Rising Stars: Meet Melissa Lasley of Centennial

Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Lasley.

Hi Melissa, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
We’re a Colorado family of five, and like a lot of families, our journey into business wasn’t something we had perfectly planned it grew out of change, uncertainty, and a desire to build something of our own.

For over 20 years, I worked as an engineering technologist in the oil and gas industry. It was stable, structured, and familiar. But after the pandemic, everything shifted. When my company sold off properties, I was let go—one of those moments that forces you to stop and rethink everything.

Because of my background in IT, I started helping my sister-in-law at her health clinic. What began as temporary support quickly turned into managing the clinic and solving all of their technical challenges. Being in that environment—surrounded by people focused on wellness sparked something in me. I realized I didn’t just want another job. I wanted to build something that aligned with both my skills and my growing passion for health. That’s when the idea of saunas really took hold.

Starting the business wasn’t glamorous. In fact, it was incredibly slow and, at times, discouraging. For the first year and a half, we didn’t make a single sale. Not one. We made a conscious decision to play the long game—focusing heavily on SEO, learning everything we could, and building a foundation we hoped would eventually pay off. There were definitely moments where we questioned if it would work at all.

Behind the scenes, this has always been a family effort. My husband, who is an architect, contributes design expertise and creates 3D renderings for clients, helping them truly visualize what’s possible. Our three kids, two sons, 21 and 16, and our 10-year-old daughter have grown up watching us build this from the ground up. And while they may not be running operations, they’re part of the energy and motivation that keeps us going.

A typical day? It’s a mix of emails, ads, invoices, and constantly working to improve our online presence. It’s busy, sometimes chaotic, and definitely more hours than I should probably admit. One of the hardest parts of this journey has been giving up the security of a guaranteed paycheck. But we believed in what we were building enough to take that risk.

We’ve lived in Centennial, Colorado our whole lives, surrounded by family. That sense of community has shaped how we see both life and business. Living here—where people value the outdoors, connection, and well-being—has only reinforced our belief in the sauna lifestyle. For us, saunas aren’t just about physical health. They’re about slowing down, reconnecting, and creating space for both mental and social well-being. That’s something we think is missing for a lot of people today.

One of the most emotional moments in this journey came during the 2025 holiday season when we finally started making sales. After so much time, effort, and uncertainty, seeing that first real traction; it meant everything. It was validation that maybe, just maybe, we were building something that could last.

Today, like many small businesses, we’re navigating a challenging economic environment. Growth isn’t always fast or predictable, but we’re steady, committed, and continuing to push forward. More than anything, we’re proud that we didn’t quit that we stuck with it long enough to see it begin to work.

This business is more than just selling saunas. It’s about building a life, as a family, on our own terms and sharing something we truly believe in with others.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, and honestly, I don’t think most meaningful businesses are.

One of the biggest challenges early on was simply getting started and accepting how slow the process would be. We went a full year and a half without making a single sale. That’s a long time to keep showing up every day, putting in the work, and not seeing any financial return. There were moments where we questioned if it was ever going to work.

Financial uncertainty was another major hurdle. Walking away from a stable paycheck after 20 years in a structured industry wasn’t easy. There’s a level of pressure that comes with building something from scratch, especially when you have a family depending on you. You have to learn to operate without that safety net and trust the process, even when it’s uncomfortable.

On the operational side, learning how to grow an online business the right way was a challenge in itself. We chose to focus heavily on SEO and long-term strategy instead of quick wins. That meant a lot of late nights, constant learning, and wearing multiple hats like marketing, customer service, tech, and operations all at once.

There’s also the emotional side of entrepreneurship that people don’t talk about enough. The ups and downs can be intense. You can go from feeling hopeful to discouraged in the same day. But those challenges also forced us to become more resilient and more focused on what really matters.

One of the most defining moments came when we finally started making sales during the 2025 holiday season. After such a long period of uncertainty, that moment was incredibly emotional. It didn’t just represent revenue. It represented validation that all the hard work, patience, and belief in what we were building was finally starting to pay off.

Even now, with ongoing economic uncertainty, there are still challenges. But we’ve learned how to keep moving forward, stay adaptable, and focus on steady progress instead of quick wins.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My professional background started in the oil and gas industry, where I worked as an engineering technologist for over 20 years. That experience gave me a strong foundation in problem-solving, systems, and understanding how large operations function efficiently.

Today, my work has evolved into helping businesses operate smarter. I specialize in IT management and identifying opportunities for companies to become more efficient and profitable. I’m often brought in when a business is struggling or feeling stuck, and I help them streamline their systems, reduce unnecessary costs, and create a clearer path toward profitability.

What sets my approach apart is that I don’t just look at one piece of the business. I look at the whole picture, from technology and operations to where money may be slipping through the cracks. My goal is always to simplify, stabilize, and help business owners regain control and confidence in how their company is running.

Alongside this work, I run Prime Spot Saunas, which combines my technical background with my passion for health and wellness. Building this business has allowed me to apply everything I’ve learned in a very personal way, from website optimization and SEO to customer experience and long-term growth strategy.

What I’m most proud of is being able to take years of structured, corporate experience and turn it into something that helps both my own business and others succeed. Whether it’s improving a company’s operations or helping a customer create a wellness space in their home, the common thread is the same. It’s about building something that works better and lasts.

What does success mean to you?
Success, to me, is consistency and peace of mind.

It’s building something that creates steady, reliable income, not just for the sake of money, but in a way that I feel good about. I want to know that what I’m doing is helping people, that it aligns with my values, and that it’s something I’m proud to stand behind.

After years of working in a structured industry with a guaranteed paycheck, success used to feel like stability. Now, it looks a little different. It’s having the freedom to build something of my own, while still creating that same sense of security for my family.

It’s also about balance. Being able to support my family, be present in their lives, and know that the business we’re building is sustainable long-term.

At the end of the day, success isn’t about big moments or quick wins. It’s about showing up consistently, building something that lasts, and feeling confident that we’re moving in the right direction.

Pricing:

• Our saunas typically range from entry-level options to fully custom, high-end builds depending on size, materials, and design preferences
• We work closely with each client to tailor solutions that fit their space, goals, and budget
• Custom designs and 3D renderings are available to help clients visualize their investment before purchasing
• We focus on long-term value, quality craftsmanship, and creating a wellness experience rather than just a product

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.primespotsaunas.com/