Our Team
Dee Alams
Founder/CEO
City Sweats owner and health and wellness pioneer. Dee brought the FIRST infrared sauna in Washington to her dance studio in 2015. She soon noticed that the majority of her clientele were visiting the sauna from miles away to treat injuries, mood disorders and disabilities, with infrared therapy. They shared tears of joy as they began to heal, and their health began to improve. Dee knew then that her mission was to spread the power of infrared therapy. “My goal is to make this available for all, to have a space that is welcoming and feels like a home away from home. As for me, this is not a trend, as much as it is a necessity. Wellness should not be a luxury, It’s a way of life we all deserve.” - Dee
The sauna has since grown to four locations throughout Washington state. All locations offer services including infrared sauna therapy, ultrasonic cavitation, detox facials and scrubs, rehabilitative massages, and most recently, acupuncture. This female-owned, minority-owned, innovative company is committed to cellular level health that works from the inside out. Dee’s dream is that EVERYONE can benefit from the life-changing power of infrared therapy.
Hayden Schmidt
CFO/CIO
Provides strategic leadership for City Sweats when it comes to Finance and IT.
Works closely with the Founder/CEO when it comes to financial planning all the way to overseeing technologies used within the company.
Has a passion for the latest tech, investments, and has successfully ran his own construction company prior to City Sweats.
Nikki Zesch
Franchise Manager
Nikki comes from a long career in fashion & beauty. After starting her family, she decided it was time to change her focus to her love of business operations which is how she met Dee! Now Dee's right-hand lady, Nikki handles all our Seattle operations as well as coordinates all the fun with our franchises nationwide!
When she's not elbow-deep in business operations, you can find Nikki doing anything from lifting weights in the gym, chasing after her 4 daughters, cooking a 3 course meal or enjoying her 4th coffee of the day!
Janet is a Washington native and has spent decades working for some of the greatest Seattle area companies in various program management and business operation roles. This helped shape her path to owning her own business. Janet started her health journey 17 years ago to find balance between Eastern and Western medicine. She could have only imagined how infrared would have helped her. Now she is incredibly proud to be a part of the City Sweats family and witness on a daily basis how life changing infrared therapy has been for each and every guest that comes through our doors.
Janet Lee
Franchise Owner (Bellevue & West Seattle)
Caroline was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest and graduated from the University of Washington. She spent her early career in print journalism reporting on business, politics and community issues in Seattle and abroad. After leaving the news business she transitioned into public relations and marketing. She worked for corporate companies as well as small tech startups and education. These days she is enjoying life as co-owner of City Sweats West Seattle, and is on her own health and wellness journey in managing chronic pain with natural medicine, food, and the latest health hacks.
Caroline Lee
Co-owner City Sweats West Seattle
Lisa Gardner
As a consultant, Lisa has worked with various small businesses ranging from hospitality to multi-media services. As a public relations and marketing professional, Lisa has learned the benefits of planning ahead, but also when to pivot and think on her feet to make the most of every opportunity for our franchisees. Lisa has executed communications plans, community engagement, and brand development for brands such as Marriott, United Way, and McDonald’s. A native of Spokane, Lisa graduated from Eastern Washington University, then received her master’s degree from the University of Maryland. Lisa is happy to return home to Washington where she is picking up her community involvement with her most recent appointment to the Executive Committee of the local NAACP chapter as their Communications Chair.
Public Relations
Jenn has 14 years of marketing and visual design experience working with small to large companies and nonprofits. Jenn holds degrees in Business Marketing and International Business. She specializes in creating digital marketing strategies for companies to optimize their online presence and connect brands with their target audience, increasing brand awareness and generating ROI.
When not brainstorming marketing ideas, her time is spent in New Orleans chasing her toddler, painting, listening to live music, and practicing hot yoga.
Jenn S.
Marketing