Not every Maximum Octane episode is about running a repair shop directly, but this one shows how creative entrepreneurs can be with the space they have. Laura Ritch and Rosa Anderson, known as the “Salty Sisters,” opened a halotherapy spa at the back of an auto care shop. Since launching in 2019, their business, Salt + Sol Halotherapy, has grown rapidly.
Laura is a U.S. Army veteran and Rosa is a former nurse who left her profession because of health issues. In episode 27, Kim Hickey talks with them about how the idea came together, what salt therapy is, the stories they hear from clients, and the habits they had to change as the business grew.
This episode discusses personal experiences with a wellness service. It is not medical advice; talk with your doctor about any health condition.
What You Will Learn
- Laura and Rosa talk about the decision to open their business at the back of an Auto Care shop
- What is salt therapy, and what are its benefits
- Rosa and Laura share some fantastic stories of clients who experienced salt therapy and got terrific results
- Laura and Rosa talk about the unproductive habits they had to leave aside as the business started requiring more from them
Questions Asked in This Episode
- How did the two of you come up with the idea to put a salt cave in the shop?
- Both of you have had health issues. Can you share a bit about that?
- How often do you recommend that people take advantage of salt therapy?
A Salt Cave Behind an Auto Shop
Kim’s first question is the one every listener will have: how did two people decide to put a salt cave in a repair shop? Laura and Rosa explain that the idea came after they experienced a salt room in North Carolina. They saw the potential and decided to act, using space at the back of an auto care shop to launch the business.
For shop owners, this story raises an interesting question. Do you have underused space that could support a complementary business, whether your own or a tenant’s? Shared space can create additional income and bring new people through the door. Before making any decision, check zoning, insurance, and safety requirements with qualified professionals.
Combining two very different businesses under one roof can bring unexpected benefits. Each business introduces its customers to the other. A customer waiting for an oil change might discover the spa, and a spa client might decide to have their car serviced while they relax. Shared space can also reduce overhead for both businesses. The key is making sure the combination makes sense for customers and does not create confusion or safety concerns.
Owners exploring similar ideas should consider zoning rules, insurance coverage, separate entrances or waiting areas, and how the businesses will share costs. A written agreement between business partners or tenants helps prevent misunderstandings later.
What Salt Therapy Is
Around the 11 minute mark, Laura and Rosa explain what halotherapy is. Clients relax in a room where fine salt particles are dispersed into the air. People seek it out for many reasons, and the Salty Sisters describe clients who come looking for relief from issues like sinus problems, skin conditions, and stress. As with any wellness service, people should talk with their healthcare provider about their individual needs.
Halotherapy has roots in the salt caves of Eastern Europe, where people have long visited underground salt mines for relaxation and wellness. Modern salt rooms recreate that environment with dry salt dispersed into the air by a machine called a halogenerator. Many people use the sessions as a way to relax and take a break from busy lives. As with any wellness service, people should consult their healthcare provider, especially if they have respiratory conditions, before trying it.
Turning Personal Health Challenges Into Purpose
Both Laura and Rosa have faced health issues, and Kim asks them to share their experiences. Rosa’s nursing career was cut short, but she found a new way to help people. That theme of turning hardship into purpose runs through many Maximum Octane episodes, from Lee Anderson’s A Miracle From God to Eric Gibson’s A Quantum Leap to Mental Wellness.
Many entrepreneurs start businesses because of personal experiences. A health challenge, a frustrating customer experience, or a passion discovered during a hard time can become the foundation of a business with real purpose. Those businesses often connect deeply with customers because the founders understand their needs personally. Rosa’s path from nursing to halotherapy reflects that kind of purpose-driven entrepreneurship.
Stories From Clients
Laura and Rosa share stories of clients who have had meaningful experiences with salt therapy. These stories are a big part of why their business has grown. Word of mouth and personal testimonials remain powerful marketing tools for any service business, including auto repair.
Customer stories are one of the most persuasive forms of marketing because they show real results through the eyes of someone like the reader. Auto repair shops can collect stories too: the customer whose car was saved from an expensive repair by early detection, the family that made it to a wedding because the shop stayed late, or the new driver who learned to care for their first car. With permission, sharing these stories on social media and websites builds trust far better than generic advertising.
