Why Nathan Kaplan Left Real Estate to Build Grotto Baths

From The Hospitality Mentor · 29:36

Show by Steve Turk

Nathan Kaplan left his family's real estate business to build something closer to the life he wanted to live. That decision led to Grotto Baths, a social bathhouse preparing to open in Miami's Wynwood neighborhood.In this episode of The Hospitality Mentor Podcast, Steve Turk sits down with Nathan to explore how the idea became a business. Nathan shares how CrossFit changed his relationship with wellness and community, why he stepped away from a familiar career, and what it took to find a location, secure financing and bring the right partners together.They also get into the guest experience: sauna rituals, cold plunges, an outdoor café, and the challenge of growing a membership community while protecting access for the people who join.Nathan closes with a reminder for anyone building a business: approach the work with “I get to” instead of “I have to.”What you will learnLeaving a family business to pursue your own directionTurning an interest in wellness and community into a hospitality conceptFinding a Miami location and financing the projectBuilding a team with complementary skillsHow six parking spaces helped shape the café conceptBalancing membership growth with the guest experienceStaying grounded through the pressure of openingGrotto was preparing to open when this conversation was recorded in September 2026. Visit its website for the latest opening and membership updates.Chapters00:00 Meet Nathan Kaplan of Grotto Baths01:48 How CrossFit sparked a wellness shift04:05 Growing up in a real estate family05:09 Leaving the family business and finding support08:16 How the Grotto Baths idea took shape11:01 What makes a social bathhouse different13:25 Finding a Miami location and financing the vision15:58 Building the hospitality team and guest experience19:51 Growing Grotto’s founding member community21:09 Balancing membership growth and the guest experience22:18 Sauna rituals, cold plunges and the outdoor café25:06 Nathan’s advice on approaching the workLinksGrotto BathsNathan Kaplan on LinkedInPresented by Lodgify.Subscribe to The Hospitality Mentor for conversations with the people building and leading hospitality businesses.

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