGinley

Hand and Stone, a spa chain founded in South Jersey, is making its way across Bergen County.

Franchisee Jeff Silbert opened his latest in Franklin Lakes on Monday with his brother Ken, and the owners are hoping to be a regular stop for local customers.

“It’s an affordable luxury for people that live five, ten, 15 miles, away,” Jeff said of the spa, which is located in the shopping center alongside the Franklin Ave. Stop and Shop.

(Read More)

Hand & Stone featured on NJ.com

Hand & Stone featured on NJ.com in an article titled, "Former Rutgers football standout opens massage, facial spa in West Long Branch." The article begins by detailing Jim’s time as a standout defensive end on the Rutgers football team and his decision to open up a Hand & Stone in West Long Branch. Jim is quoted about his athletic career and his life now. The article then gives details about Hand & Stone and includes a quote from Todd about what sets Hand & Stone apart from competitors. Todd also talks about how a lot of couples are opening Hand & Stone franchises and that’s the type of owner the company likes. Jim goes on to talk about how they looked at fitness clubs, but decided on a Hand & Stone after Cheryl enjoyed the Hand & Stone in Toms River. The article ends by talking about the fact that the Hand & Stone is in a shopping center that has had several store locations vacant for a while, but is turning around.  Click here for the entire article or begin below.

Former Rutgers football standout opens massage, facial spa in West Long Branch
By: Rob Spahr

WEST LONG BRANCH – In the mid-1990’s Jim Guarnera was a standout defensive lineman for the Rutgers University football team, a position filled with a fair amount of competitiveness and violence.

That is all in the past.

On June 24, Guarnera and his wife, Cheryl, opened a business on the other end of the violence spectrum – a Hand & Stone massage and facial spa in the Consumer Centre shopping plaza on Route 36.

(Read More)

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....

(Read More)

Franchisee Profile: Jim and Cheryl Guarnera

Name: Jim and Cheryl Guarnera
Opening Date: June 24, 2013
Grand Opening: July 14, 2013
Address: 310 State Highway 36, West Long Branch, NJ 07764
Local Community: Toms River, NJ
Phone Number: 732-389-9009
Email: jguarnera@handandstone.com; cguarnera@handandstone.com

Cheryl: Cheryl Guarnera grew up in Edison, NJ, the oldest of three, and graduated from Rutgers University with a degree in Pharmacy in 1996. She worked in several positions within the health care industry such as a clinical pharmacist in the hospice, retail and hospital settings, then to medical communications with Physicians World (part of Thompson Health Care). Cheryl developed continuing medical education (CME) programs, trained speakers, executed product launches and worked with some of the most highly regarded doctors in the U.S. She spent several years in the medical education industry and then moved to Newport Beach, CA with Jim. There, Cheryl continued her career with Bristol-Myers Squibb (in pharmaceutical sales) and is currently with Johnson & Johnson/Janssen Scientific Affairs.

Jim: Jim Guarnera grew up in Plainview, NY and also graduated from Rutgers University with a Bachelors in Psychology and a Masters in Communication. (Rutgers is where Jim and Cheryl met, more than 20 years ago, and Jim was also nearly a professional football player – he made the final cut as a defensive tackle with the San Francisco 49ers.) Jim started his career in sales and public relations but has spent most of his career in the pharmaceutical industry. After he and Cheryl moved to California, Jim held managerial roles in pharmaceutical sales for companies such as Watson, inVentiv Health and Takeda, and is currently with Johnson & Johnson/Janssen Pharmaceuticals.

A job relocation moved the Guarneras back to New Jersey in 2007, which works well for their current lifestyle, especially as they are also raising four children (a boy and three girls). The move has also been good as it’s allowed them to move closer to family as well as continue the next phase of their career – Hand & Stone.  Jim and Cheryl will both continue their respective careers and own Hand & Stone on the side.

How did you learn about the brand?

Cheryl: I was a Hand & Stone member for a few years and really enjoyed the massages I had there.

Why did you choose an opportunity with Hand & Stone?

Cheryl: We had friends that ran a fitness franchise and we were also interested in a franchise opportunity. Plus, I wanted to create something where I could be at home with the kids. And from a business perspective, we thought it was a smart move.  

Jim: We looked at four different massage franchises, but Hand & Stone was by far the most inviting concept. We like that it offers multiple services that are affordable and that there’s no contract requirement, which is convenient for clients.

What will your staff and layout be like?

Jim: We have 16 employees total to start out -- five massage therapists, five estheticians, five spa associates and our Spa Manager, Toni Leonard. We have nine treatment rooms for massage, facial and waxing services.

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

Jim: Getting zoning approval was a 10 month process. Also, getting female massage therapists can be a challenge because they are more in demand.

Will you be involved with the community?

Cheryl: We’re trying to develop a grassroots marketing campaign. We’re looking to build relationships with local businesses and organizations and give back to the community not only financially but by having a presence in the community. Our area has been very affected by Hurricane Sandy and we want to be a part of the community in a positive way.  

Do you have any other interesting hobbies or passions?

Cheryl: We’re raising four kids right now so we enjoy spending time with family and all the activities that are going on. We also like to travel internationally and I have gotten into competing in triathlons and marathons.   

June is Acne Awareness Month!

Having acne can make one feel down….take some extra time this month to treat your clients and make them feel special.

FACTS about ACNE:

- Acne is the most common skin disorder in the United States, affecting 40-50 million Americans.
- 17 million adults are diagnosed with acne every year
- Nearly 85% of all people have acne at some point in their lives, most often on the face, chest, and back.
- 40-55% of adults between the ages of 20-40 years old have a low grade, persistent acne
- 54% of women 25yrs+ have acne

MYTHS!!

Myth #1: Acne is caused by poor hygiene. If you believe this myth, and wash your skin hard and frequently, you can actually make your acne worse. Acne is not caused by dirt or surface skin oils. Although excess oils, dead skin and a day's accumulation of dust on the skin looks unsightly, they should not be removed by hand scrubbing. Vigorous washing and scrubbing will actually irritate the skin and make acne worse.



Myth #2: Acne is caused by diet. Extensive scientific studies have not found a connection between diet and acne. In other words, food does not cause acne. Not chocolate. Not french fries. Not pizza. Nonetheless, some people insist that certain foods affect their acne. In that case, avoid those foods. Besides, eating a balanced diet always makes sense. However, according to the scientific evidence, if acne is being treated properly, there's no need to worry about food affecting theacne.