26 | Jeff Silbert | The Secret To Sustainable Growth With People, Process, Passion

What if your next business opportunity wasn’t about building from scratch, but building smarter?

In this conversation, Michael reconnects with longtime friend and franchise entrepreneur Jeff Silbert, co-founder of 10 Hand & Stone locations and regional developer for Moxie Salon. Jeff shares how he went from coding at Accenture to scaling membership-based wellness brands and why his sweet spot isn’t startups at zero, but businesses just past lift-off.

They talk about what makes a franchise model work, how to identify scalable opportunities, and why people, process, and passion are the core of every successful expansion. Whether you’re exploring entrepreneurship, looking to scale a service business, or curious about entering the wellness space, this episode is full of lessons from the trenches of brand-building.

And if you’re wondering how to grow your business without burning out? This one’s a masterclass in doing it the right way with clarity, conviction, and a tight inner circle.

Timestamped Highlights

[00:00] – Meet Jeff Silbert: Hand & Stone co-founder and Moxie regional developer

[00:01:20] – From Accenture to entrepreneurship: Jeff’s early path to business ownership

[00:03:14] – Why he doesn’t like “idea-stage” businesses and what gets him excited instead

[00:05:00] – The power of the membership model: funnel thinking, retention, and revenue stability

[00:07:00] – Balancing the franchise playbook with entrepreneurial creativity

[00:08:45] – Why great franchisees are coachable and aligned with the brand’s vision

[00:11:32] – Can the average person really enter the franchise world? Here’s how.

[00:14:00] – Why Jeff and his brother diversified into Moxie after 10 Hand & Stone locations

[00:17:00] – Moxie’s team-based salon model and how it flips the stylist/client dynamic

[00:20:00] – Building culture without relying on individual “star” stylists

[00:23:00] – The dig in the neighborhood: why the wellness space is bigger than business

[00:25:00] – What COVID taught them and how loyal members saved the business

[00:27:00] – How Jeff maintains vitality: people, boundaries, and the power of EO

[00:33:34] – The moment that changed everything: investing in long-term friendships

[00:36:14] – Thinking about a franchise? Jeff shares who Moxie is looking for

Mentioned Resources

• Moxie Salons & Beauty Bars
• Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa
• Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO)
• P90X by Tony Horton
• Danny Meyer’s book Setting the Table (on hospitality leadership)
• 
  

Guest Bio: Jeff Silbert

Jeff Silbert is a seasoned franchise operator and business builder. As co-founder of 10 Hand & Stone