Healthy Escape01

Waupaca County Post

December 1, 2005

Rasmussens to be New Owners of Healthy Escape in January

By Robert Cloud, Post Editor

When Julie Rasmussen went to Healthy Escape to buy a gift card for her sister one day in October, she learned to her dismay that the business would be closing. She had been a client at the day spa and hair salon for about two years.

“I fond out they weren’t selling gift cards anymore because they were closing. I couldn’t believe it,” she said.

That day, she called her husband, Rich Rasmussen, and told him that Healthy Escape would no longer be in business.

“It’s a beautiful place with wonderful services,” Julie Rasmussen said. “It seemed like a shame to have it close and not be here.”

The couple decided to purchase the business rather than let it close.

Over the next 45 days, the Rasmussens put together a business plan, a financial plan, sales and marketing projections and all the financial information required by commercial lenders. The deal to purchase Healthy Escape is set to close on Dec. 30, and the new owners will take over the business on Jan. 3.

“Thisis a great facility that people in this area respect and love,” Rich Rasmussen said, explaining his decision to buy the business. “It’s a great opportunity.”

Rich currently works with Builder Supply, which has two locations in the Fox Valley. He is the general manager and is responsible for nearly 100 employees. He has been with Builder Supply for nine years. Prior to that, he managed Saranac Glove in Green Bay.

Julie is a certified medical assistant who has been with ThedaCare Physicians for the past 13 years.

Rich said his experience in sales aand marketing, as well as his knowledge of business management and finance, will help the couple to run a successful business. Julie, who will be working at Healthy Escape part time, will use her patient-care skills to provide customer service.

“We don’t have any direct experience in the spa business, but we’re fortunate to have Lynette working with us in this journey,” she said.

Lynette and Rick Johnson opened Healthy Escape in March 2002. The business offers skin-care service, facials, hydrotherapy, massages, ear candling, body peels, body waxes, makeup applications, manicures and pedicures as well as a full service hair salon.

“Almost all of the staff will be staying,” Lynette Johnson said, regarding the 15 employees at Healthy Escape. “They’re excited about Healthy Escape going to the next level.”

Johnson said she also will be staying on at Healthy Escape.

“It really means a lot to me to have the chance to watch it continue to grow,” Johnson said, “I think we make a good team.”

Rich Rasmussen said that after he and Julie settle in to the business, they will look at new ways to market the company’s services by offering more packages and catering to bridal parties. Eventually, he hopes to add new equipment that would bring services to Waupaca that nobody else in the area offers.

“We’ve been looking for opportunities to start a business in Waupaca,” Rich said. “We’ve been blessed by this community, and we wanted to contribute and be a part of it.”