Rising Stars: Meet Stephanie Ubaydi

Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Ubaydi. Them and their team share their story with us below:

Rami Ubaydi has a 34-year background in the corporate world as a leading, post-acute care industry operations executive. He had a vision for the future of healthcare and pursued his passion to work loyally while bettering himself, his employees, and his residents, for a nationwide provider of skilled nursing and rehabilitation services. He is a true success story of starting at the bottom and working his way up from a dishwasher, through schooling obtaining his Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Oakland University in Rochester, MI, and his Masters of Business Administration from the University of Findlay, Findlay, OH, and ultimately, finishing his healthcare executive career as a vice president and proven leader of a major nationwide provider. In January 2022, having been awarded many industry accolades for innovative service programs that benefited the senior care industry employees, patients, and their families he left the corporate world and decided to pursue a long-time interest in being a small business entrepreneur.

Rami met his wife, Stephanie, while attending Oakland University and they have been married for 28 years. They have raised 4 children and have always wanted to own their own small business – looking for that opportunity over the years. In January 2022, the opportunity for a career change presented itself after the covid-19 pandemic ravaged the healthcare industry. While on vacation in Florida, Rami and Stephanie discovered Perspire Sauna Studio – Lake Mary, near Orlando. After finding out the benefits of infrared saunas and what makes Perspire Sauna Studios unique they decided to take the steps to their next adventure and become franchisees with their hometown being their first studio to break ground in Michigan. They are ready to bring Perspire Sauna Studio to Rochester, Michigan where many members of the community have already embraced them and their new endeavors

Stephanie Ubaydi started her career as a marketing professional after graduating from Oakland University, Rochester MI, in 1996. Having worked for several years in the advertising and marketing arena she turned her attention to raising children while continuing to serve her business clients in a freelance capacity. She enjoyed helping a variety of clients in many different market segments, identifying their marketing strategies, and building successful media campaigns. Along the way, Stephanie also developed a passion for local community volunteerism and developed a highly successful campaign in the Rochester area encouraging blood donation to save lives. As the children got older and the nest became emptier, in November 2019, Stephanie decided to pursue new passions in the health and wellness field. Stephanie jumped into a new career as a Physical Therapy Technician and discovered a new love for working through health challenges, one on one, with patients who were looking to make themselves stronger. This led to Stephanie back to school where she obtained a certification as a personal trainer. When Rami and Stephanie discovered Perspire Sauna Studio that day in January 2022, Stephanie had also been recently diagnosed with Raynaud’s Phenomena and infrared technology was exactly what she needed. Stephanie is excited to share the benefits she’s discovered with Perspire Sauna Studio’s exclusive infrared and color light therapy system with the Rochester community. She will be the manager of the studio when it opens in January 2023 and cannot wait to meet all the new members that she knows will enjoy Perspire Sauna Studio Rochester as much as she does.

Perspire Sauna Studio, one of the nation’s fastest-growing infrared and red light therapy (RLT) sauna franchise brands, is expanding its reach into the Detroit market with the announcement of a new location set to open in Rochester in January 2023. This growth stems from the desire of Rami and Stephanie Ubaydi, two area locals and the franchisees in mention, to make the franchise brand and its wellness-centric services available to residents throughout the region.

After 34 years spent as a leading healthcare executive, innovator, and proven leader in the field, Rami departed the industry to pursue his strong desire for small business development. Stephanie, a long-standing marketing consultant, made the decision in 2012 to shift her focus to family and volunteerism within their community. Thereafter, she became certified as both a physical therapy technician and personal trainer, which further ignited her enthusiasm for health and wellness. Last year, during a vacation to Florida, the couple discovered and experienced Perspire Sauna Studio firsthand. After one incredible session, the Ubaydi’s enthusiastically signed an agreement to become Michigan’s first franchisee.

“The Detroit area is among the fastest-growing markets in the Midwest, with a unique demographic of personal wellness-enthusiast that makes it the perfect home for Perspire to set up shop,” said Stephanie Ubaydi. “Our focus is entirely placed on this first studio location. Though, we’re hopeful in being able to introduce additional sites to the region in the not-so-distant future once our first venue has had time to aggregate.”

