Hidden Gems: Meet Kristen Nicholson of Urban Sweat

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristen Nicholson

Hi Kristen, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Urban Sweat was started after falling in love with the benefits of infrared sauna as a customer. I had burnout at my corporate job and wanted to bring something positive, powerful and beneficial to our community and essentially prove that self care is healthcare. I opened the first location in The Nations in February 2022, and shortly thereafter turned the model into a franchise. Our first operating partner opened in WeHo (Wedgewood/Houston) in February 2024, and saw great success!

In October 2024, I had the opportunity to acquire an existing Nashville based competitor, CYL Change Your Life Sauna Studios. This added one corporate location in Green Hills (which we rebranded immediately to Urban Sweat) and 9 other CYL locations across the country in markets: Kansas City, Boulder, Cherry Creek, Boulder, Oklahoma City, Grosse Point, Dallas, Louisville and Lexington. Rounding out our footprint, Nolensville is set to open this month bringing our total studio locations to twelve.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not at all. As any entrepreneur will tell you, there are no two days or two hours the same. You will experience high highs and low lows. When I first started, I had to get comfortable with the uncomfortable and understand that not everything is black and white. Entrepreneurship is living in the gray.

One thing that’s been helpful to me is having a great group of fellow business owners around you. I call them my council of experts who I can reach out to for feedback, experience shares and advice. You have to learn that your friends and family will not understand the business, only what they see on the surface, so having someone that has been in the trenches is helpful.

Now, post acquisition/scaling our footprint, I have learned that I have to be the constant for our team and operating partners. Yes, I personally own two of our locations and experience my own daily ups and downs, but I pride myself on being a positive, steady and constant leader for our team. Most of them probably think I’m delusional but I’m so passionate about this brand, our services and our guest experience that I know we’re unstoppable.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Urban Sweat?
Urban Sweat is dedicated to creating transformative wellness experiences that nourish the body, mind, and soul. We foster a vibrant community centered around recovery and rejuvenation, empowering individuals to prioritize their well-being and live life to the fullest.

Urban Sweat’s vision is to set a new standard for recovery studios and social self-care. We are dedicated to transforming how individuals approach their well-being, making proactive care an integral part of everyday life. By expanding our reach and fostering a vibrant community atmosphere, we strive to create a nationwide movement toward enhanced health and longevity. We do this through our services: infrared sauna, red light therapy, and cold plunge.

We pride ourself in our values:

Self-Care is Healthcare: We believe that proactive wellness is the foundation of a healthy life. By integrating proven recovery modalities into daily routines, we empower individuals to take charge of their health and well-being. We’ve seen powerful transformations with our modalities.

Community Connection: We are dedicated to fostering a vibrant, inclusive community that extends beyond our studio walls. Our commitment to community includes building strong relationships with our guests, supporting local charities, and engaging with our neighborhoods.

Every Person and Experience Matters: We believe in creating spaces where people feel connected, valued, and personally rejuvenated through every experience. Our team is dedicated to delivering a personalized experience that turns every visit into the highlight of your day.

Total Well-being: Mental health is a crucial component of overall well-being. We are passionate about providing education and support to help our communities manage stress, anxiety, and other mental health challenges.

What was your favorite childhood memory?
can we skip this question?

Pricing:

• Our Urban Sweat Nashville locations offer half price sauna sessions every Tuesday!
• Urban Sweat offers intro options like 3 sauna sessions for $80 for people to fall in love with sauna.
• Need a full detox? We offer a week unlimited option for sauna only or all modalities.
• We are partners with ClassPass

Contact Info:

• Website: www.urbansweat.com and cylinfraredstudio.com
• Instagram: @urban_sweat_sauna_studios, @urbansweat_thenations, @urbansweat_greenhills, @urbansweat_weho, @urbansweat_nolo
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100079009389515
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/93218572/admin/page-posts/published/