With four spas open and a fifth in progress, Woodhouse Spas franchisee Kim Powell has seen steady growth with the brand and continues to expand in key markets. For Powell, the growth is about bringing Woodhouse’s elevated atmosphere and services to markets she loves, and partnering with an innovative, supportive concept like Woodhouse has allowed her to chase her dreams in new, even untraditional, ways.
“I opened my fourth spa in Savannah, Georgia last year, and since then, we have expanded into a new area,” Powell said. “It’s a spot in downtown Charleston. An opportunity was presented for us to take over a three-treatment-room location at the beautiful, historic Wentworth Mansion. The spa is in a 200-year-old stable house, next to a famous restaurant that has been written about in the New York Times.”
Powell said that, as soon as she learned the previous tenant was not renewing, she went right over and began the process of making it hers.
“I used to live right down the street; it’s a beautiful, residential neighborhood in the heart of downtown, but it’s not right in a touristy area, either,” she said. “This allows us to feed our other downtown spa, expand into the historic residential space, and feed off of the hotel guests.”
“From a franchise perspective, I called up the leadership team and said, ‘Okay, I have this idea. I’ve had it for a while, and now I have an opportunity,’” Powell said.
Because the Wentworth Mansion location is already in a protected territory, Powell proposed a reserve model that embraces the boutique feel and delivers a more exclusive experience.
“There are pockets within every city and state where there may be a flagship Woodhouse location and another little pocket where it doesn’t make sense to spend millions to build out a traditional spa, but it may make sense to have a boutique reservation model,” she said. “We can make the experience even more elevated and charge a little more. And the franchisor heard me out. They loved it, and I’m signing a three-year lease to test it out. I’m grateful they’re giving me that opportunity.”
As Powell continues expanding, the unique combination of support and fulfillment makes it an attractive venture.
Because she has experience starting a construction company, Powell knows just how difficult it can be to launch a business without an established model of robust external support. She remembers how expensive things like website development and branding are, and in a franchise model, these demands are more easily managed.
“There’s value in franchising, but not every franchise is right for every person,” Powell said. “You have to have a passion for what it is that you’re doing, and you really have to respect the value proposition. Understand that what’s best for the brand will be best for you. If we work together and collaborate, we can share ideas and all benefit.”
For example, Powell said there could be more spa owners who have capacity for a smaller reserve model in a market near them, and there’s power in those numbers.
Over the course of her ownership journey, she has built strong relationships with fellow owners, and they remain connected, sharing personal joys, professional ideas and everything in between.
“I became friends with the owner of two Woodhouse locations in Colorado 10 years ago when we were in training together,” Powell said. “I started a female owner of multiple units group — FOMU — because I really enjoy being around them. They’re all great, smart women. It’s so great to talk about the business and industry together because nobody knows it like we know it. And you’re not in competition, so you can share data and discuss how you approached an issue. It puts you with like-minded people, and it’s nice to be in a franchise that’s in alignment.”
To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit https://1851franchise.com/woodhouse-spas.
Woodhouse Spas
SPONSORED
For the multi-unit owner, the franchisor’s open-mindedness, collaborative model and strong, connected franchisee network are key drivers for continued expansion.
With four spas open and a fifth in progress, Woodhouse Spas franchisee Kim Powell has seen steady growth with the brand and continues to expand in key markets. For Powell, the growth is about bringing Woodhouse’s elevated atmosphere and services to markets she loves, and partnering with an innovative, supportive concept like Woodhouse has allowed her to chase her dreams in new, even untraditional, ways.
“I opened my fourth spa in Savannah, Georgia last year, and since then, we have expanded into a new area,” Powell said. “It’s a spot in downtown Charleston. An opportunity was presented for us to take over a three-treatment-room location at the beautiful, historic Wentworth Mansion. The spa is in a 200-year-old stable house, next to a famous restaurant that has been written about in the New York Times.”
Powell said that, as soon as she learned the previous tenant was not renewing, she went right over and began the process of making it hers.
“I used to live right down the street; it’s a beautiful, residential neighborhood in the heart of downtown, but it’s not right in a touristy area, either,” she said. “This allows us to feed our other downtown spa, expand into the historic residential space, and feed off of the hotel guests.”
“From a franchise perspective, I called up the leadership team and said, ‘Okay, I have this idea. I’ve had it for a while, and now I have an opportunity,’” Powell said.
Because the Wentworth Mansion location is already in a protected territory, Powell proposed a reserve model that embraces the boutique feel and delivers a more exclusive experience.
“There are pockets within every city and state where there may be a flagship Woodhouse location and another little pocket where it doesn’t make sense to spend millions to build out a traditional spa, but it may make sense to have a boutique reservation model,” she said. “We can make the experience even more elevated and charge a little more. And the franchisor heard me out. They loved it, and I’m signing a three-year lease to test it out. I’m grateful they’re giving me that opportunity.”
As Powell continues expanding, the unique combination of support and fulfillment makes it an attractive venture.
Because she has experience starting a construction company, Powell knows just how difficult it can be to launch a business without an established model of robust external support. She remembers how expensive things like website development and branding are, and in a franchise model, these demands are more easily managed.
“There’s value in franchising, but not every franchise is right for every person,” Powell said. “You have to have a passion for what it is that you’re doing, and you really have to respect the value proposition. Understand that what’s best for the brand will be best for you. If we work together and collaborate, we can share ideas and all benefit.”
For example, Powell said there could be more spa owners who have capacity for a smaller reserve model in a market near them, and there’s power in those numbers.
Over the course of her ownership journey, she has built strong relationships with fellow owners, and they remain connected, sharing personal joys, professional ideas and everything in between.
“I became friends with the owner of two Woodhouse locations in Colorado 10 years ago when we were in training together,” Powell said. “I started a female owner of multiple units group — FOMU — because I really enjoy being around them. They’re all great, smart women. It’s so great to talk about the business and industry together because nobody knows it like we know it. And you’re not in competition, so you can share data and discuss how you approached an issue. It puts you with like-minded people, and it’s nice to be in a franchise that’s in alignment.”
To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit https://1851franchise.com/woodhouse-spas.
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