Art Of The Float

What happens when two float center owners get a little antsy during a global pandemic that shuts down their centers? They launch a new business together, of course! In this episode, Ryan Duey of Capitol Floats and Michael Garrett of Reboot share the story of how they came up with the idea to launch their own manufacturing business for cold plunge tubs - Cold Plunge. There are many parallels between floating and plunging, primarily focused on the breath and the awareness of the present moment, so it was a natural expansion of their vision, talents, and offerings. They’ll answer questions about why you probably can’t really “plunge in your tub at home for free”, how to begin and maintain a cold plunge practice, and why cold therapy is growing in popularity by leaps and bounds. They also give a little insight into what it was like to appear on Shark Tank to pitch their business and share updates with us for the first time publicly! If you’re thinking about adding cold plunge, you won’t want to miss this epis

What happens when you cross a commercial construction expert, a float center owner, and a general contractor? You get Jamie Gagne. While he was still wrapped up in the commercial construction space, Jamie was introduced to floating, and like many float center owners, became enamored with the practice. He built his own tank, and then eventually opened his own center and has helped build several centers now. In this episode, Jamie shares his lessons learned after not soundproofing his first location. You’ll hear tips for soundproofing, sealing the space so the salt doesn’t destroy it, and strategies for where to spend and where to save. He gives away a powerful tip about how to work with and talk to a general contractor when you’re building your own center: start with detailed plans from a good draftsman or architect. If you’re thinking about opening a float center, or are making improvements to your own, you won’t want to miss this one. Links Email Jamie at me@jjg.io Sponsors HelmBot (https://Helmbot.com)

If you’ve been living with your head in the sand (like Drew), you might not have heard the biggest news to hit the float world in YEARS. It’s been a twinkle in Dr. Justin Feinstein’s eye for many years, but at last, the Float Research Collective is ready for an official launch. In this episode, Dr. Feinstein joins the crew to talk about what the FRC is, what he’s been doing with it, where it’s going, and most importantly, how you can get involved. This project is a bridge between float therapy and the medical community. As funds are raised, they’ll be used to facilitate clinical research that will help promote floating as a respected, effective, and common tool for combating stress, anxiety, pain, and more. Imagine a world where anyone has access to float when they need it. Imagine the ripple effect on society as more and more people are able to reduce their suffering and show up each day as the best versions of themselves - all of us walking around with that post-float glow. It’s hard not to be inspired and

Whew. Float Conference 2022 was one for the record books! The crew is back from Portland and recovering from the shenanigans (among other things). _Warning: This one’s for the float fam, but not for your young fam. You’ll hear some light adult language not suitable for little ears. _ You’ll hear a recap of their favorite things - the workshops, the speakers, the venue, the FOOD, and more! Some highlights included sales and membership workshops, the latest research about floating and anorexia nervosa, the launch of the Float Research Collective fundraisers, and Dylan’s love affair with a cardigan. If you missed out on the fun, be sure to tune in to experience a little of the salty love – and to hear where we’ll be heading for Float Con 2023! Links Graham and Ashkahn's Cheat Sheet (https://grahamandashkahnssuperneatspreadsheetcheatsheet.com/) Sponsors HelmBot (https://Helmbot.com) Mindfull Solutions (https://mindfull.solutions) Art of the Float Store (Shop.artofthefloat.com)

Let’s get this clear first: stop calling it red light therapy. We stand corrected. You may have heard of this hot new therapy that’s been taking off across the globe, but in this episode, you’ll discover that it’s not a new therapy, and it’s not “red light therapy”. It is, however, the medicine of the future - the very same medicine that you saw in Star Trek when someone went to the sick bay, was treated by a laser beam, and healed. In this episode, James Carroll, founder and CEO of Thor Photomedicine joined us to talk about photobiomodulation therapy, or PBMT. He’s a world-renowned expert in PBMT - a walking, talking, breathing encyclopedia of information about the benefits of this powerful therapy that’s backed by thousands of peer-reviewed scientific studies. James shares inspiring stories about how PBM has helped patients across the globe with everything from chronic pain to athletic recovery and even a specific disease that causes blindness. With more than 100 names for the therapy, it’s hard to sort o

You know what they say, “When Kim’s away, the co-hosts will play….” Maybe that’s not the saying, but this one is a hoot! It’s no secret that your co-hosts have become fast friends over the years on the mic together, so in this episode, you’ll get a glimpse of what it’s like when the crew gets together (minus one). Expect no structure. Expect no specific topic of discussion. Expect lots of laughs, and know that you’ll likely walk away feeling a little lighter. Gloria dishes on her latest crush, you’ll hear about Dylan’s “other” cat, and Drew is buying a cow but also used to be in that business. (These are the things you won’t hear on most episodes - except Gloria’s crushes, of course.) And you’ll also hear some insider scoop about the latest happenings with the FTA (Floatation Tank Association), because we’re not all fun and games. And just like our group text messages, you might think the conversation is winding down, but then it picks back up with someone crying over Shark Tank. Sponsors HelmBot (https://

