Sister tandem builds niche in spa business

As the local and foreign market keenly demand for unique wellness services, women entrepreneurs find spa business as one of the profitable ventures to get into these days.

With this, the sister-tandem of Merly Schurch and Margie Zench established the East West Spa Concept Inc., the company that operates the upscale Meddah Spa, and Touch n Heal (facial, body and foot massage).

In a press conference, Schurch said there is a good market for both high-end and mainstream spa services, specifically in Cebu, and the opportunity is now expanding to other places in the Southern Philippines.

Meddah Spa for instance, which is known for its unique massage and other wellness services, is opening for franchise to other areas outside Cebu, Schurch said.

Touch n Heal on the other hand, has entered the shipping industry by providing on-board Spa services to passengers. Initially, the company has partnered with Sulpicio Lines.

According to Schurch, the company has sustained its edge in the competitive Spa business in Cebu, because it has maintained its quality service, and constantly developing its own massage concept, such as the pre and post natal massage treatments, its well-known stone massage, and other novelty massage and treatment services.

Meddah Spa has earned a name in the Spa industry in Cebu, because of its high quality service standard, and has established a good patronage from both local and tourists markets, including the institutional customers, like those pharmaceutical companies offering incentives for its employees.

The company has also created the Touch n Heal outlet, to cater to the mainstream market, providing affordable, yet quality wellness services. Touch n Heal has four outlets now located in Cebu, Davao and Cagayan de Oro, excluding those outlets established in the Sulpicio Lines.

Schurch earned her skill on Asian massage through Japanese concept training in Malaysia, and is constantly updating herself, which she described as her passion.

Schurch’s sister, Margie is hands on in operating her Expose Salon, and Tapa Lounge located adjacent to Meddah Spa facility in Crossroads lifestyle complex in Banilad.

Both Meddah Spa and Touch n Heal are not affected by the cutthroat competition in the Spa business in Cebu, wherein there is at least one spa facility that opens almost every two weeks.

These two Spa brands are opened for franchise deals. Touch n Heal has offered P300,000 royalty cost, and an estimate of P1.2 million will be spent by a franchisee for a turnkey franchise package.

For Meddah Spa, the company offers P600,000 for royalty fee, and total franchise package (including training, equipment, interior set up, and others) will run from P2.5 million to P3 million.