Swindon & Wiltshire News
Entrepreneur celebrates first anniversary of high street shop
A Royal Wootton Bassett entrepreneur is celebrating the first anniversary of her High Street business after a year that saw her expand into a second premises, grow her popular Coffee & Crystals events, and build a loyal community around her shop.
Louise Muir-Sage, founder of Something Kind of Woo, marked the milestone on Saturday, June 20 one year after opening the doors to her crystal and wellbeing business in Merchant House.
In the 12 months since, the business has grown from a single retail unit into two neighbouring premises, with Something Kind of Woo Too providing a dedicated space for Reiki and wellbeing treatments alongside an expanding programme of workshops, retreats and events run by other practitioners.
Looking back on her first year in business, Louise said: “Opening the shop itself felt huge, but seeing people walk through the door and immediately tell me how calm, welcoming and different it feels is probably my proudest achievement.
“I never wanted Something Kind of Woo to be just about selling crystals. I wanted a space where people could feel accepted, curious, supported and able to explore things that help them reconnect with themselves. Seeing that vision become a reality has been incredibly rewarding.”
Opening a shop had long been an ambition for Louise, but she admits she could never have predicted quite how much would happen in the space of a year.
Just two months after opening, she expanded into the neighbouring unit to create Something Kind of Woo Too, allowing her to offer Reiki, meditation and other wellbeing treatments in a dedicated space. Since then, she has become a qualified Reiki Master Teacher, expanded her events programme across Wiltshire and continued developing new experiences for customers.
“What’s surprised me the most is how much people still value real human connection. We live in a world where almost everything can be bought online, but people still want experiences. They want conversations. They want to pick something up, ask questions and feel part of something.
“People in and around Royal Wootton Bassett are incredibly supportive of local independent businesses. On top of this, the support I have received from other independents in the community has been humbling,” Louise said.
Like many independent business owners, Louise says the past year has brought its fair share of challenges.
“The biggest personal challenge has probably been wearing all the hats. Shop owner, buyer, marketer, event organiser, healer, social media manager, cleaner, accountant and tea maker all rolled into one. It’s been a steep learning curve, but it’s also taught me far more than I ever imagined.”
For Louise, one of the biggest rewards has been seeing people return time and again, whether that’s attending events, booking treatments or simply stopping by the shop.
“I have customers who have become like friends. I have an incredible bond with people who return and they know I will offer advice where wanted. I have an amazing family come in regularly and their son will attend the local secondary school soon. He knows the shop is a safe place. On the evening of the Christmas Festival, a group of young ladies came for some peace and to decompress, we had conversations about crystals and Formula 1.
“People feel safe here. Sometimes I offer advice and guidance on crystals, other times I lend a listening ear. It’s why I keep a spare chair in the shop. Through my events, I have seen new friendships form between people who may have never met, it’s beautiful.”
While celebrating her first anniversary was an opportunity to reflect on the past 12 months, Louise says she is already looking ahead to the future.
“This new year is about building on the foundations I’ve created. I want to continue growing the community, expand my workshops and events, develop more educational resources, and make wellbeing and spirituality feel accessible to even more people.
“I’d love to see more people discover that spirituality doesn’t have to be intimidating or complicated. It can be simple, practical and supportive. There’s no right or wrong to it.
“Most importantly, I want Something Kind of Woo to continue being a place where wonder meets wisdom, where people feel welcome, and where they leave feeling just a little bit lighter than when they arrived.”
