Woodhouse Spas

Initially creating a successful career in marketing and sales,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/staceylghowell/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=former-sales-and-marketing-professional-took-the-leap-to-achieve-entrepreneurial-dreams-with-woodhouse-spas-2727342" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Stacey Howell</a> harbored entrepreneurial ambitions but was held back by imposter syndrome and familial responsibilities. Her journey into franchising with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ownawoodhouse.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=former-sales-and-marketing-professional-took-the-leap-to-achieve-entrepreneurial-dreams-with-woodhouse-spas-2727342" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Woodhouse Spas</a> required her to overcome self-doubt and seize opportunities.“I always wanted to be an entrepreneur. But to be honest, I had imposter syndrome, and I always made excuses,” Howell said. “I always pushed it on the back end, but it was always something in there, and franchising became a vehicle to do it without feeling like I was on my own.”The franchisor support was tempting, but what really made Howell overcome her worries?&nbsp;“The biggest thing [that motivated me] was that my kids were watching,” she said. “And while I had recently gone through a divorce and life was changing, I needed to figure out a way to show them that we fall down, but we get back up.”Howell’s corporate career, including a top sales role at Hewlett Packard, eventually reached a crossroads. Facing age-related career challenges, she sought a new path that aligned with her values of service and wellness. Her personal experience as a customer of Woodhouse Spas and her background in non-profit work guided her decision.&nbsp;The decision to franchise with Woodhouse Spas wasn’t taken lightly. Howell did extensive research, considering other options like a bakery franchise. However, her passion for wellness and hospitality, coupled with the support from a franchise consultant, solidified her choice. Despite initial fears, she invested part of her 401(k) savings.Howell signed her franchise agreement in December 2019, just before the pandemic hit. The subsequent delays and financial strains tested her resolve, but her faith and resilience prevailed.&nbsp;“I set myself out to do this. I am a person of faith and not fear,” Howell said. “You’re going to see it through, and you’re going to have some bumps in the road. My faith helped me overcome fear and persist through setbacks.”Her perseverance paid off, making her spa a flagship location for the newly restructured Woodhouse Spas design.Looking ahead, Howell is balancing her ambitions with the need for personal well-being. Her journey has not only established a successful business but also inspired her children, fulfilling a deeper personal mission.A summarized transcript of Howell’s interview with 1851 Franchise’s Nick Powills has been included below. It has been edited for clarity, brevity and style.Nick Powills: What made you interested in franchising?Stacey Howell:&nbsp;I was in sales and marketing — primarily in medical sales — and did very well. I raised four children, owned two homes and put my kids through college. Despite being successful in the corporate world, I always wanted to be an entrepreneur. But to be honest, I had imposter syndrome, and I always made excuses. I always pushed it on the back end, but it was always something in there, and franchising became a vehicle to do it without feeling like I was on my own. I had reached a point in my corporate career where finding a similar high-paying job was challenging, and I had to make a decision about my future. I didn’t want to go into food franchising, but as a customer of Woodhouse, I loved the service and wellness aspects, which aligned with my values. Running a nonprofit also showed me the impact of improving people’s lives, and transitioning to a wellness-focused business felt like a natural progression.Powills: What was the trigger that made you decide franchising was the right move?Howell: After moving to Atlanta in 2013 and going through a divorce, I noticed there were no Woodhouse locations here and thought I could be the first. Initially, I took a stable job due to fear, but after some unfulfilling experiences, I revisited the idea and signed a contract in 2019. The biggest thing [that motivated me] was that my kids were watching. And while I had recently gone through a divorce and life was changing, I needed to figure out a way to show them that we fall down, but we get back up.Powills: Did you consider other brands besides Woodhouse?Howell:&nbsp;I was primarily focused on Woodhouse because of my positive experiences as a customer. However, I did my homework and looked at their numbers and growth. I also considered a franchise called Nothing Bundt Cakes, due to my love for baking, but ultimately felt that Woodhouse was the right fit.Powills: How did you evaluate the financials of the franchise?Howell: I was inspired by the founder of the nonprofit I ran, who invested her 401(k) savings into starting the organization. I had a strong 401(k) and decided to use a portion of it to invest in the franchise, ensuring I had a safety net. Despite concerns from my family, I believed in the potential of the business and felt it was the right time to take the risk.Powills: When did you officially become a franchisee?Howell: I signed the paperwork in December 2019 and planned to kick off 2020. However, COVID-19 hit, causing significant delays. The unit eventually opened in June 2022. Despite the challenges, including construction delays and paying employees without incoming revenue, I believed in the potential of the location and the need for human connection and wellness in the community.Powills: How did you handle the stress and challenges of opening during the pandemic?Howell:&nbsp;Having faced financial challenges before, I was used to navigating difficult times. I set myself out to do this. I am a person of faith and not fear. You’re going to see it through, and you’re going to have some bumps in the road. My faith helped me overcome fear and persist through setbacks. Partnerships and support from others were crucial. Despite Woodhouse being sold to an equity firm during this time — which initially seemed like a bad sign — it became an opportunity to be the flagship for the new design, which turned out to be a blessing.Powills: What’s the dream now?Howell: The dream is to ensure the success of this first location and make it the top-performing unit. While I have ambitions to open more locations or a school, I also need to balance this with the desire to enjoy life and not be constantly stressed. Right now, my focus is on making this spa the best it can be.Powills: How do your children view your journey and success?Howell:&nbsp;My children constantly tell me they are proud of me, which is incredibly rewarding. I’ve shown them the importance of reaching for higher goals and not being afraid to pursue dreams. This mutual pride and support are very fulfilling, and it feels like I’ve achieved a significant part of my dream.To watch the full interview,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6nQoa8MBEA&utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=former-sales-and-marketing-professional-took-the-leap-to-achieve-entrepreneurial-dreams-with-woodhouse-spas-2727342" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">click here</a>.&nbsp;

