Q&A with s tAce Y h owell o F woodhouse s pA s

when did you buy your franchise?

My husband Hollis and opened our Woodhouse Spa location in May 2022 in Buckhead, GA.

how did you find about the franchise and why did you choose that franchise?

I was first introduced to the brand through visiting as a customer in New Jersey and I was impressed with the look and feel of the spa as soon as I walked through the door. Because I believe in self-care first, I was inspired to recreate the experience I felt the first time I walked into a Woodhouse Spa. At Woodhouse, we offer guests a variety of luxury treatments that are fully customized to meet their unique needs in a calming environment. We offer a variety of luxury treatments such as massage therapies, facials and other exquisite services, such as waxing and nails. Our Woodhouse Spa location was carefully crafted to provide each guest with a tranquil, transformational environment that is memorable and healthful.

what was your working background?

Prior to starting my journey at Woodhouse, I had a lengthy corporate career in sales and held a position for four years as CEO and Executive Director of the nonprofit, Every Woman Works, whose mission is to put women back on their feet after trauma. I also served as a councilwoman in Township of South Orange Village in New Jersey for four years.

what was the turning point that made you realize you wanted to change your career path?

Following some life transitions that led me to move to Atlanta where I met my husband, Hollis, I was introduced to a lifestyle that included travel, massages, working out and overall wellness. As a spa owner, I’ve made it my mission to be an ambassador for health and wellness – and I want every customer to feel like they have a safe place to unwind.

What Was The Process Like

once you signed the franchise agreement? as far as training, site selection, fit out, etc.

The corporate team at Woodhouse Spas made the entire pre-opening and post- opening stage run seamlessly and made it easy to streamline all the openings and management operations. The team helped guide us every step of the way on how to successfully open a new spa. I looked at spaces all around metro Atlanta, including near Truist Park, the home of the 2021 World Series champions, the Atlanta Braves. However, something told me to to keep looking in the Buckhead area, a diverse community in metro Atlanta.

what type of training/ support was (still is) provided to you?

Woodhouse Spa continues to provide us franchise owners with unrivaled mentorship, proprietary educational programs and events such as the annual reunion, where franchisees and corporate employees from across the country come together to participate in breakout sessions with CEO Christina Russell; learn about crisis management techniques; talk about industry trends, educate on best practices for recruiting and retention; among many other seminars.

has your work/life balance improved since buying the franchise?

Starting a business in the first few years can be chaotic. However, I often pause and look for ways to take care of myself. The beauty of the franchise industry that I’ve chosen to be a part of is that I can take a break and get a massage from one of our therapists to provide myself with the selfcare that I need. Being in this industry also allows me to be intentional about my own self-care.

if someone was interested in joining your franchise system, what would you say to them?

My biggest advice to a potential franchisee would be to consider the environment, location, competition, and growing market of the area. It’s also important to be aware of the long-term and short-term redevelopment plans for the site. Woodhouse Spa is a rapidly growing franchise that is cutting-edge in the luxury spa industry, which is booming. Potential franchisees should be prepared for the ups and downs of starting a business but there’s no better time than now. People are hungry for touch and self-care post-COVID and we are in a good space to provide this through luxury spa services with a well-known name behind it.

Any Last Thoughts On A Particular Aspect Of Your Franchise System That Stands Out To You

As an African American female business owner, I always strive to promote inclusivity in my community. Woodhouse Spa Buckhead is one of the few spas in the area owned by a Black woman, so my mission is to work closely with my network to continue to be an ambassador for health and wellness — I continue to do this by giving my employees two paid volunteer days each year. We are giving people the opportunity to experience luxury for the first time.

additional woodhouse spas information:

• The brand reported a 19% sales increase year over year and is currently experiencing its highest growth rate since its 2001 inception.

• With over 900 thousand people visiting the Woodhouse Spa each year, there’s no mistaking the fact that guests coming through the doors are dealing with more than ever, especially as they find normalcy and a need for self-care post-pandemic. Following The Woodhouse Spa’s acquisition by Radiance Holdings in July of 2020, the brand has been aggressively targeting key markets throughout the U.S. for franchise development.

• Woodhouse Spa is revered for providing professionals with unrivaled mentorship, proprietary educational programs, and events like the 2022 fall summit. Looking into 2023, Woodhouse Spa will open location doors in Raleigh, NC; Savannah, GA; and Odessa, TX, among others. Woodhouse Spa is part of Radiance Holdings, a global company representing a collection of premier brands in the beauty, wellness and self-care sectors.

• The rapid expansion has solidified Woodhouse as a premier spa franchise and the unequivocal leader in mood care, pioneering a new category of wellness services in the approachable luxury space.

• For more than 20 years, the awardwinning Woodhouse Spa has offered guests a variety of luxury treatments that are fully customized to meet their guests’ unique needs in a calming environment that is rich with warm earth tones and textures, sounds of nature, soothing aromatherapy for skin treatments, massage therapies, facials and other exquisite services, such as waxing and nails. Every treatment, detail, space, and feature has been carefully crafted by the Woodhouse masters of mood care.

• Woodhouse Spa is part of Radiance Holdings, a global company representing a collection of premier brands in the beauty, wellness and self-care sectors and was recently acquired by TSG Consumer Partners.