Hello, Retail Therapy: The Name Says It All

Serena Yao has loved shopping for a long time. Even as a young girl, she was always thrilled to find that one special item that seemed nearly perfect - that gift that was made especially for her.

“I’ve always loved shopping, and I’ve always loved little, local gift shops,” she says.

The Boutique

Serena opened her store, Hello, Retail Therapy, in December after deciding to share her lifelong passion with others.

“We’re saying ‘hello’ to your retail therapy. It’s retail because you buy something. It’s therapy because it just makes you feel better overall,” she states.

The quaint and inviting gift boutique has quickly become a real gem in the community. Serena wants her customers to have a memorable experience when they come through her doors.

“It makes me very happy when people really like what I carry in the shop. I love it when you find a card that makes you smile or funny coasters that brighten your day,” she comments.

Hello, Retail Therapy offers customers an extensive line of products, including: stationery, home accessories, jewelry, apparel, bath and body items, candles and much more. The shop also has an area known as “The Pantry,” which offers gourmet foods.

“We have a little bit of everything,” Serena says. She takes pride in carrying various local product lines: Savannah Bee Company, Made by Lane, BeetTan, RHOOT MAN and Fete.

More Than Just Merchandise

In addition, she offers an ear piercing service. The safe, sterile service utilizes the “Blomdahl” system; this technique ensures that “all products and methods are safely designed to avoid the spreading of infection and exposure to nickel during the process.”

Serena launched a line of “permanent jewelry”; it is welded on with no clasp. Gone are the days of losing or forgetting to put on a favorite necklace, bracelet or anklet. It only comes off when you want it to. All the jewelry is sterling silver or 14-karat gold-filled.

Further, Serena wants her shop to be representative of her true sense of community. Customers have enjoyed a couple of pop-ups at her shop. In fact, she partnered with BeetTan and Glam Strands to offer a “Mom & Daughter Day,” where moms and their little princesses could come by and receive spray tans or get their hair tinseled.

Gratitude

She is grateful to her family and friends who have supported her entrepreneurial endeavors, including her sisters Melissa and Christina. Melissa’s marketing agency, MY Agency Savannah, handles the boutique’s marketing needs.

Serena’s biggest role models have always been her mom Agnes and her dad Paul; they instilled a strong work ethic in her.

Serena appreciates the warm welcome that she has received from the community. She is looking forward to bright days ahead.

“I am just so thankful,” she says.

(912) 667-1882 www.helloretailtherapy.com

1000 Pine Barren Road, Ste. 110 Pooler, GA 31322

Hours:

Tuesday-Friday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday & Sunday: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

By Kerri Dodson, MNT, MCHWC, Master Nutrition Therapist

Let’s look at some numbers:

• 59% of Americans have at least one chronic illness.

• 42% of Americans have more than one chronic illness

• 28% have three or more chronic illnesses.

• The average American takes four prescriptions per month and spends on average $1,300 per year on their prescriptions.

• On average, a person will lose 2-3 days of work per illness. Add all this up and, there is a lot of money lost.

Of course, prevention is the best way forward. But what happens if the proverbial horse has left the barn? Why should we improve our health when we already have chronic illness(es)?

Being Healthy Can Reduce Healthcare Costs

Having poor health can make you unproductive and limit your day-to-day activities. Being prescribed long-term medications can wipe out your savings and assets. Medicine, doctor’s visits, and hospitalization are expensive. Experiencing a devastating financial downfall from hospital bills can be scarier than the illness itself.

You can reduce your risk factors for various conditions and improve your health by following simple lifestyle choices.

Being Healthy Means Better Quality Time with Loved Ones

When you take control of your health, you will reap the benefits of more energy, less brain fog, and more endurance. Have your children help you cook a healthy dinner. This will give you more quality time. Play with your grandchildren or go for a walk with your spouse and children. Make it a family affair.

You Can be In Control of Your Health.

Genes are not our destiny. 95% of our health is in our hands with our daily choices. That is great news! It means we CAN control our destiny. It all begins with small changes that compound on themselves to add up to great health.

So, what does that look like? We can start small. Walk more. The best thing about walking is it is free. Park further away in the parking lot. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Get up from your desk every hour and walk for two minutes. Aim for 10,000 steps a day. It may seem like a lot; however, it begins with your first step. Just do your best by doing a little more than the day before.

Aim for 3-5 cups of fruits and vegetables per day. Fruits and vegetables contain important fiber, vitamins and minerals that are needed for good health. Fiber also promotes gut health which is essential for overall health.

Avoid sugary beverages and drink more water. Hydration helps keep your metabolism running and is also key for cellular communication. So, drink your H2O.

All the above will add up to much better health. If you are ready to take it to the next level, working with a Nutrition Therapist can help you make great health gains. With targeted testing for gut health (for digestive issues) and food sensitivity testing or DNA testing to optimize your genes through nutrigenomic (nutrition and lifestyle) you can reverse chronic illness, reduce medication, and achieve optimal health.

In the long run you will reduce your medical expenses and increase your happiness. It has been said that a health person has a million dreams, and the sick person only has one.

Let’s move you to the healthiest you.