Meet Kristen Nicholson | Founder

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kristen Nicholson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kristen, what do you attribute your success to?
The most important factor behind the success of the Urban Sweat brand is hands down community. Whether it’s our guests who choose us to be their sanctuary of wellness, or we’re partnering with health focused brands to bring awareness that self-care is healthcare. We found early on that the communities that we are in, the guests that support us, and the other small, women-owned businesses rise when we lift one another up.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Making the leap into entrepreneurship after 23 years in corporate healthcare to create Urban Sweat was an easy decision because I knew it was time to follow my passion after contributing so many years to other’s dreams. I took the fear I had in making the pivot and turned it into excitement to share my vision. I learned a lot along the way. I was doing things for the first time again and it felt great and scary all at the same time. I made a lot of mistakes that I learned from, and am able to share with my operating partners so that they don’t make the same mistakes. Now to have gone one step further to turn my passion into a franchise to bring these modalities to more communities across the country, and allow others to take their first leap into entrepreneurship themselves.

Urban Sweat is known in the market as highly focused on the community, and making our guests feel seen. We genuinely care about our guest’s experience from the moment they walk in the door. From the smell of the eucalyptus and lavender to the chromotherapy lights, to the heat of the sauna to the cold of the plunge and binaural beats of the music. The experience at Urban Sweat is truly a journey for your senses. We firmly believe that self-care is healthcare.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
When coming to Nashville, the obvious stops are along Broadway. You should definitely experience one day or night exploring the honky tonks, but Nashville’s charm is off the main strip.

Favorite Rooftops:
The Bobby
LA Jackson
Mercado by Butchertown

Favorite Gyms:
SolidCore
SHED Fitness
HotBox

Favorite Way to Feel Better Post Broadway:
Urban Sweat (WeHo and The Nations locations)

Favorite Areas for Shopping:
The Hill Center in Green Hills
12 South
Elle Gray in Sylvan Park

Favorite Areas for Hiking:
Percy Warner Park
Radnor Lake

Best Eats:
Edley’s BBQ
Epice
Mercado by Butchertown
Butcher and Bee
Cafe Roze
Margot

Check out any of the sporting events: Preds, Nashville Soccer and Titans

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The two groups that have been most impactful to me in this entrepreneurial journey are my Catalyst (part of EO) forum and the participants of The Nations Business Committee. The Nations is a community that has really come together to support one another and find ways to improve our neighborhood.

Website: www.urbansweat.com

Instagram: @urbansweat_thenations , @urbansweat_weho

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/urban-sweat-sauna-studio/?viewAsMember=true

Other: TikTok @urbansweatsaunastudio