Q: Can you tell us the story how you started Sweat Little Rock Sauna Studio?
JC: My co-owner, Wade Moore, experienced an Infrared Sauna Pod while traveling and came back and shared with me how much he enjoyed it and the many benefits he experienced. We sat down and researched the industry and quickly realized Arkansas had nothing like this. Because of the benefits, we thought it would be a complement to our already booming Health & Wellness community here in Little Rock and Central Arkansas.

Q: How long have you been in business?
JC: We opened our doors on January 4th, 2019.

Q: To the women in our audience, can you share some of the health benefits of the services you provide?
JC: There are so many benefits!! If a woman wants to add to their Health & Wellness lifestyle, we highly recommend them using our Infrared Sauna Pods because of the detoxification, weight loss, workout recovery, improved circulation, lower blood pressure and scar healing benefits. It’s not only a time to relax and clear your mind of common everyday stressors, but by lying there for 30 minutes, you’re able to burn 400-600 calories. 

The Infrared heat penetrates to your core and you sweat from the inside out enabling deep toxins to be released. People are complimented on their skin having a ‘glow’ after a session and it’s absolutely true!! Our Infrared Sauna Pods rejuvenate the skin and gives it a youthful appearance.

Q: Do you have a client success story you can tell us about?
JC: One my favorite clients had trouble losing weight following her second child. Despite eating right and working out, she was seeing little to no change in her midsection. After several months of adding four Infrared Sauna sessions per week to her routine, she saw changes in her midsection and even noticed a dramatic reduction in the pregnancy-induced cellulite on her legs. She now comes in twice a week to maintain her success and is overjoyed that she has her pre-pregnancy look back.

Q: Are there plans to expand?
JC: We’re always looking for new markets to bring our Infrared Sauna Pods into to help compliment the local Health & Wellness Community. We’re asked every week when we’re going to expand, but who knows what the future holds.

Q: What has surprised you about business ownership?
JC: There are so many daily tasks to juggle!! Owning a small business is not easy whatsoever. While I love interacting with and getting to know our wonderful clients, the back office chores can be a real bore, ha-ha. Even with the daily challenges I face, I wouldn’t change a thing as we’re providing a service that benefits so many people.

Q: What advice would you give to young women who want to purse their dream and start a business? 
JC: Before going into business, always do extensive research and don’t be blinded by the idea of making lots of money. Make sure you’re very passionate about what you do and feel comfortable doing it for many years. You will have challenges and struggles, but just stick with it and have patience. A successful business isn’t built over night, so by taking it one day at a time you’ll see it become more manageable.

Q: Can you tell us how you manage your work life balance?
JC: I’m thankful I have a great group of employees that are able to assist with everyday tasks and step in when needed. I have two young girls that are my world so I consciously make an effort to be there for them as much as I can. Family does come first, and I often feel like I’m spread thin by juggling both, but this is what I signed up for. I just do what needs to be done and don’t think about it.

Q: What’s one lesson you’ve learned in your career that you can share with our audience?
JC: Patience. So many expect to open their doors and the masses will come. That isn’t the case anymore. There’s always competition of some sort. You have to set yourself apart from your competition, be creative in your marketing and absolutely embrace social media. You have to think of being in business as a marathon and not a sprint. You won’t turn a profit overnight, so just be patient.

Q: Which woman inspires you and why? 
JC: A friend I’ve known for 20 years, Stephanie Newcomb, inspires me every day to become a better person and business owner. She’s a local certified ACE Personal Trainer and has her own studio. She has patiently climbed the ladder of success and has never taken no as an answer in her journey to owning her own business. Her dedication to her own personal fitness is a testimony in itself. Her dream to help people live a healthy lifestyle is one of her many traits that I admire and inspires me to do the same for my clients. 

Five Things About Jill Clifton

1. What celebrity would you like to meet at Starbucks for a cup of coffee?

I’m going to show my girly side… I would love to have sweet tea with Reese Witherspoon. I admire her for her work life balance and during the pandemic, I fell in love with her more by binging her many series on Netflix.

2. What's your favorite movie?

Dirty Dancing. I’m an 80’s kid, what can I say.

3. Have you ever had a surprise party? (that was an actual surprise)
No, because I would be the one planning it. But I also know my friends well enough that I can tell when they’re up to something.


4. Favorite city?
I’m a bit biased, but Little Rock hands down!! The people here are incredible, and you experience Southern Hospitality everywhere you go. There are so many things my family and I can do from hiking, to going out on the lake to local museums. We never run out of things to do.


5. Do you have any hobbies?
I’m an avid reader of all things girly, drama, suspenseful and self-discovery. This enables me to forget about my everyday stressors and immerse myself in the story. My favorite book of the decade is The Great Alone by Kristen Hannah.