From a translucent DIY dream to a design-forward wellness sanctuary, Soluna’s story proves that slow, intentional creation can spark something extraordinary.
“I spent three months building my sauna—and you’ll never guess what happened next.”
It started with a pile of boards, a borrowed trailer, and an idea that refused to go away. Colin Cabalka didn’t set out to launch a sauna brand—he wanted to build a small space to slow down, breathe, and reconnect with nature.
As the build took shape—board by board, mistake by mistake—something deeper emerged: a calling to create a sauna that blended light, craft, and community into a single, sensory experience.
The Build That Started It All
“I had no idea what I was doing,” Colin says. “Every day was trial-and-error. I showed up. I failed. I Googled. I tried again.”
From a mobile wagon frame with a mobile shed structure to a morning-light–catching prototype, the first Soluna was a study in resilience and joy. What began as curiosity became a working concept for a modular, light-filled, solar-assisted sauna — alive with warmth and connection.
Creator’s Note
As a filmmaker and creative director, I’ve spent a decade+ shaping stories for brands and nonprofits—leading studios, building teams, and producing long-form series. That same lens—narrative arc, human connection, material honesty—guided Soluna. The sauna had to feel like a story you want to return to. — Colin
Product Innovation: Why Soluna Feels Different
At the heart of every Soluna sauna is thoughtful design that enhances your ritual in ways traditional forms can’t.
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Translucent structure invites sunlight to dance with warm wood, elevating mood and connection to place.
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Modular kits are engineered for backyard living—two people, a few hours, one sanctuary.
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Passive solar gain: polycarbonate panels can add 60°F+ under sun exposure before you ever touch the heater.
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Materials chosen for beauty + longevity:
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Japanese Cedar (benches/flooring) — stable, aromatic, moisture resistant
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Translucent and non-toxic wall panels are built from premium, heat-safe materials engineered for demanding, high-temperature environments.
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High-quality, rust-resistant aluminum and steel surround the wood stove, deflecting heat and protecting the sauna, ensuring safety and durability.
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Breathable comfort: multi-level benches for stratification; passive vents placed for natural airflow—heat that feels good.
The Soluna Journey
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Oct–Dec 2024: First translucent prototype, iterative testing, budget scrappiness, and the first full heat.
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Jan–Feb 2025: Community sauna practice in the sauna — weekly sessions, family sauna hosting, cold river plunges — proof that sauna is a practice, not a product.
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Mar–Apr 2025: Design iterations: stove placement, drain options, trim kits, flat-pack logistics.
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May–June 2025: First multi-day haul to manufacturing to pickup first 4 units; early adopters receive their saunas; first Trio build on Lake Superior; documentation, build manual, and scaling manufacturing process.
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July–Aug 2025: Superior becomes exclusive retail partner/sales/customer service; install optimizations.
- Sep–October 2025: Delivery of first large production run batch of units; Superior debuts showroom units of Soluna at Bayfield's Apple Festival and Therme's Bathe-ing DC.
When Superior Called
By spring 2025, the Superior Sauna & Steam team took notice. They didn’t just want to retail Soluna—they wanted to believe in it.
So they brought Soluna (and Colin) in-house: an exclusive distribution partnership that pairs startup creativity with Superior’s manufacturing, customer care, and distribution excellence.
“Superior saw Soluna not as competition, but as kin. Together we could bring accessible, beautiful sauna design to more people—without compromise.” — Colin
Why Superior Became the Home for Soluna
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Operational depth: decades of sauna manufacturing and support
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Customer trust: established B2B/B2C network across North America
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Shared ethos: quality saunas for everyone — accessible, beautiful, and built to last
What Soluna Stands For
Vision: light-filled spaces where people are known, connect deeply, and belong.
Mission: design-forward, toxin-free sauna kits — an antidote to isolation and stress.
Niche: modern beauty at a more accessible price — so more communities can gather and thrive.
Positioning vs. the market
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Barrel lifestyle brands → Stand out. Soluna is a statement piece.
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Mass-market imports → Mass-produced isn’t wellness. USA craft at DIY-friendly prices.
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Indoor wellness brands → Bring the ritual outdoors. Beauty, connection, longevity.
From Startup Dream to Sauna Reality
Soluna is now part of the Superior family—designed with narrative care, built with Northern grit, and brought to life by the communities who step inside.
Every light-soaked session is an invitation to slow down, reconnect, and share the heat.
About the Author
Colin Cabalka — Head of Creative & Director of Marketing, Superior Sauna & Steam; Founder, Soluna
Colin leads the revitalization of Superior’s brand, storytelling, and go-to-market across B2B/B2C — guiding creative, campaigns, and trade programs while launching new product lines. Previously a Creative Director/Founder (People of Story; Dwightly) and agency leader for hospitality, tech, and nonprofit brands, he’s produced award-winning films and CTV campaigns, built production studios, and led cross-functional creative teams. His work celebrates craft, human connection, and design you can feel — the same principles behind Soluna.
