Karpagam Gunasekaran loves going to the spa. Whether it is getting a facial or a massage, she sees spa visits as more than an indulgence in comfort — in many cases, it’s necessary self-care.
“I feel like taking care of health and wellness should not be a luxurious thing to people. It should be a basic thing to take care of their health and maintain their health,” Gunasekaran said.
Building upon that passion, Gunasekaran is bringing quality spa care to Avondale. She is working alongside her husband Moorthy Venkateshwaran and opening the franchised location Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa Phoenix-Avondale at the intersection of N. 99th Avenue and W. McDowell Road. A longtime member of the spa franchise herself, Gunasekaran will lead day-to-day operations with support from her husband.
“I wanted to do something for myself,” Gunasekaran said. “This, starting a business on my own, has been my dream for long time.”
Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa opened its first location in 2004. Founded by physical therapist John Marco, there are now over 650 locations across 38 states and Canada. In Arizona, there are locations in Anthem, Queen Creek, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Gilbert, Glendale, Chandler, Peoria, Surprise and Goodyear.
Hand & Stone offers professional Swedish, Himalayan salt, sports, deep tissue, oncology and prenatal massages. It also has several facial offerings for hydration, brightening and relaxation. Advanced services include the DiamondGlow Facial, NuFACE Microcurrent Facial, LED Phototherapy Facial CBD Oil Enhancements and partnerships with award-winning skincare lines Dermalogica®, Image Skincare and ClarityRX.
Shape by Neveskin treatments use heating and cooling technology for tightening the skin in a localized area, such as the abdomen, thighs, arms, back, chin or hips. Hand & Stone also offers wax-free hair removal services. Prices vary per service, with massages starting at $100 and facials at $140.
“The services are performed by licensed estheticians, and they use the top products,” Gunasekaran said.
The Phoenix-Avondale location will include a team of seven estheticians and seven massage therapists.
Hand & Stone Avondale will open mid-July, the launch including a founding membership program for the community. According to the website, clients who sign up for a membership will receive several exclusive benefits: a zero-enrollment fee and one enhancement per month, up to a $30 value, with their membership.
“I know how I feel once I come out of a good service,” Gunasekaran said. “I want all people to have that same feeling. That’s what inspired me to open a Hand & Stone franchise.”
Though Phoenix residents, both Gunasekaran and Venkateshwaran come from a background in information technology. They do things by the numbers. After exploring several potential locations, Avondale emerged as the best place for a new business. The Hand & Stone location is near the Estrella community, Gunasekaran said, as well as several residential, entertainment and hospitality complexes.
“We explored a few locations to open the Hand & Stone, but strategically and by analyzing that data, it’s Avondale,” Gunasekaran said. “Avondale is a very fast-growing community, and they have established shops, mini markets…We were driving around the community, and we liked it a lot. With the statistical data analyzed, and the income of the people within that area, this is a good location to open a new Hand & Stone.”
