Why Small Businesses Matter
Shop small, do big things for your community
HamletHub is teaming up with Nature’s Temptations to put a focus on Ridgefield merchants - the small business owners who do big things for our community! Let’s make 2018 a big year for our Ridgefield small businesses and put a spotlight on those local merchants who donate their time, talent, goods and services for the betterment of our community.
Three questions with Jeff Konchalski, owner of Nature’s Temptations:
Why did you start your business?
I was born with spinal meningitis and had a lot of health challenges as a baby and as a young boy. At age 15, I was tired of feeling sick and weak so I rode my bike to the local health food store and started researching diet and supplements. I began to understand the importance that nutrition plays in bettering my overall health. As I saw results for myself, it lead me to want to help others with their health concerns and challenges and in 1997 I opened my first health food store.
How many people do you employee - any youth or seniors from the community?
Nature's Temptations employees 17 local people. During the summer we hire 2 high school students and we also participate in the Ridgefield High School Internship Program which helps 2 additional students gain retail experience within a small business.
How many local businesses do you use to support your business (products and services) and can you name them?
We use as many local businesses as possible including Squash's for printed flyers and menus, Ridgefield Printing for various printed marketing materials, Hastings, Cohan & Walsh, LLP for legal support, Casey Energy for propane use, Testa Refrigeration for all our refrigeration needs, we also use and support many small businesses that offer local teas, honey, chocolate, cookies, frozen foods, pet food as well as many local farms for eggs, produce and meats.
Jeff tags Richard Hastings of Hastings, Cohan & Walsh, LLP @hcwlaw