Well & Good

Well & Good

A little indulgence could be just what the doctor ordered

by The Franchise Dictionary Magazine Team

Treating yourself is no longer regarded as selfish. Rather, it’s applauded. With technology everywhere, life has become ultra-fastpaced and stressful. The result? We are starting to treat ourselves more with the goal of wellness—living healthier lives and feeling good physically and spiritually. Wellness has become a priority and also has become big business.

The quest for wellness has been addressed by franchisors in many different areas, from what we put into our bodies, to how we groom ourselves, and how we relax or recover from injuries. It covers a big area with more diverse and innovative concepts than you probably imagine.

On the following pages, we look at several franchise brands that help us achieve wellness in one way or another. They may have different business models and offer different services, but they all have one thing in common: They cash in on a growing trend. Read on if the idea of making people feel good while growing a business sounds appealing. A perfect opportunity may be waiting for you.

Icebox Cryotherapy

CRYOTHERAPY IS A MODERN, SUPER-COLD TAKE ON THE TRADITIONAL ice bath. It involves exposing the body to ultra-low temperatures ranging from minus-200 degrees Fahrenheit to minus-256 degrees F. for three minutes, explains Alia Alston, founder and COO of Icebox Cryotherapy® Studios.

Alston first delved into cryotherapy strictly for herself, to help with her recovery from injuries suffered in a car accident. She felt so terrific after her first session that she wanted to share the benefits with others and opened up the first Cryotherapy retail studio in the U.S. “The process of whole-body cryotherapy reduces inflammation, improves circulation, decreases pain, and promotes better overall health,” Alston says.

Icebox Cryotherapy is an innovative concept within the fast-growing health and wellness industry. “We’ve made a simple concept of providing top-of-the-line services in a fun, progressive environment,” she says. “Inside our modern studios, something amazing is happening. With our lively atmosphere, highly-trained staff, and the best equipment in the industry, we push past the norms of a typical wellness studio and deliver the customercentric best three minutes of your day. It’s a cool experience in every way.”

So why do people drop in to chill out? Clients want to improve athletic performance, manage pain, reduce muscle and joint soreness, and enhance overall health and beauty. “Icebox can give you the best, most-innovative cold-therapy experience,” Alston promises.

For more information, visit www.iceboxtherapy.com/franchise/

WaterStation Technology

DRINKING QUALITY WATER IS A MUST FOR A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE. Knowing this, WaterStation Technology delivers lower-cost access to ultra-clean, greattasting water. The company purifies water to the highest standard and percolates it through a series of natural minerals to create a virtual spring water that contains electrolytes and an alkaline pH. The purity level is a huge attraction for consumers concerned about germs, pesticides, and other contaminants in their tap water. WaterStation’s purification system erases that worry.

Those same eco-conscious consumers appreciate that they can go into a store with reusable bottles, fill ’em up from a WaterStation vending machine, and not add to the waste stream with the single-use disposable plastic bottles that are clogging landfills. “Plastic water bottles last for 1,000 years before they disintegrate. WaterStation Technology built a business around reducing that problem,” says Ryan Wear, director of operations and investor relations with the Seattle-based company.

Wear says WaterStation’s widespread consumer appeal and low-cost, home-based model combine for a great business opportunity. Its passive ownership makes WaterStation an excellent option for investors who can’t be on-site regularly. The business offers additional revenue streams through selling digital advertising via the screens located on some of the larger systems.

Learn more at www.waterstationtechnology.com.

StretchLab

STRETCHING IS REALLY GOOD FOR YOU. EVERYONE KNOWS IT, BUT NOT everyone does it. Sitting hunched over a computer all day just isn’t what we were meant to do. Stretching coaxes our bodies to return to proper form. It also helps people reduce the risk of injuries, regain mobility, improve posture, flexibility, and range of motion in a simple, natural way. And it reduces stress, which we all seem to suffer from these days.

Recognizing the long list of benefits, the folks at StretchLab created a unique studio. They refer to their service as “the most remarkably simple thing you can do to feel better,” taking stretching to the next level by offering one-on-one assisted sessions. Customers can book 25- or 50-minute sessions with a Flexologist who customizes sessions based on each client’s needs. Flexologists go through a proprietary training program that includes 60 to 70-plus hours of theory and hands-on training.

Group stretch classes are offered in two formats: Fit Flex for beginners and Power Stretch for fitness enthusiasts looking for performance recovery and deep stretching.

