Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ryan & Thang Zeisig/cao. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Ryan & Thang , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?
In 2023, we created Sapa Spa and Wellness, with the mission of establishing a sanctuary in the city where you can escape the hustle and bustle of their busy lives, detox, and recharge their energy. Our goal is for our clients to leave feeling rejuvenated, healthier, and ready to return to their daily routines with renewed energy and a brighter outlook. We believe that this positive energy can then ripple out to the community. One of the main reasons for launching the wellness spa is our commitment to fostering inner well-being, helping people feel happy and revitalized from the inside out. A healthy and joyful core ensures that, regardless of age or appearance, you will radiate happiness and a beautiful glow.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
We are Ryan Zeisig and Thang Cao, the founders and owners of Sapa Spa and Wellness located in Denver, Colorado. Our wellness spa officially opened its doors in August 2024, following nearly a year of construction. Sapa Spa and Wellness situated on the ground floor of The Aspire building at 7th & Grant St, right next to Trader Joe’s on 7th Avenue.
We have always been dedicated to promoting people and well-being. Our first business, Cherry Creek Nail Spa, has been successfully operating for several years on 6th Avenue, specializing in a healthy, natural nail salon that utilizes high-quality, non-toxic products, including locally made sugar scrubs and lotions, alongside environmentally friendly practices. In 2023, we decided to expand our horizons and entered the wellness sector to better serve our community by providing more wellness options for our cherished clients. At Sapa Spa & Wellness, we firmly believe that wellness is essential for a joyful and healthy life. This belief inspired us to create our business, dedicated to assisting people in reaching their wellness goals in a way that suits them best.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
Our Wellness services take a holistic approach, thoughtfully curated based on our personal experiences and thorough research to ensure they genuinely benefit our users. We provide a range of offerings, including Salt therapy in a stunning Himalayan Salt Chamber, Infrared Sauna with chromotherapy lights, Ionic Detox Foot Baths, Red Dao Herbal Foot Baths, lymphatic massages, manicures and pedicures, and our most unique service: Red Dao Herbal Baths – the only location in the U.S. to offer these products and herbal soak services. Our focus is on detoxification and relaxation, aimed at rejuvenating both physical and mental well-being. Each service is designed to detoxify your body, followed by relaxation and nourishment to replenish your energy. Every element of our spa is carefully crafted to maximize the benefits of our offerings, all provided to you with love, heart, and soul.
Our Exclusive Offer is the unique experience of the Red Dao Herbal Bath:
Originating from the Red Dao community in Ta Phin village, Sapa, Vietnam, this enchanting bath is a traditional remedy that has been cherished for generations. It aids in maintaining health, promoting recovery, and healing from the chilly winters of the Sapa mountains. The medicinal herbs in the bath solution work to deeply detoxify your body, allowing you to relax and recuperate from fatigue, as well as alleviate cold or flu symptoms. Additionally, it offers substantial advantages for women during postpartum recovery. This magical bath encourages healing and accelerates the recovery process for a woman’s body after childbirth. Moreover, the herbal bath acts as a natural moisturizer for your skin, leaving it feeling silky smooth for several days following the bath. You will enjoy a private room, soaking in a beautifully crafted Japanese-style copper tub during this 30-minute bath session. This is not just a bath; it’s a truly magical experience. We proudly stand as the sole establishment in the US offering this unique product and service. We sincerely hope you take advantage of our special offer and find it beneficial. Crafted from 99.9% premium copper, the copper tub is custom-designed specifically for Sapa Spa and Wellness.
We also offer wellness workshops, such as Sound Baths and Breathwork, in our Salt Chamber. Our goal is to raise awareness about the importance of self-care and well-being while spreading positive energy within our community. To achieve this, we’ve established a Relaxation Destination for those seeking self-care or wishing to treat themselves and their loved ones with thoughtful wellness gifts.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
The origin and The journey to bring the Red Dao Herbal Bath to the U.S.
