We had the good fortune of connecting with AJ Briggs and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi AJ, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
For me, the lesson on balance began in school. I was an athlete in high school and college and began bodybuilding during grad school. Time management was crucial if I was to train in the gym, study for classes, attend internships, and hold a full-time job. I maintained this lifestyle for years at the expense of a social life. Success at that time meant being able to have a running list of accomplishments and being competitive in the process. Movies like ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ (and many others with powerful female lead characters) fueled my sense of self-sacrifice in pursuit of my ideal life. Balance wasn’t part of the equation as long as I was checking off my boxes and getting closer to the finish line.

That all shifted in 2019 when an unhealthy environment and a workplace injury forced me to reevaluate everything. Shortly after that, a rise in racial injustices across the country and then COVID-19 happened which intensified that evaluation. What was once a lifestyle of striving, competition, and survival drastically changed into a journey of self-discovery and skill building. One such skill was adopting a holistic approach that included balance. But how do you build a skill that’s underdeveloped on your own? I was willing to admit that I didn’t know it all and I would have to use my resources, so I did. My knowledge of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) blended with a few other theoretical approaches helped me gain the clarity I needed to identify what balance would look like at this stage of my life.

In 2023 balance is maintained by using a holistic approach, a supportive community, and a colorful automated google calendar. I map out my needs for mental, physical, emotional, and financial well-being then time block them onto the calendar. It eliminates feeling scattered and unfulfilled in areas I really care about because I took the time to allot for them throughout the week. Periodically, I reflect on how balanced my week or month has been and whatever those results are I make note of them and automate any necessary changes.

What should our readers know about your business?
Our mission at Herb N’ Oasis is to create a diverse and stigma-free community through education, entertainment & holistic wellness. This mission came to be in a coffee shop in Boston, MA with myself (AJ Briggs) and my two business partners Dishon Laing and Yovannys Kenney. We wanted to create a space where a holistic approach to well-being could be achieved; a one-stop shop for diverse lifestyle needs. The communities we come from and support identify as diverse for a variety of reasons (age, race, sexual orientation, etc.) and require a community that makes their needs visible and accessible.

Our work began in Dorchester, MA with events that encouraged community and small business representation for Black Americans and those of Afro-Caribbean descent. We also began development for the HNO Cafe that featured recipes and ingredients that were locally sourced and inspired by the cultures within the community. This unfortunately was put on hold due to COVID and my unexpected departure from Boston to Arizona. Bittersweet, this transition allowed me to focus on what I bring to Herb N’ Oasis which is a wellness and clinical therapy background; and thus the Oasis Center was born.

The Oasis Center is home to community events, therapy and life coaching, and emotional support animal services (ESA). What’s exciting about the work we do is the opportunity to normalize mental health, especially in spaces where physical health is already being addressed. Our initial community offering is a bi-weekly series called ‘Self-Care Sundays’. It’s intended to help ease our members into the week ahead using mindfulness, yoga movements, art immersion, and play. Starting Feb 5, 2023 we are extending this to families looking to establish healthy habits, get fit, and build stronger relationships.

We look forward to establishing Herb N’ Oasis here in Arizona with a location that can house the HNO Cafe, the Oasis Center, and HNO Entertainment. The holistic benefits of one location to address your mental, emotional, physical, and entertainment needs is what #CreateYourVibe is all about.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

Since moving to Arizona, I’ve made it a point to use google maps and save a location everytime I attend or drive by an interesting place. I have over 100 little icons that indicate a space that’s worth the visit. Ok friend, this is what our week looks like…

You can’t Arizona without brunch, so that means Brunch & Sip, Hash Kitchen, Chic Chef Cafe, SugarJam The Southern Kitchen, Eggstasy, Scramble, or U.S. Egg Breakfast & Lunch.

Now that we’ve started the day nice and full, let’s take a hike or leisurely stroll to Hole in the Rock, Shaw Butte trail, Granada Park, Desert Breeze Park, Echo Canyon, North Mountain, South Mountain, Japanese Friendship Garden, or Hance Park.

For fun we’re going to First Fridays downtown Phoenix, Lake Pleasant to paddleboard, Arizona Wilderness for the fire-pit and drinks, 36 below or Century Grand for picturesque drinks, Great Skate for the vibe, Tough Lotus or Elevate Yoga & wellness for aerial yoga, Purple Palace pole studio for fitness empowerment on the pole, Butterfly Wonderland, Maya Dayclub, Maverix, or The Nash Jazz Club.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
A big shoutout to my team back in Boston. Dishon and Geo, I appreciate the support and communication as we continue to make Herb N’ Oasis the business we all imagined. That team also includes the family and friends who supported us in our early days, buying baked goods and attending events- Thank You!

There are also so many new relationships that I’ve built since living here. Many of those individuals have either helped setup for an event, taken pictures, attended as a special guest, or offered to spread the word (BetterFit Therapy, Sandra, Alyssa, Paige, Stephanie, InnerCityNutrition, Tough Lotus).

Last and certainly not least my love, gratitude, and appreciation, goes to Cherith Pruitt. She is an Arizona business owner who supported me and believed in my vision of blending mental and physical health under one roof. Her support has allowed me to embark on a vision that was manifested back in 2018 and came to life in 2021 during a very chaotic time. Cherith (Cherry) you are a supportive and warm individual that I will always be grateful to have in my corner.

Website: https://www.herbnoasis.com/

Instagram: @herb_n_oasis2

Facebook: Herb N’ Oasis

Image Credits
Thirteen.Nxghts

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