02/20/2025
With a mix of many emotions, I’m announcing the closure of Northbound Mind + Body Shop. This journey has been nothing short of incredible, and though I wasn’t actively looking to open a shop, I truly felt like it found me. When I came across this beautiful old general store, I saw an opportunity to bring the well-being support I was offering to organizations directly to my local community. It has been an honor and a gift to do so.
There are so many things you can’t fully know until you try them. What I couldn’t have known was the immense time, energy, and financial investment required to run a retail space, event venue, and service center - all while managing my practice, hosting retreats, and, most importantly, parenting my children. We often believe we can “do it all,” but the truth is, we aren’t meant to. And I can’t truly support the well-being of others if I’m not caring for my own (and my children’s) first.
Beyond personal demands, this is a tough time for small retail businesses. Just in the past month, multiple vendors have significantly raised prices - costs I know many of my customers can’t absorb. And with online giants like Amazon making it harder for independent shops to thrive, the challenges have only grown.
Despite these realities, I close this chapter with immense gratitude. This little space has connected me with so many incredible people, and I hope, in some small way, it has brought a bit more peace to those who walked through its doors. Whether you attended an event, purchased a self-care product, borrowed a book, received a service, grabbed a cup of tea, or simply stopped by for a moment of calm or connection - I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
To every vendor, practitioner, and service provider - your magic, expertise, and heart made this space so darn special. And to my neighbors, Mayor Brazill, and the entire village of Minoa - thank you for welcoming something a little different into the area with such openness and support. You always made me feel welcome.
My wish for you is that you continue to seek out spaces that feel like home, build meaningful connections, and always prioritize your well-being - because no one else can do that for you. And please, support local businesses. They are the flavor and heartbeat of your community, and so many are struggling right now.
This isn’t a goodbye - just a shift. I’m refocusing on my original business, Northbound Coaching & Consulting, where I’ll continue offering resilience and well-being support through positive psychology-based coaching, consulting, training, and speaking. I’ll not only be working with organizations but also offering public workshops and coaching. You can follow along at Northbound and I’ll still be hosting public retreats in CNY with my amazing friends and collaborators at Root to Rise CNY - we’ll be announcing our next retreat soon!
Thank you for being part of this community. Your support and love have meant everything.
It has been a dream to curate and operate this little storefront, and I hope you never let a detour shake your dreams. Sometimes, it’s just the beginning of something new.
As Semisonic has lovingly reminded us since 1998:
“Closing time, every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.”
With so much gratitude & love,
Jaime (JJ)
📸: Loving My Company LLC