The wellness routines of men and women nationwide have proven resilient in the face of rising consumer costs within seemingly all economic sectors. Accounting for the expansion that the Perspire Sauna Studio brand has been able to maintain over the course of 2022 thus far. And there’s little doubt that growth will be curbed anytime soon.

“This is an exciting time for Perspire’s expansion as the concept continues to make its entrance into previously unaffiliated states and territories,” said Lee Braun, Founder/CEO of Perspire Sauna Studio. “That process is all the more exciting in this particular instance as Michigan is my home state, and I’ve been waiting quite some time to see the brand make its way to my former stomping grounds.”

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Perspire Sauna Studio is a new brand in Michigan. Our biggest obstacle as we work towards the grand opening of our first studio located in Rochester Hills, slated for January 2023, is educating the community on the scientifically backed health and wellness benefits that full spectrum infrared technology can provide.

Perspire Sauna Studio is the fastest-growing infrared sauna and red light therapy franchise in the U.S. The science-based, technology-driven, and wellness-seeking company provides guests with a modern-day experience of a centuries-old practice, allowing their bodies and mind to feel refreshed after each session. Founded and led by CEO Lee Braun, a Michigan native himself, Perspire’s goal is to expand to major markets throughout the U.S. to further instill its vision of making infrared wellness accessible to all. The franchise has just recently been awarded its 100th franchise agreement for future Perspire studios.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
An infrared sauna uses light colors including red light to create heat. An infrared sauna is different compared to a traditional sauna. A traditional sauna heats up the air whereas an infrared sauna heats your body directly without warming the air around you. Our full-spectrum infrared saunas combine beneficial infrared rays with the therapeutic beauty of visible color light in every sauna session. By eliminating the sun’s troublesome, harmful UV rays we provide a safe, restorative sweat session that will leave you rejuvenated.

Our infrared sauna studios use near, mid, and far-infrared waves which gently heat the body from within and allow you to reap the benefits of sweating. These waves are able to deeply penetrate the skin, muscles, joints, and tissues to improve blood circulation, and oxygen flow, and help to detoxify the body by removing impurities at the cellular level where bodies store waste and harmful toxins such as cholesterol and heavy metals. Read more about the innumerable benefits of an infrared sauna. The cooler temperature which allows for a longer session and increased therapeutic benefits make our saunas a great alternative to those who can’t tolerate the high heat of a traditional sauna.

Clinical grade Red Light Therapy utilizes low-level laser light to safely penetrate deep into the body in order to stimulate your body’s cells. It is used globally as part of treatments for Neuropathy, skin conditions, hair loss, athletic recovery, and much more.

Color Light Therapy is a method of treatment that uses the visible spectrum (colors) of electromagnetic light to treat diseases. It is a centuries-old concept based on the use of different light colors and their respective benefits.

Our Process: Schedule an appointment easily through our branded app Perspire Sauna Studio 2.0 found in your app store.

Get ready for your IR sauna experience: Most people do not drink enough water, to begin with, and now that you are using an infrared sauna and sweating, it is even more important to stay properly hydrated. Always drink plenty of water before, during, and after your session. Remove all makeup to allow your skin to receive the full benefits of the IR heat during your sauna experience.

Arrive for your appointment: Our staff will get you checked in, show you to your private room and make sure you know how to work the Smart TV and sauna controls.

What to wear: Lightweight shorts and a tee shirt are ok. Swimsuits are better. ‘Birthday Suit’ is best (we provide complimentary towel service). We recommend bringing clothing that is loose fitting and comfortable to put back on after your session—think ‘athleisure’.

During your IR session: Perspire is a wellness experience where the results are cumulative. This means the more you come in, the better you will feel. Just like working out or dieting, it will take a few sessions before benefits begin to manifest.

