Embarking on my journey with herbalism was a leap of faith that has profoundly enriched my life. Having spent over a decade as a business owner, I understood the importance of having a vision and a plan, but I also learned that flexibility and intuition are key. My background in design provided me with strong organizational skills, yet I found myself in uncharted territory when it came to running an herbal business. Nonetheless, I felt a compelling call to explore herbal medicine, driven by a deep-seated passion and an inner knowing that this was my path.
The beginning was challenging; I was navigating through unknown waters, learning about the human body, Latin names of herbs, and the regulatory landscape. Yet the more I delved into herbalism, the more I felt ancient knowledge resurfacing, guiding me forward. This journey was not just about building a business but also about personal growth and connecting with a community that shared my passion for natural remedies. The experience has been both transformative and rewarding, reinforcing my commitment to making herbal medicine accessible to everyone.
My journey found its first significant milestone when I joined Portland's pioneering all-organic herbal supplier, The Herb Shoppe. This golden opportunity ignited my passion and set me on the path to opening The Herb Shoppe Pharmacy and Learning Center on February 15, 2014. The Herb Shoppe became a vibrant community space where educators and collaborators could gather, learn, and share. Initially, we operated as a simple LLC, but I quickly recognized the need for a more suitable business structure, transitioning to an S CORP. With the support of Portland's welcoming community, which included great business mentors, we established a solid foundation for growth.
In the fall of 2022, I felt a profound calling to make herbal medicine more accessible to everyone. This led to the establishment of The Herb Shoppe-Community Clinic as a 501c3 non-profit organization. The clinic offers sliding-scale, 30-minute herbal consultations, allowing individuals to engage in personalized wellness practices and gain a better understanding of their bodies through food as medicine, wellness practices, and herbal complements. This shift represented a significant commitment to serving the community and aligning with our core mission.
Transitioning to a non-profit model was a monumental change, one that came with its own set of challenges and learning curves. Navigating the legalities, acquiring non-profit status, and restructuring our business operations required diligent effort and perseverance. Despite these hurdles, the shift has been incredibly rewarding. It has allowed us to focus more on our community outreach and educational programs, making a more meaningful impact on those who need herbal medicine the most.
Our new model emphasizes inclusivity and accessibility, ensuring that no one is left without the opportunity to explore the benefits of herbal remedies. We've been able to offer more comprehensive services and have seen a positive response from the community. This transformation has not only been about changing our business structure but also about deepening our commitment to holistic health and personal well-being. By focusing on our core values and mission, we've created a more sustainable and impactful way to serve our community.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented challenges to The Herb Shoppe, testing our resilience and adaptability. With public health concerns and economic uncertainties, we faced significant disruptions to our daily operations. The restrictions imposed during the pandemic forced us to rethink our business model and find new ways to connect with our community.
Our priority was to ensure that we could continue to provide essential herbal medicine and wellness services to those who needed them. We rapidly transitioned many of our consultations and educational offerings to online platforms, allowing us to maintain a connection with our clients and offer support during a time of heightened anxiety and stress. This shift not only kept our services accessible but also expanded our reach beyond the local community.
However, the reality of maintaining a physical storefront during such a tumultuous period became increasingly unsustainable. In September 2023, after much contemplation, we decided to close our S CORP brick-and-mortar location. This was a heart-wrenching decision, but it opened up new possibilities for growth and transformation.
Moving to an online non-profit model has allowed us to focus on our mission of making herbal medicine accessible to everyone. This new approach has enabled us to collaborate more effectively with other organizations and expand our community outreach. By leveraging technology, we have created a more flexible and resilient framework that can better adapt to future challenges.
While the transition has not been without its difficulties, it has reinforced our commitment to holistic health and community well-being. Through these trials, we have emerged stronger and more dedicated to serving our community in innovative and impactful ways.
Our commitment to community engagement has led us to collaborate with other non-profits like Rahab Sisters, PCHP, and Pickathon. Through these partnerships, we provide herbal consultations, education, and product-making workshops. In addition to herbs, powders, spices that we consciously and ethically source from companies like Mountain Rose Herbs, The Herb Shoppe also offers custom blends for tinctures, teas, essential oils, and spritzers. This extensive offering allows us to better serve our community and foster a deeper understanding of herbalism.
We are passionate about extending the reach of herbalism and wellness practices and are eager to collaborate with organizations and individuals who share this vision. There are many wonderful opportunities to work with conscious herbal businesses. We believe that through collaboration, we can create meaningful connections and make a significant impact on the well-being of those we serve.
We understand that every community and organization has its own unique challenges and goals. Our approach is flexible, empathetic, and designed to create a supportive network that promotes natural remedies, personal growth, and holistic health.
We encourage all to spread the understanding and benefits of herbalism. Your collaboration and support can help the community continue to make a positive difference in the lives of many, fostering a healthier, more connected community.
One of the most important aspects of running an herbal business is expressing gratitude. Reflecting on the journey we've undertaken, I am profoundly grateful for the unwavering support and encouragement from our community. The transformation from a small herbal shop to a non-profit dedicated to holistic wellness has been both challenging and immensely rewarding. Each step we've taken has been guided by our commitment to making herbal wellness accessible to all, and it is the herbal community that has made this possible.
I am especially thankful for the amazing interns, staff, and collaborators who have contributed their passion and expertise to The Herb Shoppe. Their dedication to learning and sharing knowledge has been a cornerstone of our growth and success. It's incredibly rewarding to see how their journeys in herbal wellness have evolved and the positive impact they continue to make.
As we look to the future, our focus remains on community engagement and collaboration. We are eager to work with more individuals and organizations that share our vision of promoting natural remedies and holistic health. It is this continued support and collaboration that will enable us to expand our reach and deepen our impact, fostering a healthier, more connected community.
If you feel inspired to contribute to our ongoing efforts, you can learn more and connect with us here. Together, we can continue to cultivate wellness and share the benefits of herbalism with even more people.
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