During this unprecedented year, the power of community – family, friends, neighbors, and local small businesses – has shown us that we are stronger together. The events of 2020 have also revealed just how vital our individual and collective health and well-being are as we navigate our path forward.
This year’s People’s Choice Award nominees are local small business owners leading the way in health and wellness. These WEV clients work to improve the health and well-being of our community members by providing expertise in nutritional and mental healing as well as physical, emotional, and holistic care. We are grateful to these business owners, and others like them, for providing these critical resources in our community.
Voting will close on November 16. Read on to find out more about the nominees, and select your choice today!
Voting Closed November 16
The winner will be announced in a virtual award video during WEV’s virtual Celebration of Small Business week in December.
Sign up for our mailing list to receive a reminder to join us for the announcement.
Find out more about WEV’s Celebration of Small Business 2020 here.
Meet the Nominees
Channel Islands Juice Company
Melanie Clow
Through nutritional healing, yoga, and meditation I learned that health is the most important investment a person can make for their future. I started Channel Islands Juice Company with an emphasis on health and wellness for the individual, our community, and our Earth. My personal journey through nutrition and wellness helped heal my body from illness, opened my mind and heart, and has become my life’s work.
During these unprecedented times, Channel Islands Juice Company remains committed to providing healthy immune boosting juices, plant based mylks, and snacks. We proudly provide healthy grab and go options, so folks are not stuck with fast food as their only quick choice outside their home. We are fiercely committed to creating nourishment for the mind, body, and soul.
The mission of Channel Islands Juice Company is to elevate the grab and go food industry from mediocrity to greatness. With the highest quality of ingredients and taste, we want to nurture and inspire true health in individuals and their communities.
Fit by Tae Bond
Tae Bond
Since COVID-19 Fit by Tae Bond has been offering live, online, weekly classes for free to encourage others to start a daily practice of yoga (Asanas) breathing techniques, mindfulness, and affirmations.
Tae’s passion for helping others heal started at an early age. Seeing family members dealing with health issues she knew there was a better way to live. Through food, fitness, and spirituality Tae took her health in her hands – and this is where her passion for healing her family and community started. Tae empowers others to expand their own consciousness to live a connected and balanced life.
Fit by Tae Bond/Quantum Yoga Integrated incorporates positive affirmations to help with motivation, concentration, feeling positive about oneself and boosting self-confidence. Tae also offers sound therapy classes help to reduce stress, anxiety and lower blood pressure, stimulate the immune system, and increase mental and emotional clarity.
Kineci Health & Movement Center
Dr. Steve Politis
Here at Kineci Health & Movement Center of Santa Barbara, we are committed to our patients; physically, emotionally, and holistically. COVID19 was no exception to our steadfast dedication and being a part of the essential frontline while we continued to provide our patients with physical and manual therapy, both in person and in telehealth sessions. These telehealth sessions provided a sense of refuge, especially at a time when we are all craving connection and a sense of belonging.
Dr. Steve Politis and The Kineci Team are passionate about our desire for community, quality care, and the improvement of our patients and clients, as well as providing a consistent staple for physical therapy/physical training locally. We believe in providing our guests the ability to heal, improve, and surpass their health expectations.
It has been an honor to remain open during this challenging health crisis. We want to thank our patients who stood by us and have been able to find relief, see improvement, and have a sense of reprieve. We are glad you entrusted us with your healthcare needs.
Love Your Skin by Judi
Judi Bradley
For the past 24 years, I have had the great honor of caring for others by providing soothing facial treatments in a spa setting. What I love most is the connection with others, and the opportunity to provide a beautiful, peaceful, and healing experience through the power of human touch. For me, the icing on the cake is the glowing and healthy skin and greater confidence my clients leave with after our sessions.
In March, like many businesses, mine was shut down due to COVID-19. For a while, I felt hopeless over the idea that the career I love and the business I built were possibly gone forever. Eventually, I realized I could not give up for two reasons: one, because this is what I was born to do, and two, because what I do is needed more than ever before. So, in August, I decided to build a private at-home indoor-outdoor garden skincare studio to continue my business following very strict safety protocols. I also enhanced my online skincare boutique with the hand-selected skincare products my clients know and love. I am very excited to launch my newly pivoted business, LOVE YOUR SKIN.
Perseverance Movement Specialists
Yvonne Castillo
I believe in serving every person in their entirety; mind, body and spirit as well as creating a community where they can be supported, loved, and thrive. In addition to providing online resources, I created a private Facebook group where people can feel safe and free to express themselves, surrounded by a community of people who share their questions, fears, and struggles. Many people do not have the financial resources, are fearful to seek help or begin a fitness program, so I offer weekly free Pilates classes where people can learn about their bodies, gain strength and mobility to stay injury free, relieve stress and just have fun in the “company” of the community.
At Perseverance Movement Specialists, I started providing the resources, educational materials, tools and support for home office ergonomics, natural ways to protect and build the immune system, ways to manage stress, and how to safely begin a home exercise program. I love seeing my clients go from being “stuck” in a health rut to being proactive about their health where they can enjoy freedom from aching knees, backs and low energy levels.
Semillas Counseling & Wellness
Patricia Washington
The pandemic has impacted fundamental pieces of our lives including our social connections, jobs and businesses, family gatherings, and our health. Coupled with our changing society and environment, the uncertainty of this time has created a type of collective trauma. It became evident that Semillas Counseling & Wellness’ mission to support individual, intergenerational, and community healing, as well as increasing resilience in underserved communities, was most needed at this moment.
In response, we expanded beyond in-person services to telehealth. We adjusted our sliding scale to ensure service accessibility for those facing economic barriers. We increased our availability of therapists and made the process between an initial call to connecting with a therapist more convenient.
Serving the growing number of persons experiencing new or worsening mental health symptoms or interpersonal struggles has been challenging. More importantly, it has provided an opportunity to create a meaningful impact in our community through our work. It is a reminder that human connection and being “seen” are the roots of resilience in uncertain times. On behalf of Semillas Counseling, I am humbled and proud to get to do this work; continuing to plant the seeds of resiliency, hope, and healing.