“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.” -Steve Jobs US computer engineer & industrialist (1955 – 2011)
“Risk is the nature of true business growth.” -Wayne Barrow
Successful business in Asheville is all about “local”; growing it, supporting it, selling it, doing it. These featured folks are all following their dreams, talents, and passions and in doing so, they are positively affecting our community. Its a chain reaction. I am grateful to know each one of these uniquely amazing people and I enjoy running into them around town, buying their products and using their services. I challenge you to be yourself in the world and connect with others. Thank you for adding to Asheville’s greatness.
LIZ ROSEMAN :: Sustainable Health Acupuncture
“I decided I wanted to be an acupuncturist after it helped me change my life on a deep level. I never intended on making these shifts, but after I started getting acupuncture 15 years ago, I no longer wanted to smoke cigarettes. I started wanting to cook healthy meals for myself. I saw early on the power of acupuncture to help one become more aligned with his/her highest self. I decided then, in my last semester of film school, that I wanted to shift gears.”
Liz went to The Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in San Diego, and at the end of her schooling had the opportunity to study in China. After school, she moved to Asheville in order to set up her own practice, Sustainable Health Acupuncture.
Her goal is to create a safe space in which each patient receives her undivided attention and feels truly heard. “I partner with my patients to help them feel like they are leading the best life possible.” says Liz. She has a general practice and work in a wide variety of areas, including pain, fertility and women’s health, digestion, insomnia, stress, anxiety and depression. In addition to acupuncture needles, Liz uses essential oils on points, which enable her to treat people who are needle-phobic.
She had the honor of being voted the #1 Acupuncturist in the Mountain Xpress Reader’s Poll for the past 3 years. “Thank you Asheville! You’ve enabled me to do what I truly love – being of service to others.”
KIMI LEGER :: Sacred Lotus
“I discovered my love for art at an early age. I moved to Asheville in 2000 and began tattooing in 2004, apprenticing under Brandon Neureuther. After 11 years of tattoo experience I opened my own custom tattoo studio, Sacred Lotus Tattoo.”
Sacred Lotus Tattoo opened on July 1, 2014 in West Asheville. Kimi’s intention with the studio was to create the most warm, welcoming atmosphere possible for her clients to get tattooed in. She takes pride in her clients having a comfortable experience while collecting high quality artwork. There are now 5 artists there including Kimi, who have their own styles and specialties. All are skilled in designing custom tattoo requests, mostly by appointment but also taking walk-ins when available.
You can check out all of the artists’ portfolios on their website, SacredLotusTattoo.com. The shop is located just 2 miles off Patton Ave, tucked conveniently away from the bustle of the main strip. Feel free to swing by anytime to browse portfolios, or call to set a consultation. You can also email through the website to request an appointment.
Kimi Leger was happy to win 1st Place Best Tattoo Artist in this year’s Mountain Xpress’ Best of WNC Awards, and Sacred Lotus Tattoo won 3rd Place Best Tattoo Shop. “Thank you Asheville, it has been a great year!”
JOHN EBERT :: John Ebert Jewelry
John is originally from Northern Virginia. He started making jewelry in 2001 while living in Southern Florida. Over the years his reputation has grown and he has found his niche creating custom orders for people from all over the world, as John Ebert Jewelry. He is completely self-taught and acknowledges gathering inspiration from artistic expressions of every variety.
“My style combines techniques that appeal to traditional jewelry with a progressive edge. I studied under a traditional bench jeweler for fabrication to get the basics and ran with what I learned, pushing myself to build on each technique. I’m constantly trying things that I’m not sure how to do, as to push my limits and learn how to creatively work through each step. Every piece I strive to build on each technique making it new and more creative.”
“I use multiple techniques including lost wax casting to add to the complexity and form of each piece. Utilizing multiple avenues for creation allows each piece to be that much more unique. I studied lost wax under a certified GIA graduate. I’m also a certified GRS engraving graduate. Engraving allows a jeweler to expand the level of detail, and further personalize each piece.”
“Jewelry is an expression of not only my soul, but also the collective energy I share with my clients. My clients share their vision with me and allow me to translate that through my own interpretation of how to bring the ethereal in lot the material realm. The way my jewelry is created it’s necessary that multiple steps to the process are taken. My personal studio is more well equipped than most jewelry stores, which allows me to be hands on every step of the process.”
John lives with his son and wife in the mountains of Asheville, North Carolina.
LISA ZAHIYA :: Studio Zahiya
Lisa Zahiya is an innovative, award-winning performer and in-demand instructor and successful studio owner. Working in the genres of bellydance, Indian dance (Bollywood & Bhangra) and urban dance, Lisa travels nationally and internationally teaching and performing.
Lisa is the founder & owner of Studio Zahiya, three time winner of “Best Place to Take a Dance Class” in Asheville, NC. She also owns Asheville Entertainment, a booking agency, Asheville Bachelorette Parties & Asheville Kids’ parties.
Coming from a background in musical theater, jazz and hip hop, Lisa has developed a strong, powerful bellydance style. In 2008, she won “2008 Tribal Fusion Bellydancer of the Universe” and she went on to win the Alternative Category at the Wiggles of the West bellydance competition in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Lisa’s unique style and fusion dance forms has gained her recognition in the International dance community. She travels, teaching workshops, performing and developing curriculum. She has developed a fusion dance curriculum for a dance school in San Raphael, France. She serves as guest faculty at Sahara Dance in Washington, DC. She has taught and performed in New York, NY, Las Vegas, NV, Austin, TX, Baltimore, MD, Washington, DC, and more.
At home, she has taught at the University of North Carolina, Asheville, Warren Wilson College and Western Carolina University. She serves as an Ambassador for Lululemon Athletica, Asheville.
Lisa is also known for her work with children and women, using dance as a impetus for change. Lisa serves the senior Teaching Artist with the Lake Eden Arts Festival, working with 1st-8th graders in public housing communities and is also a Guest Dance Instructor with the Buncombe County School System. Additionally, she travels nationally teaching in school systems and for children’s organizations. Lisa has completed training in Developmental Assets and 21st Century Skills.
ADDIE McDERMOTT :: Earth Roots Apothecary 
“I started studying herbalism in 2007, shortly after my son was born with a rare skin condition that causes frequent wounds. I personally have been challenged with lifelong eczema, and my path easily became one of learning how to help the body heal. In 2008 I became a student of One World Healing Arts Institute in West Asheville, where I studied with Mimi Hernandez for two years.”
She then completed the clinical herbalism program at Appalachia School of Holistic Herbalism with CoreyPine Shane and John Immel in 2010. In 2013, Addie received a Certificate in Practical Aromatherapy from Dr. Joie Power at Highlands School of Natural Healing. Addie has applied her studies to developing skin care and aromatherapy products that are safe, natural, and effective. She has been creating these remedies for friends, family and small community events for several years.
In 2014, Addie officially created Earth Roots Apothecary, a local business focused on skin and beauty ritual and aromatherapy for the spirit. The line includes products such as salves, body butters, aromatherapy mists and facial toners. Each product is handcrafted in small batches in Fairview using organic, wild crafted, fair trade and ethically sourced botanicals. In an effort to support our local and global communities without harming them, Earth Roots uses wind powered web hosting, compostable labels, and recycled and/or recyclable materials. The business was built on the need for healing, and aims to preserve and sustain the ancient wisdom inherent within nature. Addie brings forth her respect for the natural world in all of her creations, and hopes to ignite a vital, healing connection between people and the world around them.