A Journey to Successful Franchising with Woodhouse Spas

1851 Franchise

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Stacey Howell had already had a successful corporate career in sales and marketing, but wanted to set an example for her children by becoming a franchisee in 2019. 

Former Sales and Marketing Professional Took the Leap To Achieve Entrepreneurial Dreams With Woodhouse Spas

This brand page has been paid for by WOODHOUSE SPAS. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

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CHICAGO&nbsp;—&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonal-patel-015a0510a/">Sonal Patel</a>, a veteran entrepreneur with more than two decades of experience in the franchise space, is now expanding her&nbsp;<a href="http://ownawoodhouse.com">Woodhouse Spas</a> portfolio in the Chicago market. This expansion marks an important milestone as Patel partners with her nephew and his wife to bring the brand’s signature high-end experience to the local community.&nbsp;Patel’s journey began with Dunkin’ and JEI Learning Centers, but her transition to the beauty and wellness space was her most fulfilling to date, representing the convergence of her business acumen and personal passion for self-care. Now, by partnering with family, she’s furthering her impact beyond North Carolina and laying the foundation for a multi-generational legacy of entrepreneurship.“In my opinion, it’s always good to bring family in, especially when the family are these young, passionate individuals who bring so much to the table,” Patel said. “They bring a level of passion, dedication and sheer enthusiasm for the business that serves as a very important stepping stone toward making any business a success.”The move to Chicago was motivated by a clear gap in the market. While there are ultra-luxury hotel spas downtown, Patel’s family identified a need for a luxury option that was more accessible to the residential neighborhoods. After the younger partners experienced a transformative&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/woodhouse-spas/info">Woodhouse</a> treatment themselves, they knew that level of pampering would be well-received in the Chicago market.As the family begins construction and looks forward to the launch, Patel recognizes the brand’s reputation and framework as key contributors to her continued success.“Woodhouse in itself is such a fabulous concept,” she said. “I’m so passionate about what a great franchise this is, and it will be amazing to see what it does in Chicago. We’re only hoping for the best, and we’re very, very excited to bring the incredible Woodhouse experience to Chicago.”ABOUT WOODHOUSE SPAS:Woodhouse Spas is a leading luxury spa franchise that offers resort-style spa experiences in local communities. Founded in 2001 in Victoria, Texas, Woodhouse Spas has grown to more than 90 locations across the United States. The brand provides a wide range of services, including massages, facials, body treatments and nail services, all designed to offer personalized care and enhance wellness. Woodhouse franchise owners benefit from comprehensive support, including training, site selection, construction management, marketing and operational advice. For more information about Woodhouse Spas, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.woodhousespas.com/">https://www.woodhousespas.com/</a>.&nbsp;

