Massage Envy Spa, the pioneer and national leader of professional, convenient and affordable massage and spa services, has made it a priority to recruit franchise owners with military experience.
The company, a proud member of the International Franchise Association’s VetFran Program, offers a discounted franchise fee to veterans and has implemented a marketing program to educate and recruit veteran franchisees.
Massage Envy Spa franchisee and former U.S. Navy officer Austin Amsden is a medically retired and disabled veteran. Amsden’s family has historic roots in the U.S. Military dating way back to 1889. His great-great-great grandfather was the draftsman and builder of the Eisenhower Building, which stands next to the White House. Amsden joined the Navy in 2004 as a nuclear engineering electrician’s mate student, and then transitioned to a military liaison position. Afterwards, he served on board the USS Boxer and was present at the rescuing of Captain Philips and the Mersck Alabama. Commissioned as a U.S. naval officer in the Supply Corps in 2010, he served as a supply corps officer on board the USS Mesa Verde. During the Libyan Liberation operations in 2011, Amsden ran an anti-piracy and anti-terrorism team called VBSS.
Amsden became entrenched in the health and wellness industry while recovering from injuries suffered during active duty, requiring several rounds of surgeries. After shredding his left knee in 2006 while standing watch on active duty in South Carolina, he became an orthopedic patient requiring physical therapy. In fact, both of his knees have required multiple surgeries and therapies for long periods. Eventually, a surgeon recommended that he also begin a regimen of regular massages, which have helped tremendously with his recovery process. According to Amsden, military veterans often find themselves taking advantage of massage therapy after their time in service to help them with recovery from health issues.
Amsden and his wife, who is currently active in the U.S. Navy as a registered nurse, were introduced to Massage Envy Spa when they went to a local clinic for a couples massage in 2008. After their visit, the two became members. When Amsden medically retired in July 2013 as a disabled veteran, he already had a strong connection to the health and wellness industry and Massage Envy Spa, which led him to become a franchisee, with his wife as his partner.
“We love being part of a company that in today’s ‘what’s in it for me’ business mentality, is truly trying to improve lives and offer pain relief from conditions such as arthritis and chronic headaches,” said Amsden. “Some of our most rewarding moments have been when clients who have suffered from multiple illnesses or chronic pain have come out of their massage sessions crying tears of relief that they can finally sleep or bend over or reduce their pain medications. Many have even sent cards to our clinic thanking us for finally relieving their pain and helping them find a pathway to wellness.”
For more information on becoming a Massage Envy Spa franchisee, please visit www.MassageEnvyFranchise.com