From Employee to Franchise Owner: How Our First Stowe Franchise Grew Into a Full-Service Spa in Williston

The journey from employee to spa owner doesn’t happen overnight. For Kristy, that journey began as a team member at Brilliant Massage & Skin before becoming our first franchise owner and eventually opening her own full-service spa in Williston.

At Brilliant Massage & Skin, one of our most inspiring stories started with an employee.

After gaining hands-on experience, learning the business from the inside, and building meaningful relationships with clients, our first franchise owner took the next step in their professional journey. Today, that journey has grown into a beautiful full-service spa in Williston, Vermont.

Their success demonstrates how passion, experience, and the right support system can create incredible opportunities.

The Future of Spa Franchising

Hello, everyone. I’m Jolita Brilliant Sakmanaite, Founder and CEO of Brilliant Massage & Skin.

Thank you for taking a few minutes to learn about our company and the vision behind our franchise.

Back in 2017, my journey began with a single treatment room in Burlington, Vermont. After immigrating from Lithuania with two suitcases and a dream, I set out to create a wellness business built on exceptional care and meaningful client relationships. Since then, that small practice has grown into one of Vermont’s highest-rated spa brands, serving thousands of guests across multiple locations.

Early on, I realized that clients were looking for more than a massage or facial. They wanted to reduce stress, improve their well-being, and feel genuinely cared for. That philosophy continues to guide every decision we make and has become the foundation of our brand.

Today, we’re excited to share that vision with franchise partners across the country.

As demand for wellness continues to grow, entrepreneurs have an incredible opportunity to invest in a business that combines purpose with long-term profitability.

Why Brilliant Massage & Skin?

Unlike many spa concepts, our model offers several complementary revenue streams. Therapeutic massage, advanced skincare, memberships, retail products, and wellness packages work together to create a stable and diversified business.

Another key difference is our Bespoke Massage & Facials approach. Rather than following a one-size-fits-all treatment plan, every service is customized to each guest’s unique goals. As a result, clients enjoy a more personalized experience, leading to stronger loyalty and higher retention.

Innovation is also at the heart of our business. Through our proprietary Edge platform, franchise owners benefit from centralized support, remote reception, automation, and business analytics. Instead of spending valuable time on administrative tasks, owners can focus on leading their teams, serving clients, and growing their business.

A Model Built for Long-Term Success

Performance matters, but lasting relationships matter even more.

Across our locations, approximately 60 to 70 percent of monthly visits come from returning guests. That level of loyalty creates predictable cash flow, supports membership growth, and strengthens long-term business value.

Equally important, our franchisees receive ongoing guidance throughout their ownership journey. From site selection and build-out assistance to training, marketing, coaching, and operational support, our team is there every step of the way. As we often say, you’re in business for yourself, but never by yourself.

Who We’re Looking For

Success doesn’t require previous spa ownership experience.

Instead, we’re looking for motivated entrepreneurs who are coachable, community-focused, financially qualified, and committed to following a proven system.

Whether your goal is to open a traditional spa or begin with our innovative pop-up model, we’ll help you build a business that reflects your vision while benefiting from the strength of the Brilliant Massage & Skin brand.

Our mission is simple: to help people become happier, healthier, and wealthier while empowering franchise partners to build successful businesses and create lasting generational wealth.

Thank you for your time and for considering Brilliant Massage & Skin.

I’m Jolita Brilliant Sakmanaite, Founder and CEO of Brilliant Massage & Skin.

Let’s build something Brilliant together.

Kristy’s Journey: From Team Member to Spa Owner

Long before she became a business owner, Kristy was part of the Brilliant Massage & Skin family as a dedicated team member. Every day she cared for clients, learned the operations behind a successful spa, and developed a passion for delivering exceptional wellness experiences.

As she gained experience, so did her vision. She didn’t just want to provide great treatments. She wanted to build something of her own.

When the opportunity arose to become the first Brilliant Massage & Skin franchise owner, Kristy embraced the challenge. Rather than opening a traditional spa immediately, she launched a boutique pop-up version in Stowe, Vermont.

The pop-up location was intentionally designed as a smart first step. It allowed Kristy to introduce the Brilliant Massage & Skin experience to the Stowe community while building a loyal client base, learning the local market, and growing with confidence.

With the support of proven business systems, operational guidance, and the strength of the Brilliant Massage & Skin brand, the Stowe location quickly gained momentum. More clients discovered the quality of care, personalized service, and welcoming atmosphere that became the foundation of Kristy’s business.

The success of the pop-up wasn’t the destination. It was the beginning of something much bigger.

From Pop-Up to a Full-Service Spa

As demand continued to grow, Kristy saw an opportunity to expand beyond the original boutique location.

Instead of remaining a smaller practice, she envisioned creating a destination where clients could experience massage therapy, advanced skincare, and self-care services under one roof.

That vision led to the opening of her own full-service spa in Williston, Vermont.