Franchisees can feel good about helping others and reap the benefits of this growing industry. The executive model lets investors scale easily, and membership programs lead to recurring revenue.

For more information, visit www.stretchlab.com.

ONE Cannabis

AMERICANS INCREASINGLY HUNT FOR ALTERNATIVE WAYS TO EASE their pain, nurture relaxation and sleep, calm the nausea of chemotherapy, and solve other physical and mental problems after mainstream tactics have failed. Many of them swear by the effectiveness of marijuana products to improve their quality of life as they deal with varied conditions ranging from insomnia, migraines, and arthritis to Crohn’s disease and more.

Denver, Colorado-based ONE Cannabis retailers help ease the suffering of their clientele, and that’s a rewarding proposition for franchise owners. Billing itself as “the world’s most experienced cannabis business franchise system,” ONE Cannabis focuses on a great retail experience for customers. It meets this goal by guiding them toward the ideal product for their particular need. The options include topicals, which have no psychoactive effects; edibles; and potent, long-lasting oils.

Franchisees will appreciate that they can get their slice of the rapidly-growing medicinal and recreational cannabis market while benefiting from the shared knowledge of leaders who have been involved in the legal cannabis industry for nearly a decade. ONE Cannabis franchises also have access to top-quality cannabis strains and products.

According to ONE Cannabis, franchisees should have a passion for the industry, possess an entrepreneurial drive, and be committed to represent and help grow the ONE Cannabis brand. Franchisees can count on great support from the company’s tried-and-true operational systems, long-established business relationships, solid brand recognition, and expert marketing support inside this rapidly evolving industry.

For more information, visit www.ocginc.com

Great Clips

OVERSCHEDULED, UBER-BUSY CUSTOMERS ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE convenience of Great Clips. Being able to walk right into the salon relieves the stress of trying to set up—and keep—appointments. And for franchisees, “the key appeal is the nature of the business—having repeat customers, being recession-resistant, and offering the opportunity to own multiple salons,” says Beth Caron, director of franchise development for Great Clips.

Franchisees don’t have to be hairstylists. “We look for people who have a passion for managing people. It isn’t a business about cutting hair. It’s about managing your teams and being a cheerleader for them,” Caron says. “Owners don’t need to be on-site from 8 to 5 daily, but do need to set the tone for the culture of their organizations by being involved.” Franchisees receive ample training and support. They attend co-op meetings and corporate meetings to connect with fellow franchisees and stay abreast of best practices.

Already one of the largest brands in the hair-salon industry, Great Clips has leveraged technology to continue growing. “Our online check-in eliminates wait time. Our Clip Notes® program keeps a record of your haircut preferences so that you can get the same results no matter which Great Clips location or stylist is doing the cut,” Caron says. One added allure for franchisees is Great Clips’ feel-good factor. “We’ve partnered with Wigs for Kids, children’s hospitals, veterans organizations, and other amazing charities because caring is an important part of who we are,” she says. “One new initiative is our Stylist Assistance Fund, which helps our stylists get back on their feet after natural disasters strike.”

For more information, visit www.GreatClipsFranchise.com or call 800-947-1143.

Deka Lash

EYELASH EXTENSIONS ARE ONE OF THE fastest-growing segments in the beauty industry. Offering a quick pick-me-up at an affordable price, Deka Lash customers score a dramatic look without the hassle of applying mascara. Michael and Jennifer Blair, the married co-founders of Deka Lash, recognized this growing trend and launched their business in 2011. Today the company is booming, with more than 200 locations awarded since franchising began in 2016.

Michael Blair attributes the brand’s staggering growth to its quality and state-of-the-art services. “We offer best-in-class eyelash extensions combined with a vibe that makes the experience fun and exciting. Our focus around technology gives us a strong edge in efficiency, which lowers operating costs,” he says.

Formed from the first two letters of the eldest Blair children’s first names—Demi and Karli—the company truly is a family affair. Both daughters work in the business, and Mom and Dad run the company harmoniously in roles that play to their individual strengths. “Jennifer is involved in training and the customer experience. I’m more on the tech and operations side,” Michael Blair says.

The easy-to-run business requires no beauty experience. “We operate as a semi-absentee model, so many franchisees still keep their day jobs,” he says. With a membership offering, recurring revenue and customer retention are built in. “Eyelash extensions are disrupting the beauty industry. They are so much more than a fad. We are taking business away from other elective beauty services and are becoming part of a woman’s beauty regimen,” Blair adds.

Deka Lash is a family affair for co-founders Michael and Jennifer Blair