Community Highlights: Meet Perry Hopkins of Kin of Hope Natural Health & Perry’s Place

Today we’d like to introduce you to Perry Hopkins. 

Hi Perry, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
Our business started in the summer of 2003 as Magic Fingers Therapeutic Body Works. In 2006 we expanded our list of therapies and changed our business name to Kin of Hope Natural Health. Panacea Natural Health Foods was our home from 2005-2008. In August 2008 we moved into the Pampered Goddess (37 N. Main St.) and then in the end of November 2008, we moved into the Morley Building (90 N. Main Street Cedar Springs, MI 49319) where the herbal tea shop Soul Infusions was currently residing. At the end of November 2010 Soul Infusions moved out and Perry’s Place LLC was formed to be the face of our retail portion of our business. June of 2012 We were the birthing place of the new Cedar Springs Area Chamber of Commerce. In October of 2012, Kin of Hope Natural Health took over the dance and fitness studio that was Sleeping Dog Yoga (on the second floor) and is now called the Kin of Hope Natural Health Dance and Fitness Studio. November of 2016 Perry’s Place LLC for herbs, teas, and more. our retail business expanded into the north suite of the building giving us more than double the retail space. 

With offering over 40 services and therapies: we are leading experts in aromatherapy, natural health, and therapeutic bodywork in our area. Most of our services and therapies are performed on the first floor of the building where as our personal growth classes and workshops (Ball Room Dance, Thai Movement, Thai Bodywork, and some of the Natural Health classes) are held on the second floor in our dance studio. 

Our retail portion of the business has expanded a lot in the 12+ years being here in Cedar Springs. When all product is available and in stock we offer over 155 varieties of loose-leaf tea, 232 varieties of loose-leaf herbs/peppercorns/sea salts/seasonings, 68 therapeutic grade roll on essential oils, 165 varieties of 100% therapeutic grade essential oils, 91 varieties of 100% pure therapeutic grade essential oil blends, locally crafted incense, soaps & lotions, apothecary accessories, aromatherapy accessories, coffee & tea accessories, ear candles, books, Christmas and seasonal items, and much more… 

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Being a male massage therapist, it took a while to build a good client base. When I first started out in Ionia and then over here in Kent County many people didn’t want a male therapist for various reasons. August of 2008 the building on 14 Mile Rd I was renting space for my massage office became unavailable leading me to relocate in Cedar Springs. 

Before getting into massage and natural health I had retail experience so that helped when I took over the tea shop and expanded retail product. 2014 was my first real challenge of a year since being in business. 

April 12th, 2014 there was a flatline wind that tore about 80% off the roof off. Creating flooding in much of the building. We were closed for over 3 months at the same time I had volunteered to head up the Chamber of Commerce’s summer events. 

2020 was a crap show of a year for us. We started out with the end of 2019 and beginning of 2020 looking to have a record fiscal year then March came along… had 3 and a half months of not being able to offer services (massage, yoga, dance, serving coffee, tea, etc.) 2021 was not as bad as 2020 but the first half of the year was slow. The later portion of 2021 and early portion of 2022 started to pick up in sales and services both. April of 2022 to November of 2022 hit worse than the 2020 with Main Street being closed off due to the road construction. The Christmas season went really well and it looks like we will be back on track to where we were before this decade started … Hoping we don’t have any more years with interrupted business. 

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Kin of Hope Natural Health is one of mid-Michigan’s leading experts on natural health offering one of the most diverse selections of natural health services. including but not limited to Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork, Thai Massage/Bodywork, Ionic Foot Detoxes, Natural Health Consultations, Salt Room Therapy, Exfoliating Sugar/Salt Scrubs, Nutritional Planning, Chakra/Energy Work, Cupping, Moxibustion, and more… 

Perry’s Place LLC for herbs, teas, and more… is one of the most eclectic spaces in mid-Michigan. We have multiple spaces for relaxing to enjoy a good cup of coffee, tea, juice while reading a book, using laptop/other device, our selection of loose-leaf herbs, teas, and 100% pure therapeutic-grade oils is larger than any retail space I have ever personally seen. We sell books as well as have a library with books you can research this here. Many of our customers enjoy our selection of crystals, rocks, jewelry, do it yourself natural health products, figurines, and holiday items sold all year long. 

We have over 30 Michigan suppliers and consigners. I personally involved with multiple community boards and committees that have helped the Cedar Springs Community grow since getting involved in community activeness in 2012. 

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out.
If you’re a massage therapist just graduating and getting started… I highly recommend you go find as many different kinds of massage therapist you can to trade with. The school you attended you will only be able to teach you their curriculum. Trading with other therapist will help you learn what clients are exposed to… What you like you know your clients most likely will like too… What you don’t like, there’s a good chance your clients won’t like either. 

If you’re starting a retail business, tea/coffee shop, or whatever… keep your dream. Times and Trends change… Change your inventory as you must but to keep your steady clientele remember what your dream was when you started. Remember why customers and patrons first came to you. What doesn’t sell today may sell in 5 years… What sells today may stop selling in 5 years. Be prepared to change with trends but keep your dreams and what you’re about alive. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kin-of-hope.com and www.perrysplacellc.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PerrysPlace90NMain and https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057841081493