You may notice that it takes 10-20 minutes to break a sweat in your first session. This is because our saunas are heating your body directly, passively raising your core temperature by 2-3 degrees, rather than simply heating your skin with hot air. This is a defining difference between infrared and traditional saunas. As your body becomes more accustomed to raising your core temperature on a regular basis, your sweat will become more excessive and start sooner into your session.

We are most proud of being able to bring this wellness experience to the Rochester communities and to hear stories of guests’ health & wellness journeys and what it is about the benefits of Perspire Sauna Studio that they love.

Infrared sauna therapy helps you relax while getting an invigorating deep tissue sweat, leaving you fully refreshed, rejuvenated & renewed. Unlike traditional saunas, infrared saunas provide a gentle, soothing therapeutic heat that promotes relaxation & improved sleep.

Infrared sauna heat increases your blood circulation to help stimulate the sweat glands, releasing built-up toxins in the body which can then be eliminated by the liver and bowel. Regular infrared sauna sessions can help detoxify your body as it rids itself of accumulated highly toxic metals such as lead, mercury, nickel, alcohol, nicotine, sulfuric acid, and other organic and inorganic compounds.

As you relax in an IR sauna, your body is actually hard at work producing sweat, pumping blood, and burning calories. As your body increases sweat production to cool itself, your heart will work harder to pump blood at a greater rate to boost circulation.

This increase in your metabolism will burn calories all while you relax, as well as long after your session ends.

According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, regular use of an infrared sauna imparts a similar stress on the cardiovascular system as that of running, and regular use may be as effective a means of cardiovascular conditioning and burning of calories as regular exercise.

The deep heat that occurs during an infrared sauna session helps peripheral blood vessels dilate, bringing relief and healing to muscle and soft tissue injuries. Increased blood circulation carries off metabolic waste products and delivers oxygen-rich blood to oxygen-depleted muscles, so they recover faster.

The heat from the sauna also helps to reduce soreness on nerve endings and muscle spasms as muscle joints and fibers are heated. Muscles relax most readily when tissues are warm, for greater flexibility and range of motion.

Infrared heat helps to relieve muscle tension and thereby helping your body to make the most of its intended healing abilities.

Heal the natural way with zero negative side effects to start living a pain-free life.

Each 40-minute infrared sauna session raises your core temperature inducing an artificial fever. A fever is the body’s natural mechanism to strengthen and accelerate the immune response, as seen in the case of infection. This enhanced immune system, combined with improved elimination of toxins and wastes via intense sweating, increases your overall health and resistance to disease.

Not only will you come out of every session glowing on the outside, but you’ll be stronger on the inside. The profuse sweating achieved during your 40-minute infrared sauna session carries off deeply embedded impurities and dead skin cells. This leaves the skin glowing and immaculately clean.

Increased circulation draws your skin’s own natural nutrients to the surface. As a result, you will see improved tone, elasticity, texture, and fresh color. Increased circulation has also been shown to relieve acne, eczema, psoriasis, burns, lesions, and cuts.

Plus – cellulite reduction is an added benefit!

The increased heart rate and localized blood circulation work together to stop fatty deposits and fibrosis from accumulating liquids in the fat cells to reduce the appearance of cellulite.

Not only are infrared saunas relaxing, but the chromotherapy Perspire includes in each session has sleep-inducing benefits as well. Blue, for example, is a mentally relaxing color that has a pacifying effect on the nervous system encouraging great relaxation. It is ideal for sleep problems.

Relaxing, soothing blue rays combined with infrared heat bring great calm and peace to the mind that is worried, excited, or in a constant nervous state.

Over time, these therapies will improve natural melatonin and other sleep-related hormone levels to help you get better rest naturally.

We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
What Perspire Sauna Studio discovered as the nation emerged from the Covid Pandemic is that now more than ever people are looking for an individualized wellness experience and they are looking to natural methods of health & healing to aid them in the search for their own personal wellness.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.perspiresaunastudio.com/mi/rochester/
• Instagram: @PerspireRochester
• Facebook: @PerspireRochester
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMbRAZTARXSj87CqAke_oaQ

Image Credits
Perspire Sauna Studio, Kristen Scott Photo, and Ivette Gersh Photography