Why Women Entrepreneurs Love Franchising With Woodhouse Spas

Woodhouse Spas has become a premier opportunity for women entrepreneurs who want to combine their passion for wellness with business ownership. The brand's focus on luxury, self-care and providing personalized experiences has attracted many women, particularly those who have experienced Woodhouse as customers and decided to take the leap into franchise ownership.

Two franchisees, Sonal Patel and Kimberly Powell, perfectly capture how owning a Woodhouse Spa has allowed them to build successful businesses while staying true to their personal values and passions.

Powell’s journey into the wellness industry came from her personal experiences with spas. After taking annual trips to luxury spas with her mother, who was a caregiver for Powell’s father, she became passionate about creating relaxing spaces for others.

“My mother was really experiencing caregiver burnout so badly that we took a trip every year — my sister, my mom and I — to different resort spas,” Powell said. “We really loved the Ritz Carlton because the consistency for my mother was important. We didn’t want her to take the three or four days away from my dad and risk bad service or not getting the room she wanted. So we ended up going to a lot of Ritz Carltons and I became fascinated by the hospitality world.”

Franchisee Success Stories

Despite owning a successful construction company with her husband, Powell felt it was time for a new chapter in her life. When she realized South Carolina didn’t have any Woodhouse Spas, she jumped at the chance to bring the brand to her community.

“Not only was there no Woodhouse in the state of South Carolina, but even the resort spas in the area lacked that real hospitality environment — the warmth, the personal touch, the ability to relax for the day,” she said.

Now, Powell owns four Woodhouse Spas across three states, where she focuses on providing a luxurious yet approachable experience for her guests. She loves how Woodhouse allows her to combine her love for hospitality and wellness, while also giving her the freedom to grow her business in a field she’s passionate about.

Patel’s entrepreneurial journey began unexpectedly when her husband and a friend purchased a Dunkin’ Donuts/Baskin Robbins franchise. Despite not having any prior business experience, she jumped in and helped grow their business to six locations over ten years.

“I learned flexibility and time management because it wasn’t a nine-to-five job; it involved evening, morning and afternoon hours,” she said. “After 10 years, we sold the QSR [quick-service restaurant] in 2014.”

While she appreciated the flexibility that running a QSR offered, Patel eventually wanted to pursue something that aligned more with her personal interests. After working in the education sector with JEI Learning Center, Patel’s passion for wellness led her to Woodhouse Spas. Encouraged by a close friend, she was drawn to the brand’s luxurious and personalized approach to guest care.

Wellness and Business Alignment

“I visited a Woodhouse in Charleston, fell in love with it and decided to open one,” said Patel. “It was a huge investment, and my friend in California partnered with me. We opened the Woodhouse in November 2022.”

Patel values how Woodhouse allows her to offer wellness services in a way that promotes self-care, something she deeply believes in.

“Woodhouse is the perfect culmination of my experiences,” she said. “Dunkin’ Donuts had high volume but was transactional. JEI was relational, dealing with fewer but significant clients. Woodhouse combines both, offering luxury and personalized service. We aim to make guests feel at home and valued.”

Patel and Powell are perfect examples of how Woodhouse Spas is a great fit for women entrepreneurs who want to turn their passion for wellness into a flourishing business. The brand offers strong support, a well-established model and the opportunity to bring luxury spa experiences to local communities.

With National Women Entrepreneur Day on November 19, Patel and Powell’s stories show how Woodhouse empowers women to own a business that makes a difference in both their lives and the lives of their guests.