Welcome to Agape Apothecary's Discussion Forum. I have set up this forum as a way to connect with clients and followers of the Apothecary away from social media. The social media platform has become very picky about the way it sends out it's information and just how much you actually see from a page. I am also just one person, so keeping up with social media, a website and all the other aspects while wanting to create and learn my herbals doesn't all mix well.
What does all this mean?
This means that Agape Apothecary is trying something different for 2021. 2020 was a real challenge and to be honest... it has really cut deep as to whether or not I should keep going. So, in order to try and bring some semblance of order to my crazy I will be removing my social media pages/groups and bringing everything over to the website to my forum. This means unless you are a personal friend on our personal page you will need to sign up for the forum to get notified when there is a new blog, forum discussion or anything new posted to the website. I will be deleting the social media pages/groups by the end of January and will share this Forum post reminder a few times before then, so be sure you get signed up ASAP if you would like to continue to get information from the Apothecary. You'll be noticing changes for the next few weeks as I work to finish up making changes and working on new blogs/forum discussions.
Total revamp
Searches let users easily navigate the forum and find the topics they are looking for. When you join you have access to add to discussions or create your own. I have tried to make it as user friendly as possible, but I am no web design pro so I'm sure there will be bugs to work out along the way. I have been working on the website's total revamp for the past couple of weeks, mainly in my head. I actually started minor changes a couple of months ago especially with figuring out product and services info and sales but just couldn't seem to wrap my mind around it. My spirit just couldn't/can't seem to get settled on things and I honestly thought maybe it meant it was just time to start phasing out and close up shop completely. However, the past few days I have been streamlining the site and speaking with some other herbal and spiritual business folks and I'm trying to clear out some clutter and go this route to see if it can align me and make me feel on top of it again. (See even healers have to "heal" sometimes lol)
So Join the Forum Community
This is a community made just for you to continue to see what I'm up to and continue to see tips and get educational blogs on things. If it works out there is even the addition of podcasts I can add *shudder* or vlogs. These things will depend on the community and the participation I receive from it.
2021? Plans? Actions? Events?
What are the Apothecary's plans for 2021? While I would love to give you my grand layed out 365 day exciting business plans that is just raring to go... Honestly... there are none at this time. I always want to be very transparent with the things going on. I never want to mislead anyone along the way.
Vendor events are still scarce. And I am currently going to have to go through my herbal stock and clearance out part of it as well as dump part of it as a loss because my great 2020 plans came crashing down and dry herbs do have a shelf life. Unfortunately, that will consist of about 85% of my herb stock.
One herb business I am chatting with has informed me of some licenses I need to get that I haven't, as well as where to turn in some SOP's and I am praying about whether I should go ahead and do those things or not... will they be worth the effort right now? Also, talking about a commercial kitchen for making of some of my products since Oklahoma shot down the cottage law change last year and to upgrade mine to meet the standard will take several thousand and to rent somewhere is about 15.00 an hour and having to load up all my work to take there and work on and tote back only to have to return to finish it when it's maceration time is up. So again, more prayers to be had.
Classes? Well, I would love to do classes. However, what rules will be in place for group activities. Online Classes? I have tried those and did not have any sign up for that.
I have been finishing up some online courses and unfortunately once again, while they are certificated, they don't count toward the license I want for massage therapy here in Oklahoma. *eyes roll* They have to be a certificate through a specific certified place. So, I am looking in to a school here to turn in an application to. I am nervous, as they only accept folks with natural talent... so if they don't accept me, I may feel crushed lol. Then, I just received an email on an upcoming Doula course that I would love to take and become a certified Doula, however, the course is in February and it doesn't give me enough time to put the funds together, so I have emailed her to have her put me on the list for the next available courses in case I am able to for those. I just recently bought my 2021 planner hahaha and I'm almost afraid to use it. So, I don't have plans, I just have ideas and thoughts of things I would like to do.
Now, all that being said, I don't mean to sound like a debby downer, I am not disappointed or depressed per sey. It is the "business" and "governmental rules" side of it. It is what it is. I have gained perspective for those tools and the ups and downs of it. I don't like the those aspect of things, I am not good at dealing with it, heck I don't even like charging people to help them on their healing journey. I am a healer that is what I want to be is a healer and the red tape and business of it all gets in my way and burns me out. I will keep chugging along for now and doing what I can to keep this little Apothecary afloat and educating you guys the best I can and hopefully seeing you more and more as clients.
Hope you guys will join the Forum and begin using it!
Abundance,
Chrystal Pingleton
Herbalist, Natural Health Consultant