Today we’d like to introduce you to La Stone.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started teaching yoga during the pandemic. It was a birthday gift that I gave myself to give myself more attention. I was a stressed-out, burned-out decades long corporate communications employee successfully climbing the ladder by helping businesses elevate their brands, and C-suite executives elevate their reputations, to customers and employees. Several years later when my corporate career fizzled out and I was laid off with six months severance, I chose to view it as a payoff to invest in my personal brand, Namastone Yoga.
I developed a strategic plan. In other words, I planned my work and intended to work my plan. But before I could even begin to activate it, I needed to reset. I needed a hard reboot. To detox from the stress and grieve the loss of my job, the company’s mission that had become mine, and the colleagues who I liked but would no longer see or hear from without the persistence of shared deliverables.
So, I started meditating an hour a day. This was how I created space to heal, reset, and let go of what no longer was. It also gave me clarity along the path to move forward. In meditation, I received guidance (some may say heard a voice) to reach out to the Salt Sanctuary of Maryland. I questioned it but did it, obediently. My strategic plan included ways to build my yoga business, including teaching yoga at established businesses that aligned with my brand already had community presence. I reached out and did not hear back for a week. When I did speak with the owner, I learned that the business was closing. After a series of conversations, I bought the business! That was two years ago.
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?
I thought it would be a smooth road. Surely, I would bring all of my corporate know-how from supporting CEO’s, CMO’s, CFO’s, CHRO’s, and CTO’s into my own brick-and-mortar business. It was not that easy. I had so much to learn. I am now the CEO, CMO, CFO, CHRO, and CTO. I am wearing all the hats. Learning while doing. Grinding, if you will!
I struggled to balance business revenue with staffing, overzealous to bring in contract help for the front desk and back side of the business when what I really needed to do was be a steady and present fixture 24/7. As I made the business aesthetics my own, I also spent more than the business made and continuously tapped into my personal savings to fill the gaps. In my first year, the HVAC system went down. I had to cancel countless customer appointments and navigate costly repairs. It cost the business two weeks of revenue. As an English enthusiast and wordsmith, I had to get comfortable with math and excel.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
People heal here. We are a boutique salt spa. Since 2014, we have served more than 20,000 people in the Baltimore area and all walks and corners of life. Most people come for relief from common respiratory conditions like allergies, asthma, sinusitis, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and COPD. Others come to soothe eczema and minor skin irritations, like being in salt water at the beach. It replenishes dehydrated skin after chlorine-filled pool days and the heat of the beaming sun post-beach trips, too. An increasing number of people come to relieve stress and anxiety. Without having to pop a pill, you find relief by simply being in and breathing in the salty air.
It’s known as halotherapy or dry salt therapy. French doors open to the soft glow of a dimly lit salt cave. The only area that’s not completely saturated in salt is the ceiling. Inside, you are grounded by salt as your feet nestled inside disposable footies crunch over to the zero-gravity recliner of your choice. There, you’ll be supported by a plush blanket and held by gravity for nearly an hour. The deeper the breaths the better in the beginning, and as the lights lower to a whisper and the alpha waves sound, the salty air will carry you away like Calgon.
The Real Housewives of Potomac have visited our boutique salt spa twice. I got to lead them in a guided meditation last summer because they wanted a break from chaos and drama. Without having to pop a pill, you too can find relief by simply being in and breathing in the salty air. In addition to salt therapy, we provide massage therapy, acupuncture, energy healing, sound baths, community events, and of course, salty yoga!
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Propose a special event.
Rent one of our exam-sized rooms.
Reserve the salt cave for a private event (we have hosted team retreats and small weddings).
Join our team of certified/licensed practitioners.
Pricing:
- $45 (salt therapy session)
- $35 (salt therapy session, ages 65+)
- $120+ (massage therapy, energy healing)
- $75+ (energy healing, sound healing, acupuncture)
- $20+ (yoga)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://saltsanctuarymd.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saltsanctuaryofmd
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesaltsanctuaryofmaryland
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawandastone
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@saltsanctuaryofmaryland
