Hand & Stone Pioneers Change in the Spa and Massage Industry Through Innovation in Education

Partnership and education

Through these platforms, Hand & Stone is looking forward to working with its partners and franchise owners to promote professional development, encourage growth and produce more skilled massage therapists.

“Innovation is at the core of Hand & Stone’s brand, it’s in our DNA. And it doesn’t stop at the cutting-edge technology we use for our spa services – that’s only just the beginning. Through both working with MPower and utilizing a public LMS, we are making innovative changes to how massage therapy education is accessed,” says Lisa Rossmann, Chief Brand Officer, Hand & Stone.

“At Hand & Stone, our massage therapists and estheticians are the backbone of our business. When we looked at the massage industry, we knew there was an opportunity to make major changes and remove a huge entry barrier for pursuing, and even maintaining, massage therapy education. These programs and platforms are changing our industry for the better, and Hand & Stone is pleased to continue fostering growth for aspiring and current massage therapists.”

Sponsorship program details

Through its partnership with MPower, Hand & Stone has developed a sponsorship program that directly places graduates in a spa upon completion of their studies. This partnership, led by MPower's visionary leaders Pete Medd and Jeff McGrath, aims to provide a cost-effective and flexible approach to massage therapy education, empowering professionals to succeed and offering hybrid education options in states that allow it. This adaptability aligns with the evolving needs of individuals balancing education with other commitments.

In most cases, this program costs 30% less than the national average for massage therapy schools, ensuring accessibility without compromising quality.

MPower has garnered positive feedback from students and franchise owners alike, affirming Hand & Stone’s dedication to massage therapy education and reinforcing their commitment to the trade, as well as complementing existing partnerships with other massage schools and community colleges. Saj Rizvi, a new franchise owner who plans to open six spas over the next several years, shared, “The Hand & Stone and MPower partnership is about more than just education; it's about creating a sustainable future for our industry.

Supporting current therapists

While its partnership with MPower seeks to bring new massage therapists into the trade, Hand & Stone is committed to supporting current massage therapists, too. It was a tactical business decision that Hand & Stone made to develop a public LMS that gives a glimpse of the continued education the brand has to offer its therapists as they work to get recertified. That said, this public platform is not only available to Hand & Stone massage therapists but also to anyone who is already licensed.

Through this public LMS, Hand & Stone is offering massage therapists an accessible and flexible resource to further their education, while also reducing the financial burden associated with recertification. To start, this public LMS will offer courses like The Places Massage Can Take You: Work Environments, Myths and Mysteries of Massage Therapy: Pregnancy Massage, Adapting Techniques: Time blindness and A Treatment Plan, and more.

“Our commitment to fostering positive change in the massage industry is limitless,” says Maureen Brent, Director of Recruitment Operations, Hand & Stone. “The demand for massages is outpacing the available workforce. Hand & Stone wants to make the career as accessible as possible to hardworking, determined individuals who want to make a positive impact on people’s daily lives.”

Delivering accessible and personalized skincare and massage services, Hand & Stone has over 650+ locations in the US with 1000+ available trade areas to grow in. After 20 years of consecutive growth, we have an average unit volume of $1.35 million!