In the Catskills, where natural beauty and a deep sense of place shape daily life, Kendra built a business that reflects both her personal journey and her commitment to community well-being. The Herbal Scoop, Kendra’s herbal farm and botanical tea shop, is more than a retail space. It is the culmination of years spent searching for healing, knowledge, and purpose.
Growing up in Ohio, Kendra struggled with chronic health challenges that conventional medicine never fully resolved. That early experience pushed her to look beyond traditional approaches and sparked a lifelong curiosity about the connection between plants, nutrition, and overall wellness. Years later, while working as a social worker in Philadelphia, that curiosity turned into action. Inspired by conversations with a coworker about tea-based healing traditions, she began experimenting with herbs herself. What started as a personal exploration quickly deepened into a calling. Kendra pursued formal training in herbalism, traveled internationally to study yoga, and immersed herself in Ayurveda.
Kendra initially launched the Herbal Scoop as a pop-up concept focused on education as much as products. From the beginning, she made herbal wellness approachable by creating tools like a clearly labeled “herbal wall” that helped customers understand how different plants could support their health. Her business grew steadily, fueled by word of mouth and a strong connection to her community.
Despite that growth, scaling the business presented a new challenge. Kendra had built The Herbal Scoop without taking on debt, and the idea of borrowing money felt risky and uncomfortable. When the opportunity arose to open a flagship location in the Catskills, she faced a critical decision. Expanding would require capital, but traditional lenders did not seem to understand her business model or her mission. She needed more than financing. She needed a partner who could see the value in what she was building. Through the Small Business Development Center, Kendra was introduced to Community Capital of New York (CCNY), a mission-driven lender focused on supporting entrepreneurs often overlooked by mainstream financial institutions. That introduction proved pivotal.
Her early conversations with CCNY challenged her assumptions about debt and growth. A CCNY loan officer offered direct, practical guidance that helped Kendra begin to see financing not as a burden, but as a strategic tool. With CCNY’s support, she secured the funding needed to open her flagship store, expand her inventory, and strengthen her operations. Just as important as the capital was the technical assistance that came alongside it. Through financial coaching, Kendra developed a clearer understanding of budgeting, cash flow, and long-term planning. She shifted from managing her business finances informally to building a structure that could support sustainable growth. That transformation gave her confidence not only as a business owner, but as a leader.
Today, The Herbal Scoop continues to thrive as both a business and a community hub. Kendra has grown her team, increased revenue, and expanded her impact beyond her storefront by mentoring other farmers and hosting educational workshops. Her story reflects the reality faced by many small business owners, particularly women entrepreneurs who may hesitate to take on debt or struggle to find lenders who understand their vision. It also highlights the critical role that community development financial institutions like Community Capital of New York play in bridging that gap. By pairing capital with guidance and relationship-based support, CCNY helped turn a moment of uncertainty into an opportunity for growth. For Kendra, that support made it possible to stay true to her mission while building a financially sustainable business. Her journey shows that with the right partner, access to capital can unlock not just expansion, but confidence, resilience, and lasting impact.
