Jen Clarke owns Woodhouse Spa locations in New Jersey and Philadelphia.
Woodhouse Spa franchisees Jen Clarke and Sonal Patel are both business-savvy entrepreneurs who’ve had other ventures. But it’s with the luxury spa brand that they’ve found a passion.
The brand made an immediate impression, and each franchisee joined Woodhouse within the last couple of years. Clarke purchased her first spa in February 2023 in New Jersey, while Patel opened her Raleigh, North Carolina, location in November 2022.
While Patel is an accomplished franchisee now, her career didn’t begin as a business owner. Patel is originally from India and earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry there before moving to the United States in 1996. After arriving, she earned the necessary accreditation and did some clinical research work.
She later joined her husband in becoming franchisees with Dunkin’ and Baskin-Robbins. They eventually opened six units and owned the stores for 10 years. Today, Patel owns two JEI Learning Centers, along with her Woodhouse Spa location.
The process to becoming a partner with the latter started after a visit to enjoy the spa’s services herself. “A close friend recommended Woodhouse who used it very regularly,” Patel said. “Her experiences were so positive and I became interested. I went to the Charleston, S.C., location and I was in love from the first experience. The overall concept, the customer service and the luxury experiences, it blew me away and I could see myself doing it as a franchisee.”
Clarke, meanwhile, walked the business path early on, studying economics and business administration at Fordham University. After completing her degree, the Brooklyn native went to work in business valuation, most recently with Goldman Sachs in the company’s private equity division.
Woodhouse franchisee Sonal Patel has a spa in Raleigh, North Carolina, with plans for more.
She left the position in 2019 when she and her husband started their first business, a trucking company. That business eventually morphed into a delivery service partnership with Amazon. Not the right fit long term, the two went in search of franchises, with her husband opening a Jersey Mike’s Subs while she purchased a Woodhouse Spa.
“What made Woodhouse stand out to me was the fact that it’s in a growth phase,” Clarke said. “The good thing about that period for a business is that the brand is nimble. They can change certain things that are not working, where if it’s a larger machine, they have their processes in place, and whether it’s good, bad or indifferent, they’re going to stick with it.”
Woodhouse Spa, founded in 2001 and franchising since 2003, has more than 80 locations open. Radiance Holdings, the parent company of Sola Salon Studios, acquired Woodhouse in 2020.
While she noted Woodhouse’s expansion as a key reason to become an owner, Clarke said the partnership goes beyond growth.
“I know people often say that ‘business is business,’” Clarke said. “For me, I don’t look at it that way. I think business is very personal. The relationships are, in fact, the most important aspect of this. So, when I met with people from the corporate side at Woodhouse, I saw that it was like a family. It was very personal, and I can tell that they are invested in my success.”
Patel said she also sees Woodhouse as a great fit, finding her work with both the franchisor and her customers satisfying.
“This is the third business venture I’ve been in and this is the one I’m so happy and passionate about,” Patel said. “Every day I go to the spa and it gives me joy. The happiness knowing guests have had a great experience, and they tell that to us, it just makes you feel good. To know you’ve landed something that you truly love doing.
Owned by Radiance Holdings, Woodhouse Spa was founded in 2001 and has been franchising since 2003. The brand has more than 80 locations open.
“It’s a customer-oriented service,” said Patel. “If that’s good, everything else will follow. It’s fun and it’s busy, and you’re going to get back as much as you put in.
Patel said she’s hired a management team for her operations and has taken more of a role in building awareness for the brand. She said as an owner with Woodhouse, it’s important to also go out and speak with community organizations, charities and “put yourself out there.”
Both franchisees plan to add to their unit counts. Patel is in talks with the company to open another location in the Chapel Hill-Durham, North Carolina, area. Clarke already has a second location, purchasing one in Pennsylvania, and is looking for more.
“I aspire to have another one in New Jersey,” Clarke said. “The brand has been around for about 20 years now and some of the owners are looking to exit. At this point I understand the business well enough in how to help the brand grow and I see myself acquiring additional locations.”
Clarke said she’s especially motivated to grow with the brand as it’s a company willing to hear the needs of its franchisees.
“Sometimes there’s a disconnect with franchising where people think that it’s ‘Big Brother’ watching,” Clarke said. “But I haven’t gotten that with Woodhouse. They are very supportive and they listen and hear you out. With any relationship, there’s going to be tension and areas for improvement, but with Woodhouse Spa, you don’t feel like you’re not being heard. That’s what I look for in a franchise partner.”