Today we’d like to introduce you to Mindy Brueggeman.
Hi Mindy, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I have loved rocks, crystals, and gemstones since I was a young child. I have fond memories of rock hounding in the Arizona deserts with my dad finding beautiful quartz crystal points. I didn’t know that in my later years I’d be connected to stones in a whole new way. It wasn’t until 2018 that I started using crystals, intrigued by their healing properties. Crystals opened the door to the spiritual realm and all the goodness of different healing modalities and divination, still I connected most with them. Naturally my crystal collection grew and I started expanding on my understanding of how the stones worked and could ultimately benefit many people. I had this inner knowing and a call to action that I should start a business and sell crystals and the other healing tools I used in my personal life. I didn’t have a clear picture of what that small business looked like, I just knew I had to start. I began doing research and fully committed to a plan that I felt would work best for me and my lifestyle. I couldn’t wait to offer such treasures to people and ultimately connect with my community through that. I also knew this wasn’t going to take place of my fulfilling career in childcare, yet I wanted to take this serious and lead with love. That initial plan changes and unfolds as I continue on my healing journey and weave it into my small business and what that looks like. So in 2021 I answered that inner calling and Love & Light Treasures came to fruition! I decided the best way to start out was doing markets and pop up events and watch what unfolds. Over the last few years I have popped up in various locations doing farmers and artisan markets, city events, art and music shows, and the like. I’m grateful for every event I’ve been part of as it’s been such a fun ride connecting with like minded people in so many communities and encouraging healing through rocks and gemstones.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
This journey has been such a dream, truly! Smooth in almost every way. A few struggles and I’d say learning curves in terms of operating a small business. Beyond the book keeping, insurance, state filings, licenses etc, the actual market hustle is not for the weak! I’ve learned a lot in doing markets. I know my products fall under the spiritual niche and to be honest I wasn’t prepared for skeptics or let’s even call them hecklers. I haven’t experienced any as of late but in the beginning there was a handful of times. I wasn’t sure how to handle someone being so blatant and rude about their disbelief in crystal healing and divination and ultimately their desire for me to convince them otherwise. I’ve learned it’s best practice to kindly state, “Not everything is for everyone and that is okay.” Summer market days, I find that I’m asking my self through the sweat and grime, “Why did I think a Summer market was a good idea?”. I’m sure many vendors have that same struggle, yet we do it because we love it, we’re committed to it. Another struggle I’ve faced is how to transport products to avoid having chipped, scuffed, or cracked stones, some even entirely broken. I take great care to ensure each fragile treasure is safe and secure as I’ve learned the hard way. I laugh at myself for this one; The fact that I wanted to open a small crystal business, based on in person markets, and my products are rocks!! I have no room to complain about the lifting, sorting, packing out and in but I will say it can be exhausting. Another challenging aspect in doing markets is that not each organization will limit the amount of vendors in one category. This can be frustrating for each business. I’ve learned it’s best to clarify, ask, go out to the market before evening applying to better understand the need for my specific niche. The understanding that markets are not a guaranteed way to make money with your small business is also imperative. The struggle of losing money on a market day is unfortunately a familiar one. It’s best to stay positive in those situations and I remind myself that my energy and presence in that space, in the very least made a difference for someone! Nevertheless, I have enjoyed every bit of the struggle as it fuels growth on this journey.
We’ve been impressed with Love & Light Treasures , 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?
Love & Light Treasures offers hand selected crystals and gemstones as well as sacred smoke tools like sage and incense. I’m a small spiritual business that pops up at market events all over Southern California! The bubbly, spiritual, curly haired crystal lady? That’s me! During markets, I offer tarot and oracle card readings and chakra assessments too! I’m well versed in the healing properties of crystals and how to use them in day to day life. I will always be a learner and continue to expand my knowledge about crystal energies. My passion behind the items I offer is what sets me apart. I’m truly only interested in everyone’s highest good and sharing the healing energy of these treasures! My brand encompasses who I am on my own journey, so to be able to connect and share experiences through Love & Light Treasures is such a joy and is just magical! I consider myself a light worker, a soul on a mission to share my light, creating community through connection and a spark for rocks and gems. You can find a curated selection of Love & Light Treasures in a new shop, The French Flea in Old Town Temecula off 6th street and inside holistic wellness studio, Sage Sanctuary in Wildomar. You can follow Love & Light Treasures on Facebook and Instagram to see upcoming market locations. As I continue on this lovely small business journey I plan to offer private Reiki healing sessions in the near future as well!
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
The advice I’d give to someone just starting out would be to not get discouraged by the unknown. Starting anything from scratch you’ll encounter obstacles, set backs, rough days perhaps, but it gets better! Only you know what your heart and soul truly desires and needs, go with that, run with it! Focus on the “why” behind what it is you’re trying to accomplish and the rest will fall into place with right action. I advise doing a ton of research, finding the answers to questions that arise and continue on your path knowing you’ll be exactly where you need to be. Learning as much as you can about what you hope to accomplish will surely get you on the right track. I did research for months before my first official market. I’d say, use your support system and your community if in doubt and in need of some extra guidance. In my experience, the market community is supportive and willing to help a fellow small business, I’m sure it’s that way in many situations. Something I didn’t do immediately when I started out was celebrate even the smallest wins. Initially I had big expectations and I know that took away from the small joys of what I have accomplished. It’s important to have goals, yet if those goals aren’t met staying in the state of gratitude for this small business of mine has only grown my successes. So with that I’d say be sure to celebrate it all; even just having a passionate conversation about your product, your work, your offerings, whatever it is. Sometimes that’s all that you might do and it’s okay, let that be enough and keep on pushing towards your goals.
Pricing:
- Treasures range from $3-$55
- Chakra Assessment’s $10
- Card Readings $10 for 10-15 minutes
- Reiki Sessions $55 for 45 minutes
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mindybrueggeman.wixsite.com/lovelighttreasures
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/love.light.treasures
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LoveLightTreasures/
