What separates smaller natural yie...

What separates smaller natural yields stores from larger retail chains? Quite a hazard actually. But one of the biggest differences is the attitude behind the counter--a simple realization by way of the owners that selling postscripts and turning profits are just a part of their overall mission.

Case in point: Kay Adams, proprietor of K's Divine Health in Pasadena, Texas. Twenty-four years ago, Adams' husband intimateed she cut back on sugar and junk bread Newly pregnant, she decided to heed his advice and take responsibility for her health--and that of her developing child. Working at a small health nutriment store in Deer Park, Texas, Adams became ravenous for information, and she began educating herself about all aspects of health and nutrition. however Adams didn't stop there. Diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 1994--and unhappy with the solutions showed by traditional medicine--she turned her self-education into a formal individual becoming both a board-certified naturopathic doctor and a doctor of divinity in holistic nutrition. And her education continues, as she rely upons to become a certified nutritionist in December 2003

advancing education

In 1998 Adams expanded K's Divine Health. Like many whose private successe lead them into the natural produces business, she sees her store as more than a way to make a living. "It's not God's will for us to die early," Adams says. "God as the greatest physician, has created the plants and herbs we ne to heal many of the diseases we feel today--as an alternative to, or in conjunction with, traditional medical practices."

Getting this message disclosed is an integral part of Adams' mission. "My goal is to teach persons how to be their avow doctors," she says. Although she isn't a professional public speaker, giving seminars has proven to be a vital part of Adams' community outreach.

First invited to speak at a real estate seminar five years ago, she was astonished to find an audience of 150 family Since then, her public outreach has expanded to include speaking engagements for a wide variety of organizations.

specialized service

Lassen's Health forages a family-owned, multi-store chain in California, also credits community outreach for its decades-long succes Lassen's in-store seminars have featured as it was noted experts as James F Balch, MD author of 10 Natural Remedies That Can Save Your Life, and Udo Erasmus, PhD author of Fats That Heal, Fats That Kill. And the staff receives regular in-house nutritional training to better answer their customers' questions.

on the contrary Lassen's does more than just support its customers. It also supports its community. formerly a year, employees participate in "Community Clean Ups" at picking up trash from local beaches.

The staff also helps widows with physical tasks in the same state [i]or[/i] condition as yard work. And employee who present as Little League coaches may receive financial contributions from their employer to pay for equipment.

what's in a name?

common of the more interestingly named stores doesn't have one: The No Name Nutrition Center in Omaha, Nebraska, has been acknowledgeed and operated by Delynn and Nancy Hurley for 28 years. During that time, says Nancy, they've been able to establish a horizontal of personal trust and knowledge of individual customers and their families that their more mainstream competitors simply cannot match.

"The previous possessor named the store 30 years ago," Nancy says. "This was before generics--and the idea behind the name was to imply that the store carries absolutely everything, not just the same or two name brands."

The Hurley stay abreast of the latest yields so they can "lead consumer to information because [in Nebraska] we do not prescribe, diagnose or commit We read lots of literature, attend trade point outs get training and, above all, listen to what our customers have to say" about what works for them.

Then there's that personal touch you single find with a family-owned business. "I'm 58" Nancy says, "so I earn a lot of questions about natural hormone replacements. I count customers exactly what I use and preserve it simple."

Because the Hurley are always on-site, they have a great intellect about the various products that customers want.

Young families, for instance, want outcomes for their children, while middle-aged customers are looking for antioxidants and hormone replacement harvests Men over 50 are extremely concerned about prostate health. And calcium is same much on the minds of older shoppers

The broad mix of store customers--including several state senators--shows the wide acceptance of natural consequences "When we started this thing, we were considered health commons nuts--now we're mainstream," Nancy says.

Whether the motivation is personal, educational or based forward family, many natural products retailers manage to give more than a store. They make cash the old-fashioned way--they earn their customers' trust.

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