Sussex gets piece of Karen's karma
Published Tuesday October 14th, 2008
Everything fell into place when Karen Kirk decided to open Namaste Books and Gifts in Sussex.
Call it karma.
For about 20 years, the former computer systems analyst had dreamed about opening a little bookstore like the one she patronized years ago when she lived in North Carolina, which carried all kinds of books on New Age spirituality.
Back then, Kirk became curious about mind, body and spirit wellness and quantum physics, and spent succeeding years reading what she could and attending workshops and conferences on personal growth, shamanic journeying, spirituality and Reiki.
"It was always my love to browse the little quaint book and gift shops on wellness," she said. "No matter where I lived, it was one of my favourite things to do. I decided when I retired that that may be an option."
She moved back to Sussex with her family in 2002, and recently decided the time was right to pursue her dream. It just so happened that a space on Broad Street became available.
"Things just fell into place," she said.
Last month, Kirk opened her quaint little store at 69 Broad St. The store is named after the Hindu greeting, Namaste (pronounced Nam-a-stay), which has a number of definitions, but the shortest one is: "I see the light in you which is also in me so we are one."
The store is filled with books on mind, body, and spirit wellness, including Eckhart Tolle's The New Earth and The Power of Now, and products such as crystals, healing stones, incense, Tarot cards, Reiki candles, CDs and jewelry.
Kirk believes she's tapped the market at the right time, especially given the economy.
"It gives people hope.
"These topics and these products are for their well-being.
"There are more and more people ... who think maybe there is more to it - to life."
Location, Location, Location
The new location of The Running Room in Saint John is hoping to attract more foot traffic. Last month, the running and walking retailer of sporting goods, apparel and footware moved from Market Square to the first level of Brunswick Square. Manager Anita Hoffman said the new location will provide more visibility. Before, she said, the store was somewhat of a destination. Now, with its storefront on King Street, more people might drop in to see what the store is about. "We are able to appeal to a greater mass," she said. "That's important for us because The Running Room's ambition is to help people and educate people about becoming more physically active." Hoffman said the store's goal is to initiate the uninitiated. "I think in this location we are better able to do that."
Entrepreneurial thinking
Another season, another series of small business seminars for emerging entrepreneurs. Enterprise Saint John's Emerging Entrepreneurs program is kicking off its free series on Oct. 22 with a seminar on planning your marketing strategy. The 90-minute seminar will teach participants how to promote their product or service effectively and maximize their revenue by developing a well-thought-out strategy.
Other seminars in the series include: basic bookkeeping (Nov. 26); what Revenue Canada wants you to know (Jan. 21); how to sell (Feb. 18); strategic planning for growth (March 18); getting press (April 22); and how to price your product or service (May 20). All the seminars run from noon until 1:30 p.m. at the Business Resource Centre, 40 King St. For more information, visit www.eesj.ca or contact Janet Scott at 632-6131.
Erin Dwyer writes the Developments column for the Telegraph-Journal. The column runs Tuesday. To make a suggestion for the column, email her at dwyer.erin@telegraphjournal.com.
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