Meet I’Sha Schultz-Spradlin | LMT & Founder

We had the good fortune of connecting with I’Sha Schultz-Spradlin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi I’Sha, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I started Black Moon Bathhouse as a safe haven space for women, non-binary and queer folks to engage in deep self care. There aren’t many spaces that cater to that demographic specifically, that holds space for them to nurture and care for themselves without the male gaze of judgement, disapproval or hyper sexualization. As a Black Queer Woman, I know of the need for a space like this personally and wanted to provide it for others and myself. After the pandemic many folks were looking into holistic ways to care for themselves and to stay healthy. Black Moon Bathhouse with its steam rooms, infrared saunas, cold plunge pools, mineral pools, and a plethora of diverse wellness practitioners serve as a hub for that kind of care. My thought process behind Black Moon Bathhouse was to hold space for marginalized folks to care for themselves so they can in turn care for others.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Black Moon Bathhouse (BMB) is a care-conscious bathhouse and herbal shop for women and non-binary folks. It is cooperative-operated, providing wellness practitioners with shared resources and space, and patrons with a diverse plethora of wellness treatments/modalities, and a dedicated space for women to relax and recharge. Black Moon Bathhouse will serve as a womens’ social hub for the area, offering both membership options and hourly/daily pass options. We hope to be a destination for women to unwind, socialize, engage in business, and pour into their own health and wellness. We will provide wellness and body work practitioners with shared resources and space to support their independence and autonomy as service providers. We are dedicated to the mission of supporting women and LGBTQIA+ folk, and hope to unlock access for the community to niche wellness and bodywork modalities in one dedicated space.

We dwell in a unique space in the industry due to our dedication to our target demographic. There are very few bathhouses in the country, let alone in this community. The only other true bathhouse in Detroit, The Schvitz, mostly caters to men. Gyms in this area may have spas and saunas, but no competitor provides access to steam and infrared saunas, as well as cold plunge pools in the same space, alongside diverse wellness practitioners. We provide women and non-binary folks with all of the amenities that others offer, plus the rich culture and diverse community space that we work hard to curate.

Black Moon Bathhouse is owned and operated by two long time friends who are both women of color. This has shaped how we have decided to hold space for women and the culture of the space we intend to nurture based on our own lived experience. Our goal is to be a “third space” for women and non-binary folks looking for a place to unwind, build community and practice radical self-care and holistic wellness.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My bestie and I are FOODIES so the first place I’d take her up on her arrival is to Two Birds to check out the Pop up, fingers crossed Chi Fan Le is there, of the day and grab a Huddle soft serve as desert before heading home. Day 2 I’d take her to bike the riverfront taking the Dequindre cut to check out the art, live music and just the people of Detroit and spend some time in Campus Martius Park. Then we’d head to Detroit Peoples Food Co-op where I’m a member to grab her favorite foods and drinks to have at my house. Day 3 would be spent at the Congregation grabbing brunch before checking out The Heidelberg Project because she loves art. We’d then head to the DIA and round out the day at BasBlue for a late lunch. Day 4 would be spent at Belle Isle, grilling, swimming, checking out the nature center with my child aka her God child and visiting the aquarium. Day 5 would be spent at my house tending to our small farm Space N’ Grace Homestead and hanging out with the ducks while laying in the hammock. Day 6 I’d take her out to the Black Salt cocktail bar in Hamtramck for a night of girlhood fun and delicious cocktails. Day 6 I’d take her to my favorite lunch spot Mudgies for the Jerk sandwich and then roller skating at Lexus Velodrome, Day 7 her last day, I’d take her to get a donuts at Dutch Girl and a breakfast sandwich to take on the plane from Detroit Institute of Bagels.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
BasBlue is an women led organization that supports women and non-binary folks by holding space and investing in them. BasBlue was the first group to invest in me not only as an entrepreneur and as young woman growing in my womanhood. I started as a Trailblazer in residence and am currently a Zero to One fellow in their fellowship program that supports small businesses that start and grow. I’m in the process of buying a brick and mortar space in Detroit for the bathhouse and that wouldn’t be possible without the support and investment of BasBlue!

Website: https://www.blackmoonbathhouses.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackmoonbathhouse_/

Linkedin: https://nkedin.com/company/black-moon-bathhouse/