About Tony Carrillo — Founder of Bastu Sauna Co.

(Big-guy on the left with his daughter and one of “Other Tony’s” daughters)

I’m Antonio Carrillo, but most people know me as Tony. As a native Iron Ranger, I’ve been fortunate to embrace the full Iron Range lifestyle, including a rewarding career in the mines. Growing up, some of my best memories were made at our family cabin on Lake Vermilion. While fishing was always a highlight, nothing compared to the anticipation of stepping into the sauna.

I’ll never forget the first time I experienced löyly—that rush of hot air wrapping around me, bringing instant sweat to my skin. The feeling is like no other, and the health benefits are incredible: improved circulation, muscle relaxation, detoxification, and stress relief, just to name a few.

That experience sparked a lifelong passion for sauna culture—one I now get to share through Bastu Sauna Co. As a meticulous planner and perfectionist in both design and craftsmanship, I’ve poured countless hours into building and refining every detail of our saunas. Taking the leap to build our first mobile rental units was both a risk and a challenge, but it became one of the most rewarding learning experiences of my life. I picked up something new at every step of the way on both builds, and while the imperfections might not stand out to others, I see them as reminders to keep improving. I already have plans to upgrade and fine-tune the designs during the off-season when rentals slow down.

My goal has always been simple: to create spaces that bring people together, offering that same rejuvenating experience I grew up with on Lake Vermilion. Along the way, I also developed Bastu Bench Butter and Bastu Mist—two products designed to enhance the sauna experience. Because nothing is ever truly perfect, and I believe that with a little creativity and ingenuity, you can always make good things even better.

Beyond my love for building, I’ve always been a people person. Through Bastu Sauna Co., I look forward to not only crafting high-quality saunas but also forming new relationships and sharing the timeless tradition of sauna culture with as many people as possible.

Please let me know of anything else you need!

About Tony Antonutti — Marketing Manager, Bastu Sauna Co.

(Not-as-big-guy on the right with his other 2 daughters)

I’m Tony Antonutti, a proud Iron Ranger from Chisholm, Minnesota, and a lifelong advocate for authentic sauna culture. My professional path has taken me through the worlds of sales, communications, and community outreach—but it was my hands-on work in carpentry that truly sparked my creative drive. Today, I’m honored to work with a nonprofit organization building ramps and improving accessibility for seniors and individuals with disabilities, combining craftsmanship with purpose.

My Finnish heritage (my family name, Rahja, says it all) shaped my deep connection to the sauna tradition. From an early age, I was captivated by the warmth, the ritual, and that unmistakable calm that follows a good löyly. Whether it was stoking the fire or jumping into the lake—or even a snowbank—afterward, the sauna has always been my reset button.

At Bastu Sauna Co., I’m passionate about sharing that same rejuvenating experience with others. Sauna isn’t just heat—it’s connection, recovery, and joy. My mission is to help people discover their own happy place through the Bastu experience, turning relaxation into a lifestyle and sauna dreams into reality.