Miami franchisee Jeannette Aguilar is ready to take Contempo Spa concept to Latin America

Planet Beach is expanding its revolutionary Contempo Spa service into Mexico, Chile, Peru and Colombia thanks to an enthusiastic Miami businesswoman who is eager to bring cost-effective pampering to customers throughout Latin America.

Jeannette Aguilar, a current franchise for Planet Beach Contempo Spa in South Florida, plans to open up to 100 international locations.

Her empire started with a coupon.

Before starting her initial Planet Beach franchises in South Florida, the University of Miami graduate was an executive in the telecommunications and finance industries.

“As an executive, I used to always try to make time to arrange myself to look nice, so I would go to the gym, but I was also looking for a way to get as many massages as I wanted without hurting my budget,” Aguilar says.

She got her answer when a Planet Beach coupon arrived in her mailbox.

“When I went there, they said that for a single price I could get a package of services,” says Aguilar. “I tried the project and I loved it, and then I just started thinking of the needs of women, executives and others.”

She was impressed by the advanced automated spa therapies and thrilled about the business model. Planet Beach functions a lot like a gym membership — members pay one monthly fee in order to gain full access to all the spa services they desire. Need three massages a week? That’s fine. It won’t cost extra.

She sees a ton of potential in Latin America.

Janet Aguilar

For executives who may have lost their jobs during the economic downturn, Planet Beach represents an opportunity to start a business that provides steady revenue, has a fairly low start-up cost and has lower labor costs than most spas.

“Planet Beach is an opportunity for displaced executives to make a new way of living while getting to help people.”

Aguilar is developing expansion plans tailored to each country. “We will have them in the capitals and in different neighborhoods, but we are just beginning the process of identifying the best locations,” she says.

For customers, Planet Beach is a bargain.

“In Latin America, people understand the importance of their health and eating habits,” Aguilar says. “It will be a new concept in Latin America. There are always spas that provide services on a per-session basis, but they are out of the budget for many people in Latin America. It’s going to be a blast.”

Franchisees earn valuable tools to succeed

Every year, Planet Beach Franchise Corporate holds its annual convention so franchisees can keep up with the latest trends in the spa industry.

This year, franchisees from around the world congregated in New Orleans, for what was one of the most spectacular conventions to date. This year’s conference focused on “New Beginnings”, and was kicked off by a welcoming speech made by President and CEO of Planet Beach Contempo Spa, Stephen Smith, focusing on “Being Awesome” in 2012.

Here are the highlights from this year’s conference:

The convention featured a trade show to educate spa directors and franchisees on the emerging trends in the day spa industry as well as provide further training on managing their spa locations. In addition to attending educational classes, franchisees had time to get to know each other through the Wednesday evening Meet-and-Greet and Thursday night’s Masquerade Ball, complete with a New Orleans style marching band.

Planet Beach Convention

The Planet Beach Cover Model Exhibition and Competition was also held at the Sheraton Hotel and Convention Center Friday. Five cover models featured in the 2012 marketing material competed for the title of Top Cover Model for Planet Beach. The lucky winner was Jodie Giles! Click here to meet Jodie!

All the franchisees left this exciting event with more tools and knowledge than ever to ensure their spa clients continue to receive a more overall approach to total skincare, wellness and stress relief! It was a win-win! Franchisees get more prepared for success, while clients get more service and product options!

Automated day spa franchise plans to open six new locations in Jacksonville area to meet increased demand

Main St. Bridge in Jacksonville, FL.

Planet Beach, the world’s largest day spa franchise, is seeking local franchise partners to open up to six new locations in Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra and St. Augustine this year.

Planet Beach already has six locations in the Jacksonville area, but much of the sprawling metro area is underserved. Florida, especially the Jacksonville area, has large numbers of Planet Beach’s target demographic customer: professional women aged 30 to 50.

“Most members for one of our spa locations live or work close by,” says Tim Normand, the Jacksonville area representative for Planet Beach. “There are some really excellent locations available, and thanks to the real estate market, commercial leases are at an all-time low, making this a great time to explore opening up your own Planet Beach.”

Entrepreneur and Inc. magazines named New Orleans-based Planet Beach Contempo Spas a franchise to watch for 2011. The rapidly growing automated day spa taps into a nationwide demand for low-priced day spa services, posting positive gains despite the tight economy.

A Planet Beach Contempo Spa is an “automated” day spa — customers pay a monthly membership fee for spa services in a private room with fully automated, push-button machines performing the relaxation and wellness treatments.

The market for day spa services is huge and growing. “More and more people recognize the negative ways stress affects their lives and the lives of those close to them,” Normand said. “People love spa services, and our automated day spa gives members access to unlimited massages, facials, spray tans and other popular spa treatments for one low, monthly price.”

Hydration Treatment

Planet Beach is an easy business for first-time business owners, anyone thinking about starting a family business or someone who loves day spa services and wants to help improve the lives of those around them.

“Because our day spas work much like a gym where members can come as often as they like, our members actually see prolonged benefits from the services,” Normand says. “They live healthier. They reduce the stress in their lives, slim down, have excellent-looking skin year-round and can even maintain a beautiful tan in the winter.”

To research the Planet Beach franchise opportunity, visit www.myplanetbeachfranchise.com.