Tagline
40+ years designing, developing, operating, and consulting for upscale health clubs, destination spas, and country clubs. Served in key leadership roles for The Houstonian Hotel, Club and Spa, VillaSport Athletic Club and Spa, The Clubs at Houston Oaks, Golf Club of Houston and The Club at Chambers Creek.,
Bio
Herb Lipsman is a veteran of the club industry, having managed some of the most prestigious athletic clubs and golf/country clubs in the Houston, Texas market over the past 40 years, including: The Houstonian Hotel, Club and Spa, The Clubs at Houston Oaks, Golf Club of Houston, VillaSport Athletic Club and Spa and The Club at Chambers Creek. Lipsman also served as a design/operations consultant to River Oaks Country Club, Lakeside Country Club, and Houston Country Club when they added new fitness/spa/wellness amenities. Most recently, Lipsman authored and published his book Caring (The Sequel): Valuable Insights into Effective Club and Hospitality Management.
Lipsman has served on the board of directors for the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association. He was appointed by Mayor Bill White to serve as Chairman of the Mayor’s Wellness Council for the City of Houston. Lipsman has also been invited to speak at numerous industry conferences and conventions around the world, including the U.S., UK, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Italy, Russia, and Mexico.
Location
Cypress, Texas, US
Last Active
8 hours ago
Name / Logo
Elevator Pitch
SOZO Clubs Inc is a groundbreaking new social wellness and longevity brand which will redefine the health club industry. Our clubs cater to adults ages 30 - 75+ (sans children, teens or 20-somethings) focusing on social, emotional, and mental wellbeing, in addition to physical health. Each club offers luxurious health and fitness amenities, a Longevity Spa offering traditional spa services along with medical spa and recovery services, indoor and outdoor pickleball courts, indoor and outdoor lap swimming pools, a 200-seat performing arts theater, and our iconic Sinners & Saints social bar. SOZO Clubs are destined to become the "Favorite Third Place" for members nationwide!
Industry
Healthcare
Website
Team Size
5-10 employees
Funding Stage
Seed
Funding Raised
$1m to $5m
Annual Revenue
Undisclosed
| Skill | Strength | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Operations, Leadership | 50 / 100 | Oversaw The Houstonian Hotel Club & Spa and VillaSport Athletic Club and Spa in Houston; Co-Founder was Founder and CEO of WTS International for four decades; Third co-founder is national leader in medical fitness/wellness. |
Title
Vice President
Position Description
Hired after national search to run The Houstonian Club, considered premier health club in the U.S. at the time. Grew to Sr. VP role with parent company over 13 years.
Accomplishment Notes
Helped executive leadership team take this distressed property from bankruptcy to Top Destination Resort in Texas during 13 years with the company.
Title
Vice President
Position Description
Hired after national search to run The Houstonian Club, considered premier health club in the U.S. at the time. Grew to Sr. VP role with parent company over 13 years.
Accomplishment Notes
Helped executive leadership team take this distressed property from bankruptcy to Top Destination Resort in Texas during 13 years with the company.
Title
Chief Operating Officer
Position Description
Oversaw all operations and development activities on the property over 3.5 years.
Accomplishment Notes
Led the redevelopment of this rural golf property to becoming one of the most prestigious private country clubs in the Greater Houston region. Oversaw the membership development and tens of millions of dollars in capital improvements on the property.
Title
General Manager
Position Description
Oversaw operations for two of this company's upscale 130,000 sf family athletic clubs and spas in Houston.
Accomplishment Notes
Successfully opened club in Cypress, TX. Promoted to running flagship club in The Woodlands, TX.
Title
General Manager
Position Description
Oversaw all operations of this 36-hole semi-private golf club in Houston, home to the PGA Tour Shell Houston Open.
Accomplishment Notes
Successfully took this property from being upside down financially to solid profitability over three years while also overseeing three annual PGA Tour events during this tenure.
Title
General Manager
Position Description
Led the development of this beautiful new gated 55+ community during its first 2.5 years of operation.
Accomplishment Notes
Instituted enviable member service culture that led to rapid membership growth and home sales for the community.
Title
Consultant
Position Description
Assisted private country clubs and resorts with design, development, and operations of their new fitness/wellness amenities.
Accomplishment Notes
Hired to lead design, development, and operations for River Oaks Country Club, Lakeside Country Club, and Houston Country Club for their new fitness/wellness facilities, programs, and services.
Title
Author
Position Description
Authored "Caring (The Sequel): Valuable Insights Into Effective Club and Hospitality Management
Accomplishment Notes
Title
Public Speaking
Position Description
Invited to speak at numerous health club and country club conferences and conventions in the U.S., UK, Italy, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, and Brazil over course of career.
Accomplishment Notes
Title
Chairman of The Mayor's Wellness Council
Position Description
Voluntary role leading Mayor Bill White's efforts to help the population of the nation's fourth largest city to practice healthier lifestyle habits.
Accomplishment Notes
Title
Chairman of The Mayor's Wellness Council
Position Description
Voluntary role leading Mayor Bill White's efforts to help the population of the nation's fourth largest city to practice healthier lifestyle habits.
Accomplishment Notes