39. Why Did a Starbucks VP Buy Spavia?
A former Starbucks VP retired at 54, got bored, and bought a Spavia Day Spa franchise instead. Now he reveals what corporate never taught him about building real wealth.
⭐ INTERESTED IN FRANCHISE OWNERSHIP? Schedule a call with Alan today at https://athletetoowner.com/ready
🎙 Episode 39 - In this episode of The Franchise Champion Show, Alan sits down with Paul Groshko, a former Starbucks executive vice president who spent decades running operations at Safeway and Starbucks across the U.S. and Japan. At 54, after six months of retirement, Paul got restless and discovered franchising through a consultant who matched his background to the wellness industry. He opened a Spavia Day Spa in Lincoln Park, Chicago in 2015, and nearly 11 years later, he's still growing, still winning awards, and still showing up like the D1 tennis player he once was.
Paul breaks down what it actually looked like to go from managing billion-dollar corporate operations to turning the key on his first business, including what surprised him, where the franchise system carried him, and why he thinks most new franchisees underestimate the power of showing up every single day.
Whether you're still in corporate wondering if there's something more, or you've been laid off and aren't sure what's next, Paul's path is worth your time.
⏱ Video Chapters
0:00 - Bet on Yourself: Paul's Opening Mindset
0:57 - From a Michigan Dairy Farm to Safeway and Starbucks
4:22 - How the Walmart Effect Pushed Paul Toward Coffee
4:38 - Running Starbucks Operations in Tokyo as Executive VP
6:00 - Retiring at 54 and Getting Bored in Six Months
8:02 - What a Franchise Consultant Actually Did for Paul
9:25 - What Spavia Is and Why It Stood Out
12:40 - Innovation in the Wellness Industry: Micro Currents, Halotherapy, and More
14:01 - Signing the FDD in 2014 and Opening 11 Months Later
15:19 - How the Franchise System Helped Paul Find the Right Location
18:10 - Pre-Opening Marketing: Chair Massages, Mailers, and a Billboard
20:38 - D1 Tennis, Getting Aced, and Staying Ready
23:41 - Change Is Constant: How Paul Prepares His Team for It
25:46 - Building a Team: Never Stop Hiring
30:43 - The Membership Model and Treating Every Guest Like the Only One
32:39 - Advice for New Franchisees: Show Up and Use the System
39:19 - Can Spavia Be Run Semi-Absentee?
41:25 - Final Advice: Kick a Lot of Doors and Bet on Yourself
🔗 Resources & Mentions
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⭐ READY TO EXPLORE FRANCHISE OWNERSHIP? Alan helps successful professionals find the perfect franchise match and prepare for championship-level success. As a franchise coach, he works one-on-one with qualified candidates to navigate the entire franchise selection process — completely free of charge. Visit https://athletetoowner.com to get started on your path to greater autonomy, wealth, and purpose through business ownership.
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