Photograph by Kathy De La Torre
Minnie Shukla made a hasty decision when she learned that the owner of Goodbodys was moving out of the state. Now she's a business owner.
Natural Instincts, a 'center for health,' opens in Village
By Leigh Ann Maze
In June, Saratogan Minnie Shukla ran into Goodbodys in the Saratoga Village to simply buy a candle--and came out with more than she bargained for. While she was in the health and vitamin store, where she seldom shopped, she learned that the owner, Asha Bhatia, was moving out of state.
Overnight, Shukla, who had never owned a business before, decided to purchase the store from Bhatia.
"I liked the location, the products and the idea and wanted to develop it and do more than just vitamins," Shukla said referring to her overnight decision to purchase the business. "I've always wanted to have my own business, too. It was one of those things that just came together."
Shukla has a background in real estate and psychology, and has even done a bit of modeling, but she says health is something that has always been a strong, lifelong interest for her.
Shukla has big ideas for the store, now called Natural Instincts. She will retain the vitamins that Goodbodys sold, but plans to embellish the store's merchandise. Natural Instincts will carry two skin care lines, Zia and Borlind, and possibly a third. The store will still feature a variety of candles and soaps. New products Shukla will introduce include pashmina shawls, which she says are very popular right now, an assortment of teas and a line of jewelry.
The vitamins available will still cover a wide array from brain and memory boosters, to formulas specifically for men or women, to multivitamins, cold, cough and flu vitamins and many others.
Aside from retail, Shukla hopes Natural Instincts will become "a center for health in Saratoga."
She plans to have a community health message board at the store where people can share ideas, healthy recipes, nutrition information and articles. Shukla is also working on arranging speakers to come in and talk about various health issues. Down the line, she may even have classes in reiki, reflexology, meditation, yoga and, possibly, an ancient form of eyebrow weaving. She also plans to have a space just for books.
Shukla invites community members to suggest services or talk topics relating to men, women or children that could be held at the store.
But for now, Shukla is focusing on Natural Instinct's grand opening celebration on the evening of Sept. 29, which will include wine, cheese and hors d'oeuvres.
"I want this to be a place where people really feel good and comfortable, I want it to have a relaxed atmosphere," Shukla said, adding that she sees her store as a place for mind, body and spirit wellness, a cozy little nest for health care.
And it is obvious Shukla has paid careful attention to create a welcoming environment inside the new store, which she has been remodeling for several months.
The walls and ceiling have been repainted in a warm, golden tone and the simple celestial decor focuses on suns, moons and stars.
On top of getting her new business started, Shukla, who lives in Saratoga just a few minutes from her store, is also a wife and mother of three children, ages 15, 11 and 5.
That is one of the reasons why Shukla is in search of some part-time help at Natural Instincts, people with a knowledge or interest in health care.
Before Shukla spontaneously purchased the store in June, Bhatia owned it for several years. Goodbodys originally was opened in 1996 by the entrepreneurial Saratogan Cathy Balach.
Saratoga, California Since 1955
