We had the good fortune of connecting with Chandler & Staci Herdt and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Chandler & Staci, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Staci and I first joined Perspire Sauna Studio as members and quickly fell in love with its benefits and overall experience. We thought it would be the perfect wellness offering for our community. While on vacation, we shared our experience with our friends Mark and Steph Fielder. One conversation led to another, and we ultimately decided to partner to bring the Perspire experience to more people in the East Valley. The benefits of infrared sauna, red light, and contrast therapy are well-documented and have a real impact on overall wellness. Perspire has created a simple yet impactful business model with a wellness offering that benefits people of all ages. After a few months of questions and discussions with Perspire leadership, we are now set up to bring a total of six studios to the East Valley.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My educational background is in Kinesiology, which aligns perfectly with the health and wellness category. This foundation allowed me to dive deeply into the literature on infrared sauna, red light, and contrast therapy, confirming the longevity and benefits of the Perspire offering. Having led other health and wellness initiatives in various sectors, starting my own business felt like the natural next step.
While we are still early in this endeavor, we recognize that we can’t do it alone. Both Staci and I have athletic backgrounds in college sports, professional dance and cheer, and leveraging these experiences has already contributed to our business’s success. We have a big vision for the brand and know it will take a lot of hard work from us and others to achieve it.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
One of the upcoming spots in the East Valley is Cannon Beach! This fall, it will be home to our third Perspire Sauna Studio location, which we believe will be the ultimate destination for families. Cannon Beach offers a wealth of health, wellness, beauty, recreation, and dining options, ensuring there is something for every family member. The main attraction is a two-acre surf park that will be unlike anything in the southwest. Cannon Beach’s vision of bringing the waves to the East Valley represents the perfect intersection of lifestyle and adrenaline. We are thrilled to be part of this location and contribute to the building a strong community in the East Valley.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
This is easy—Mark and Steph Fiedler have been our good friends for nearly a decade. We met in a small group at our local church, and they have been instrumental in our lives ever since. We wouldn’t have been able to embark on this journey without them, and honestly, we can’t imagine taking on this challenge with anyone else. Mark, Steph, Staci, and I all bring a unique perspective to the business, and we’re excited to leverage our experiences to make Perspire thrive in the East Valley.
Website: https://www.perspiresaunastudio.com/
Instagram: @perspiresouthgilbert, @perspireocotillo
Facebook: Perspire Sauna Studio (South Gilbert); Perspire Sauna Studio (Ocotillo)