Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Cody Baragar, Owner of Hot House Saunas, located in Big Lake, MN, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Our business is simple, mobile sauna rental. We strive to meet most of our customers in our community. Our customer base is those who like natural health and wellness using heat in the way humans have been for thousands of years.
Tell us about yourself
We got started in relation to the feeling that we needed to be connected and involved with our community in a way they’ve never seen. Of course, there are other mobile saunas floating around, but it was brand new to our community. The constant support that we get from our customers is the only motivation we need to keep striving for the success of the business. Every day that we see that someone wants to use our beautiful sauna makes us so happy, and that carries us until the next reservation; it keeps going like a chain being made every day.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Our biggest accomplishment is simply the trust and happiness that we have gained from our community that supports us and our strange idea of putting a sauna on a trailer and driving it down the road like it belongs. We are so very proud of the fact that this is working so well, and that’s all thanks to our customers.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
The hardest part that comes with being a small business owner isn’t even that difficult. Staying in touch with your customers. It is such an important aspect that some don’t realize it is not always easy to do. Yeah, sure, you can make a post on Facebook and call it a day, but it’s being out and about as a family and talking to strangers about sitting in a hotbox barrel with a wood stove a few feet away from you. It’s not always comfortable, but it is doable if you just set your mind in that mode that most everyone is willing to listen and give you feedback whether that’s what you want or not.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Do your research, lots of research. Stay in contact with your customers, and do not give up. The worst thing you can do as a small business owner is bite off more than you can chew, do your research and stick to what’s comfortable. It might not always be comfortable, but those are the times you just need to stay strong and persevere through them.
Constant communication through advertising, networking, and even talking to friends who support you and talk about it with other people. It’s hard, but it is worth it. As I said, the support is what leads to success, and the motivation it gives you is so fun in a way that you’ve never experienced. Don’t stress too much. Take it day by day and attack the battles that come piece by piece because winning every little challenge that gets thrown at you is slowly building something much bigger inside of you.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.hothousesaunas.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hothousesaunas
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hothousesaunasmn/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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