Meet Rachel Helfman | Ad Tech Marketer, Small Business Owner, & Mom

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rachel Helfman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rachel, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
It was the middle of the pandemic and I was stuck at home — as a new mom — desperately craving some me time. Amidst covid, I wasn’t comfortable going into Manhattan unless it was dyer, so I missed luxuries such as using an infrared sauna. As a tenured marketer and brand strategist, I started asking myself how could there not be an Infrared sauna studio in this mile square (Hoboken)? If brands like Soul Cycle and Anthropologie have invested in opening in Hoboken, there is obviously a market of individuals who will pay top dollar for premium goods and services. So…I took a leap of faith and filed the LLC for Sweat and Glo in January 2021 and we opened Hoboken’s first Infrared Sauna studio in April of that year. I always wanted to own my own business, so I finally bet on myself and figured “there is no better time than now”.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I would like to think that my career trajectory started when I moved to Manhattan to finish school at FIT. The city alone opened so many doors for me. The bright lights and big city were certainly sexy — especially for a girl from upstate NY — but it also felt like a bad dream at times. It was so unattainable in my twenties. I was broke, struggling, and trying to balance a part-time job, internship, and a full college curriculum. Hell – there were nights I couldn’t afford a can of tuna for dinner or a $2.25 subway ride. Something in me wouldn’t give up though. I had a piece of toast – and maybe that alone – for the day….or walked 40 blocks to get to wherever I needed. I wanted more for myself. So no — It was the farthest thing from easy. I will never forget my parents saying “NYC is the coldest and most expensive city in the world, are you sure you want to move there? It will be lonely.” That alone, added fuel to my fire. I wanted to show everyone I had it in me to be great.

My internship at Vogue led to an early career in fashion publishing. From there, I continued my career at places like Snapchat and Roku. I think all of the trials and tribulations throughout building my career is what ultimately inspired me to open my own business. If I could survive (and thrive) with every obstacle thrown my way to date, why wouldn’t I succeed as a business owner?

I learned to never give up — to keep fighting for what you want and what you believe in. It might not be easy, but it doesn’t mean it’s not possible.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well seeing Hoboken, NJ is 10-minutes outside of Manhattan, I would have to show them the best of both worlds.

We would kick off our weekend at Dino & Harry’s steakhouse for an incredible Martini and steak. This local restaurant has been around for years and has some of the best food in town.

Obviously the next morning we would need to sweat out the night before so we would head on over to Elevate Pilates for a kick-ass workout on the reformer followed by a sweat session at Sweat and Glo.

After showering and getting ready for the day we would head over the river to Manhattan. Maybe we would start at the Banksy exhibit or visiting the Andy Warhol “Photo Factory”, followed by a good dinner at Carbone — the spicy vodka rigatoni is to die for.

Sunday we would do NOTHING. As a mommy, boss, and business owner I need one day fully dedicated to spending it with my daughter. Our “Sunday Funday” usually involves a mommy and daughter brunch followed by some play time.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many people who encouraged me to take a leap of faith and open my own business. First and foremost, my husband Justin Helfman — without his unwavering love and support I would’ve never taken this step out of my comfort zone. Secondly, previous colleagues such as Kaitlin McGirl who believed in me (even when I didn’t see what she did). Lastly, my brother Dan and childhood friend Emily, really gave me the confidence I needed to push forward when doubts started to creep in my head.

Website: https://www.sweatandglostudio.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweatandglo/

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/racheldalyhelfman