How Lynn & Jason Makela Built a Thriving Sauna & Hospitality Business in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
Are you ready to launch your sauna business, but unsure where to begin when it comes to choosing the right location? In this webinar, we’ll dive into the essential strategies for selecting the ideal space for your business, ensuring that your location not only supports your growth but also elevates the overall sauna experience for your customers.
Join us for an inspiring and deeply practical conversation with Lynn Makela, co-founder of Takka Saunas and Fresh Coast Cabins, as she shares her journey from a single off-grid cabin to a portfolio of thriving destination properties in Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula.
Whether you’re just getting started or already running your own sauna-focused business, this session will help you reimagine what’s possible—and how to get there, one step at a time.
▶️ Watch the webinar
In this conversation, you’ll learn…
- How to identify real estate with potential — and what it takes to secure funding and community buy-in.
- The power of casting vision clearly—to bankers, city officials, and your own future self.
- Why story, design, and the guest experience are as important as your business model.
Suggested Resources
Ready to go deeper? Explore these projects and tools that inspired and shaped Lynn’s entrepreneurial path:
- True North Cabin – The original off-grid escape that started it all.
- Fresh Coast Cabins – A beautifully restored lakefront resort with nine cabins and a strong sense of place.
- Takka Sauna – A public sauna experience on the shores of Lake Superior and now in downtown Hancock.
- LocalRealEstateDeveloper.com – Check out Lynn’s Resource: Unlocking the power of local real estate development
Build your business alongside a team that’s done it before
The Sauna Business Accelerator is our year-long mentorship and coaching program for entrepreneurs ready to open doors and grow their vision. If you’re serious about launching or expanding your sauna-based business, this is your next step.
Members receive:
- 12 months of focused mentorship and coaching
- Weekly group calls and monthly workshops
- Access to an engaged and supportive peer network
- Strategic reviews of your site, model, and business plan
- A structured, warm environment to stay accountable and keep moving forward
Book an interview and take the next step on your sauna journey.
