We all know how important it is to support small businesses, especially right now!

We wanted to introduce you to the people behind your favorite small businesses and nonprofits. They are hometown heroes who support our little league teams, sponsor church and club fundraisers, and while many do not live in Maplewood or Richmond Heights, they spend more time here than they do at home!

Enjoy and check back soon for more profiles!

Place I Grew Up: Creve Coeur|Villa Ridge, MO
High School St. Francis Borgia
College: Secretarial School… Life!

Products that  I recommend to my friends/customers
Try our Trial/Travel sizes that make a single cup of tea. It’s a safe way to explore new flavors.
My Heart
My cat, my sister, and my son and daughter. 
My favorite small business other than mine is
It’s impossible to pick just one! Bolyard’s, for great meat and helpful staff to get the best results from my purchase. Pie oh My for THE BEST pies and quiche, Mauhaus, for the kitties, Airedale Antics for donating proceeds from their monthly nail trim service. I’d also give a shout out to Brian Pelletier, Kakao for all the help he gives to other small businesses.
Charities/Causes:
Cats! Also Missouri Wildlife Rescue, Yogabuzz, and Joe’s Place  
People are suprised to learn
I still have a full-time job besides the tea shop. This has allowed me to keep sharing good tea through this challenging year.  
I draw inspiration from
My customers who thank me regularly for being here and the Spirits of Tea.
Top of my bucket list
Visiting Nova Scotia regularly (I haven’t been since 2007)
What I want my customers to know
They can bring their tea packaging back to us for recycling via Terra Cycle.
Anything else…
Besides selling loose tea, we enjoy serving drinks to-go; you can order on-line and schedule a pickup time.
We really appreciate everyone’s understanding about the whole curbside/window menus system we’ve been using.

Place I Grew Up: Canton, OH
High School St. Thomas Aquinas in Louisville, OH
College: Ashland College

Service we offer that I recommend to my friends/customers
90 minute massage with a CBD HerbalRitual enhancement. Aaahhh!
My Heart
My husband, Peter. 
Charities/Causes:
Police and firefighter centered organizations. My husband and father are both retired law enforcement officers. 
People are suprised to learn
I am a former radio personality and am also a professional voiceover artist. 
Advice I’d give my younger self
Be kind to yourself. You have a beatiful life in store.
Top of my bucket list
Completing a Half Iron Man
What I want my customers to know
Selfcare is not Selfish. You can’t pour from an empty cup. It’s not a once a year thing- if we all had one massage therapy session and one talk therapy session a month, the world would be a better place.

Place I Grew Up: St. Louis
High School Cleveland
College: Jefferson College and St. Louis University

Inspiration(s)
 Creating from nature and science’s bounty to formulate clean, nourishing products that imporve well-being and health. 
What I tell potential customers
I ask many questions to help individualize products that accurately address that person’s need.
Favorite Small Business other than mine
All passionate artisan businesses whether restaurants, perfumers, artists, bakers, brewers…
My Heart
My pets (they’re my four legged kids) and my precious partners/friends and mentors.
Charities/Causes:
Salvation Army, PCMR, HSUS, all bee saving organizations and anti-cruelty organizations. 
People are suprised to learn
That we formulate and make all of our products here, in Missouri.
Advice I’d give my younger self
Stay outside of your comfort zone and try to believe in yourself, even when you don’t. Follow your passion with abandon and avoid those who don’t provide inspiration and encouragement.
Top of my bucket list
Dinner at the French Laundry in Napa Valley. I love to cook and eat thoughtfully prepared food.
What I want my customers to know
I am passionate about helping every single person find solutions to their problems. 
Anything else
Live life like there is no tomorrow, have gratitude in all things, even the seemingly bad- there’s always a silver lining if we’re patient enough to see it.

Place I Grew Up: Affton
High School St. Mary’s High School
College: Florida Southern College

Inspiration(s)
 Seeing talent in others whether it be an artist, athlete, musician, etc.
What I tell potential customers
I ask alot of questions to be certain that we can deliver what they need/want.
Charities/Causes:
American Cancer Society, APA, St. Jude’s 
People are suprised to Learn
I am still single-LOL!   
Advice I’d give my younger self
Be thankful for what you have and enjoy the journey.
Top of the bucket list
Travel to the land down under.
What I want my customers to know
I set high standards for everything we do and encourage my team to do thier best everyday.
Anything else
Goodbye 2020! Can’t wait for 2021. 

Place I Grew Up: Madison, IL
High School Granite City
College: The School of Life

Inspiration(s)
 A diverse portfolio of the people and businesses I work with. 
What I tell potential customers
Since every customer need is different, it’s usually beneficial to have an exploratory meeting to make sure our service will offer a value. 
Charities/Causes:
The Urban League of St. Louis 
People are suprised to Learn
I have been with Labor Finders for 15 years.  
Advice I’d give my younger self
Stop overthinking! Just be productive every day, treat people well, and good things will follow.
Top of the bucket list
Being able to travel again to visit my grandkids in Texas.
Favorite Small Business other than mine
Traveling Tea- great selection and they have prompt shipping! 
My Heart
Max (my dog/soulmate), cats, daughter, grandkids, and my work family
What I want my customers to know
We don’t want to be remembered just for the staffing services we provide- we would like our legacy to be that of helping poeple in our community in anyway we can.
Anything else
We are thankful for the Mid County Chamber of Commerce and all of its members. 