When is it time to hire a manager? Why would you? What do you look for if you make the choice? The gang dives in on this weeks episode! Sponsors HelmBot (https://Helmbot.com) I-Sopod Float Tank (https://i-sopod.com) Mindfull Solutions (https://mindfull.solutions) Art of the Float Store (Shop.artofthefloat.com)

One of the 2022 Float Conference speakers joined the crew to talk about some deep business - the power of the breath. Samuel Whiting was gracious enough to join the 2020 Virtual Float Conference and share his breathwork expertise, and he’ll be coming back again to Portland, Maine, to offer an experiential workshop, as well as a main stage talk about the power of the breath when combined with the float practice. In this episode, you’ll be mesmerized by Samuel’s voice, inspired by his passion for creating awareness and disrupting “business as usual” in order to explore the intersection of the brain, body, and breath. He shares about the science and the spirit of using the breath for physiological adaptation. Links Samuelwhiting.com Instagram: @whitingenergy Sponsors HelmBot (https://Helmbot.com) I-Sopod Float Tank (https://i-sopod.com) Mindfull Solutions (https://mindfull.solutions) Art of the Float Store (Shop.artofthefloat.com)

If you haven’t heard about it, there’s a big event happening in Portland, Maine. Some might even call it the Maine Event - the 2022 Float Conference! We’re incredibly excited to hear from the local liaisons for this year’s conference - James and Amy Harder, who also serve on the Board of Directors and special committees for the conference. They’re not only two of the coolest humans on the planet, but they’re also amazing event hosts and have a ton of great fun planned for us in August! You’ll hear a bit about things you can do in this beautiful, coastal city - from whale watching to partaking in “nature’s cold plunge”. There’s so much magic to be had by arriving early or staying late, exploring the sites, and making lifelong connections with the best people on the planet. As small business owners, fitting in a vacation can be a challenge, so just squeeze it in with the conference! Jack White will be performing at the Cross Arena just days before we all arrive, using the same space as us, so you know it’s goi

Inflaaaaaation! Yup. We said it. Many of us in the float world are feeling it - inflation has been an issue for a long while now, and it’s starting to make an impact for many businesses that rely on disposable income spending. From gas prices to the other G word - Groupon - you’ll hear what’s happening across our co-hosts’ centers, including those who have been running strong schedules at capacity for a while. Someone might start driving a truck, someone is giving away services, and someone is looking for more ways to connect with local businesses. For added fun, you’ll hear from a podcast crasher near the end of the episode! Be sure to take notes on nurturing your current guests, how to bring in new audiences, and being smart with your spending. Links Art of the Float Groupon Episode (https://artofthefloat.com/2019/07/groupon-bum-bum-bummm/) Search Art of the Float for Groupon articles and episodes (https://artofthefloat.com/?s=groupon) Sponsors HelmBot (https://Helmbot.com) I-Sopod Float Tank (https://i

We’ve said it before, and our guest on this episode proves it’s true - float center owners are a special breed. Sure, we could just own one business and run it, but why do that when we can run MULTIPLE businesses?! Kelly Caldwell, who owns Drift Float Spa in Greenville, SC, joins Kim and Drew in this episode to talk about wearing all the hats, including providing consulting services and selling float pods! You’ll hear all the details about Float Spa pods that drain and filter 100% of the solution after each guest, as well as some unique features like aromatherapy, but you’ll also hear how Kelly offers SIX services at her center. She also dives into some hiring strategies, including her theory on asking why you might want to ask potential new employees if it bothers them to hear people chewing, why it’s a good idea to delegate and outsource some of your work, and how to grow your team so you don’t have to be the one to do it all. (And of course, that might lead to you starting another side venture like she ha

Today we visit the UK and meet Will and Sherri, owners of Float in the Forest. We discuss the obstacles they overcame to open their tranquil center located in the middle of a forest, as well as the differences between running a center in the UK vs the US. Finally the couple offer ther advice to float center owners all over the world! Sponsors HelmBot (https://Helmbot.com) I-Sopod Float Tank (https://i-sopod.com) Mindfull Solutions (https://mindfull.solutions) Art of the Float Store (Shop.artofthefloat.com)

Do you remember a time when Drew didn’t want to offer memberships at all at his center? Well, he’s come around, floaty friends. In this cozy, quick episode, you’ll hear a bit about the different seasonality trends each co-host sees at his or her center, how the pandemic has impacted membership numbers, and how they’re recovering. You’ll also hear some quick tips for membership structure, how to offer the memberships without sounding sleazy, and how to nurture those relationships. Sponsors HelmBot (https://Helmbot.com) I-Sopod Float Tank (https://i-sopod.com) Mindfull Solutions (https://mindfull.solutions) Shop Art of the Float (shop.artofthefloat.com)

