How This Dunkin’ Franchisee Found Fulfillment With Woodhouse Spas

Often, for franchise owners, finding the right fit business isn’t just about the profits — it’s about passion and fulfillment. Sonal Patel, a Woodhouse Spas franchisee, is a prime example of what this journey can look like. Though she began her time in franchising with a major global brand, she eventually pivoted to a smaller, more intentional brand that she found more fulfilling and allowed her to serve her community in a more direct way.

“We opened our first Dunkin’ in 2004, and we ultimately opened six locations before we sold the business in 2014,” Patel said. “It was a great learning experience. Even back then, there were nearly 8,000 locations in the franchise system.”

Working with a major global brand allowed her to learn more about the importance of speed, accuracy and managing countless small details simultaneously.

“There are tons of small things that you have to do to keep the businesses running,” she said. “I was not built for that, though. I always knew Dunkin’ was not something that I saw myself doing for the rest of my life.”

After selling the Dunkin’ franchises in 2014, Patel became interested in educational services. With young kids at home, she was searching for additional resources and always found herself considering what would need to be added to create a stronger model.

A conversation with her best friend led her to JEI Learning Center, and she came to open the brand’s first location in Cary, North Carolina.

The educational venture lasted approximately a decade, and Patel expanded to two locations. Then, as her children grew and the COVID-19 pandemic shifted life circumstances again, Patel began considering her next move.

Even during her time in the education business, Patel had a personal passion for skin care and wellness. She would spend hours speaking with a friend in California about new products and routines, and said friend repeatedly suggested she look into the Woodhouse franchise opportunity.

“She said, ‘Every time I go to a Woodhouse, I only think of you. I feel like you’d be so great running this business,’” Patel said. “I was resistant at first but I decided to visit a location in Charleston, and I absolutely fell in love. The whole experience was fabulous. It felt so luxurious and personalized, like they were catering to you — I loved that aspect.”

For Patel, Woodhouse represents the convergence of her business expertise and personal passions. Unlike her previous ventures, she says this is a brand she can see herself with long-term.

While entrepreneurial paths aren’t always linear, franchisees who take the time to find what speaks to them can identify a fulfilling business venture with potential for long-term success.

“I can truly say this is what I see myself doing for the rest of my life,” she said. “I love the concept and its focus on skin care and wellness. And I love the franchise system as a whole, too. Dunkin’ was instrumental in giving me that business bug for sure, and it just took me a little bit to get from there to here.”