Darrell Elder
Staff Reporter; January 21, 2004

Many small businesses open because the owner has a dream and a passion for something.

Some even give up corporate jobs and lifelong careers to delve into smaller companies, be their own boss and earn an income doing what they love.

Debbie Markel is an excellent example. After 30 years in the insurance business, Markel decided to open an herbal shop. Her first encounter with herbal supplements occurred after years of suffering from physical conditions medical doctors were not able to cure. She said by the time she decided to try the natural route, she was taking four prescription drugs.

Markel had a condition related to chronic fatigue syndrome, and although she was taking four different medications and visiting numerous doctors, she still felt horrible. After consulting with a nutritionist, she was eventually able to stop taking all of the prescription drugs and replace them with natural products. “Now I feel great. My blood pressure is down, my cholesterol is better and my sugar is down. I feel healthier than when I was 40.” And, Markel remains prescription drug free.

That significant change in her health inspired her with the desire to share her experience with others and after two years of education and studying, Markel became a certified herbalist. During her training, Markel studied nutrition, natural medicines and alternative health techniques.

Markel was also trained in Western, Eastern and Ayurvedic (Indian) remedies. “My feeling is that if this stuff has been used for hundreds of years and it’s still around and people are using it, it must be good,” the herbalist said.

With the certification, Markel became a wellness consultant. When a client seeks a consultation, Markel has them complete a lifestyle survey and questionnaire. Then she reviews the information and develops a plan. “I’m at the point where I can look at the answers and the diagnosis and basically see in black and white what is going on and where changes need to be made,” she said.

While doing consultations, Markel found a need to have natural supplements on hand to offer her clients. So, she decided to take another step in the direction towards her desire to help others and she opened the store, Apothecarian Herbals, LLC. “I opened it because there is a need for it.” The business owners said that when Hazes Herb Shop closed, there was a gap and a need in the market place. Plus, she said, it provides a better way to meet the needs of the community and serve the public. “Powhatan needed it,” she added.

Markel said there is a real active natural health community in Powhatan so opening the shop filled a void left by the previous store. However, Markel added that not only Powhatan, but the surrounding area including Chesterfield County, needed the store. A lot of her business comes from residents of Chesterfield because there isn’t an herbal shop around.

Why make natural remedy purchases at the herbal shop instead of a pharmacy? Markel said that although many pharmacies carry herbal supplements, their inventory normally consists of the popular, basic products. Plus, pharmacists, although educated in herbal supplements, do not have the extensive education.
“I provide a lot of special items you can’t find at a drug store. And when someone has real issues, they can come here and find someone with expertise.”
The shop carries remedies for a variety of health issues. Some of the most popular issues are stress, digestive issues, women’s health and attention deficit disorders in children.

Markel stocks remedies and formulas to help with each of these concerns as well as many more. She carries supplements, single vitamins, multivitamins, baby items and diet supplements. “But, I don’t promote the diet supplements much because I believe diet and exercise are the best way to lose weight,” the herbalist said.

And the list goes on, Markel stocks many more items including herbal teas, aromatherapy candles as well as supplements for the family dog’s health concerns. But, just because an item is not on the shelf doesn’t mean a customer can not get it. Markel gladly special orders products to accommodate her customer’s special needs. She even stocks a few items because a single customer regularly needs them.

Starting the business with a network of supporters and contacts was a key point in the early success of the small business. Markel said she has a good relationship with professionals in other areas of alternative health remedies. A lot of her marketing included advertisements in newspapers as well as articles in the Natural Awakenings magazine. She has also retained some of Hazes’ past customers.

Another avenue Markel travels in order to spread the word about alternative remedies is at speaking engagements where she discusses health related topics.

Markel, although her dreams are big, started small. “A financial guy I admired a long time ago said the key is to start with a low inventory. Start tiny and grow instead of starting with large expenses, and try to stay out of debt,” she said.

While developing her business plan, the store owner heeded that advise and started with limited hours and a small inventory. She maintains her insurance job in order to supplement her income during the early months of the new business. That was a wise decision because the first few months were slow.

But, month after month, Markel is experiencing improvement. Months before her initial expectations, the business is already breaking even. She has already expanded the business to include an inventory of unique greeting cards. A year from now, Markel plans to continue to expand as the demand increases. She hopes to keep in stock special orders for her customers.

Her ultimate goal, far in the future, is to expand into organic and natural foods. But until then, she will keep adding shelves and adding stock. Along with her dream of expanding the shop, Markel wants to take on more consulting jobs. “I just love it.” Markel’s true objective is to guide others to recognize their own healing powers by using vitamins, herbs and healing foods.

Apothecarian Herbals is located at 3430-D Anderson Hwy. Markel can be reached at 598-5352 or at www.herbalconsultant.com.  The shop is open Tues. through Fri. from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sat. from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Wellness consultations may be scheduled by calling Markel.