Francis Acunzo
Founder & Owner
Francis is a 25-year veteran of the spa, retail, corporate healthcare, hospitality, beauty, wellness and fitness industries. With his wife and business partner, Colleen, the couple is recognized as the founders of the medical spa movement in the United States. Francis’ expertise in guiding clients’ growth is anchored in his entrepreneurial background. As a business owner, board member and investor, Fran has displayed a critical business perspective and an ability to provide visionary leadership. He has extensive experience with start-up and turnaround businesses, both of which require thorough guidance and personalized attention.
He is known for his firsts in many industries: in 2010 he launched the digital division of Acara Partners to become the first full-service business consulting, marketing and digital agency focused on the cosmetic medical world; in 2005, he took the first corporate owned chain of medical spas out of bankruptcy and sold it within 18 months; in 1999, Francis had the vision to create the industry’s first consolidation of day spas, aggregating almost $50M in annual revenue through the acquisition of 24 of the best spas in top U.S. markets; in 1996, he launched the country’s first medical spa through a merger between his Boston spa company and Candela Laser, one of the leading Cosmetic Laser manufacturers in the U.S.; in 1991, he was the first day spa operator to put cosmetic lasers into spas; in 1985, he led the development of the first resort spa in the northeast at the Norwich Inn in Norwich, CT.
Francis holds a BS degree in Business Administration from Providence College and resides on the Connecticut Shoreline with his wife, Colleen, and their two sons. Outside of work, his passions are healthy cooking, running, boating, and traveling.