"It was the foundation of how I was able to build what I’ve already built. Guidant held my hand to make sure every transaction was done properly, safely, and in compliance."
Holly Kleiman, Sapphire and Salt
The Spa Born From Holly Kleiman’s Calling to Heal
Holly Kleiman
Quick Facts
Location
Business Type
Independent
In Business Since
Customer Since
Employees
4
From Golden Handcuffs to a Golden Vision
For 26 years, Holly Kleiman excelled in the high-stakes world of healthcare consulting, rising through the ranks to become a top producer at a national firm. She was successful by every conventional metric: earning well, respected by clients, and holding long-standing relationships with major household-name companies. But beneath the surface of this seemingly ideal life, something was stirring.
I always knew I wanted to end up doing what I’m doing now,” Holly shared. “But I never knew the form. Just the essence.”
That essence was a yearning to help people live longer, healthier lives. Not just to add years to life, but to improve the quality of those years. Her corporate role, once fulfilling, became increasingly disconnected from her values as her firm was repeatedly acquired, goals intensified, and autonomy diminished.
“I was on a path to stay the course,” she said. “But the rules of the game changed. I had to ask myself: Do I want to keep playing this way?”
The Wake-Up Call That Changed Everything
The pressure of a leaner workforce, the demands of 100% commission, and the erosion of client-centered values took its toll. Then came a series of personal and professional shakeups that brought everything to the surface. A failing marriage. The loss of a half-million-dollar account. A humiliating experience at work.
“I never got over it,” she admitted. “At the time, it felt like life was happening to me. But now I see it happened for me.”
This pain became the catalyst for reinvention. Holly sought support, hiring coaches and joining communities like Authentic CEO, where she began exploring what it meant to start a company from a place of consciousness.
The Power of Self-Discovery
Holly’s transformation began on a deeply personal level. She worked with an intuitive coach who helped her confront her limiting beliefs and the ego-driven narratives that kept her small.
“I realized I was the hero in my own story,” Holly said. “That I am worthy, I am enough, and I’m not here to save others – only to guide.”
From daily journaling to performance focused habits to researching how mindset impacts results, Holly committed to the work of personal transformation, studying evidence-based methods for shifting mindset and improving long-term habits.
One mantra stayed with her: “Be still and know.” That quiet knowing became her compass.
A Sauna, a Spark, and a New Business Model
The idea for Sapphire and Salt was born – quite literally – in the heat. While sitting in an infrared sauna in Michigan, Holly looked around and thought, “There’s got to be a business model here.”
Her lifelong love of saunas and passion for health converged in that moment. Memories of childhood hotel spas and a spa retreat with her best friend reinforced the vision. The dream had always been there. Now, it was clear.
She began researching modalities like red light therapy, PEMF (pulsed electromagnetic field therapy), molecular hydrogen, vibroacoustic sound, and more. These weren’t fads. They were lifestyle tools that helped her improve her daily energy, reduce stress, and support her long-term health goals.
Building with Intention: The Rise of Sapphire and Salt
Holly wanted more than a traditional spa. She aimed to create a wellness center focused on transparency, quality, and evidence-based care. She called it Sapphire and Salt, inspired by her September birthstone and her vision for an inclusive, neutral, healing space. She called it Sapphire and Salt, inspired by her September birthstone and her vision for an inclusive, neutral space.
Her center would serve those suffering from chronic inflammation, fatigue, and lifestyle-related illnesses – conditions she’d seen time and again in the insurance claim data of her past career.
“These are lifestyle claims. They’re preventable,” she said. “And we can address them through natural, non-invasive means.”
Funding the Dream: The Guidant Connection
Despite her clarity, Holly faced a major obstacle: financing. She had saved diligently through her retirement account but was told repeatedly that using it to fund a business would trigger massive taxes and penalties.
“So many people said, ‘Don’t do it. Get an angel investor.’ But I didn’t want to lose the autonomy of what I was building.”
Holly took a moment to pause and reflect on what the right solution might be. It came at a conference, where she learned about 401(k) business financing (ROBS). Her research led her to Guidant Financial.
“It was the foundation of how I was able to build what I’ve already built. Guidant held my hand to make sure every transaction was done properly, safely, and in compliance.”
Thanks to ROBS, Holly could access her retirement funds without penalties and invest them into her new business – a move that would have otherwise been impossible.
Facing Fear: Skydiving Into Entrepreneurship
Still, even with the pieces falling into place, fear lingered. To conquer it, Holly literally jumped out of a plane.
“The fear of leaving my job was so great, I had to do something scarier,” she laughed. “So I booked a skydiving trip. If I can jump out of a plane, I can resign.”
She walked into her boss’s office and asked to retire, not out of rebellion, but from a place of understanding that it was time for a new chapter.
“I want to build something meaningful,” she told him. “And I don’t have it all figured out. But I know I can’t stay.”
Her boss respected her decision. Her clients responded thoughtfully. And Holly left knowing she was making the right move.
The Mission: Heal One, Heal All
Today, Sapphire and Salt is more than a wellness center – it’s a mission. A calling fulfilled.
Holly has created a space that blends cutting-edge science with soulful intention. A place where mind, body, and spirit are nurtured. Where the body remembers how to heal.
“I’m not here to treat or diagnose. I’m here to help people get back to balance. Our bodies are incredibly intelligent. We just need to support them.”
From red light to hyperbaric therapy to spiritual alignment, Sapphire and Salt is a reflection of Holly’s journey and an offering to those ready to reclaim their health.
A Leap of Faith Backed by Strategy
Holly’s story is one of bravery, vision, and practical wisdom. It’s also a testament to what’s possible when purpose meets planning.
With the help of Guidant Financial’s 401(k) Business Financing (ROBS), she turned years of hard-earned retirement savings into the seed capital for her dream. Without giving up equity. Without incurring tax penalties. And with the full support of a team that ensured every step was compliant and secure.
“Guidant made it possible. They made it safe. I couldn’t have done it without them.”
Watch Holly’s Full Interview
To hear Holly discuss her journey–from personal growth to business achievements – watch her full interview on Jeremy Ames’ Don’t Quit Your Daydream channel in YouTube.
Ready to turn your retirement savings into your business dream? Learn more about how Guidant’s 401(k) Business Financing can help you fund your future – just like Holly did.
Ready to start your dream business?
We can help you with the first step. Pre-qualify today for Small Business Financing.