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Sonal Patel, an experienced franchisee in North Carolina, is partnering with her nephew and his wife to bring the luxury day spa franchise to Chicago and fill a major experience gap.

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Woodhouse Spas Franchise - Omaha Nebraska - 1851 Franchise

Woodhouse Spa to Open Luxury Spa in Omaha, Nebraska

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Powered by Partnership: Why Kim Powell Continues To Grow With Woodhouse Spas

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Former Broker and Financial Advisor Expands with Second Woodhouse Spa

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LAKEWOOD, Colo.&nbsp;—&nbsp;<a href="http://ownawoodhouse.com">Woodhouse Spas</a>, the nation’s premier luxury spa franchise, has laid the foundation for a major development initiative, identifying capacity for over 100 new locations in key markets across the U.S. Following a record-breaking 2025, the brand is targeting high-growth, affluent suburban markets anchored by major metropolitan hubs.That focus is shaping where&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/woodhouse-spas/info">Woodhouse</a> wants to plant its flag: lifestyle retail centers outside big cities, in neighborhoods with dense populations and strong household incomes. Put simply, it wants to be near the places people already shop and spend time — alongside retailers such as Whole Foods and Lululemon — and capture a growing appetite for high-end self-care closer to home.“With 94 locations currently open, we are in a unique position where major markets like California, Florida and New York are still available for development,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnlpantera">John Pantera</a>, vice president of franchise development. “By leveraging a strategy similar to the one that built Woodhouse’s strong presence in high-end suburban Texas markets, we’re giving new owners an opportunity to claim these prime territories and be a part of Woodhouse’s national story.”Many markets within these targeted states are brand new for Woodhouse, meaning franchisees have the opportunity to be first movers and select their ideal territories. For developing markets, new franchisees will enjoy growing brand awareness and the support of fellow franchisees who, in many cases, have recently navigated the onboarding, site selection and construction processes.“Either way, our franchisees have support from us at the franchisor level and from fellow franchisees who are deeply ingrained in the Woodhouse model,” Pantera said.&nbsp;After a record year in 2025 with five existing franchisees expanding and another eight joining the system, Woodhouse is seeing a clear shift from primarily internal growth to a model that drives organic growth with new owners, too.“We’re attracting an amazing audience of brand new owners who are catching on, and they’re coming in and claiming amazing territory,” Pantera said. “People are cherry-picking the best markets, and momentum really starts building when we see that behavior increasing. If folks are interested in Woodhouse and any of these current target markets speak to them, now is the time. I expect another great growth year in 2026, and if we fast forward one year, some prime areas within these markets will likely be considered sold out.”ABOUT WOODHOUSE SPAS:Woodhouse Spas is a leading luxury spa franchise that offers resort-style spa experiences in local communities. Founded in 2001 in Victoria, Texas, Woodhouse Spas has grown to more than 90 locations across the United States. The brand provides a wide range of services, including massages, facials, body treatments and nail services, all designed to offer personalized care and enhance wellness. Woodhouse franchise owners benefit from comprehensive support, including training, site selection, construction management, marketing, and operational advice. For more information about Woodhouse Spas, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.woodhousespas.com/">https://www.woodhousespas.com/</a>.

Following record-breaking growth in 2025, the luxury day spa franchise has identified key growth markets nationwide, including New York, California and Florida, to continue the momentum.

Former Sales and Marketing Professional Took the Leap To Achieve Entrepreneurial Dreams With Woodhouse Spas

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