Today we’d like to introduce you to The Salt Mine Ownership Team.
Hi The Salt Mine, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Our story began in 2014 when Mel Heins gathered instructors from the Utah pole community to perform at a local studio showcase. This newly formed group, SALT, quickly gained momentum, performing locally and traveling to Los Angeles and Chicago. As they grew, securing a consistent rehearsal space became a challenge—until an opportunity arose to take over a photo studio lease.
On November 1, 2014, four members of SALT officially opened The Salt Mine with a vision of creating a hub for the movement arts community and a studio where instructors could run their own businesses. By 2015, Mel and Katie Petersen took the lead, later bringing in a co-owner who supported its growth until late 2019.
The COVID-19 pandemic forced a two-month shutdown. When The Salt Mine reopened, it did so with a deeper understanding of what it means to create a truly safe space—not just in terms of physical safety, but as an inclusive environment for all.
During this time, Ann Crowther—a former pole student, instructor, and valued community member—reignited the vision for expansion. In 2020, she joined the ownership team, and The Salt Mine began renovations on its new Main Street location, which opened in 2021 and featured 2 classrooms—an aerial room and pole room.
By 2022, we had completed our first full year in the new space, and further expansion was already needed. In February 2024, The Underground opened, featuring the glitter and glow floors that our original space was known for.
In November 2024, The Salt Mine proudly celebrated 10 years of movement, creativity, and community—a testament to the passion and dedication of the instructors, students, and supporters who have shaped it into what it is today.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but the challenges we’ve faced have helped us grow and shape The Salt Mine into what it is today.
Navigating partnership relationships has been an essential part of our journey. We’ve been incredibly lucky to work with such amazing previous owners, each of whom contributed to the studio’s growth in unique ways. With the current ownership team—Katie, Ann, and Mel—we prioritize open communication and trust, ensuring we show up as better for one another and the business.
The studio expansion also came with its own set of challenges. Finding the right space, learning how to adjust operations and pricing in a larger space, renovating the space to fit our vision, and then dealing with unexpected delays all made the process more difficult. But we were able to successfully transition to a new location and even expand further with the opening of The Underground in 2024, which was a huge accomplishment.
And of course, the pandemic was a challenge that nobody could have anticipated. We had to temporarily shut down, putting a halt to our plans and forcing us to rethink how we operated. But it also provided an opportunity for us to focus on creating a truly safe and inclusive space for everyone in our community.
Despite these obstacles, we’ve continued to thrive, and each challenge has made us stronger and more committed to our mission of fostering a community where movement, creativity, and connection are at the heart of everything we do.
We’ve been impressed with The Salt Mine, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
The Salt Mine is more than just a studio—it’s a thriving movement arts collective in Salt Lake City, Utah, where students, instructors, and artists come together to explore movement in a welcoming and inclusive space. From pole dance and aerial arts to burlesque and heels, we offer a diverse range of classes for all skill levels.
Instructors at The Salt Mine are independent business owners, not employees. We believe in fair pay for their expertise and provide the space, equipment, scheduling tools, and promotional support they need to grow their businesses on their own terms. Safety is a top priority, and we require certification for contracted instructors to ensure a high-quality experience for students. We believe that these standards make a higher standard in our instructors as well.
Beyond classes, we offer Backstage Pass memberships for independent training, as well as space rentals for private lessons, rehearsals, and special events. At our core, we are committed to fostering a truly safe and inclusive environment where movement, creativity, and community thrive. Whether you want to learn, teach, or train, The Salt Mine is a place where you can grow and belong.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
Join our diverse range of classes that cater to all skill levels, or book private and semi-private lessons for more focused, personalized instruction.
If you’re passionate about movement arts, we offer a platform for you to teach in our space. Whether you’re a contracted or visiting instructor, you’ll have the opportunity to run your own business in a supportive community.
Our Backstage Pass membership gives you access to train in the studio during non-reserved times. We also offer space rentals for instructors, performers, and anyone hosting events or workshops.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thesaltmineslc.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesaltmineslc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SaltMineSLC/
