Always Let Them See You Sweat, According to These Entrepreneurs How the Perspire Sauna Studio guys are attacking the franchise world.

By Dan Bova

Perspire Sauna Studio

In this ongoing series, we are sharing advice, tips and insights from real entrepreneurs who are out there doing business battle on a daily basis. (Answers have been edited and condensed for clarity.)

Who are you and what's your business?

Lee Braun: I am the CEO and Co-Founder of Perspire Sauna Studio.

Ken Arsenian: I am one of the founding partners. Perspire is the first infrared (IR) sauna studio concept that delivers IR sauna therapy to consumers at an affordable rate. Infrared technology works to heat the core directly and produces a deep sweat in comparison to a traditional sauna that provides a surface-level sweat. We've seen that deep sweat results in detoxification, weight loss and relaxation.

What inspired you to create this product?

Braun: We were both huge fans of the benefits of IR and there wasn't anywhere you could go pop in for a session after a workout or after a long day of work, and then be on your way. We decided to fill that gap.

Related: This Entrepreneur Wants to End the Stigma of Men's Health Products

How is it different from other like it?

Arsenian: We are the original sauna studio. There is always a major risk of being the first of a new concept, especially in the wellness space, but we don't focus on other companies who have popped up in the last 8 years. We work hard to continually adapt, evolve, research and improve. Our goal is that from the moment you enter to the moment you leave, you'll have an experience that is unlike any other.

What does the word "entrepreneur" mean to you?

Braun: To be an entrepreneur you have to put something on the line and make a wager that this thing you believe in will resonate with other people and grow.

Arsenian: Fewer rules and more flexibility. It's the ability to be nimble and change on the fly. You truly are your own boss, which means you have to be 100 percent accountable.

Related: How Do You Match Up to Other Entrepreneurs?

What's been your toughest challenge?

Arsenian: Our toughest challenge has been educating our customers about the benefits of IR. The common misconception is everyone thinks a sauna is a sauna when in reality our saunas are seven times more detoxifying than a traditional gym sauna. Developing marketing and sales campaigns that focus on our benefits has been key to our success.

What trait do you depend on most when making decisions?

Braun: We both really depend on our collaborative thinking to arrive at decisions. At the base of all our decisions we use data and always ask ourselves, "Is this going to be a net gain in value for our clients, employees, and owners?" Everything we do must be a win-win-win.

When did the idea to franchise enter the picture?

Braun: We've had the idea of franchising since our inception but it wasn't until we opened a second location that we learned we had something valuable that we could sell to franchisees. There is something about having multiple locations that forces you to be efficient and systematic. It is very exciting to streamline and perfect your model.

Related: This Cop Walks the Beat and Invents Apps

What are you looking for in potential franchise owners?

Arsenian: Franchisees that have previous experience and that have a goal of wellness, healing and helping others. Obviously, profitability is key for all involved but in our business, you have to love what you do and believe in the product. We encourage all of our employees to use our saunas as often as possible so they can exude passion.

Is there a particular quote or saying that you use as personal motivation?

Braun: An African proverb: "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together."

Arsenian: I played sports growing up and Vince Lombardi's saying "Hope is not a strategy" has always stuck with me. I do believe good things happen to good people but at the end of the day, it is usually tied to hard work and having a solid game plan.

Dan Bova

Entrepreneur Staff

VP of Special Projects

Dan Bova is the VP of Special Projects at Entrepreneur.com. He previously worked at Jimmy Kimmel Live, Maxim, and Spy magazine. His latest books for kids include This Day in History, Car and Driver's Trivia ZoneRoad & Track Crew's Big & Fast Cars, The Big Little Book of Awesome Stuff, and Wendell the Werewolf

Read his humor column This Should Be Fun if you want to feel better about yourself.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Business News

JPMorgan Shuts Down Internal Message Board Comments After Employees React to Return-to-Office Mandate

Employees were given the option to leave comments about the RTO mandate with their first and last names on display — and they did not hold back.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Business News

'More Soul-Crushing Than Ever': Popular Hiring Platform Finds Around 20% of Its Postings Were 'Ghost Jobs'

Is that job listing too good to be true? There's a one-in-five chance that it might be.

Business News

'Masculine Energy Is Good': Mark Zuckerberg Tells Joe Rogan He Thinks Companies Need More Aggression

On the most recent episode of "The Joe Rogan Experience," Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said corporate culture has become "neutered."

Growing a Business

5 Risk-Taking Lessons From Founders Who Bet Big and Won

Discover the bold moves and strategic risks that catapulted these entrepreneurs to success. Learn how their fearless decisions can inspire your own path to growth.

Business Models

I Transformed My Company With Employee Ownership — Here's Why You Should Too

As a business leader who recently decided to transition to an employee-owned business model, I'm sharing insights into the vast benefits for both the business and employees based on first-hand experience.