Today, what began as a pop-up franchise has evolved into a spacious wellness destination that reflects years of dedication, continuous learning, and a commitment to serving the community.

The expansion represents more than a larger building. It symbolizes personal growth, entrepreneurial courage, and the power of taking one step at a time.

Kristy’s journey demonstrates that successful business ownership doesn’t happen overnight. It begins with a willingness to learn, a passion for helping others, and the confidence to take the next step when the opportunity arrives.

A Success Story Built on Growth

Kristy’s story is one we are incredibly proud to share because it reflects what Brilliant Massage & Skin is all about.

We don’t simply help people open businesses. We help passionate professionals grow into confident business owners.

From employee to franchise owner.

From a boutique pop-up spa in Stowe to a beautiful full-service spa in Williston.

Every stage of the journey was built on hard work, trusted mentorship, proven systems, and a genuine commitment to delivering exceptional care to every client.

For aspiring entrepreneurs, Kristy’s story is a reminder that every successful business starts somewhere. You don’t have to begin with a large facility or years of business experience. Sometimes all it takes is the courage to take the first step and a team that believes in your success.

Taking the Leap Into Franchise Ownership

Many massage therapists dream about owning their own spa.

The challenge is knowing where to start.

Opening an independent business often means creating every system from scratch, including branding, marketing, hiring, technology, pricing, and operations.

Instead of starting alone, she chose a different path by becoming the first Brilliant Massage & Skin franchise owner in Stowe, Vermont.

That decision provided access to established operating systems, marketing support, training, technology, and ongoing coaching designed to help franchise owners focus on growth instead of reinventing every process.

Growing Beyond Expectations

Launching the Stowe location was only the beginning.

As the business grew, so did the vision.

Demand from clients continued to increase, making it clear there was an opportunity to serve even more people with a larger wellness destination.

Rather than remaining a smaller operation, the next step was creating a complete spa experience in Williston.

Today, that vision has become reality.

The new Williston location offers a significantly expanded range of massage and skincare services while creating additional opportunities for therapists, estheticians, and support staff.

Growth wasn’t simply measured by square footage.

It was measured by impact.

Why Williston Was the Natural Next Step

Williston continues to grow as one of Vermont’s busiest commercial communities.

Residents are increasingly prioritizing wellness, preventative healthcare, and self-care, making professional massage therapy and skincare services more important than ever.

Expanding into a larger spa allows more clients to experience customized treatments while giving the business room to continue growing alongside the community.

More Than a New Location

Transitioning into a full-service spa represents more than opening additional treatment rooms.

It means offering a broader wellness experience, including services such as:

• Customized massage therapy
• Advanced skincare treatments
• Facials
• Chemical peels
• Waxing services
• Membership programs
• Professional skincare products

Every expansion creates new opportunities to help clients improve their physical health, reduce stress, and invest in long-term wellness.

A Different Kind of Franchise Story

Many franchise success stories begin with experienced investors.

Ours began with someone who understood the business from the inside.

Having firsthand experience serving clients created an appreciation for both the operational and human sides of running a spa.

That perspective became one of the greatest strengths during the transition into ownership.

Instead of simply managing numbers, she understood the importance of creating exceptional client experiences while building a positive workplace culture.

The Power of Proven Systems

Business ownership always involves risk.

However, proven systems can significantly reduce the learning curve.

Through the Brilliant Massage & Skin franchise model, owners receive guidance in areas including:

• Marketing and local SEO
• Digital advertising
• Membership programs
• Client retention systems
• Staff training
• Business operations
• Technology and automation
• Ongoing coaching and support

These systems allow franchise owners to spend less time solving operational problems and more time building relationships with clients and their teams.

Creating Opportunities for Others

One of the most rewarding parts of business growth is creating careers for others.

As the business expanded from Stowe into Williston, new opportunities opened for massage therapists, estheticians, front desk professionals, and future leaders.

What began as one person’s entrepreneurial journey now supports an entire team dedicated to improving wellness throughout Vermont.

A Story That Inspires Future Franchise Owners

Many wellness professionals believe business ownership is out of reach.

This story proves otherwise.

With commitment, mentorship, and a proven business system, it’s possible to move from employee to entrepreneur while continuing to do meaningful work that improves people’s lives.

That transformation reflects the mission behind Brilliant Massage & Skin: helping passionate professionals build successful businesses while delivering exceptional care to their communities.

Ready to Build Your Own Success Story?

If you’ve ever dreamed of owning a massage or wellness business but aren’t sure where to begin, you don’t have to start alone.

Our franchise model is designed to help therapists, estheticians, and aspiring entrepreneurs transition into business ownership with proven systems, ongoing support, and a community that wants to see you succeed.

Just as our first franchise owner grew from employee to business owner and expanded into a full-service spa, your journey could be next.

Learn more about franchise opportunities and discover how Brilliant Massage & Skin can help you build a business that makes a lasting impact.