It was the simple toss of a coin that finally gave Cheryl Deane the courage to trade a prestigious career and financial security for the freedom to follow her dreams.
Deane worked as a paralegal for nearly 20 years, and although she found the job mentally and emotionally exhausting, the fear of bankruptcy held her to the job as one year melted repeatedly into the next.
‘All I knew was the legal field, but it wasn’t what I wanted to do, ever,? said Deane. ‘I always thought it would be cool to own a little spiritual shop in a quaint little town someplace.?
She examined and reexamined the risks of leaving her job, weighed the pros and cons, but it was the straightforward suggestion of partner Bobbi Friday that finally propelled Deane to action: Toss a coin. Heads you stay, tails you leave.
‘Everything happens the way it’s supposed to happen,? said Friday, who has a background in sales and marketing. ‘There are no accidents.?
And tails it was. With one swift movement, Deane began to live life on her own terms.
She and Friday now own and operate Sweetgrass, a downtown Davisburg shop stocked with everything a soul-searcher might need to awaken his or her spirit ? and all at a reasonable price.
The warm, earthy smell of incense cones, heaping in a dozen or so containers, greets visitors as they enter the shop. An eclectic mix of CDs line one wall, and exquisitely soft alpaca mittens, gloves, hats and scarves wait to warm a chilly soul during the cold winter.
‘We wanted to stock the things we found pleasure in,? said Deane. ‘I like to come in here every day knowing I feel passionate enough about these things to sell them to others.?
The authentic Native American items and jewelry, on Deane’s list of personal favorites, dangle from racks, while interesting trinkets fill boxes and baskets around the shop. In the reading room, motivational and inspirational books line shelves, and a row of tall Native American-inspired walking sticks stands along one wall.
Sweetgrass also stocks environmentally-friendly Earthragz clothing, rare Palo Santo holy wood, and, of course, Sweetgrass, a clean, sweet smelling grass used in Native American rituals.
Salt lamps, the store’s most popular item, arrived via customer recommendation, and now dot shelves all over the store.
Deane and Friday both value customer feedback, and are always on the lookout for new sources of soul-stirring merchandise, as well as suggestions for new classes and workshops customers would like to attend.
‘We are always meeting new people and making all kinds of meaningful connections,? Deane said. ‘We treat every person who comes in the same way we’d want to be treated. We want people to enjoy the atmosphere and have a nice experience.?
Sweetgrass is located at 616 Broadway in Davisburg. Contact Bobbi Friday or Cheryl Deane at (248) 634-7880
Sweetgrass is open Mon. 12-6, Tues.-Fri. 11-6, Sat. 10-5 and Sun. 12:30-4:30. After Thanksgiving, the shop will be open Thurs.and Fri. 11-7.
Sweetgrass will host Sleep Patterns, an instrumental jazz-fusion band, at 7:30 p.m., Sat. Nov. 11.
Tickets are $5 in advance, or $7 at the door. Call (248) 634-7880 for information.