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Vancouver, WA

Expanding an outdoor thermal spa to meet demand and scale community-based wellness experiences.

• Growing demand: Fully booked spa sessions with long waitlists and a growing membership interest.
• Planned expansion: Funds will support development of a second modular spa location in the Portland area.
• Community-focused model: Designed as a nature-inspired outdoor sanctuary with emphasis on relaxation and connection.
• Organic growth: Business built without advertising through word-of-mouth and strong customer retention.
• Experienced founder: Entrepreneur with hands-on business and construction experience driving a scalable vision.

Connect Wellness is raising funds to support the expansion of its outdoor thermal cycle spa network with a second location in the Portland metro area. The business offers affordable access to traditional sauna, cold plunge, and hot soak experiences in a nature-inspired, community-centered setting. The raised capital will be used primarily for working capital, including construction of a modular spa unit, property leasing, and infrastructure for the new location. The expansion aims to meet existing demand, as current capacity is maxed out and waitlists remain consistently full. By scaling its model, Connect Wellness intends to deliver more spa sessions to new customers while maintaining its core values of accessibility, relaxation, and connection.

Founded by Michelle Baker, Connect Wellness blends wellness entrepreneurship with a creative, design-forward approach inspired by global hot spring and spa cultures. What began as a backyard pilot has grown into a thriving destination, built from reclaimed materials and supported entirely by organic customer demand. The company serves a loyal base drawn by its emphasis on nature, community, and intentional spaces, and is positioned to lead in a rapidly growing sauna and thermal wellness market. With a unique modular concept, the business aims to replicate this experience across multiple locations in the Pacific Northwest. Funds from this raise will allow Connect Wellness to finalize site selection, complete modular construction, and open before the fall busy season, while setting the stage for long-term scalability.

Company Info

Connect Wellness is an outdoor thermal spa offering sauna, plunge, and soak sessions inspired by global traditions in a community setting.

Connect Wellness is an outdoor thermal cycle spa based in Vancouver, Washington, offering affordable access to traditional wellness practices including saunas, cold plunges, and hot soaking tubs. Inspired by natural hot springs and international spa traditions, its whimsical design creates a community-centered space for relaxation and connection. The business operates entirely outdoors and draws influence from Japanese onsen, Nordic spas, and nature-based aesthetics, with amenities designed to evoke warmth and joy.

The company was founded in response to the personal wellness experiences of its founder, who began with a backyard spa and identified unmet demand in the local market. Connect Wellness has seen steady organic growth through word-of-mouth and minimal advertising, often operating at full capacity with waitlists for key time slots. With expansion plans underway, including a modular second location, the business seeks to increase capacity and diversify its offerings with features like private spas and a steam room. The spa’s current success is attributed to its accessible two-hour sessions, strong community appeal, and the broader growth of the U.S. sauna market, which is experiencing increased interest in thermal wellness as a lifestyle.