Today we’d like to introduce you to Shaker Rabban
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I am Shaker Rabban, proud owner and founder of Firefly Sauna, a Saint Paul-based sauna tent company. My journey into the world of saunas began from my love for cold water plunges. From my earliest memories, I have been drawn to cold water swims in Lake Erie, Lake Saint Claire, and other surrounding lakes near Detroit, where I grew up. Plunging into those chilly waters, I discovered a feeling unlike anything I had felt before. It wasn’t just a rush or a shock to the senses; there was a profound sense of liberation and connection to nature I felt in those moments.
Upon moving to Minneapolis in 2007, I discovered a vibrant sauna culture: a unique community of individuals coming together around the sauna experience. What struck me the most was how people connected and bonded during these sessions – starting as strangers and becoming like family by the end of just a few rounds. I saw firsthand that these sauna sessions were not only good for our bodies, but also deepened connections – with oneself, with the community, and with nature.
It was during this time that I realized saunaing would be a lifelong practice for me. I purchased my first sauna tent several years ago and integrated it into my outdoor adventures. Whether camping in the wilderness, exploring the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, or visiting my favorite lakes and beaches around the Twin Cities, the portability and accessibility of the sauna tent allowed me to experience the transformative power of sauna anywhere. As someone with a background in outdoor retail and a love for camping, I saw an opportunity to create a better-quality sauna tent that could enhance the user’s wellness and connection with others.
In 2023, after overcoming various obstacles, I took the leap to establish Firefly Sauna with the mission of sharing the profound benefits of sauna and contrast therapy with people worldwide. This venture was born out of my passion for the holistic wellness that sauna and nature can provide in a world too often disconnected from community, self-care and spirituality. The work is far from finished, and I am eager to continue spreading the joy and transformative power of sauna experiences to all.
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?
My journey has been anything but smooth, but I firmly believe that worthwhile endeavors are meant to be challenging. I started to lay the groundwork for my business in 2020, right before the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent global unrest. These events forced me to completely rethink my business strategy and supply chain. Like many entrepreneurs, I felt the pressures of starting a new business during this time–what if it didn’t work?
The toughest part for me has been trying to find a sense of balance while juggling a full-time job, single parenting, and launching a business. Despite the hurdles, I remain resolute in my belief that my venture can make a positive impact on both the cultural and personal levels. As the saying goes, ‘choose your hard’ – I have chosen the challenges of entrepreneurship because I believe in the power of saunas to address various societal and individual issues.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Firefly Sauna?
At Firefly Sauna, we pride ourselves on offering premium sauna tents and stoves, but also provide engaging experiences for people interested in trying out a sauna in person. We just recently participated in The Great Northern Festival Sauna Village, which drew 3,000 guests over a three-week period, making it one of the largest sauna gatherings in North America. We’ve hosted pop-up events at diverse venues like breweries, winter festivals, and charity functions, in addition to providing rentals for private backyard sauna parties, camping adventures, or lakeside retreats.
We are constantly looking to improve the sauna tent experience, and currently developing a revolutionary sauna tent design. It’s set to be the first of its kind – a portable, multipurpose solution merging sauna and camping features – scheduled for release this fall.
At the core of Firefly’s ethos is a profound belief in the transformative influence of nature in alleviating the pressures of contemporary living. We are devoted to constructing sanctuaries of reconnection for modern seekers, facilitating a harmonious balance with the natural world and one’s inner self.
One of the greatest joys in my role is witnessing the positive impact saunas have on people — that transformative connection that is created between nature, community, and self. Helping people find that is at the essence of everything we do at Firefly Sauna.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I’m Chaldean, Which is one of the Christian population groups of Iraq. So saunas are definitely not something that was native to me in any sort of way growing up. And most people would never guess that my parents are Iraqi immigrants. Hence the atypical name Shaker. My parents emigrated from Iraq in the late 1970s and settled in Detroit, where most of the Iraqi and Chaldean community now lives.
Pricing:
- Full Firefly Spark Sauna Kit (4-5 people) I $1499
- Dome 8-person Sauna Starting at $979
- Weekend Rentals Starting at $100
Contact Info:
- Website: https://fireflysauna.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fireflysauna/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553631480445
