Welcome to the start of our next blog series, aptly titled: What Makes Us Different. We want to explore the aspects of Menari Body Works we’ve worked hard to make unique, that set us apart, and that contribute to building a place where you and your time is respected and valued. There’s a lot of thought put into the products we choose, the services we provide, and the aesthetics of our space. Today, we’re going to talk about those products and our retail, and how we think they showcase something special about us.
As a woman-owned business, it’s important to us to source from other women- and minority-owned brands. It’s a no-brainer for us to pass on what good fortune we can. We support other small businesses with the same philosophy. Menari’s goal of inclusive care doesn’t just extend to our clients, but it also stretches to the community at large. The people of Mankato support us… so how can we support the people of Mankato (and beyond)?
When we choose items for our retail, we don’t want them to be things you can find anywhere or will add more junk into your life. We acquire art, jewelry, and ornaments and wall decorations from artists directly, often local ones. It provides us an opportunity to support creatives while bringing one-of-a-kind items to you. Many of them are hand-made and crafted with care. Our items are often artisanal and made in small batches by skilled craftspeople.
Many of these items we decide to sell come from our client’s input—from lymphatic brushes to specific essential oils to the types of earrings we source. We’re not just buying things that are pretty for us to look at (though, it’s maybe a little part of our decision-making process). Our goal is to provide a space filled with items that can bring you joy, items that benefit your care, and items that are unique. We buy everything with the same holistic approach we use to think about our services and skincare products.
A lot of thought goes into what we bring into our retail space. We take into account our philosophy, what our clients need, what our clients like, and what can contribute to the calming and whimsical aesthetic we strive for with our lobby and beyond. We like to think that that level of care, one that goes beyond the service room, sets us at least a little apart. But you can be the judge of that next time you step through our doors and give our retail space a look. Don’t worry, you can feel good about a little splurge: you’re not only supporting us, but also a network of other local artists and small businesses.