Place I Grew Up: Central Illinois
College: SLU

Inspiration(s)
My business partners. It’s a small, considerate crew that knows how to get things done. 
My favorites among the The Post’s Menu
The Original Cheesesteak, Baked Wings, and Pizza. Once dine-in resumes, I’d highly suggest checking out our weekday progressive happy hours from 2-5 where we offer our best drink/food specials.
Charities/Causes:
Every holiday season, The Post sponsors local families in need by bringing them seasonal essentials and toys/games for the kids. I’m proud to be part of a company that not only gives back throughout the year, but has made it a essential part of its business.
People are suprised to Learn
My parents immigrated from India to Maplewood, MO in 1974 and lived here for the first four years of their lives in the U.S. before moving two hours away to central Illinois. Somehow I ended up back in Maplewood, MO where my family’s American life first began!
Favorite Small Business other than mine
Saratoga Lanes. Like The Post, it’s always a good time! 
My Heart
Jeannine Beck, Exec. Director of the Mid County Chamber of Commerce. An inspiration and an unsung hero in downtown Maplewood. (Editor’s Note: Gautam is never sarcastic)
Customers should know
We’re a family friendly restaurant! When families come to dine-in, they’re amazed at how welcoming we are to all ages.
Anything else
We can’t thank our guests enough for the support they’ve shown us through 2020! We’re grateful to have the opportunity to offer your favorite Post favorites and and to-go drinks for carryout, curbside pickup, or delivery via 3rd party sites DoorDash & Postmates! If you haven’t checked us out in a while, please do soon- Click Here

Place I Grew Up: St. Louis, MO
High School: Parkway South
College: Mizzou

Inspiration(s)
Seeing others work towards their own goals.
What I suggest to Potential Clients
I suggest our Complete Program. It is designed to meet people exactly where they are and help move them towards their goal. 
The advice I’d give to my younger self
Get outside your comfort level. You don’t have to perfect to start something new. Also, get 8-9 hours of sleep!
People are suprised to Learn
I am training for a 100 mile race
Favorite Small Business other than mine
La Cosecha! They have amazing coffee and it’s my favorite place to work (pre-Covid). 
My Heart
My husband, Mike, Dog, Lukin and my family, friends, and our Forward Fitness family
Customers should know
You are capable of so much more than you think!
Anything else
From our family of Forward Fitness members to the Mid County Chamber of Commerce to the City of Maplewood, we are so thankful for the support. It makes my heart full each time I think about it.

Place I Grew Up: Florissant, MO
High School: McCluer North
College: Missouri State University

Inspiration(s)
The youth that I support everyday
My advice to clients/customers
Meet your children where they are. Mindfulness and yoga may not be the answer for all kids or every situation.
Charities/Causes:
CKDC, TransParent, Freedom Arts and Education Center, and Butterfly Haven.
Advice I’d give my younger self
You can do hard things…and survive!
People are suprised to Learn
I sang brass in a barber shop quartet for two years
Favorite Small Business other than mine
I love SO many but I really enjoy Mystic Valley
My Heart
My partner, Tim, and my three daughters Addisyn, Talia, and Gwyn.
My customers should know
Yoga is the playground to mindfulness. Mindfulness and healing from trauma is our main goal. Come share with us about your amazing youth, and lets work together to support them. 

Place I Grew Up: East Coast
High School: Oscar Smith-Chesapeake, VA
College: Virginia Tech- GO HOKIES!

Inspiration(s)
Stories from Veterans and Animals
People are suprised to learn that
I play left tackle for St. Louis Slam Women’s Football Team
Advice I’d give my younger self
Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff
Charities/Causes:
Dogs for our Brave and the St. Louis Zoo
Top of my bucket list
African Safari
Favorite Small Business other than mine
Abigail’s Gift Boutique and The Post Sports Bar & Grill
My Heart
My dog, Gertrude. Follow her on instagram @gertys_journeys
People should know
At Dogs for our Brave we are saving lives! We do not breed our dogs, but instead pull from rescue and transport situations. Wounded veterans not only need assistance with mobility, but also their psychiatric needs. We save dogs and save veterans, and we cover all the dog’s expenses for LIFE so the veteran takes on no financial burden!

  Place I Grew Up: Toronto, Ontario Canada
High School: Principia
College: Principia/Wash U

Inspiration(s)
The artists we serve
People are suprised to learn that
I am Parsi (Zoroastrian)
Advice I’d give my younger self
Stand up for yourself like you do for others
Charities/Causes:
Those that elevate the community with equity and equality
Top of my bucket list
Travel West to East Coast of Canada via train
Favorite Small Business other than mine
Artmart
My Heart
Husband of 12 years- Aaron Frey, two cats, my parents and Artist First community
People should know
Every purchase has a tremendous postive impact for the artist. Every piece of art sold includes a commission for the artist.

Place I Grew Up: Maplewood, MO
High School: Gateway
College: Savannah College of Art Design

Inspiration(s)
Nature, Herbs, FLowers, Minerals and Rocks
Favorite Maven Product
All Natural Cold processed soap and lotion
Charities/Causes:
Autism and Mental Health Organizations
Top of my bucket list
Traveling to Scotland
Favorite Small Business other than mine
Pie Oh My!
My Heart
My son, Jimmy and dog, Olive
My customers should know
I want my products to make your lives a little bit better during this crazy time!

Place I Grew Up: St. Louis, MO
High School: Lindbergh High School

Inspiration(s)
Our two sons and our grandchildren
People are surprised to learn
I married my high school sweetheart and have worked at Gene Del since my sophmore year at Lindbergh in 1973. 
Charities/Causes:
Organizations that help/serve children
Top of my bucket list
Traveling to the Orient
Advice I’d give to my younger self
Keep everything! Because now it’s a valuable.
My Heart
My amazing wife Patti. She’s been my best friend since high school.
My customers should know
We’re here to get you the best product at the lowest cost. We’re not stuffy! We strive to make working with us fun and pleasant!