BUSINESS
GILBERT SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 20, 2022
GilbertSunNews.com
|
@Gilber tSunNews
23
/Gilber tSunNews
Gilbert couple opening infrared sauna studio BY PAUL MARYNIAK GSN Executive Editor
I
t’s no secret that the pandemic posed nearly crushing hardship on local businesses while creating an opportunity for some. It did both for Gilbert residents Steve and Dodie Bell. Homing in on their 36th wedding anniversary, the Bells saw their 27-year-old brand management company, called TAG MEDIA & INK take a major hit during the pandemic and business shrink to a trickle. “Not only did we have no business for a week straight, once it was clear that COVID was here for a while, we started to have clients cancel orders that were already in production,” Steve recalled. “It was a scary time… We waited a bit before cutting staff along with every expense we could think of to save money but we were drowning in red ink.” They did more than survive the pandemic, however: they discovered a franchise opportunity they believe will appeal to people as the pandemic has
made many become more health conscious. Tomorrow, Feb. 21, the Bells will open Perspire Sauna Studio at 4865 Higley Road, Gilbert – a studio that boasts its red-light therapy and infrared technology “combine to detox the body, burn calories, improve sleep, ease pain and more.” With plans to open five more saunas – including Chandler, Tempe and Ahwatukee – the Bells believe they’re on to a promising business. Considering they had never been in a sauna before, they’re now pros at explaining its benefits. When first introGilbert residents Steve and Dodie Bell are opening Perspire Sauna Studio Feb. 21, convinced its infrared technology will duced to the franchise appeal to health-conscious people. (Special to GSN) about a year ago, Steve
said, “We didn’t understand it and had never ‘saunaed’ before. We had to try the infrared sauna first to see if we liked it and felt we benefited from it. We tried it three more times and loved how we felt after each 40-minute session. “Neither of us sleep well. We go to bed tired and wake up tired but after each sauna session we slept through the night and woke up refreshed and with energy for the day. Now our bodies crave the sauna. We feel like melting butter after each session yet refreshed.” “Perspire Sauna Studio offers various health benefits through infrared sauna therapy, but in addition to that, we are also all about giving guests the best experience possible,” said Steve. “For every person that walks through the door, we will make sure that they are known, cared for and able to relax in an upscale, non-intimidating environment.” That means, Dodie added, not only are patrons getting a chance to “boost their energy and immunity,” they’re getting “a completely private oasis where one can
But it was his fluffy cream puffs that became a hit and today, there are more than 400 Beard Papa locations in 15 countries. He perfected the art of his pastries by making a double layered puff–choux on the inside, and pie crust on the outside. Then, he proceeded to make the perfect filling, made with a mixture
of whipped and vanilla custard cream. Beard Papa’s stores still use the recipe to this day, along with a ton of new recipes. Yasmin Rahimi, who owns the pain management clinics BackFit Health + Spine, was looking for something to do in her “free time.” She is into nutrition and thought, maybe, a boutique yoga or fitness studio would work. Different concepts and ideas were presented to Rahimi, but she decided on Beard Papa’s after she and business partner, Jeet Mukherjee, crunched the
see SAUNA page 24
Popular cream puff bakery opening in Gilbert GSN NEWS STAFF
A
popular cream puff bakery that has been a global hit is opening its second Arizona location in Gilbert this Saturday. Beard Papa is opening Feb. 26 at 2196 E. Williams Field Road and if its Scottsdale location’s experience is any indication, customers can expect a lot of company looking for the tasty treats. Beard Papa started in 1999 in the small town of Osaka, Japan, where bakery owner Yuji Hirota got that nickname because of his fluffy white beard.
A variety of cream puffs will be available at Beard Papa when it opens in Gilbert on Saturday. (Special to GSN)
see PAPA page 24
