Gerardo Larios shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Gerardo, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Something outside of work that’s been bringing me a lot of joy lately is fishing. Sometimes it’s just me and my son, other times the whole family comes along. We’ll head out and spend the day on the water. It’s a great way to slow things down and enjoy time together.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I run Öli Saunas, a home sauna and cold plunge company based in Austin, Texas. We help people bring high-quality sauna experiences into their homes, sourcing from trusted manufacturers and making sure the process from purchase to installation is smooth. My background is in music, and I spent several years touring with the band Spoon before starting this business. That experience taught me the value of connecting with people and doing things the right way, which is how we approach every customer project. Right now we’re focused on growing nationally while keeping the level of service and quality we’re known for locally.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who taught you the most about work?
The person who taught me the most about work is my mom. I’m the youngest of five and we grew up in a small house without much. My mom was the rock of the family. She cooked, cleaned, did laundry, took care of all of us, and still worked a full time job. Her days were easily 10-12+ hours and she never complained. Watching her hold everything together no matter what, day after day, showed me what real work ethic looks like. She taught me determination and work ethic not only through her job, but also by always being there for our family no matter what.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There have been a few times I almost gave up. It’s funny, lately I’ve been watching the show Alone, where they drop people in the wilderness to survive as long as they can with just a handful of tools. While watching it, I keep thinking to myself that running a business feels a lot like that. Every day is some kind of challenge, and there are stretches where you’re not sure you’ll make it. Then you get a good day or a good month, and it’s like catching a fish after starving for days. There’s also the mental battle, talking yourself out of quitting, and the isolation of doing it all yourself. The only difference is they can tap out when it gets too hard, but for me quitting isn’t really an option.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
Building Öli Saunas into the go-to place for home saunas in the United States. For me, it’s not just about growing sales or opening more locations, it’s about creating something that lasts. I want people to know they can come to us and trust that we’ll give them honest advice, sell them a product that’s built to last, and support them long after the install is done. That takes time. It’s tempting to grow fast by cutting corners or chasing trends, but I’ve seen how that plays out for other companies. I’d rather move slower, keep the quality and service we’re known for, and build a reputation that stands up years from now.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Have you ever gotten what you wanted, and found it did not satisfy you?
I’ve definitely gotten what I thought I wanted and found it didn’t make me happy in the end. For me, that was pursuing my musical dreams. I spent years traveling the world, playing in a well-known band, and doing the things I had imagined since I was a kid. I got to see incredible places, perform in front of thousands of people, and be part of something most musicians only dream about. From the outside, it looked perfect. But over time I realized I wasn’t happy. The constant travel, the time away from home, and the feeling of missing out on real life with the people I love started to outweigh everything else. What actually makes me happy is being home with my family, having dinner together, and being part of their everyday lives. That is what matters most to me, and even though my family has always been the most important thing in my life, constantly being away from them made me realize I belong with them, being part of their daily lives and sharing in the small moments, not living at a distance.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.olisaunas.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/olisaunas/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/olisaunas/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@%C3%96liSaunasStore
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/olisaunas
