Early to the shop makes Barb Davies Healthy, Happy, and Wise

Barb DaviesPrivileged. Passionate. Rewarding. These are three words that came up time again in an hour-long conversation with Barb Davies, BSc'01, the owner of a vitamin store in Marda Loop.

To Davies, Vitamins First is so much more than a retail store. "Grounded in knowledge is our motto here, and education is a key part of our success," Davies admits passionately. "We don't want to just sell vitamins to customers, we want to educate people about the importance of health, holistic living, and what everyone can do to create health and wellness in their daily lives."

Davies's passion for health living came in high school one day as she was flipping through a magazine. She stopped on an article that explained the old adage, "you are what you eat." Something twigged inside as she was reading how the food that goes into your body affects who you are in so many ways. From that day forward, working with nutrition in some capacity was her goal.

The nutrition program at the University of Alberta was the first stop after high school, but Davies admits it just wasn't a fit for her. "I was more interested in a holistic approach. I really liked the diversity and flexibility that I could get in the biological sciences program at U of C. The science gave me a broad base, which I draw from all of the time." Davies draws on that knowledge when explaining health processes and reactions to her customers and when choosing the products that are sold in the store. She tours the manufacturing plants of each product line. "Thanks to my science degree, I can go in there with a critical eye."

Moving beyond the retail store, Davies has also opened a clinic that offers clients a wide array of holistic healing options, including naturopathy, massage therapy, and acupuncture. She's created seminars for the public as well; the first one filled up in just a morning. "I'm absolutely inspired and get so much pleasure out of seeing people's commitment to their health. It's such a reward for me," says Davies.

With a new website (www.vitaminsfirst.ca) expanding the clinic's offerings, and creating a seminar program for health living, Davies's year has been a full one. But she has more thoughts for the future, including a whole foods cookbook and cooking courses. For Davies, work is healthy. Literally. It's no wonder she has such a passion for it. "I thrive when I'm at the store. I actually impact people's lives in regard to their health, and that's such a privilege."

By Leslie Strudwick