Today we’d like to introduce you to Isabel Lavercombe
Hi Isabel, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
We’re tucked away on South 1st Street, the Austin Salt Room, a relaxing retreat where guests can unwind and breathe easy. Opening this space has been a personal journey for me, inspired by family memories and my love for wellness.
Active dry salt therapy benefits respiratory health, allergies, skin and hair conditions, boosting immune system, resetting the nervous system, and so much more.
Growing up in the Twin Cities, I experienced the soothing effects of salt therapy at the Salt Cave MN, founded by a close family friend. These unplugged moments with loved ones left a lasting impression. Years later, my partner and I moved from Santa Barbara to Austin, determined to create a new life for ourselves.
My partner Ray and I came from the food service industry, with no knowledge of contracting or construction. When we started this project, I barely even knew how to use a hand drill — yet I nearly ended up building the entire salt room myself! Ray had found his way in the plumbing world, helping to create our ADA-compliant bathroom and taking charge of rough demo work. We learned as we went, figuring things out step by step. Looking back, I’m still amazed at what we pulled off with determination and a lot of trial and error, while both working and parenting our first born, Sonia. It was a crazy time.
During the buildout, while navigating permits, inspections, and renovations, we became pregnant with what we now call our ‘Salt Room Baby’ — Jinjin. I was five months pregnant when we finally opened in May 2023. I was laser-focused on setting up the business and learning the trade to prepare for my upcoming leave. I couldn’t have done it without the incredible support of my close friends, who stepped in and helped the Austin Salt Room grow while Jinjin and I took a brief birth break. When we returned, Jinjin became an honorary team member — IYKYK! That first year was such a special time, and Jinjin’s presence became a symbol of our commitment to creating a welcoming space for families and people to come as they are to be welcomed and accepted.
We’re passionate about providing a place where parents and children feel embraced in a world that can sometimes feel unwelcoming. At the same time, we know that adults need their own peaceful moments too — so we offer designated quiet sessions for adults alongside our family-friendly options.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Honestly, it wasn’t a smooth road. The pregnancy was tough — balancing that while opening a business felt overwhelming at times. Learning to follow city rules and working with inspectors was a whole new world for me, but I actually enjoyed the challenge. I ended up meeting some amazing people through that process, which made it all worthwhile. There were moments I doubted if we’d even stay open, but we kept pushing forward, and I’m so proud of what we built.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Salt therapy is a holistic wellness practice that you’ll typically find in major U.S. cities, though its roots trace back to Eastern Europe, where it remains widely used as a healthcare offering. At Austin Salt Room, we use an Estonian Halogenerator to grind and disperse pharmaceutical-grade salt (99.99% NaCl) into the air of our 250sq ft salt room over a 45-minute session. The benefits of this mineral come from breathing in and being immersed in the tiny salt particles, making a truly unique and therapeutic experience for guests.
The reason salt therapy is so sparse in central Texas is because the buildout is complicated. While Austin is home to countless contrast therapy facilities, saline IV therapy, salty float tanks, yoga and Pilates studios, and other various wellness therapies, salt therapy remains rare—not just in the city, but in Texas as a whole. Many people travel long distances just to experience the respiratory and wellness benefits it provides. We’re so proud and grateful to share the practice with our community.
Aside from that, a lot of what I do revolves around marketing, graphic and website design, and managing the daily operations of the business. From answering calls and emails to overseeing staff, and keeping a close eye on the financials and analytics, there’s never a dull moment. I’m always experimenting— I believe that as long as I’m actively doing something for the business, we’ll continue to move forward. It’s definitely a journey learning how to balance running a business with ADHD, being a present partner, and raising my two (soon-to-be-three) children. If anyone has tips, advice, or just wants to send good vibes, it’s always appreciated.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
We’re definitely looking to expand beyond our current location in South Austin. Many guests already travel from hours away to experience the relief salt therapy provides, so we’re excited to explore different neighborhoods and neighboring cities. In the next 5-10 years, if you’re not already in south or downtown Austin, you can bet we’ll have an Austin Salt Room near you!
In the next 5-10 years we will continue to offer our community building events as well as our staple wellness-stack offerings such as weekly sound bath and yoga, monthly meditations, women’s circles, and more. Check out our instagram or events calendar on the website to learn more about upcoming events!! The collaboration with other atx wellness professionals brings so much extra joy to what we do 🙂
Pricing:
- Drop in: $50/session
- Kids session drop-in: $65 for first child and adult
- SALTY SAVINGS WEEKEND $35 sessions (last saturday and sunday of the month)
- Packages and Memberships available
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.austinsaltroom.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/austinsaltroom
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Austin-Salt-Room/100092695781119/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/austin-salt-room-austin
Image Credits
We will identify the credits for the images when we send them!
Austin Salt Room
Georges Schemagin
