Meet Cat Kelly | Retired lawyer, now co-owner of Heart, Body, & Soul, a metaphysical shop in Columbia, MO

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

Hi Cat, what matters most to you?
Before we started this business, we worked with a branding expert to identify five words that described what we wanted our business to be. Our words were: (1) welcoming (2) playful (3) inspiring (4) powerful and (5) true. We had them engraved in a little wooden box that sits behind our counter.

Those qualities are our touchstone for everything we do. We designed the space with a comfy seating area (not typical for retail shop) and an old baby grand piano we found at a thrift store. Not only does it make people smile, you’d be shocked how many musicians visit and sit down to play, to the delight of staff and customers alike. When we hire staff — a sense of fun is right up at the top of our criteria. We want people who can interact with customers, not just to sell them stuff, but to offer fun interactions that customers enjoy, remember, and encourage them to visit again — because now we’re not just a shop, but friends who shared stories and laughs and memories.

We’re a metaphysical store, so our business is helping people explore spirituality in all its different paths and find what best serves them in their own spiritual growth. That can be a scary prospect for lots of folks (much like coming out of the closet when it means stepping out of a family tradition), so people need to feel welcome and comfortable before they’re able to open up about what they’re searching for. And then we stock books and offers resources on all kinds of paths to inspire, empower, and help each person find what is true to them. Nobody here is trying to convert anyone to anything. It’s about what calls to YOU. And whatever that may be, we’ll help you find resources to help you on your path.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I think this ‘about us’ from our website describes it best:

Heart, Body, & Soul was born from a Book Club. Six women. Wine. Food. The Meaning of Life. What could possibly go wrong…? (As long as Cat wasn’t cooking. Cat is very good at NOT cooking, so Cat brought the wine and the others cooked. It worked.) A-N-D …

We ate, we drank, we laughed.
We debated and we argued.
We disclosed things we’d never before disclosed.
And discovered we weren’t so different after all.
Shells cracked open.
Defenses crumbled.

We cried and learned and grew true…together.

And so one day, we decided to take this journey to wholeness on the road. Or at least down the road a bit. We found a place where we could open our doors even wider and expand the conversation even broader. And we called it…

Heart, Body & Soul
So if you’re a little bit restless, a L-I-T-T-L-E bit curious, a little bit ‘there’s gotta be something more than THIS’… welcome to our tribe.

Not that we have the answers. We don’t. (Only you have those.) But we are kindred souls with a shop full of books written by still more kindred souls, all sharing life’s journey and swapping travel tips.

Want to delve and discuss? Classes, workshops, and discussion groups await.
Want to lighten up and just play? Get your wild on and join a drumming circle or a belly dance class.
Sick and tired of feeling sick and tired? Massage, Acupuncture, Reiki, Yoga, Tai Chi, Qi Gong, Crystal Energy Work. Pick one. Or pick them all. (Because ‘sick and tired’ really isn’t the norm. At least it doesn’t have to be. Who knew?!?)
Want to curl up in a comfy chair and read up on that spiritual tradition that kind of inspires you, even though you’re scared to mention it to anybody ‘cause it is SO out of the mainstream? Maybe that one about celebrating the divine feminine and a spirituality that holds women equal to men? Western Mystery Traditions? Eastern Mystery Traditions? Buddhism, Shamanism, Paganism? Wondering if it’s possible to reconcile a Christian path AND a belief in science, equality and tolerance? (Hint: check out the shelf on Progressive Christianity!) Meditation, Metaphysics, Astrology, or Tarot caught your eye? Intrigued by the idea of Reincarnation? Spirit Guides? Working with Angels? Maybe it’s the common threads that run through all the World’s Religions or Secular Humanism that feel true to you. The sofa awaits. The books are at hand.
hbs-30WHATEVER pulls at your soul, come in and check it out. This is a judgment-free zone. Truly. (So if you don’t find what you’re seeking – ask! – and we can look for it together.

Oh, and if you happen to be into gorgeous jewelry, lovely crystals, cool candles, and inspiring Home Décor that reminds you life is good and you are powerful beyond your imagining as you stagger to the coffee pot in the morning? Got that, too. Browse away.

The coffee is on and the welcome mat is out. Isn’t it past time to let the journey begin?

See you soon.

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.
Obviously, Heart, Body, & Soul is at the top of the list! After that, the historic town of Rocheport just outside of Columbia along the Missouri River is a fabulous way to spend a day — fun antique stores, a winery, and maybe catching a live musical peformance at the General Store. Breakfast at Ernie’s or the Cafe Berlin. Addison’s nachos bianco are not to be missed and, when the weather’s nice, a stop by LogBoat brewery is always fun — they have picnic tables and yard games out front for customers to enjoy while enjoying their home-brewed beers. A walk through Mizzou’s historic and lovely campus, maybe topped off by a football game there. Or go to the Missouri Theatre and catch an amazing contemporary ballet. Columbia’s downtown is full of fun shops, independent bookstores, and public art pieces that are worth a pause.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The first metaphysical shop I ever visited was Pathways in St. Louis, founded by the late Deborah Bourbon and still flourishing all these years later. They were so many of the things that we’ve tried to emulate here at Heart, Body, & Soul.

The other shoutout I’d give would be to Mary Cruise of Mary Cruise Healing Arts. Mary is an acupuncturist, massage therapist, and teacher of Tai Chi, Qi Gong, and Chinese Medicine. When we decided to open our business, Mary came in as an affiliate, subleasing space from us for her Healing Arts practice and using our studio for her classes. Not only has she drawn SOOOO many people into Heart, Body, & Soul, she has been a steady presence throughout our journey, encouraging in word and example as she continues to study and expand her own expertise and make such a difference in so many lives.

Website: https://heartbodyandsoul.org

Image Credits
Michelle McBrien