It's always a treat to support your Local Businesses! For this Shop Local series, we were lucky enough to speak with Kelsey - the owner of Green Roost in Culpeper, VA. They've been selling Boody since April of 2017.
How/when did Green Roost store open and how has it evolved/grown since then?
Green Roost opened in February 2009 in a 200 sqft office space behind my Aunt's shop (Pepperberries). At the time, it was called Green Nest, but after I became the owner in August of 2011, we rebranded as Green Roost. By then, we had moved to our current home (around 2200 sqft) and started to shift from an "earth-friendly" gift shop to more of a socially conscious boutique. I tend to lean toward brands that give back, help the planet, have good labor practices, etc.
What is your store known for?
I'd say we're known for our brands that give back and our outstanding customer service.
How important is healthy living, and environmental sustainability to your business?
Very important. The roots of my store are in earth-friendly gifts. Even though I've evolved some and added the "give back" aspect, I still like to focus on brands that have a grasp on sustainability.
How has COVID-19 impacted your store?
We were closed for over 8 weeks and ran an online-only business. It forced me a bit out of my comfort zone but in a good way. I created a beautiful website and was still able to cater to my customers without actually seeing them in our brick and mortar shop. While sales are down significantly, we are surviving and will come out stronger on the other side.
Why did Green Roost bring Boody into the store?
You can thank Liz (one of Boody's Sales Representatives) for that 🙂 She introduced me to the line because she knew I was always looking for brands with a purpose. Thank goodness she did!
What are your top Boody sellers?
Hands down, the loungewear. That took off for us!
What’s your favorite Boody item?
It's a tie between the Downtown Lounge top (it's quite literally the perfect t-shirt) and the high-waisted active leggings, which have been so accommodating to my post-baby body.
What are your plans for the future of Green Roost?
Green Roost online is here to stay. I've reworked my entire POS system and merged it with the website to guarantee we will always have an online presence. Other than that, I plan to keep bringing my customer brands with a purpose.
What are your two top recommendations for anyone visiting Culpeper, VA?
Spend a day Downtown on Davis Street. There is so much to do and see! And while you're there, eat at It's About Thyme...I was eating at that restaurant long before I even lived in Culpeper and in almost 20 years, I've never had a bad meal there.
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What is Makeena? Makeena is a free and easy-to-use mobile app that helps you discover better-for-you, better-for-the-planet products, then rewards you for your purchases, anywhere you shop. Makeena is part of a larger movement — a movement to build better businesses. We believe small choices impact the world big time. Being B-Certified means we’re socially responsible and committed to being the change we wish to see in the world. We give back to environmental nonprofits as a member of 1% for the Planet and partner with other conscious companies. Where did the idea for Makeena come from? I have always been passionate about taking care of our planet. I grew up across the street from a corn field that was sprayed with pesticides, so from an early age I was very aware of the environmental impacts on what we eat. As a child I was also very concerned about people who didn’t have access to healthy food and was always looking for ways to help. Ultimately, when I went vegan in the 1980s I became even more aware of how difficult it can be to find brands that prioritize sustainability and make healthier products. Ultimately, these experiences motivated me to start Makeena so that everyone on this big, beautiful planet of ours can easily find and afford healthier food and eco-friendly products. We chose the name Makeena because it means “happiness” in Swahili and “abundance” in Hawiaiian. From our headquarters in Boulder, Colorado, we like to say Makeena also means empowerment. It puts the power of shopping for good directly into the hands of mindful consumers How did you start and launch the app? We’ve been fortunate in that we’ve been selected to participate in a couple of accelerator programs with really smart mentors and advisors who have helped us refine our platform and build out our strategy. Along the way we’ve been able to stay true to our core purpose and vision -- which is making the world a better place through our technology and community that rewards the discovery and purchase of better-for-you, better-for-the-planet brands and products. We’re super excited about Makeena and the future! What have been some of the biggest hurdles? Like most businesses, the last few months have been difficult to navigate. We were in the middle of setting up a booth at a trade show for one of our industry's largest events when COVID restrictions forced a rapid change in plans. For us, the ability to be nimble and responsive, while sometimes painful, also teaches lessons in patience and resiliency. Ultimately, every hurdle you face in business can either be a curse or blessing -- it is all in the mindset you choose. What have been some of your biggest successes? We’re really excited by all 2020 has brought us so far! We earned our B-Certification in January, and are launching a new website, new functionality in our app, new newsletter, new community, and added some great people to our team. And the best part is, we still have half a year left to go! Truly, we believe the best days are ahead for Team Makeena! What are your best recommendations for someone new to the app? First off, thank you for downloading Makeena! We are excited to have you in our community. Second, start scrolling through our brand partners on Makeena and “unlock” experiences. Take the time to check out brands you already know and love, and those you haven’t yet tried! Be sure you engage with all the brands on social media, opt-in for their newsletters, and add items you want to try to your shopping list. Best of all, you can shop at your favorite store or online, anytime. Once you’re done shopping, scan the UPC codes for the Makeena products you’ve purchased, and take a photo of the receipt and upload it through the app. You’ll then get cash back through your PayPal or Venmo account. Finally, don’t forget to visit the Rebates page. You might find a fruit, vegetable, or even an organic household product that you haven’t used in a while that you can earn a little cash back on as well. Using the Makeena app is a fun way to explore something new and engage with great products that are truly better for you and better for the environment. How’s that for a win-win?!?