In 2012, Ryan and Thang crossed paths at the Marriott Indianapolis North hotel in Indianapolis, where they both worked. They tied the knot in 2013, and in 2014, they returned to Vietnam to visit Thang’s family. During this trip, Thang took Ryan to Sapa, a charming mountain town in northern Vietnam. While it was Ryan’s first visit to Sapa, Thang had been there many times, and this time she was five months pregnant with their first son. Before catching the night train to Sapa, Ryan grabbed a sandwich for a late-night snack, but soon after, he began experiencing stomach pain and ended up with food poisoning. During their stay in Sapa, Ryan spent three days recovering in their hotel room. On their final day, he finally felt well enough to join their friends for a trip to the village. There, he enjoyed a Red Dao herbal bath provided by a local villager, and it left him feeling rejuvenated and much better.
In 2023, Ryan and Thang made the decision to expand their family business, driven by their passion for wellness and a vision to create an exquisite relaxation destination. Their goal was to establish a place where people could temporarily disconnect, unwind, and rejuvenate their energy and well-being through holistic services. With fond memories and the enchanting experience of healing from the Red Dao Herbal Bath, they returned to Sapa with their beloved friends and family, aiming to discover the perfect product for their new spa.
They arrived in Sapa late at night on an October day and checked into the Laxsik Ecolodge, a delightful, locally-owned eco-lodge near Sapa. On their first day, the weather was rainy, cloudy, casting a dreamy atmosphere over the mountains and Muong Hoa Valley. After breakfast, Ryan and Thang made their way to the hotel’s Front Desk to ask about local providers of Red Dao Herbal Baths and to arrange for a motorbike rental to visit the village. They noticed a middle-aged lady assisting another hotel guest with her luggage. The lady was trying to offer something to the guest, but communication was difficult since she didn’t speak English. Thang stepped in to help translate, learning that the lady wanted to give the guest some local essential oils because she appeared tired from her journey. The lady explained that the oils would aid in recovery from the long trip, headaches, and high altitude. The hotel guest was delighted and thanked her for the thoughtful gift.
Feeling a connection, Thang asked the lady if she was the hotel owner. Upon confirmation, Thang and Ryan shared their search for local services. The lady asked them to wait a moment, then called her husband to join them in the lobby. When he arrived, they repeated their conversation, and he listened attentively. He then said, “I know the best and most authentic supplier in Ta Phin Village that you’re looking for; we will take you there after lunch.” Ryan and Thang learned that the couple’s names were Mrs. Tham and Mr. Chuyen. They all returned to their families for lunch and gathered back at the hotel lobby around 1:30 PM.
Tham and Chuyen then took them to Ta Phin Village, where they visited Sapanapro, a local homestay and supplier of the traditional Red Dao Herbal Bath solution. There, they met Ly Lao Lo, the CEO of a company established by his mother and the Red Dao women in 2007. This organization represents the Red Dao and H’Mong communities in the village, preserving their traditional remedies and culture while creating jobs for local residents.
With the help from Tham and Chuyen, Ryan and Thang spent the entire afternoon exploring Sapanapro and local shops. They conducted further research and partnered with Sapanapro and local villagers to source outstanding products for their new spa in Denver. Having already experienced the benefits of the Red Dao Herbal Bath remedy firsthand, Ryan and Thang were profoundly inspired by the genuine kindness of the Red Dao people and all those who assisted them in bringing these unique products to the U.S. They truly dedicated to the mission of sharing this special gift from nature and Red Dao traditions with their community. Their goal was to benefit the users at Sapa Spa and Wellness, create more job opportunities, and preserve the traditional bath remedy practices of the Red Dao people in Sapa, Vietnam.
On August 11, 2024, after nearly a year of construction, Sapa Spa and Wellness officially opened its doors to the Denver community. Their goal was to present these extraordinary products to a wider audience, alongside providing a range of wellness services. They sought to assist more people in achieving healthier, happier lives and to foster positive energy within the local community. And so, their journey began.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sapa-spa.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sapa_spa_wellness
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sapaspaandwellness/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/sapa-spa-and-wellness-denver
Image Credits
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