Small Business Spotlight: beem® Light Sauna, Coming to the Mill District in Early 2026

Article by Becky Fillinger, photo provided

A Discussion with co-owner, Anne Heike

Are you craving relaxation, a boost to the metabolism and deep detoxification? Check out beem® Light Sauna, coming early 2026 to 623 Washington Avenue S (street level in 240 Park Ave Apartments). We talked to co-owner Anne Heike about the science behind infrared sauna and light therapies, customized sessions and a founder’s forever discount of 25% off membership rates during the pre-open period. What a great holiday gift! 

Q:  What inspired you to start this business - how did you first discover infrared sauna or light therapy?

A:  Brent Lien (my business partner) and I were both looking to pivot from our long corporate careers, mine was with Target in advertising and creative, and his was with HID Global in product design. We were intrigued by beem® and it felt like a nice fit for both our skill sets and it checked off the wellness box we were both craving. Brent is an avid cyclist and we both work hard to stay healthy. We both love biking around the city - I just can't claim his level of commitment. ;)

With beem®, we loved the blend of modern innovation with the ancient tradition of sauna. The firsthand experience along with the strong branding motivated us to invest in the business. beem® is a very young, very small national franchise. When we invested, there were only nine open studios (mostly in the South), so it felt like a bit of a risk. 

Now, there are 55 open locations. Minnesota has four beem locations in the metro area, our Minneapolis studio will be the fifth. Brent and I are very proud and excited to be "downtown." 

Q:  How would you describe the experience for someone who’s never tried infrared sauna or light therapy before?

A: Each private sauna session is 40 minutes. The experience is soothing and deeply restorative. Full-spectrum infrared wavelengths (near, mid, and far) gently warm the body from within, promoting deep detoxification through sweating, easing muscle soreness, and enhancing circulation without the oppressive heat typical of traditional "wet" saunas. Infrared is all the "good" wavelengths of the sun without the harmful UV light. A person can burn up to 600 calories in a single IR sauna session. After a beem® sauna, I feel refreshed and energized, like I've just had a good workout, and I can expect to have a great night's sleep! 

Our Light therapy (Red, Blue or Green) is a shorter session usually 10-20 minutes. A full-body treatment envelopes you in calming, therapeutic wavelengths of light that help boost energy, support mood, relieve chronic pain and improve skin health. Both therapies provide a peaceful, calming atmosphere where clients can relax fully while their body rejuvenates.

Q:  Those results sound amazing - what kind of benefits do your clients usually notice first?

A:  Clients often report immediate relaxation and reduced muscle tension after their very first session. Many also notice improved sleep quality, enhanced energy levels, and clearer skin after a few sessions. Over time, regular use can support deeper detoxification, pain relief, and greater overall wellbeing, making it a valuable complement to fitness and wellness routines.

Q:  How do you help people integrate sessions into their wellness routines?

A:  We work closely with clients to tailor session frequency and duration based on their unique health goals and lifestyles. Whether you’re an athlete recovering from training, someone managing chronic pain, or simply looking for stress relief, we always suggest realistic schedules and provide guidance so sauna and light therapy become a consistent, sustainable part of your self-care routine. Much like a workout routine or a daily vitamin, it's really up to you and your goals. beem® is a great compliment to your wellness routine, because it's so restorative. 

Q: How do you help people understand the science behind your services?

A: Thanks for asking - education is key to our approach. We provide clear, evidence-based information about how infrared heat and light wavelengths interact with the body at the cellular level. We share trusted research and answer guests' questions to demystify the technology, empowering people to make informed decisions about their wellness.

Q: How do we follow your news?

A: Stay connected with us through our website and social media channels - Instagram and Facebook. We will regularly post updates about pop-up events, local partnerships, new services, wellness tips, and exclusive promotions. We plan to be open in early 2026 - the New Year! Stop in, say hello and we'll warm you up.