Today we’d like to introduce you to Chelsea DeVos.
Hi Chelsea, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Thank you for the opportunity to tell my story. I think it has been an unconventional and industrious journey, and I am happy to share it.
I started school at Rogue Community College at age 16 after getting my GED and received my Associate’s Degree in Graphic Design. After a few years working in a local print shop, I moved to Texas to be closer to my grandparents as their health had been declining. They both drastically improved after I got there, and we had a few wonderful years together. I worked mostly freelance Graphic Design jobs until Grandpa developed dementia and I became his caregiver.
Helping them spend their last years at home was the most rewarding work I’ve ever done.
I wasn’t sure if I should stay in Texas or move home to Oregon after they passed, but I knew I didn’t want to sit behind a computer screen all day anymore. I started working for a Master Gardener at a local Texas nursery to recharge my spirit and reconnect with nature. She taught me a great deal about plants, and I found myself drawn to work that felt more hands-on and connected to people.
Then, in 2016, the Compassionate Care Act passed in Texas, and people were beginning to have access to hemp-based Cannabinoid Therapies, including CBD (Cannabidiol).
Cannabinoid Therapies became very close to my heart because my Mother had dealt with epilepsy most of my life, and CBD was the only thing we had found that helped reduce her episodes alongside her prescriptions. I was also struggling with crippling anxiety, and after I began using CBD, it started to replace my prescription anxiety medications without side effects.
I felt like I got my quality of life back.
I was fortunate enough to meet a family-owned hemp business in Dallas Texas, that had the highest-quality CBD products I’d ever seen. They had pristine lab reports and could explain the science behind the different products. Their only problem was their logo and labels were a little rough, so I offered my Graphic Design services in exchange for wholesale products.
After a few months of recreating their marketing materials, I had enough product to open a store.
The Cherry Apothecary was the first CBD store in Texas. I did not expect the volume of people who would reach out with health issues looking for access to these products. News crews showed up unexpectedly one day, and I was able to advocate for people to continue to have access. I had 4 amazing years helping educate people and answer questions about how to best use Cannabinoids to improve their quality of life. It felt very aligned with my highest self to use both my design skills and caregiving skills to create such an unexpected career for myself.
During COVID, I moved back home to Oregon to be closer to my Mom. I found a local farm and laboratory to work with making my own line of Cherry Apothecary products and moved my store online. My products are the result of all my years of personally using and perfecting recipes. Now with patented, state-of-the-art technology and organic, local hemp oils. I could not be more proud of their quality.
My best friend brought me to a wellness clinic in Grants Pass where they offered PEMF (Pulsed Electromagnetic Field) treatments. It is essentially working with the body’s natural cellular vibrations and frequencies that occur from the earth. I became so intrigued by the technology and impressed with the results that I started volunteering at the clinic.
I found that the combination of PEMF and CBD had profound results, so I bought my own equipment and rented an office space in Grants Pass, Oregon. The space has a large front room because I realized the only thing missing from my powerful arsenal of helping people feel better was bringing the community together.
I returned to RCC all these years later and received my license as a Peer Support Mental Health Specialist through the state of Oregon. I wanted to make sure I was equipped to show up as my best version and tap into the network of local resources for people who might need support.
The Radical Acceptance Center was born.
Now I spend my days at The RAC getting CBD products to people, sharing PEMF technology with others, and holding space for groups of people to connect. In my free time, my partner and I go on incredible Oregon adventures and enjoy gardening with my rescue dogs.
Looking back, I can see how every chapter of my life led me here. Graphic Design gave me the tools to create. Caring for my grandparents taught me the value of showing up for people. Working with plants reconnected me with nature. The Cherry Apothecary gave me a way to educate and help people, and my experiences with wellness and caregiving ultimately led me to creating a space where people can connect and support one another at The RAC.
My journey has led me to a beautiful life that fulfills me every day, and I am endlessly grateful.
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?
It was a long and winding path to get where I am today. I know that the hard times taught me lessons that the easy times could not. I felt my personal struggles came mostly from trying to fit into conventional spaces. The more I embrace my uniqueness and take steps that feel right for me, the more aligned I feel. It took me a long time to find my place where I fit in this world, but if I can do it then anyone can.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The Radical Acceptance Center is a welcoming space where people are entering a place to relax and unwind. I call it a Therapy Lounge because there is free Cannabinoid Therapy and Frequency Therapy education at all times.
I do my best to keep my CBD products affordable, ranging between $20-$40.
As well as PEMF treatments that range from $20-$60.
Most community gathering events are donation based, asking between $5-$10 a person, but no one is turned away for lack of funds.
I believe that Community is Medicine, and we are in the midst of a loneliness epidemic so my doors are open as a space for people to comfortably find their tribe, and support if they need.
It is an honor to hold space for people on their personal wellness journeys.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
Thank you for taking the time to read my story.
Pricing:
- CBD products $20 – $40
- PEMF treatments $20 – $60
- Community circles $5 – $10
- Rent the space for your offering or events $25 hourly
- Peer Support resource referral $Free
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.therac.love
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therac.love
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therac.love
- Twitter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koyZPQj8d8w (Green Lotus interview)
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9-bLGYzsx4 (Fox News interview)
- Other: https://www.dallasobserver.com/arts-culture/at-cherry-apothecary-in-oak-cliff-you-can-buy-cbd-infused-oils-and-edibles-derived-from-hemp-9176740/?fbclid=IwY2xjawTsZUdwZG9mBWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAGJyaWQRMWRyU09YdnhIc2dHVFptU2tzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeyTNThiu40s29Pc4gSkH-nLJ8H6XVooPtxxP7LzsMp2WTP781AV_ARkXsljk_aem_rGW4Hc7jeOcS1rOY_V8xYQ (Dallas Observer article)
