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by Lisa Armstrong Owning one’s own business often looks easier than it is - you have to motivate, organize, subsidize and otherwise do what it takes to survive, especially in the first year. There have been many times when it seemed like it was time to call it quits, then someone would call us, concerned about their health, a loved one's health or general questions about which practioners from whom to seek advice. Although we couldn't give advice, we are glad that we were able to connect these callers with a practioner or service from our database. These type of phone calls and encouragement from practioners was what kept us going. But, working with like-minded souls, you get some wonderful help - and often, at just the right time! There have been some fantastic and wonderful experiences and people during the first year of Holistic Arkansas’s existence, and I want to acknowledge some of my key advisers here: Sara Michael of Fairfield Bay was one of my first supporters and cheerleaders. I much admire this spunky yogi, who is also a new librarian! Check out Sara’s Spring, 2007 yoga retreat, which will be held at the Ferncliff Retreat Center in Ferndale. Also MANY thanks to Samantha Hartley of Enlightened Marketing. This lady is one sharp cookie with a BIG heart as well as a passion for helping holistic and conscious small business owners. Samantha was named one of "20 to watch in ‘07" in the Sun., Jan. 28 edition of the River Valley Ozarks (an advertising supplement to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette). And I must also "carry on" a little more about some of my favorite people. I consider these folk to be some of the shining stars in the heaven of holistic health in our state!
Over the last year, I have consulted with several holistic practitioners. Each has provided valuable insights, including dietary and lifestyle changes. As a result, it seems that I take most of the vitamins and minerals (and almost half of the herbs) known to mankind. The year 2006 was a landmark in alternative medicine in Arkansas in many respects - for one thing, it was the year that the Arkansas Massage Therapist’s Network started. The group began meeting together in March of last year, and we must thank Tabitha Hargis for her diligent pursuit of putting such a great networking resource into place. Things also kicked into high gear that month, as Holistic Arkansas was showcased on KARK’s "Morning Show". "Holistic Healing Day" featured an interview with me, pre-taped portions of the website; reflexologist Stephenie Cooke, acupuncturist and Oriental medicine specialist Dr. Martin Eisele (Evergreen AOM) and yogi Karl Straub. March was also the month that PBS/AETN aired a special holistic healing program,"The New Medicine". This program publicly validated acupuncture, hypnotherapy, energy healing, and other forms of alternative medicine connected with more traditional methods used in teaching hospitals and clinics across the nation. April rained showers of support from Hardin’s River Mercantile and its Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, the Basket-A-Month Club: (Hardin's River Mercantile ). Jody Hardin was kind enough to place flyers about Holistic Arkansas’s website launch party into numbers of their lovely, organic produce baskets. Speaking of organic produce, in April I also attended a small business seminar at UALR, where I met a delightful native of England named Robert Lashley, who has a small organic farm called Willow Springs Market Garden. Toward the end of April we celebrated the third annual Conway Earth Day (now Arkansas Earth Day). The Holistic Arkansas booth was well received, and it was wonderful to meet so many nice folks, and to learn about what others are doing. May’s bounties started with an Herbal Workshop at Woolly Hollow State Park. This is an annual event that is well worth the trip to the Greenbriar area (near Conway). Part of the dialogue was about medical intuitive Dr. Barry Joneshill of Rosebud. Joneshill sees hundreds of people each week, who make the trek to White County seeking relief from a myriad of ailments. Joneshill ask for no payments for his counsel, but often recommends supplements sold at his storefront shop, Remedies. Saturday, May 13, 2006 was the LAUNCH PARTY for HolisticArkansas.com at Wild Oats Natural Marketplace - Practitioners presenting tables or workshops that day were:
Little had prepared me for the intense task of recruiting participants, advertising and coordinating even a small holistic fair. I learned a lot, and will utilize my insights during the 2nd annual holistic healing fair at Wild Oats on Saturday, March 17, 2007. By June, I needed a spiritual battery recharge, so started a book club centered on Lynn Robinson’s book Divine Intuition with several other women. This once-per-week discussion helped to redefine goals while focusing more on balance and a spiritual approach to life. In August, Holistic Arkansas facilitated the appearance of two alternative healers, Turner Bourne and Lorrie Belluomini on an episode of AETN’s "Fighting Fat" - the show aired live on August 29 - you can watch the recorded version of the show online. Early autumn was a flurry of planning, shopping and frankly stressing about my younger daughter’s imminent wedding. To help me during that process, I enrolled in an eight-week course called Voluntary Simplicity. Some of the most WONDERFUL, like-minded souls were (and are) part of that group. *(We are still meeting in January/February, 2007!) The first Saturday in October was also the first-ever Natural State Expo. Put on by the Arkansas Sustainability Network, this worthy endeavor, and its organization, the Arkansas Sustainability Network, is headed up by a fervent young woman named Katy Elliott. It is very much hoped that alternative medicine practitioners will consider being a part of the event this year. That is because there was only one holistic healer at the 2006 expo --we need to make a SHOWING on Saturday, Oct. 6, 2007! In November, me and my husband attended a cobbing session at Cedarberry Farms. (cob is clay, sand and straw used to sculpt various structures). Jeff Dempsey’s ultimate (and wonderful) vision is to create a permanent place that will provide classes on organic farming, vegetarian cooking and other topics. Be sure and check out their Spring, 2007 cobbing session - sure to be lots of fun! November also included me doing two talks on holistic healing at Wild Oats, one of which was covered again by KARK television. I also did some promotional work for a new yoga studio owned by Karen J. Smith in Hot Springs, KJS Yoga (www.kjsyoga.com), as well as attended their Yoga Sampler Nov. 11. (and be sure and check out the May 12-13 Conscious Living Expo that will be held at the Hot Springs Convention Center. This will be Arkansas’s first-ever national level holistic healing/whole living event. (Check with me if you are interested in a booth space!) Yes, this past year has been amazing. I have learned a lot about myself, and about others, as well. There have been times when the lessons placed in front of me have been a little difficult, but I have taken what I could that was beneficial as much as possible. I have also been blessed in many respects, treated to lovely experiences of healing, therapy and assistance, including massage, life coaching, nutritional advice, emotional releasing, healthy recipes, and much more! I look very much forward to serving you and your goal of healing or to help build your conscious business. Blessings to all of you, and many wishes for your continued health and success! |