salt & souls

CHARLOTTE, NC

After years of trekking two hours each way from Charlotte to Asheville to visit a salt cave day spa, Jenna Morcos decided that it was time to open her own salt spa right in her hometown. As a pharmacist by day, Jenna spent many months researching and working on a business plan for her salt cave concept Salt & Souls. She crunched the numbers and prepared as well as she could, but she felt like she was spinning her wheels and getting nowhere every time she called a “For Lease” sign.

Jenna hired Pedal to get Salt & Souls past the retail real estate gatekeepers and into the perfect space. While Jenna had a solid start to her business plan, we spent a couple months turning it into a Powerhouse Business Plan and ensuring that Jenna had secured funding from her bank. There were a couple interesting spaces in Charlotte, but the one that stood out most actually looked and felt like a cave. After negotiating a significant tenant improvement and rent abatement package worth over $200,000 from the landlord, we went to lease on Jenna’s dream space. 

Saving so much money through this favorable financial package allowed Jenna to splurge on some higher end interior design elements that elevated the space to offer a more luxe, indulgent experience for guests.

I started with a passion, idea, and a business plan. I made a budget and projections. Let’s find a space! I called and emailed listings…and crickets. One broker told me many won’t talk to anyone but another broker. Gatekeepers?!?

Insert Pedal Retail. A friend said, “I think I have someone who can help you.” I had NO IDEA the gift I had just been given.

The women at Pedal became my teachers, resource providers, cheerleaders, and at times, therapists! Together we perfected my plan. I was 110% prepared.

I had confidence because of this preparation. For a first-time leaser, having them in my corner was and still is priceless.

During lease negotiations, Sheila and Patty broke things down and pushed for the best deal. Without them, I would’ve bailed—or signed something not in my best interest. We were a team.

In the end, I got the perfect space and lease—because of Pedal Retail. I trusted them with my dream and they treated it like their own.

jenna morcos, owner