Dead Elephant: Elephant Pharmacy Closes After Six Years

In 2002 I decided to rent a space and open a skincare studio. I was in no way ready to do so, but I took the plunge anyway. Painted Ladies Skincare was open for about six months and I learned a lot about failure and humility from that experience.

I needed a new job and wanted to take a break from practicing esthetics on a spa level for a bit. I found an ad on Craigslist for an esthetician needed for an integrated pharmacy. I had no clue what this meant but I applied anyway.

I had a phone interview and they asked if I had any natural skincare experience. I was Aveda-certified and so I said yes, thinking that I did, in fact have tons of experience. But, I had never heard of any of the brands the interviewer threw at me: Lavera, Logona, Dr. Hauschka, MyChelle...um, what?!

I had a great face-to-face interview a while later and was convinced that I had the job in the bag. I was stunned when I received a letter telling me thanks...but no thanks. I saw a week later that the job was still posted online so I sat down and wrote a letter telling them that they had made a HUGE mistake in not hiring me. It was soul-crushing but--it worked. I was hired and started training immediately.



I love working for start-ups, everything is new and exciting and wide open for opportunity. The building on North Shattuck was completely empty when I started and I worked many hours helping set up shelves, stock products and sweep up dirt.

I quickly became passionate about this new (to me) approach to heath and skincare and gave many interviews to various newspapers and radio stations. It was so much fun connecting with various professionals under one roof. I learned about Chinese medicine and Ayurveda and diabetes management. There was an Eastern pharmacy and conventional Western Pharmacy so I also learned about complementery treatments.

When I got married I had my bridal bouquet made at Elephant. I loved the culture and my co-workers and spent many hours talking to the very interesting founder, Stuart Skorman.

I worked at Elephant for two years and wore many hats: esthetician, skincare educator (I taught classes every week) bodycare manager, buyer, trainer. When I left I had earned a really good amount of stock options that I hoped would pay off at some point.

*From www.sfstation.com
Elephant Pharmacy, one of the East Bay's fixtures in alternative retail, is a supplier of everything from pragmatic Walgreens-type products to alternative health, beauty, and lifestyle commodities from around the world. Elephant Pharmacy offers over 100 free events and classes per month that are led by local practitioners. Every Sunday in May, licensed aesthetician Jennifer Tanner offers a free seminar in making spa products: teaching participants how to craft their own moisturizers, lip balms, and more. Moreover, complimentary makeup consultations and applications happen every Sunday from 12-6 pm.

I was sad to leave and thrilled when I was asked to help write their skincare training manual from my new home in Texas. I also spent the first summer I moved here consulting for Elephant and traveling first to Iowa then to Alabama to set up mini-Elephant stores inside Saks-owned department stores.

The original plan had been to expand rather quickly, but after six years there were only four Elephant locations. I read from time to time that they were in trouble financially and I always hoped they would work it out. I was saddened but not surprised to hear from a friend that they had finally folded due to the current economic downturn.

I have so many fond memories of my time at Elephant Pharmacy and I learned so much. I sometimes regret going out on my own and opening Painted Ladies so soon but if I hadn't have failed at that venture than I would not have gotten a job at Elephant and became a holistic esthetician.

Berkeley, California holds so many happy memories for me and a lot of them include Elephant Pharmacy. I rode my bike there every day in the sun and the fog and the drizzly rain. I sold makeup and skincare and met so many wonderful people and was exposed to many ideas that have shaped who I am today.

I wish they could have made it and I hope that one day they will be able to re-open. The thought of visiting Berkeley without going into Elephant Pharmacy is really sad to me.

Stress and the Skin

Stress is a part of modern life. Many of us have way more stress than we can ever manage effectively with our busy and hectic schedules especially when you throw in inconsistent exercise and poor eating habits.

Ironically, most women I encounter (myself included) choose high-stress times to try new skincare products with mixed results. When you are feeling overwhelmed and it is showing up on your complexion it is tempting to race to the nearest store and find that magic potion that will make it all go away. Shopping can be soothing and the excitement and hope a new product can bring can really distract you from your problems.

The problem with trying new products during times of high stress (both emotionally and physically) is that your body and skin can react to them in ways that they normally would not-- causing you to discontinue using a brand or product that may work quite well for you.

What can you do? Strive to live in balance--view topical skincare as only one small part in an overall self-care package. Navigate stressful times by exercising more, relaxing more, making sure to participate in activities that make you feel calm and happy, drink more water and simplify your skincare routine.

Use a gentle cleanser and step up your exfoliation with a product containing mild enzymes. If you do try new products add one at a time to your regimen and buy a starter kit with trial sizes (about a month's supply is ideal) whenever possible. It's hard to tell if something is right from you after only using it once or twice.

Once when I was pregnant I tried a new deodorant and it gave me the worst rash. Itchy, bumpy and really ugly. I put the product aside and forgot about it. After I gave birth and my body had begun to get back to normal I found the deodorant in my cabinet and decided to give it another shot. I did and it was fine. I have never had another problem with it in the three years since.

Another time I was going through some high-stress times and not taking very good care of myself. I decided to try a pillow pack sample of a moisturizer I had received at Whole Foods. Soon after I applied it I felt that familiar itchy tingle along my jawline and all over my lower face--even on my hands. I decided that this brand was not for me. Luckily I changed my mind a few months later and gave it another shot: it is now one of my favorite brands and I have not had another problem with it. In fact, this same line has cleared up a lot of my skin care issues.

The point is: good skin comes from many factors only one of which is your topical skin care. Managing stress and diet are also key factors in maintaining a bright and healthy complexion.

And if you are out of whack and craving satisfaction...rush to your favorite personal care store and buy a lipstick!