We were lucky to catch up with Teri Chilefone recently and have shared our conversation below.

Teri, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today One of the toughest things about entrepreneurship is that there is almost always unexpected problems that come up – problems that you often can’t read about in advance, can’t prepare for, etc. Have you had such and experience and if so, can you tell us the story of one of those unexpected problems you’ve encountered?

One of the most unexpected challenges I faced came early, while working as a massage therapist for another company inside a resort at Lutsen Mountains. In January of 2014, during an intense cold snap, someone left their hotel windows open upstairs. The pipes froze, burst, and flooded the massage studios on the lower level.
Initially, we were allowed to work out of vacant hotel rooms, but as the busy winter season ramped up, I was informed that there was no longer space for massage, despite a full calendar and clients already booked. In the heart of winter, with demand at its peak, it felt like a gut punch.
The community around us stepped up in incredible ways. We were able to temporarily operate out of a small studio apartment on the ski hill offered by another business owner, just half a mile from our original location. Although temporary, It carried us through the winter and allowed us to honor the clients who had already booked sessions.
I was unsure of what the next steps were given the short term resolution for space. My dear friend Linda Garrity with Song Bird Realty invited me to look at her office space in Grand Marais to rent as a massage space, about 20 miles away. At first, I said no, although the space located right on the beach was pretty dreamy, originally it felt too far from what we felt was our primary market here at the base of the Summer and Ski resort of Lutsen Mountains and the space itself was a bit dilapidated. After some thought, I did a second walkthrough with my talented husband and business partner, James Coleman. We looked at the structural aspects and talked about possible renovations that would be required to transform the space. We decided to take the leap and made major tenant improvements to the interior, and added french doors and an outdoor deck overlooking Lake Superior, we opened our doors in June of 2014. The community embraced us immediately, and our new endeavor of LutZen took off.
That experience taught me the power of resilience, creativity, opportunity, faith in trusting my intuition and community. What felt overwhelming in the moment ultimately became my biggest opportunity for growth. It also reinforced a core value of LutZen Massage Studios: cultivating connection, care, and support, not just for our clients, but within our team and community as well. Sometimes, in the face of adversity, we are quietly handed a new path, one that leads not just around the obstacle, but towards a greater purpose.

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.

My wellness journey began with my first visit to Thailand, where I experienced Thai massage for the first time. That moment sparked a deep fascination with the body, energy, and the many ways touch can help people feel balanced, supported, and whole. I immersed myself in exploring a wide range of modalities and philosophies including Thai Massage, The Quantum Pathic Healing method, Reiki, Myofascial release, Ashiatsu and Lomi Lomi.
In 2010–2011, I set out on a solo backpacking journey abroad, intentionally seeking knowledge, training, and inspiration from around the world. Those experiences shaped not only my approach to bodywork, but my understanding of wellness as a deeply personal and holistic practice.
When I returned home, I knew I wanted to bring that vision of care and connection to northern Minnesota, a place that deeply resonated with me from my very first visit in 1989. The rugged beauty of the North Shore, the boreal forests, the presence of Lake Superior, and the strength of the community continue to inspire the heart of my work and the foundation of LutZen.
I founded LutZen Massage Studios in 2014 with the goal of creating a space where clients could reconnect with themselves, truly unwind, and experience deep relief from stress, pain and tension. We specialize in our signature myofascial massage method, which blends Eastern and Western techniques. It incorporates energy, grounding, compressions, stretching, and broad slow pressure in fluid, intentional connected strokes that create a restorative and transformative experience. It’s the pace and the stillness in the modality we practice that allows us to connect at a deeper level than traditional massage. We also offer hot stone therapy, deep tissue, relaxation, couples massages, and other wellness-focused treatments. Every session is personalized to meet the client’s unique needs because we believe wellness is deeply individual.
What sets us apart is our focus on both technique and experience. From plush, heated tables and warm towels to soothing aroma therapy scents and a calm, Zen-inspired atmosphere, every detail is designed to help clients relax and feel cared for. Beyond the physical benefits, our work nurtures mental clarity, emotional balance, and a sense of connection. The therapeutic effect of our style of massage can be felt at a cellular level It’s about creating space for people to feel seen, supported, and nurtured.
I’m most proud of the way our business has grown through collaboration and community. We’ve attracted an incredible team of therapists, each bringing unique gifts and expertise. Our studio feels less like a traditional business and more like a cooperative, a space where creativity, learning, and support flow freely among the team, and that energy extends to our clients. I’m also proud of the resilience and resourcefulness that have allowed us to grow, including navigating unexpected challenges early on, like flooding at our original location, and turning those moments into opportunities for growth.
For those curious to experience LutZen, know this: we offer far more than a traditional massage. At our core, we are devoted to your well-being. Here, care is intentional, the atmosphere is grounding, and each session is intuitively created with you in mind. We invite you to come and experience the LutZen difference.

Let’s move on to buying businesses – can you talk to us about your experience with business acquisitions?

Yes, I have. In December 2018, my husband and business partner and I purchased the Mountain Inn at Lutsen.
Prior to the purchase, we had built up our second location for LutZen Massage services at the Mountain Inn and were renting the space. We quickly realized within the first month of operation that we had limited control over our guest experience because the hotel itself was in disrepair and was run remotely with no employees on site. By acquiring the inn, we could bring our vision of service, comfort, and attention to detail fully to life. We saw an opportunity to create a truly special experience on the North Shore that combined hospitality and wellness.
The acquisition process was intense and sometimes exhausting, but exciting. December of 2018 we signed the documents, invested every penny we had, rolled up our sleeves, and got to work. The hotel was outdated, without employees, no property management system or way to take reservations or funds and no standard operating procedures in place. We bought a dream with potential and a vision of what it could become and a ton of sweat equity.
There were no manuals or guides, we literally had to create systems from scratch, from reservations and housekeeping to maintenance and front desk operations. Over the next two and a half years, we transformed the property, room by room, into a clean, welcoming, and memorable boutique-style inn.
Buying the Mountain Inn taught me invaluable lessons in resilience, problem-solving, and the importance of clear communication and thoughtful expectation-setting. Throughout the process, we were supported by incredible staff, local business owners, and loyal guests, support that made even the hardest moments deeply rewarding. Today, walking through the inn and watching guests enjoy the spaces we’ve created fills me with a genuine sense of pride.

We’d appreciate any insights you can share with us about selling a business.

Yes, I have. In March of 2022 after transforming the property to a high earning, welcoming, boutique-style experience, we had several offers from interested parties to purchase the Mountain Inn (which was not for sale). After careful consideration, we transitioned ownership of the Mountain Inn at Lutsen to Odyssey Resorts. Selling a business is about more than just the transaction, it’s about preparing the foundation so the next owners can continue to grow it successfully. One of the key lessons I learned is that having strong systems, clear processes, and a reliable team in place makes the transition smooth and ensures that the business retains its integrity and vision. It’s also important to consider the emotional side: letting go of something you’ve poured your heart into can be challenging, but seeing the business thrive under new leadership is incredibly rewarding.
For entrepreneurs hoping to sell their businesses one day, I’d say focus on building something that has value beyond yourself: create strong processes, nurture your team, and cultivate relationships with employees, clients and the community. If you do that, you’re not just selling a business, you’re passing on a legacy that continues to grow and make an impact.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lutzenmassage.com
• Instagram: www.instgram.com/lutzenmassage
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lutzenmassage
• Other: TripAdvisor: https://www.tripadvisor.com.ph/Attraction_Review-g60837-d12874968-Reviews-Lutzen_Massage_Studios-Grand_Marais_Minnesota.html