Dear dear folks,
I have been truly blessed. I have been able to follow my life's passion and to grow a business that has touched my soul in a very profound way. For me, the greatest gifts in life are to love, to be of service, and to give and share one’s passions. Plants and herbalism are my passion, and Dancing Willow Herb Shop has provided me with this amazing trio of opportunities. In my last few newsletters, I've invited you to walk down memory lane with me, sharing the many phases of Dancing Willows' incarnation. On my end, it’s been more than a little nostalgic because I was reminiscing with an end in sight.
I’ve been in this business for 30 years now and it has been full of risks, hard work, and reward. I have been stretched beyond my comfort level sometimes and pushed to stay the course and to continue to breathe life into this precious business that has grown into what feels like its own living entity. This downtown business is not only a retail shop, but a lab with a production facility, an herbal consulting practice, making custom formulations, and an online store as well. It grew with seemingly a life of its own like a wild mountain herb...a little water, some good soil, the love and the passion of all the many wonderful employees, interns, clients, and customers that have supported and loved this Durango institution.
This year is a pivotal time for me. My daughter Grace has graduated from high school and will soon be off to college. Dancing Willow turns 30 and I will soon be approaching my own milestone of almost 60 years. Soon to be an empty nester, I feel the need for change. Both my babies, my beloved daughter, and my beloved business have strong foundations to support them and now I excitedly await the next phase of my life.
With both excitement and a peaceful heart, I am so pleased to announce that I will be selling my beloved Dancing Willow Herb shop to a dear and worthy buyer, my long-time intern and lab manager, Elliott Brinkley. I believe that she will take what I have lovingly devoted my life to and add her own magic, making it even better and ushering it to its next phase of growth. It’s got good roots, I know that. And as a community, I hope you will all continue to support and cherish this small, local, woman-owned business.
You will learn more about Elliott in the very near future as we transition. While I will no longer have the responsibility of the day-to-day, I will continue to offer my services as a clinical herbalist and to see my private practice clients. I will take a bit of time to process and reflect and relax, but look forward to teaching at Dancing Willow and taking new clients. I will share a new website with you soon with more information.
It has been a profound opportunity to serve, share, and provide the amazing power of herbs to such a dynamic community. Words can’t really sum up this 30-year journey. Thank you so very much, from the bottom of my heart to the Dancing Willow community, clients, customers, staff, interns, and Durango Colorado for allowing me the opportunity to share this big love with you.
It’s been the gift of a lifetime.
In gratitude, Debra Swanson |
