On this episode of The Advisory Board Podcast, host Dave Hansen chats with Nuttha “Nita” Goutier, founder of Sabai Thai Spa, about what it really takes to grow a brand without losing its heart. Nita opens up about the whirlwind launch of Sabai—complete with thousands of franchise inquiries in the very first months—and the real-world challenges of guiding candidates through the fear of making that first big investment.

Together, Dave and Nita dive into the balancing act between single-unit and multi-unit franchise ownership, the realities of $650K–$1M spa buildouts, and why culture can either be your greatest strength or your biggest hurdle when scaling. Nita also shares her blueprint for creating operators through training, systems, and ongoing support—ensuring consistency across every location while still leaving room for franchisees to thrive.

This conversation isn’t just about numbers and logistics—it’s about people. It’s about building confidence in hesitant franchisees, creating a pathway for sustainable growth, and designing a culture that sticks no matter how many units you open.

A special thank you to ClientTether, our episode sponsor, for powering smarter franchise growth and helping leaders like Nita keep their systems—and their sanity—running smoothly.

If you’ve ever wondered how to scale a franchise without losing the culture that makes it special, this episode will give you both the strategy and the inspiration to do just that.