This article was originally published on FranchiseChatter.com on September 1, 2026.
Hari and Meet Patel bring years of multi-unit franchise experience to VIO Med Spa, having grown their portfolio from their first Tropical Smoothie Cafe at age 22 to seven locations, along with a Spitz Mediterranean restaurant. In this Q&A, they discuss why they chose to enter the medical aesthetics industry, what attracted them to VIO’s model, and why Midlothian is the right starting point for their long-term growth plans in the Richmond market.
Franchise Chatter: What initially drew you to the medical aesthetics and wellness industry, and why did VIO Med Spa stand out as the right franchise opportunity?
Hari and Meet: We were drawn to medical aesthetics because it sits at the intersection of healthcare, wellness, and hospitality. It is a growing industry, but it is also very personal. Guests are trusting you with how they look and feel, so the experience and quality of care really matter.
When we started looking at brands, VIO stood out because there was real substance behind the concept. The clinical standards were strong, the business model was proven, and the team had built systems that could support growth. We felt we could enter a new industry without having to figure out every piece of the business on our own.
Franchise Chatter: What about your professional background and previous experience do you believe will translate particularly well to operating a VIO Med Spa?
Hari and Meet: Our backgrounds in finance and banking taught us how to evaluate risk, understand the numbers, and make decisions based on data. Those skills helped when we first explored franchising, but operating restaurants has probably prepared us the most for the day-to-day realities of this business.
We opened our first Tropical Smoothie Cafe when we were 22 and have since grown to seven locations, along with a Spitz Mediterranean restaurant. That experience taught us how to hire and develop strong teams, maintain standards across multiple locations, and create an experience that keeps customers coming back. A medical spa is obviously different from a restaurant, particularly because of the clinical component, but the fundamentals of running a service-based business still apply.
Franchise Chatter: Why did you select the Richmond market for your first location, and what makes Midlothian an especially strong fit for the brand?
Hari and Meet: We were already familiar with the Richmond area and saw a lot of potential here. The region continues to grow, and it has the type of consumer base that is increasingly prioritizing aesthetics, wellness, and self-care.
Midlothian stood out because it is an active, growing community where people value both quality and convenience. The location at 1058 Steam Avenue will allow us to serve Midlothian while also drawing guests from across the greater Richmond area. It felt like the right place to introduce VIO and begin building a long-term presence in the market.
Franchise Chatter: What have you learned about local demand for physician-guided aesthetic and wellness services as you prepare to enter the market?
Hari and Meet: What has become clear is that people are not simply looking for more treatment options. They want a provider they can trust. Guests are doing their research, asking more questions, and looking for treatments that are recommended based on their individual goals, rather than being sold the same solution as everyone else.
Richmond has a growing population and plenty of interest in aesthetics and wellness, but we believe there is room for a brand that combines an elevated guest experience with consistent clinical standards and medical oversight. That combination is where we see the opportunity for VIO.
Franchise Chatter: VIO operates in a rapidly growing but highly fragmented industry. How did the brand’s established systems, clinical standards, and national resources influence your decision to invest?
Hari and Meet: Those factors played a major role in our decision. We know from experience that a strong concept alone is not enough. The systems behind it have to work, especially if the goal is to grow beyond one location.
Because medical aesthetics is new to us, we were very intentional about finding a brand with clear clinical protocols, strong medical oversight, and an experienced support team. VIO gives us a framework for operating responsibly and consistently, while allowing us to focus on building the team and becoming part of the local community. We are entrepreneurs, but that does not mean we want to reinvent processes that have already been tested and refined.
Franchise Chatter: How important was VIO’s membership-based model in your evaluation of the opportunity, particularly in terms of building recurring relationships with guests?
Hari and Meet: The membership model was very important because it supports the kind of business we want to build. Many aesthetic and wellness services are not one-time purchases. The best results often come from a thoughtful, ongoing plan that evolves with the guest.
From a business standpoint, memberships create more predictable recurring revenue, but we do not view them as purely transactional. They allow the team to get to know each guest, understand their goals, and build trust over time. That relationship is what ultimately creates loyalty.
Franchise Chatter: What support has VIO provided throughout the real estate, site selection, and pre-opening process, and what has been most valuable so far?
Hari and Meet: VIO has been involved throughout the process, from evaluating the Richmond opportunity and identifying the right trade area to helping us move the Midlothian location forward. The team has guided site selection, real estate, operations, and the many details that have to come together before opening.
The most valuable part has been having access to people who have been through this process before and understand the industry. We have experience opening and operating franchised businesses, but every brand and category comes with a different learning curve. Being able to ask questions and lean on VIO’s expertise has helped us make decisions with much more confidence.
Franchise Chatter: What are your long-term plans for VIO Med Spa in the Richmond area, and could this first Midlothian location create a pathway for additional development in the market?
Hari and Meet: Right now, our priority is opening a great first location in Midlothian and earning the trust of the community. We want to assemble the right team, deliver a consistently strong experience, and build the business the right way from the beginning.
At the same time, we did not choose Richmond with only one location in mind. We believe the greater Richmond area has room for VIO to develop a meaningful presence over time. If the first location performs the way we believe it can, we would absolutely be interested in exploring additional opportunities in the market. We have grown our other businesses through a multi-unit approach, and we see the potential to do the same with VIO.
