We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Marianna Tripp a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Marianna, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. If you had a defining moment that you feel really changed the trajectory of your career, we’d love to hear the story and details.

I was happily working my salt room business when I noticed that a lot of young moms were bringing kids for breathing therapy, ashamed and trying to hide their tattooed eyebrows, as they are not the right shape, or too dark, or had changed color into some other (brown became blue, f.e.). And my nature is to help people, or at least to try to figure out how to and who could help. That led me into research on ways to remove tattoos… Then to research lasers…and falling into a rabbit hole of studying it from the best on both sides of the world! (It helps to know multiple languages) ;)

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

All started when I realized that there is no oxygen in the air in Missouri.
I grew up on a Baltic Sea. Yes, we had chilly beaches but there was oxygen in the air…Always! Living Midwest summers is like being in sauna at all times. Plus molds, plus pollution, plus allergies. We all need to breathe. Salt in the ocean air is healing, so, “we brought ocean to the Midwest”;)
Of course with this fast paced world, who has the time to relax in a salt room for 45 minutes (especially with kids). We have a special both, where the salt in the air gets very concentrated and in 20 min you get the same benefits as being on a beach for about 3 days…
The very first year showed unbelievable and heart warming results! People who came regularly were feeling better. Singers could take higher notes, swimmers could get better results, runners were running faster, allergy reactions lighter, kids coming off inhalers…
Later, were added a laser tattoo removal and permanent makeup service. The research of one led to another. So, logically, now we specialize in removing facial tattoos and permanent makeup, as this needs very special training.. Currently we have 2 beautiful big lasers and very satisfied clients

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Having proper big posters on the walls and explaining everything in detail. From a scientific point but on fingers and drawing pictures for people. People want to know facts. Which makes us more credible. We can answer absolutely any question!
The YouTube videos on tattoo removal do not explain things. Everyone is different, and the location of the tattoo will make a big difference in the speed of removal and pain levels(yes, even the same approximate location for some is very painful, while some do not even blink)

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

When realized that breathing in a salt room is apparently a seasonal thing… Lol
Summer was slow, which gave me time to research and learn lasers.
Agree, very unusual combination.. and that’s why love it!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Stlsaltbox.com
• Instagram: @the_salt_box
• Facebook: The Salt Box
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stlsaltbox

Image Credits

KateBellstl is poster and websites designer