BUSINESS

GilbertSunNews.com | @GilbertSunNews /GilbertSunNews

Gilbert couple opening infrared sauna studio

BY PAUL MARYNIAK GSN Executive Editor

It’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 introduced to the franchise 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 Gilbert residents Steve and Dodie Bell are opening Perspire Sauna Studio Feb. 21, convinced its infrared technology will appeal to health-conscious people. (Special to GSN)

A variety of cream puffs will be available at Beard Papa when it opens in Gilbert on Saturday. (Special to GSN) see SAUNA page 24

Popular cream puff bakery opening in Gilbert

GSN NEWS STAFF

Apopular 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. 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

numbers.

The fresh and natural cream puffs chain, founded in Osaka, Japan, in 1999, has grown to 400 locations in 15 countries and territories, while gaining global recognition for their light and airy cream product.

“The cream puffs are far from your traditional frozen puff found in the freezer aisle. The recipe is simply addictive. I’ve never met anyone who has tried Beard Papa’s who doesn’t crave it again the days following,” said Tucker Kaufman, a marketing representative for the franchise.

The Japanese dessert chain specializes in creating customizable cream puffs in one of six shells like regular, chocolate, green tea, and then one of eight cream fillings, such as chocolate, mango and ice cream.

“We have six shells,” he said. “You pick the shells you like and inject them with the different fillings. The common one is the original shell with no frosting and fill it with vanilla custard. Over here, in Arizona, the chocolate and strawberry are popular.”

Rahimi added, “People can eat more than one cream puff. The dough is really light. It’s not a typical American dessert. Most people who are dessert connoisseurs, they know this is the best. They know the product isn’t going to be overly sweet.”

The menu does, however, extend beyond just puff pastries with offerings such as chocolate fondant and an exclusive blended drinks menu.

Rahimi and Mukherjee have seen up to one-anda-half-hour lines at their shop. Guests were given chairs to sit outside of their Scottsdale bakery waiting to try the desserts. Lines aren’t that long anymore, they said, but “there is a steady flow during the nice weather months.”

As for why they picked Gilbert for their second locale, that’s a no-brainer, they said.

“We wanted a family friendly spot that serves the East Valley in a centrally located spot,” they said.

“Beard Papa’s has a cult following,” Mukherjee told a reporter after the opened in Scottsdale. “We’re the first Beard Papa’s in Arizona. We have California transplants who are here locally now. They’ve been waiting for this brand to come here.”

The cream puffs and custard are made in-house, said Mukherjee, who is a data analyst.

“The two ovens in the back are always going,” he said. “Whatever we bake today, we sell today. We bake fresh the next day. Nothing stays overnight.”

Information: beardpapas.com.

ease muscle pain, detox, improve skin conditions, release toxins or relax while watching an episode on Netflix or Hulu.”

There are nine private sauna rooms at Perspire with flat screen TVs and premium streaming channels. Sessions last 40 minutes and come with towels. And, Steve noted, “With Infrared heat, ... there is no stink or smell after your session.”

And he’s buoyed by the fact that medical professionals “want to refer their patients to us since our saunas and redlight therapy are medical grade.”

The parents of two children, the Bells will still be running their brand management business while their son Andrew, also of Gilbert, will manage the studio.

Perspire will be open 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Currently, it is offering reducedpriced memberships at $119 a month for unlimited sessions and $49 a month for four sessions per month.

Information: 480-596-4555 or southgilbert@perspiresaunastudio.com.

Yasmin Rahimi and Jeet Mukherjee own a Beard Papa’s bakery in Scottsdale and are now opening their second Arizona location in San Tan Village. (GSN file photo)

Chandler Gilbert Arc has been serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the East Valley since 1975, providing community living, community based employment and day services and training. We help people with varying support needs to achieve their fullest potential while improving their quality of life.

When you make a donation to Chandler Gilbert Arc, it will come back to you, dollar for dollar on your Arizona State Taxes. Up to $800/family and $400/individual.

www.cgarc.org/donation Chandler Gilbert Arc 3250 N. San Marcos Pl, Chandler, AZ 85225 (480) 892-9422

Chandler Gilbert Arc is an IRS Section 501 (c)(3) non profi t corporation, and is a Qualifying Charitable Tax Organization registered with the Arizona Department of Revenue. Our QCO code is 20245. Contact the Arizona DOR at (602) 255-3381, or visit www.revenue.state.az.us for more information

MENDOZA

Cleaning & Sanitization General Cleaning, Laundry & More 1 time • weekly bi-weekly • monthly Ask about Windows & Sanitization Services FREE ESTIMATES

Call Mireya Mendoza Now! 480-259-0935

SAUNA from page 23