Letting Go of Unproductive Habits
Around the 23 minute mark, the Salty Sisters discuss the unproductive habits they had to leave behind as their business demanded more of them. Growth changes what an owner’s role needs to be. Habits that worked when the business was small, such as doing everything personally, can become obstacles as it grows.
That lesson applies directly to shop owners. ATI’s 5 Ways You Should Be Working on Your Shop, Not in It looks at the same transition.
As businesses grow, founders often have to let go of tasks they enjoy or feel responsible for. That might mean hiring help, trusting employees to serve customers, or stepping back from daily operations to focus on growth. It can feel uncomfortable, but holding on too tightly limits how far a business can go. Recognizing which habits are holding you back is the first step to letting them go.
For a shop owner, the habits that need to change often look like strengths. Answering every customer call personally, approving every estimate, or opening and closing the building every day can feel like dedication. As the business grows, those same habits become bottlenecks. A useful exercise is to list everything you did last week and mark which items only you could have done. The rest are candidates to train, delegate, or stop.
Creative Uses for Shop Space
The Salty Sisters’ story invites shop owners to look at their property with fresh eyes. Many shops have underused areas, such as extra office space, a large lot, or an unused bay, that could create value. Ideas range from leasing space to a complementary business like a detailer, tire specialist, or coffee cart, to using a room for community events, customer education classes, or technician training.
Any change should start with the basics: understanding local zoning, checking insurance and lease terms, and making sure the new use does not interfere with safety or operations. Done thoughtfully, creative use of space can add income, bring new people through the door, and make a shop a more interesting part of its community.
Partnerships with local businesses can also strengthen a shop’s reputation. When customers see their repair shop supporting other local entrepreneurs, it reinforces the idea that the shop is invested in the community, not just in selling repairs.
What Shop Owners Can Take From This Story
- Look at every square foot of your property and ask whether it is producing value.
- Consider partnerships with complementary local businesses.
- Collect and share customer stories, because they sell better than ads.
- Identify one habit that served you early on but is holding you back now.
For more stories of entrepreneurs building something unique, listen to Terry and Travis Griffith in Turning a Passion for Cars Into a Profitable Auto Repair Shop and Kori and Troy Vaninetti in Give ‘Em the Pickle!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I lease extra space in my auto repair shop to another business?
Often yes, but check the details first. Review your own lease or property documents to confirm subleasing is allowed, then confirm local zoning permits the other use. Talk with your insurance agent about liability, especially if the other business brings customers into areas near working bays. Put the arrangement in writing, covering rent, shared utilities, hours, signage, and responsibilities. A complementary tenant, such as a detailer or tire specialist, tends to be the easiest fit.
What kinds of businesses pair well with an auto repair shop?
Businesses that serve the same customers or give people something to do while they wait tend to work best. Examples include detailing, window tint, tire sales, a coffee stand, or a service business that fits a quiet, separate room, as the Salt + Sol story shows. The pairing should not create safety concerns or confuse customers about who is responsible for what. Separate entrances or clearly marked waiting areas help keep each business distinct.
How can a repair shop use customer stories in its marketing?
Start by asking permission whenever a customer shares a good experience. Capture the story in a few sentences, add a photo if the customer agrees, and post it on your website, social media, or in your newsletter. Focus on the problem the customer had and how your team helped. Real stories from neighbors are more believable than generic advertising, and they give potential customers a clear picture of what working with your shop is like.
How do I know which of my habits are holding my business back?
Look for tasks that keep you at the shop late, slow down decisions, or depend entirely on you. If work stops when you are out, a habit is likely the cause. Ask your team where they wait on you most, and track your time for a week to see where it goes. Habits that made sense when the business was small, like doing everything yourself, are often the first ones a growing owner needs to change.
Resources and Links From This Episode
- Salt + Sol Halotherapy website
- Salt + Sol Halotherapy Instagram
- Salt + Sol Halotherapy Facebook
- Salt + Sol Halotherapy TikTok
- Beloit Auto Repair
