Philip Casteleyn

So nice to meet you! First off, what’s your name? Tell our readers a bit about yourself—where you’re from originally and where you live now.

My name is Philip Casteleyn. I was born in Brussels, Belgium, and moved to the United States with my family when I was five years old. I grew up in the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan, primarily in the Novi and Northville area.

Today, I live in Beulah, Michigan, a small town in Northern Michigan, where I'm fortunate enough to raise my family and pursue my passion for entrepreneurship.

In December 2024, I became an owner of Nippa Sauna Stoves, a nearly century-old American manufacturing company. It's been an incredible opportunity to combine my interest in business with my appreciation for craftsmanship, tradition, and building something that can be passed down through generations.

Tell us one thing you love about where you live now.

One of the things I love most about living in Northern Michigan is the quality of life. We're surrounded by beautiful lakes, forests, and small communities where people still genuinely look out for one another.

There's something special about being able to spend a day working hard, then head out on the lake with my family or unwind in the sauna. It's a reminder that success isn't just about what you accomplish professionally, but also about having the time and freedom to enjoy the people and experiences that matter most.

Northern Michigan has a way of keeping you grounded, and that's something I've really come to appreciate.

Tell us a little more about what your company does and how it started. How does it help your customers?

I own Nippa Sauna Stoves, a Michigan-based manufacturer of traditional wood-burning sauna stoves that was founded in 1930 by Leo Nippa in Bruce Crossing, Michigan.

Nippa is the oldest sauna stove manufacturer in North America and, based on continuous sauna stove production, the second oldest in the world. That's a pretty incredible legacy to be responsible for.

Leo founded the business with a simple philosophy: build a quality product that's efficient, dependable, and made to last. Nearly 100 years later, those same principles guide everything we do.

We manufacture our stoves right here in Michigan using American steel and skilled American craftsmanship. Our products aren't designed to be replaced every few years. They're built to last for decades, and in many cases, generations.

But I think what makes our business special goes beyond the physical product. A sauna is a place where people disconnect from the noise of everyday life and reconnect with themselves, their friends, and their families.

We're not just manufacturing steel boxes that produce heat. We're building the heart of a sauna, a place where conversations happen, relationships grow, and memories are made. Knowing that our products can be part of a family's traditions for generations is something we're incredibly proud of.

If someone wants to start a business, what advice would you give them?

My advice might be a little unconventional: instead of starting a business from scratch, seriously consider buying an existing one.

We're entering one of the greatest generational transitions in small-business ownership in American history. Millions of businesses are owned by people approaching retirement, and many don't have children or family members who are interested in taking them over.

Some of these businesses have been operating successfully for decades. They have loyal customers, established revenue, experienced employees, and strong reputations. But they're often too small to attract the attention of private equity firms or larger institutional buyers.

That creates an incredible opportunity for someone with an entrepreneurial mindset.

When you start a business from zero, you're trying to prove that a market exists, that customers will buy your product, and that your business model actually works. When you purchase an established business, much of that groundwork has already been laid. You're not eliminating risk, but you can remove some of the uncertainty.

Another thing people often overlook is that many retiring owners care deeply about what happens to the company they've spent their lives building. They're not necessarily looking for the biggest check from the highest bidder. They want someone who will take care of their employees, customers, and legacy.

That can create opportunities to structure a purchase creatively, including seller financing or payments over time, which may benefit both parties depending on their financial and tax circumstances.

I think there's a tremendous opportunity in preserving and improving the businesses that previous generations worked so hard to create.

You don't always have to invent something new to build something great. Sometimes the greatest opportunity is recognizing the value in something that already exists.

What is one piece of feedback from a happy customer or client that you won't forget?

Some of my favorite moments as the owner of Nippa come from phone calls with the grandchildren or even great-grandchildren of our original customers.

They'll call looking for information about a stove that's been in their family for 40, 50, or even 70 years. And somewhere in that conversation, they'll start sharing stories about growing up with that sauna.

They'll tell us about taking sauna with their grandparents, the conversations they remember having, and the family traditions that developed around it. Sometimes that same stove is still heating the sauna where the next generation is making memories of their own.

Those conversations mean more to me than just about any sales figure.

It's a powerful reminder that we're not simply manufacturing a product. We're helping create a space where people connect, where traditions are passed down, and where memories are made.

How many products manufactured today will still be bringing families together 70 or even 100 years from now?

That's the kind of legacy I want Nippa to continue building.

Where do you see your company in the future?

The sauna industry is experiencing tremendous growth, and I believe Nippa is uniquely positioned to be a major part of its future.

What's fascinating is that when I purchased the company in December 2024, I discovered that despite having nearly 100 years of history, a surprising number of people in the sauna community had never even heard of Nippa.

We have this incredible American manufacturing legacy, a proven product, and generations of satisfied customers, but we haven't always done the best job of telling our story.

That's changing.

Through social media, digital marketing, and greater engagement with the sauna community, we're working to reintroduce Nippa to a new generation of sauna enthusiasts.

At the same time, we're staying committed to what made the company successful in the first place: quality American manufacturing, American-made materials, skilled craftsmanship, and supporting jobs in our local community.

In an industry where some manufacturers prioritize appearance, lower production costs, or short-term sales, we're focused on building something different. We want to manufacture a product that people are proud to own and confident they can pass down to their children and grandchildren.

