Meet Patti Salomon | Small business owner and floater of Salt 360 Float Studio

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

Hi Patti, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
A few years ago when I first considered starting my own business, my very busy life in St. Louis included being a single mother, managing a small business and rehabbing a home. I worked out regularly to try to stay healthy, but I still felt the effects of the stresses of everyday life. When I spoke with my daughter, who was in college in Portland at the time, she told me she had visited a float center and had really enjoyed the physical and mental benefits of floating. She thought I might enjoy floating too, so she sent me a gift certificate for visits to a St. Louis float center.

During my first float, I completed the simple pre-float preparation then entered the tank, lay back, and closed my eyes. I waited and waited, expecting that any minute I’d experience the relaxation and serenity I’d heard so much about. Floating was definitely effortless and comfortable, but an hour later when my session ended, I wasn’t sold. Frankly, I’d spent the majority of the hour thinking about not thinking.

When I returned to the float center for my second float, I knew better what to expect. When I settled into the float tank, I was comfortable with the darkness, silence, and weightlessness. I had also decided to not try to control my thoughts, and I accepted the fact that I might spend another hour thinking about not thinking. This time, however, the experience was completely different. Before I knew it, my body was fully relaxed and my mind had grown quiet. When the session ended I felt physically and mentally refreshed. I was hooked! As I left the studio, I signed up for a float at the end of each month as a way to peacefully close one month and create a positive start to the next.

Just as I settled into this monthly floating routine, life (as it frequently tends to do) threw me some curve balls. My daughter decided to stay in Portland after graduation, and the owner of the company I managed chose to retire and sell the company. As I contemplated my options for the future, I reflected upon my frequent visits to Durango, Colorado, to visit my mother. I was struck by how welcoming, healthy and mindful the people there were. Soon I decided not only to make Durango my home but also to open a float center there. This new venture felt like a natural fit for me and a way to share the benefits of floating with a community I truly wanted to become part of. In 2018 Salt 360 was born.

Salt 360’s mission is to provide clients with an experience beyond their highest expectations. We offer clients the best in equipment, sanitation, and service. Our extra large, top-of-the-line tanks have a more efficient filtration system than any others on the market. Our trained staff follows carefully designed procedures to ensure that clients’ experience is both enjoyable and hygienic. I’m proud to say our service is second to none.

Today Salt 360 is thriving. We’re delighted to serve our Durango neighbors and thrilled to welcome the many travelers who make floating part of their vacation experience.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

Before establishing Salt 360, I managed a small publishing company. In that position, I worked one-on-one with customers and honed the interpersonal and customer-service skills that were essential in building Salt 360’s growth and success. I take a personal interest in all my Salt 360 clients and am proud to call many of them friends.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well, of course I would make sure they got a few floats in after a great day of hiking Ice Lake, Purgatory Flats or any other of our fabulous hiking trails. In the winter, those floats would come in quite handy after a rigorous day of skiing at Purgatory or snowshoeing around Little Molas Lake, I would make sure to include a visit for some kayaking in the summer at Lake Nighthorse. Outdoor activities galore. After a day at Purgatory, I would stop at the Nugget Bar for some lively apres ski, or hike! After cleaning up from a great day of activity, I would visit Union Social House for a drink then head over to Eolus for a lovely roof top dinner.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My mother’s example and support were invaluable in the establishment and success of Salt 360. I initially considered Durango as a location for Salt 360 because of my mother’s love of living there and my desire to spend more time with her. But my mother influenced much more than Salt 360’s location. As a child, I saw my mother raise a family while running her own business. She was an incredible role model of how to be both a loving mother and a successful entrepreneur. In addition, she constantly provided me with support and encouragement as I went through the exciting but daunting process of establishing Salt 360.

I also need to recognize my daughter’s role in my Salt 360 story. Her gift to me of flotation center visits introduced me to all the amazing benefits of floating and created the spark that led me eventually to open the float studio. In addition, her encouragement as I worked to start the business was invaluable, and it continues to inspire me today. I appreciate her constant support so much and couldn’t be prouder to be her mother.

Website: salt360float.com

Instagram: @salt360float

Facebook: @salt360float