THE TEN SPOT® is a beauty bar specializing in manicures, pedicures, waxing, and laser treatments with its ‘anti-spas’ located across North America. “Our mission is to make everyone feel like a 10, and we do this because we know our stuff. We’re freaky clean and we’re all about our guests!” explains Kristen Gale, THE TEN SPOT® founder and CEO.
The intense, driven, and energetic Gale is a true entrepreneur who never stops working on her business. Her latest accomplishment is the recent launch of THE TEN SPOT® in the United States, where they have sold 11 beauty bars in the first two months.
Franchise Canada recently caught up with Gale to learn more about the power of franchising, and how she manages to balance her love for business with her family, her exercise routine, and her newfound love for motorcycle trips.
The most interesting thing I’ve done recently is… Learn how to ride a motorcycle and have done a few big rides!
In its best form, work is… Exciting, fun, and always different every day.
A good franchisee… Is in it together with us (this is one of our company’s core values!).
A good franchisor… Knows it’s a two-way relationship.
My top advice for prospective franchisees is… Make sure the system you’re buying into is super tight, and you have all of their systems on lockdown
My top advice for new franchisors is… Make sure your system is tight, and that you’ve got all your systems on lockdown.
The most important thing in life is… To know that you only get one life and to live it to the fullest.
One of the most enjoyable things to do is… Hitting a few buckets of balls with a couple beers afterwards!
The hardest thing for me to do is… The same thing over and over and over again. i have a true entrepreneurial spirit and I’m always striving to make things better and better.
My favourite drink is… An unsweetened vanilla almond milk latte.
If I could change one thing… It would be to not require sleep. it’d be great to have a full 24 hours in a day to be productive.
If I could meet anyone… It would be Steven Covey, author of The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. That book is my bible.
The person who has had the most positive influence on me as a businessperson is… My friend Chad, who took me from being a business owner to becoming a CEO. He mentored me in all aspects of business, from what books I should be reading, to how to really dig into my financials and how to think strategically.
Canadian franchising is… Small enough but big enough at the same time. The franchising industry and the CFA (Canadian Franchise Association) is a smaller organization than our American counterparts, and because of this you’re afforded the luxury of being able to make meaningful connections with those at top brands. You could be having lunch with the VP of operations at McDonald’s and then sitting at dinner with the founder of Smoke’s Poutinerie.
My franchise system began because… I saw a real need in the market for what we offer.
The most positive influence on my life as a person is… My CFO and COO, Laura. We’ve worked together for almost 12 years and she really is able to be very candid and honest about where I’m doing great and where I have opportunities to grow.
The key to success is… Knowing that perspective is everything and any situation can have a purpose or an opportunity.
I’d like my friends to describe me as… Intense, energetic, and always up for a little adventure.
The accomplishment I look forward to the most is… Walking down the streets of any major city and knowing there are dozens of THE TEN SPOT® beauty bars around me.
My personal motto is… I have two! They are: everything happens for a reason, and the answer’s always no unless you ask.
One necessary item on my life’s “to do” list is… Go to the Burning Man Festival!