Meet Jessica Walker of Laguna beach

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Walker.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I combined my past experiences in the health & wellness industry, my love for music art and fashion and the vision of curating a small wellness apothecary space of sorts for my community offering essential goods from sustainable ethical brands that cater to everyone’s individual needs with the most crucial element of offering a space for local artists and musicians to share their work!

MOMEH would become a showroom.

I went from creating an online platform in 2016 to wanting to have people interact with the products, music and art we carried.

I found a 1964 Airstream Globetrotter in Bishop CA, and it fit perfect with my idea to showcase all I wanted to offer with the added benefit of not having to be in one single location.

We eagerly started in on our renovations. Sanding, polishing inside and out to hiring out for specialized work such as flooring and shelving units to fit the personalized space.

In 2017 I opened the doors in Eugene OR I had been given several opportunities in the area some had been very solid locations every weekend that people could depend on. Consistency is crucial with owning a small business in a small town.

I was also invited to several seasonal events that had been such a blast to be a part of.

MOMEH became successful due to paying attention to intentional offerings for a specialized experience in a small unique space.

We offered revitalizing elixirs, hydrosols to awaken and renew, refills of many different oils, face tonics and soaps, incense for meditation/therapy and clearing. We also stocked records and featured local artists.

In 2018 our family moved from Eugene to Laguna Beach for several reasons. My husband and I grew up in OC area and it just made sense to move back to be closer to family and friends after 25 plus years.

We settled our family into our new home and schools and started working on reopening MOMEH in the Laguna Beach then Covid happened which added many challenges.

It was definitely a huge obstacle to try and talk people into opening during a global pandemic but after several attempts and determination and months in quarantine I sent a proposal in to the owner of The Hive at the time explaining that we not only have helpful products but the importance of giving artists and musicians an outlet while everything was slowly reopening was vital in a artist community such as Laguna Beach.

I finally got the approval and we opened in 2020 literally couldn’t have asked for a better location I was neighbors to the iconic Sawdust festival and Art A Fair!
It was a primo location for all the reasons. I was and am still so grateful for that experience.

MOMEH would survive two solid years at that location before certain circumstances and for personal reasons would push me in the direction of selling the Airstream and focusing on family.

We now reside in Signal Hill CA I have taken a few years away from my business to focus on a early stage breast cancer diagnosis and now just recently starting to focus on restocking my website with even more clarity to intentional essentials, really focusing on clean ingredients for preventative and everyday care.

You can ensure the products we stock have the ethos and sustainability practices that we all want and need from a company or brand.

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?
Opening a business during a global pandemic was a challenge for sure.

Researching products that align is also challenging what this means for us is businesses that do not cut corners with ingredients as well as businesses that truly care for who and where their products are being sold.

During Covid a few of our accounts had not paid attention to who else was carrying their products in the same area code so while hard at work promoting their brands individuals started selling and devaluing same products out of their garage a block away. Covid was like the wild west to some degree and we rode it out as best as we could being a small business.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I personally love creating the space, I am a very curious person and love to see a space transform. I love doing the research on brands and ingredients and most importantly offering them to my community knowing they are getting the best of what I feel is being offered.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Stay connected and consistent.

It’s important to stay connected with your community and really get to know the brands you work with and their ethics, do the work make sure their products are from sustainable sources and aline with your core business values.

Consistency is key to being successful. Stay consistent, stay loyal.

With buying products less is more. Stock your shelves with intention.

There is no rush, take your time choose brands and businesses that you are proud to represent and work with it makes for long lasting successful ventures for everyone involved.

Don’t sacrifice your integrity for growth, margin or survival things will happen organically.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://MOMEH.COM
• Instagram: Momehboutique
• Facebook: MOMEH boutique

 

Image Credits
Jessica Walker.