A Franchise that Fits Like a Glove…Hand & Stone

Ben Louis was born and raised in western Canada where he spent the bulk of his career at Weyerhaeuser Company – a fortune 500 Forest Products Corporation.  Although Louis’ career was primarily focused on Information Technology / Software Engineering, he had a vision for his life. Little did he know that he would discover his lifelong dream while working at Weyerhaeuser.

“At Weyerhaeuser, our culture was focused on safety, people and health & wellness.  While working there, I developed an appreciation for all three, which sparked the idea of starting a business that focused on these elements,” said Louis. As Louis started his small business planning, he was introduced to a Franchise Broker who introduced him to several franchise models from all industries.  The spa business model was a great match for Louis’ interest so he looked at several spa franchises and eventually selected Hand & Stone. When asked why he chose Hand & Stone, Louis said, “I really liked the people, business model and vision.  Hand & Stone’s culture and customer focus is a strong match for me.  I believed the core values and focus on quality makes the franchise self-sustaining - one that could endure and be competitive in the long term.” Besides health and wellness, Louis has a strong passion for preservation. He hopes to create a business that will be around for a long time that community members will enjoy for years to come. Louis loved the Hand & Stone business model so much he plans on opening a second location in the future. Currently, he is working on the grand opening of his first location in Tukwila, Washington. Louis’ Hand & Stone will be open at the end of July and will be located at 17100 Southcenter Square, Suite 136, Tukwila WA 98188. Hand & Stone is a 150-plus unit massage and facial spa chain with a mission to bring massage and facial services to the masses. Launched in 2004 Hand & Stone now has locations in 21 states and Canada. For more information on Hand & Stone as well as franchising opportunities, please visit http://www.handandstonefranchise.com/