Eros Bodyworks prepares for Fall 2026 franchise expansion, growing its Central Florida wellness brand under Jaime Gonzales and Kurt Stradtman.
Just two short years ago, Eros Bodyworks existed only as a vision shared by founders Jaime Gonzales and Kurt Stradtman.
Today, the Central Florida wellness brand has officially entered the franchise development process and expects to begin offering franchise opportunities across the United States in Fall 2026.
For Gonzales and Stradtman, franchising isn’t a new direction. It’s the next step in a vision they’ve shared since the beginning.
“We’ve never built Eros to be just another spa,” Gonzales said. “We’ve always believed it could become something much bigger.”
A Vision Born From Reinvention
Before entering the wellness industry, Gonzales spent more than a decade in residential and commercial property management before reaching what he describes as corporate burnout.
“The stress eventually caught up with me, and I developed an autoimmune condition,” he said. “I remember coming home one day and realizing I couldn’t keep living that way. That was the moment I decided my career path had to change.”
He enrolled in massage school, but one week before classes even began, he had already named the business he hoped to build.
“‘Eros’ is ‘sore’ spelled backward,” Gonzales said with a laugh. “It started as a joke, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized it sounded sophisticated, memorable, and timeless.”
Originally, Gonzales envisioned a boutique massage studio with a loyal clientele. Even then, he couldn’t shake the feeling that it was meant to become something much larger.
Two Different Backgrounds. One Shared Vision.
Long before Eros Bodyworks was founded, Stradtman built a career in brand development and marketing before transitioning into functional and integrative health, where he worked as both a practitioner and educator. He brought those experiences to Eros Bodyworks, partnering with Gonzales to help shape the brand’s identity, guest experience, and wellness philosophy.
“The biggest lesson marketing taught me is that great brands don’t sell products or services. They sell experiences,” Stradtman said. “We don’t market massages or facials. We market what those experiences represent: slowing down, taking care of yourself, and investing in your well-being.”
His background in integrative health also helped shape the company’s philosophy.
“We don’t believe wellness exists in silos. Stress, sleep, recovery, skincare, and overall health are all connected.”
That philosophy helped shape Eros into something beyond a traditional spa.
“I think a spa is somewhere you go to escape for an hour,” Gonzales said. “A wellness brand is something that becomes part of your lifestyle.”
Today, Eros Bodyworks brings together massage therapy, skincare, and integrative health under one brand, creating a space designed with men in mind while remaining open to everyone.
Building a Wellness Brand
While both founders are deeply involved in every major decision, their strengths naturally complement one another. Gonzales brought the original vision for Eros Bodyworks, while Stradtman brought a background in brand development and integrative health. Together, they refined the concept into a wellness brand designed to deliver a consistent guest experience while staying true to its original mission.
That collaboration influences every aspect of the company, from its atmosphere and treatment standards to its visual identity, guest experience, and long-term strategy. It also reflects a core belief that extends beyond the guest experience.
“We don’t just want to be the best spa,” Stradtman said. “We want to be the best place to work. That’s where our ‘providers before profits’ philosophy comes in.”
The Next Chapter
Although Eros Bodyworks is only two years old, the founders say they have been building with growth in mind from the beginning.
“We weren’t just trying to build a successful spa,” Stradtman said. “We were building a brand that could grow without losing what made it special.”
The past two years have been spent refining the guest experience, documenting brand standards, and preparing for thoughtful expansion.
“We’ve had guests visit us from places like Seattle and New York who already knew about Eros before they ever walked through our doors,” Gonzales said. “That reinforced something we’ve believed from the beginning. What we’ve built resonates far beyond our local community.”
Despite preparing for national expansion, Gonzales says the mission remains unchanged.
“I hope ten years from now people say we never lost sight of why we started.”
As Eros Bodyworks prepares to launch franchise opportunities in Fall 2026, the founders remain focused on growing intentionally while protecting the experience that inspired the brand from day one.
Entrepreneurs interested in learning more about future franchise opportunities or following the brand’s expansion may contact franchise@erosbodyworks.com or visit the Eros Bodyworks website. To follow the brand’s expansion and latest updates, connect with Eros Bodyworks on Instagram.
