Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristin Wolfenbarger.
Hi Kristin, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My husband had always wanted to try sensory deprivation after an episode of The Simpsons from 1998 where Homer and Lisa Simpson tried sensory deprivation. About six years ago, he found a place about 1.5 hours away from where we lived that offered sensory deprivation and he talked me into coming with him to try it out. I was really nervous because I had no clue what to expect and the thought of being enclosed in a dark quiet room was a little unsettling. Once I got into the float tank, all my nerves melted away. When I got out, I felt like a new person. My mind was clear of all the anxiety-induced thoughts and I felt rested like I had slept for 12 hours. I was addicted!!! My husband and I then decided to purchase our own float tank for our home and began to learn more about floating and how to maintain the tanks. After about a year, we started talking about opening a float center because we knew that people would benefit from floating and that if we didn’t do it, someone else would. The problem was that we both had full-time jobs and no time to open a business. In 2017, I lost my job of 15 years and decided that was the time to make the jump and open a business. In March of 2018, we opened our doors and have not stopped since. We are about to have our four years anniversary in 2022!!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
We definitely had some struggles when we first opened because no one was familiar with float therapy and it is a niche business. There are a lot of misconceptions around sensory deprivation. Some think that it is no different from floating in a pool or taking an Epsom salt bath. Although those things are good ways to relax, you can not achieve true sensory deprivation in a pool or bathtub.
We also were impacted by the pandemic but luckily, we were not hit as bad as other businesses. I think the fact that we are a low-paced business along with people looking for wellness opportunities from dealing with the pandemic has helped us stay in business.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Uptown Float?
At Uptown Float, we have custom float chambers that are 8×4 ft wide and 8 ft tall. You are in control of your float room at all times. You can have the door open if you like and you have control of the lights and stars. Each float chamber is in its own private room with a shower and dressing area.
The rooms are filled with 10 inches of water 1000lbs of Epsom salt and it is heated to your skin temperature. While floating in the darkness and silence, your skin no longer feels the water since it is the same temperature as your skin and it feels as though you are floating in space. It is the ultimate escape from our busy lifestyles and total relaxation for the body and mind.
Uptown Float is one of the nicest float centers in Georgia with very competitive pricing! We also offer massage therapy which most love to do before their float.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
Luck has played a huge role in our adventures of business owning. We were lucky to have had the opportunity to fulfill our dream of owning our own business AND that it was something that we are so passionate about.
Shortly after we opened my husband lost both of his parents within the same month which was devastating to our family. We took a little bump in business while we got through the loss but it made us stronger and more determined to continue our dreams.
Of course, we also go shut down for about three months during the beginning of the pandemic which took a huge hit on business and we were unable to operate at full capacity until things settled down. Luckily we were able to get through it with the help of disaster funding from the government and the self-determination to keep the business running.
Pricing:
- 60 Minute Intro Float (New Customers) – $49
- 90 Minute Intro Float (New Customers) – $59
- 60 Minute Float – $69
- 90 Minute Float – $70
Contact Info:
- Email: uptownfloatga@gmail.com
- Website: https://uptownfloat.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uptownfloat/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uptownfloat
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/uptownfloatga
