Today we’d like to introduce you to Anna Blazevich.
Hi Anna , thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
HUMMINGBIRD HEART CO. OPENED ITS RETAIL DOORS JULY 2021, AS AN APOTHECARY & BOUTIQUE, WITH A MISSION TO SUPPORT INDEPENDENT BRANDS THAT HAD A FOCUS ON SUSTAINABILITY.
My fascination with holistic, plant-based healing modalities aligned beautifully with sustainable brands that leaned towards supporting one’s mind, body and spirit, it seemed like the perfect future plan for myself and my family. It drew upon my creativity, belief in plant medicine, hope for a more sustainably treated planet and so much more. It was a wonderful concept and intention; however, my drinking kept getting in the way and I finally REALLY began to question my relationship with alcohol as it seemed like the only thing threatening this harmonious alignment was me. Me and my crutch – booze.
I will take us a step further back in the story of Hummingbird Heart Co.’s fruition, which ultimately begins with me. I was born into the destruction alcohol can have on a family. The damage it can cause family relationships and the long-lasting trauma it can cause even when you know your parents love you and you have a seemingly normal, happy life.
Alcohol consumption was normalized for me, something I thought I would never do to my own children but as I grew older stress and anxiety grew to be a constant in my life. My mental health struggles with a PMDD diagnoses that wasn’t properly treated worsened everything for me on the daily and my reasons for needing to drink multipled. In 2019, I finally sought help but not too far into that process life handed me an almost insurmountable blow, my brother, my best friend, my business partner, the person I felt really understood me, the person I could always vibe with, died. Along with losing him, I lost his ‘charismatic, larger than life’ wife, my adored sister-in-law. Suddenly and tragically, two of the most important people in my life were gone. I was lost. I grappled with understanding everything in my life and my drinking seemed to be the new, OLD thing I could count on. The constant. It numbed out the pain, the fears, and made it seem possible to go on living.
So yes, Hummingbird Heart Co. brick and mortar started as an apothecary & boutique, but the soul of Hummingbird Heart Co. came to life out of what was rapidly becoming the ashes of my own life as I knew it. It was my chance to save myself. To see a light, find hope and to find a way to heal.
Towards the tail end of construction on the apothecary & boutique space, I had an idea to create ‘The Marketplace’ which featured 4 kombuchas on tap and a modest shelving space dedicated to functional, booze-free beverages. Unbeknownst to me (though I question if it was really unbeknownst, I suspect my idea was me figuring out a way to finally get sober and stay sober), this would prove the prototype for what is now Hummingbird Heart Co. Kombucha & Dry Elixir Bar I NA Bottle Shop I Apothecary – a literal sober sanctuary for those on their sober journey and/or just a super sweet ass spot for those wanting to live a more conscious lifestyle with, or without, the booze.
Hummingbird Heart Co. is not just for people that are sober AF or sober curious, it is for every human that needs some support along the way on their life journey. The best way I know to help fellow humans is to provide sustainably produced products that support the body, mind and spirit whether it be an adaptogenic cocktail from our menu, a functional beverage from our shelf, a sustainably handpicked piece of Palo Santo, or an elixir from our apothecary section, all things that help us stop and ask ourselves a really important question, “What do I need to sustain myself?” A conversation starter with ourselves, and others, on the often sticky, icky topic of mental health, substance abuse and actual life happiness.
Out of all of this, that is the one question I find myself asking myself almost every day, “Is what I am doing sustainable? Can I really carry this load any longer? Am I going to make it if I keep down this path?” This is crucial for my mental health, my sobriety and for my soul. I hope you might ask yourself those same questions, if it serves you as well as it has served me.
I hope to help others I may never meet. I hope that I help the people I do meet. I hope that maybe by being honest, and sharing a little about myself, I might give others strength if they need it and for them to know they are not alone. Most of all I hope for a sustainable future for my family, myself and for our beautiful mother-earth.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Based upon my previous story, I think the biggest struggle along the way was learning to live a life truly aligned with my own core values. I was doing a deep dive on my inside / mental world reflecting what I was trying to create on the outside. I longed for a feeling of peace that could be real and a way to be OK with not being ok…making the decision to work on myself, my old traumas…my new traumas…was a tough decision but worth it.
We’ve been impressed with Hummingbird Heart NA Bottle Shop | Bar & Apothecary , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am the founder of both Hummingbird Heart NA Bottle Shop | Dry Bar and Apothecary and Soul Hum Non-Alcoholic Elixirs. I drew upon years of Graphic Design experience with an emphasis on product design as well as experience with retail to create these two companies. They both involve plants which is a personal passion of mine…I truly believe intention paired with appropriate plants can help us heal. Once I got the sobriety thing down, I really was able to be utilize all my past experiences to create not just a beautiful space to share with others but a beautiful product to potentially share with the world. That is my ultimate goal – to grow Soul Hum Elixirs so it can be accessed by people from all over the country and eventually the world as I view Soul Hum as a communication starter and a chance for moments of intentional action. I am most proud of Soul Hum Elixirs plant choices and wildly versatile flavor profiles. I have been enjoying these for about 2 years and it never gets old!
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
Reach out to me 🙂 Call or email me! I love connecting with others and I am quick to have joyous ideas with others. People inspire me and I view collaboration as an opportunity to growing professionally and personally.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.soulhumelixirs.com
- Instagram: @soulhum_elixirs
- Youtube: @soulhum_elixirs
- Other: https://www.hummingbirdheartco.com