We regularly hear from customers who are still using Nippa stoves that are 40 to 90 years old. We even know of a stove, built as a prototype in the 1920s before the company was officially founded in 1930, that's still being used weekly today. That's an extraordinary testament to the original craftsmanship and design.

Over the next five to ten years, I believe Nippa can become one of the dominant names in the sauna industry once again.

But for me, growth isn't just about selling more stoves. It's about preserving an American manufacturing legacy, creating good jobs, and making sure the Nippa name means something just as significant 100 years from now as it does today.

We're not trying to build the cheapest sauna stove. We're trying to build the stove your grandchildren will still be using.

What is the biggest misconception about your industry?

I think there are two major misconceptions.

The first is that manufacturing a high-quality product is quick and easy. People often underestimate the amount of knowledge, skill, time, and attention to detail that go into producing something that's genuinely built to last.

Anyone can make something that looks good in a picture. Building something that performs consistently, withstands decades of extreme temperatures, and can be used by multiple generations is an entirely different challenge.

The second misconception, specifically within the sauna industry, is that there's only one correct way to build or enjoy a sauna.

There are certainly important principles involving safety, ventilation, heating, and construction. But beyond those fundamentals, sauna traditions have evolved differently across cultures and generations.

I believe there's room for different approaches, preferences, and experiences. What matters is creating a safe, quality environment that people genuinely enjoy.

At the end of the day, sauna should bring people together, not divide them over whose way is the only right way.

What has been one of your biggest struggles building your business, and how did you deal with it?

One of our biggest challenges has been finding truly skilled fabricators.

There's a big difference between being able to weld two pieces of metal together and being able to take a blueprint, a concept, or even an idea in someone's head and turn it into a finished product.

Welding is an important skill, but fabrication requires an additional level of creativity, problem-solving, technical understanding, and craftsmanship. Finding people who possess all those qualities isn't easy.

When you're manufacturing a product that's expected to last for generations, you can't compromise on the quality of the people building it.

One of the ways we've addressed this challenge is by developing a relationship with Northwestern Michigan College (NMC), which has an excellent welding and fabrication program.

They've been an incredible resource in helping us identify talented individuals coming through their programs who have the skills and potential we're looking for.

It's also a great example of how local businesses and educational institutions can work together to create opportunities, develop skilled trades, and keep manufacturing jobs in our communities.

I strongly believe that the future of American manufacturing depends on investing in the next generation of skilled craftspeople. We're proud to be part of that effort.

Who was your favorite music artist and athlete growing up?

I've always been someone who enjoys a little bit of everything when it comes to music.

Some of my fondest childhood memories are of riding around in the car with my mom and dad, listening to whatever music they had playing. Looking back, I think that exposure gave me a pretty well-rounded appreciation for different artists and genres.

Even today, when Billy Joel, Simon & Garfunkel, Queen, or Supertramp randomly comes on my playlist, I immediately get this wave of nostalgia that takes me right back to those childhood car rides.

As far as athletes go, I don't think I ever had just one favorite, but I was fortunate to grow up in an area where quite a few Detroit Red Wings players lived.

Manny Legace, who played goalie for the Red Wings, actually lived down the street from me. I remember playing street hockey as a kid, and he would let whoever was playing goalie use some of his old helmets and pads.

Looking back, that's a pretty incredible childhood memory. At the time, it just seemed normal to us. It wasn't until I got older that I realized how cool those experiences really were.

Any shoutouts you want to make?

Absolutely. I've been fortunate to have some incredible people influence my life, and I wouldn't be where I am today without them.

First and foremost, my parents. I'm incredibly grateful that they made the decision to leave Belgium and move our family to the United States. Because of that decision, I've had the opportunity to pursue and build my own version of the American Dream. That's something I don't take for granted.

Frank Sovis, for showing me what it means to be a present and involved father, even while balancing a demanding schedule. He's also a big part of why I fell in love with lake life and everything that comes with it.

Scott Ferguson, for challenging me to think bigger and dream beyond what I initially believed was possible.

Evan Jones, for being an incredible friend. Having good people in your corner makes all the difference.

My children, who continue to teach me more about life than I could ever teach them. They make every day more fun, colorful, unpredictable, and meaningful. They're a constant reminder of what's truly important.

Leo Nippa, for having the vision to start this company back in 1930 and for creating something that has stood the test of time. I'd also like to thank the remaining members of the Nippa family, who have been incredibly supportive of my ownership and what we're working to accomplish with the brand. Being trusted to carry forward a family's legacy is something I take very seriously.

And finally, Dan Sarya, Olli Lamminen, and Jim Kurtti, who have been wonderful mentors and resources in helping me better understand Finnish culture, sauna traditions, and the deeper meaning behind what we do.

One of the greatest things I've learned is that success is rarely an individual accomplishment. It's usually the result of countless people who have encouraged you, challenged you, believed in you, or simply showed up when you needed them.

I'm grateful for every one of them.

Where can our readers learn more about you and your company?

We'd love for people to learn more about Nippa Sauna Stoves and become part of our story.

You can visit our website at www.nippa.com, where you can explore our products, learn about our history dating back to 1930, and see what makes our American-made sauna stoves special.

You can also find us on social media by searching for Nippa Sauna Stoves.

Whether you're a lifelong sauna enthusiast, just discovering the benefits of sauna, or simply someone who appreciates American craftsmanship and businesses with a great story, we'd love to connect.

We're approaching 100 years of making sauna stoves, and in many ways, I feel like we're just getting started.