It’s storytime, salty friends! But first, cover some little ears for the first few minutes of the show, as we dabble in some high-level adult topics that you might not want to explain to the kiddos. Our expert guest, Reba Sparrow from The Mystery Box Show, joins us to share how to create and tell your story, and why that’s so important as a small business owner. Storytelling makes us more relatable, and doing it right raises the emotional stakes with your audience - your potential guests and members. The crew talks about how you can take bits of your story and weave it into daily operations and even your marketing efforts. mysteryboxshow.com (mysteryboxshow.com) reba.sparrow@gmail.com IG: @happyapplePDX (https://www.instagram.com/happyapplepdx/) Sponsors HelmBot (https://Helmbot.com) I-Sopod Float Tank (https://i-sopod.com) Mindfull Solutions (https://mindfull.solutions) Shop Art of the Float (shop.artofthefloat.com)

Some people have anxiety about turning over the keys to their center (cough, cough, Drew), while others are happy to toss them and run the other way (uh, yeah, Gloria). Either way, having a plan for onboarding is a crucial step to your center’s success, as well as your own mental health during the process. It can make a huge difference in your team’s happiness, engagement, and longevity too! In this episode, Kim shares her high level strategy for onboarding her team since she’s in the middle of welcoming two new team members. You’ll hear from the whole crew about how long their training programs are, what is included, and how to set each employee up for success and how to establish a clear communication process, as well as what resources to create. Sponsors HelmBot (https://Helmbot.com) I-Sopod Float Tank (https://i-sopod.com) Mindfull Solutions (https://mindfull.solutions) www.shop.artofthefloat.com (www.shop.artofthefloat.com)

What makes a good leader? What inspires employees to stay at your business? What makes them care? Our guest on this episode has a simple answer for that: care. Sincerely, authentically, and wholeheartedly - care about your people and allow them to shine. We invited Carolynn Bruce, Kim’s former boss from the corporate world, to join the conversation tonight. You’ll hear a little backstory about how they worked together to shift the culture in a major corporation, and how impactful some simple conversations can be. While some circumstances may be different in large companies, much of what creates a successful team is the same in small businesses like our float centers, as it is in the big ones. Carolynn shares how to show up as a servant leader to help empower your team to give their best, and how starting with that will lead to the outcomes you’re looking for - excellent customer service, engaged employees, and more. Links carolynn.j.bruce@gmail.com Sponsors HelmBot (https://Helmbot.com) I-Sopod Float Tank (

For as much attention as we have put on our floors, we may not be doing enough to keep our customers safe. Dylan shares what has been working great for other float centers to keep our customers salt-water solution laced feet, firmly on the ground. Sponsors HelmBot (https://Helmbot.com) I-Sopod Float Tank (https://i-sopod.com) Mindfull Solutions (https://mindfull.solutions)

As a small business owner, especially of the float center variety, there are always a gazillion demands on your time. Between responsibilities for the shop, self care, family life, and managing all of those extra projects many of us seem to have, it can be overwhelming. In this episode, the crew discusses how it feels to be late and how to prevent it, as well as all of the tools and methods they use for keeping the demands life on the rails. No matter if you’re a software geek like Kim and Gloria, or a fly-by-the-seat of your pants person like Drew, there are ways to review your priorities and also give yourself some grace about how you manage your time. You’ll hear Gloria’s secret weapon and some of the ways each co-host manages their ADHD tendencies. LINKS Link to the FTS Consultant Roundtable (https://youtu.be/O2-ZJHsOpM) Getting It All Done with ADHD (Kim’s talk at Float Conference): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoWG-MpeZH8 Kim’s favorite weekly task tracker notepad: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product

Some things simply come full circle, especially in the float world. In this episode, you’ll journey around talks of beards and the Fluxstache, to pivotal moments with suffering mental health to burlesque and the reactivity of the immune system. With such a colorful variety of topics, there’s no doubt who our guest is - Dr. Flux himself! You’ll hear the story behind the name, “Dr. Flux”, from the beginning with GoGo Harder, all the way to the present day with our own predictions for completing that full circle… with a Float Conference GoGo Harder celebration of the official earning of his doctorate to become the “real” Dr. Flux. You’ll also get a glimpse at the topic Dr. Flux will be sharing with everyone at the Float Conference in Maine this August, and you won’t want to miss it! Sponsors HelmBot (https://Helmbot.com) I-Sopod Float Tank (https://i-sopod.com) Mindfull Solutions (https://mindfull.solutions)

With all of the excitement of launching the new Art shop (and the longest intro ever), get ready to pick up some tips for where to get your own merch printed or how to do it yourself. Where do you turn when you need some sweet float gear? Well, now you can hop over to the Art of the Float website (shop.artofthefloat.com) to load up on sweet AOTF gear, float merch, float and testimonial videos, and more! Sponsors HelmBot (https://Helmbot.com) I-Sopod Float Tank (https://i-sopod.com) Mindfull Solutions (https://mindfull.solutions) Links Art of the Float Store! (shop.Artofthefloat.com) Bonfire (www.bonfire.com) BlankStyle (www.blankstyle.com) TransferXpress (www.transferexpress.com) AmerStampPrinting (www.amerstamprinting.com)