Today we’d like to introduce you to Sean Carpenter.
Hi Sean, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
As I grew deeper into my legal career, I found myself spending more free time decompressing at wellness spaces, particularly using sauna and cold plunge–both in town and while on vacation. I found the practice to be a productive way to relax, where I could meditate my mind while recovering my body via heat therapy. However, many of the sauna options in town were a more social experience, which I enjoyed, but after a demanding work week I really just wanted to reset in a private sanctuary space free of other distractions. There were a few great spaces serving this purpose, but at that time there were no private rooms that had saunas and cold plunges and also showers in the same room (some had showers down the hall or not at all). The showers were such a critical part of the contrast-therapy experience in my opinion so that the users can rinse any sweat off before getting into the plunges, and to leave the facility with a clean and fresh feeling after breaking a hard sweat. So I decided it would be a fun venture to create a space closer to what I wanted–an aesthetically pleasing and relaxing environment where people could de-stress in private, with the convenience of a shower in the same space.
I found the space I wanted in the Casa De Luz (East) Village, which really aligned with my mission statement of making wellness as accessible as possible, without sacrificing quality and luxury. The space I found happened to have a side yard that had just enough space to incorporate a communal area for those who enjoy a good sauna convo with fellow enthusiasts. I’m very happy with what we were able to achieve with the space–especially having an affordable contrast therapy experience for $25 that encourages regular use (where the benefits really kick in!).
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Cøntrast was my first foray into a brick and mortar, and I don’t think any first venture is ever a smooth ride! But I really felt my experience was about as smooth as it could go. So many opportunities aligned for this to happen–getting the call from Casa offering the right space, acquiring the outside area, and it always seemed like the solution I needed was revealed at just the right moment. Even the obstacles ended up being blessings in disguise!
For example, the very nice (and expensive) saunas, and some cold plunges, I ordered to import from abroad became indefinitely delayed for one reason or another–a strike in the port of Toronto, or a non-responsive consulate regarding import questions, etc. The outcome forced me to dig deeper in search of alternate suppliers, where I found excellent devices at a fraction of the price. I had also ordered a couple of the best cold plunges on the market, meant for the more luxurious private room experience, only to find our that they wouldn’t fit through the doors to the room. It was absolutely failing up. Where my original plan was to only have one cold plunge outside, the result was moving both nice units to the outdoor area so we could offer a 40º plunge and 50º plunge–which makes a huge difference depending on how experienced someone is or what hormonal state they are in.
The challenges are ever-present for a budding business, and each is an opportunity for improvement. To pivot a practice, streamline a protocol or develop in a direction that better services the community. That dialogue and feedback that occurs between the plan and the practice is where the real improvement in a business occurs. We are having that dialogue daily and improving every week.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
My business is Cøntrast, a sauna/cold plunge studio that offers contrast therapy via both private and communal spaces, as well as red light therapy. We have infrared saunas, traditional radiant here and both indoor and outdoor options. Our private rooms are vibey and luxurious, and our communal space is tranquil and plant-filled. And all our services are offered at the lowest price point in town, so I think we are becoming known for having the best value in the game. This is great because I want to promote regular usage, since that’s where the benefits are. But I’m most proud of being able to offer our employees above-market pay, which I hope increases with our growth.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
Above all I care about people finding peace, healing, and becoming the best versions of themselves. I do believe in a world where people uplift each other and help each other ascend and overcome. I want people to receive the benefits of these therapies because I know they truly work. When a customer tells me that they’ve experienced healing at our facility, and are so grateful that it’s not priced beyond their reach, it’s a confirmation that building this business was for a greater purpose. Wellness is a necessity, and luxury can be too.
Pricing:
- 1 hr Communal Sauna + Cold Plunge – $25
- 50 min 1p Private Sauna + Cold Plunge – $49
- 50 min 2p Private Sauna + Cold Plunge – $65
- 25 min Red Light Therapy – $25
Contact Info:
- Website: https://contrastatx.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/contrast.atx
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@C%C3%B8ntrastATX
Image Credits
Portrait by Tim of Brother Friend
