Today we’d like to introduce you to Christine Young
Hi Christine, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
The concept of Hearth and Seoul Herbal Shop was a slow build that started in 2015 when I visited my mother in South Korea for the first time as an adult. I grew in the US with my mother’s Korean culture and when she moved back, there was an obvious space missing in my life that I wasn’t able to fill with my surrounding community. I studied herbalism and have a love for nature and gardening. I’ve worked in management for many businesses, and eventually went back to school to get my BS in integrative healthcare. When I went looking for Korean American herbalists, artisans and community members, they were difficult to find. During my last visit this past Spring of 2024 in Korea I met with farms who were growing green tea, visited traditional tea houses, learned my grandmother’s stories about growing up with little food during the wars, her recipes, and was even more inspired by the history on my mother’s side. During this same trip I received a call that the shop next to my husband’s barbershop was opening and I immediately signed a lease. I moved in 6 weeks later and am slowly finding myself among the community as an herbal and tea shop that centers on promoting cultural diversity, sharing my Korean culture, connecting with community and also centering on sustainability. This isn’t just a retail herb and tea shop. This is a community space where you can sip some tea, share, learn, enjoy a workshop, make a custom blend, try some korean herbs. I’m here for that neighborhood feel, that slower pace that you can hangout and unwind and connect. We’re missing that in this fast paced world of capitalism.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I don’t think opening a business is ever easy, it hasn’t been without its challenges, but I am ever so grateful for the support of my community and family while I navigate opening a business that is pretty niche. I had 6 weeks to gather my plan and open the shop, find vendors that had a story to tell, local farms, Korean farms and artisans, local Colorado artisans, create my own products and test them. I joined farmer’s markets, was turned away by one because they thought Korean products were too unique, but did well in other places and felt like I was finding my place. Retail is tough, and sometimes there are barriers that you face when you are of a different culture. I found that telling my story and what my shop is about helps people to open up a bit and give it a try. Everything is funded out of my own pockets, and in September I quit my full time job to give it everything I had because I’m doing everything from marketing, to product formulations, to sitting at the front and chatting with customers. I want this to be a space where people can be who they are and feel accepted regardless. While I offer some things a traditional apothecary might offer, I also blend in my Korean culture, use traditional Korean herbs and teas in some of my offerings and offer Kimchi on Saturdays. I work pretty much 7 days a week while also trying to spend enough time with my husband and 3 year old son. It’s a lot, but so worth it to see if this can go somewhere.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I am a woman owned Herbal shop in the Highlands of Denver that offers organic bulk herbs and teas, but I specialize in creating Herbal wellness blends with Korean herbs that I import from farms in South Korea, as well as from farms in Colorado, and other organic sources. My best teas are the Maeumcha “heart teas” and my herbal sweet tea that uses a plant from Korea as a natural diabetic friendly sweetener. I also have over 30+ types of green teas, black teas, herbal teas that you can buy in bulk or get a cup to go. I have a carefully curated retail section with products from women owned, lbtgq+, veterans, minority owned businesses that offer natural products, handmade ceramics, candles, and unique crafts. Everyone has a unique story to share about their products.
While I have a brick and mortar, I also sell Kimchi at markets. It’s my grandmother’s recipe who grew up on the Jeolla province which is know as the culinary mecca in South Korea. I’m most proud that I am able to share parts of who I am with the community in a way that is bridging on connection, wellness, and support of each other. My Korean herbal teas do really well at markets and I hope to be able to continue that with new products as I learn more from the farms I work with.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
What an interesting question. I would say I have overcome a lot of challenges growing up, but it’s strength of character that tells you to continue on, or to pivot. I have always been told I was “lucky” but I would also tell you that I take as many chances as I can on myself and others and the odds start to move in your favor the more chances you give yourself and learn if you don’t give up when things are tough. Things happen to us, but we define the story in the long run.
Pricing:
- Cups of tea to go: $4
- Herbal Consultations with our Clinical Herbalist: Sliding Scale
- Typical Herbal Wellness Teas: $12-$16
- Kimchi: $14/jar
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hearthandseoul.com
- Instagram: @hearthandseoulshop
Image Credits
Christine Young
Travis Young
