FOUNDERS: Lynn Brewer and Tom Marquardt

YEAR FOUNDED: 2014

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: 6

The Business: A Fort Myers-based float spa featuring deprivation therapy treatment tanks; wellness services of life coaching, chiropractic and massage therapy; plus a full juice bar.

The Background: Lynn Brewer and her son, Tom Marquardt, have worked together for 24 years as co-owners of the Fort Myers-based Platinum PEO Resources Inc., providing employee-related services to businesses. They officially launched Cloud9 on April 1 after spending about a year acquiring and renovating the space. The spa features two enclosed float pods that diminish the senses for the relief of insomnia, chronic pain, anxiety, depression and more. Those suffering from limited mobility or claustrophobia, or those rehabilitating a sports injury, can use a larger, glass-enclosed float pod.

The Idea: Brewer says she has been floating at locations around Florida for over 30 years, originally for recreational relaxation. Since then, she says, studies have shown the medical benefits of soaking in a high concentration of magnesium sulfate, or Epsom salts. The salts allow you to float at the surface of nearly body-temperature water while absorbing the magnesium sulfate to replenish deficiencies.

“People for centuries have traveled to the Dead Sea for its healing abilities,” she says. “This is the Dead Sea brought to Fort Myers.”

Brewer says float times vary but the average float is for one hour once a week. Clients often opt for other wellness services, then they enter a private float room, shower before and after floating, and finish with a visit to the “Chill Room” to relax and hydrate.

Co-owner Lynn Brewer kicks back.

The Money: Brewer says she and Marquardt invested over $400,000 into launching the business. The basic float costs $1 per minute, and customized packages are available. She says she chose more expensive tanks with dual-filter systems that sanitize within eight to 10 minutes after each use.

The Results: Brewer says by August, the spa was at 60 percent capacity with about 425 local clients ranging in age from early 20s to 78. “It’s great for sports,” she says, noting floating is just as popular with men and that New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady keeps a tank in his home. “Every cell utilizes magnesium, but food sources aren’t providing enough magnesium. We’ve had people with crippling arthritis almost get off all their meds. It’s not a miracle, but after two months regularly floating once a week, you’ll start to see the difference.”

What’s Next: Brewer says they are considering adding franchises. “You have to write the book on 101 things not to do when you open a float spa,” she says. “Once you have that, it’s easy.”

Lessons Learned: Brewer says her No. 1 tip is to know your market. “We probably didn’t take off quite as quickly because most people in our area had not even heard of a float or deprivation tank. We went around for two months talking to doctors and physical therapists [for referrals]. I just thought everyone knew what floating was.”