January 25, 2023 // Franchising.com // Southlake, Texas - As if starting life in a new country wasn’t daunting enough, add in the challenge of starting a business. Cynthia Ekolo and her husband Ritchy, the new owners of MassageLuXe in Southlake, Texas, were up for the challenge.

The couple, natives of the Republic of Congo, moved to the United States with their respective families in the early 2000’s. They met at a small church in Euless, Texas, fell in love and got married in 2016. It was then they decided that they would take every opportunity that life has to offer – starting with business ownership.

Since then, they’ve created a small business empire, which includes a trucking company run by Ritchy and a financial consulting firm lead by Cynthia. Now they’ve added MassageLuxe, the fast-growing massage and spa franchise, to their business portfolio. The decision to do so, they say, was inspired by the pandemic.

“The pandemic has been a stressful and anxious time for everyone. We realized the importance of self-care and how beneficial it is to our overall physical and mental health. So, we decided to open a business focused on health and wellness that could enhance the lives of the people in our community,” says Cynthia Ekolo, co-owner of MassageLuXe of Southlake. “After extensive research, we discovered MassageLuXe. The health benefits of massage therapy include pain management, lower stress, increased immune function, and improved mental health and wellness. The fact that it was part of a franchise system was even more attractive.”

Immigrant Entrepreneurs

The Ekolo’s are among the growing number of immigrants who become entrepreneurs. In fact, recent research reveals immigrants are 80% more likely to start a business than people born in the U.S. This group accounts for 18 percent of small business owners in the United States, despite the fact they make up only 13 percent of the U.S. population.

Franchise ownership can be a great avenue for immigrants interested in building a business in the U.S. Franchising with MassageLuXe is an attractive investment opportunity that maximizes chances for success. The company offers proven systems, extensive training from expert industry professionals, built-in marketing programs, access to top-of-the-line management software and connections to a community of other business owners.

“Cynthia and Ritchy Ekolo are a welcome addition to the MassageLuXe franchise family. They serve as an inspiration to newer immigrants who share their desire to achieve the American dream,” says Mark Otter, Chairman of MassageLuXe. “They have such a deep passion for business ownership and the benefits it brings to their community – whether through the services we offer or through the impact the spa has on the local economy.”

Read full article here: https://www.franchising.com/news/20230125_southlake_couple_achieves_american_dream_through_massageluxe_franchise_owne.html