They’re grounding the city with this one!
Danuelle Doswell and Mignon Hemsley are the co-founders of Grounded, a subscription based virtual plant shop the two started during the pandemic. Bonded through mutual friends and their love of plants, the two joined forces to offer a different kind of wellness outlet at the height of the coronavirus pandemic, introducing wellness in a way that felt both accessible and welcoming.
“We’re helping people in our communities realize that this is a cheap kind of therapy. Just watering my plants and checking them is helping me stay sane. Caring for plants not only gives you a sense of responsibility, but also a feeling of accomplishment once they start growing and blooming,” Hemsley previously told Because Of Them We Can.
“We felt like especially in our community, the Black community is not as knowledgeable when it comes to different mental health outlets. So that ignited our business,” Doswell added.
Now 30,000 plants sold later, the duo have opened their first brick and mortar, the Grounded Wellness Studio, Washington City Paper reports. The studio operates as a plant shop, cafe, and wellness facility, recently opening in the Anacostia neighborhood of Southeast, Washington, D.C. to immense fanfare. The two say that they have grown strong ties in the community since they opened their virtual plant shop 4 years ago and wanted to enhance their roots by doubling down on their commitment to wellness in the nation’s capital.
“We’re just two Black women who want to be of service to people who look like us. We’ve built strong relationships with local organizations [and] high schools. In Anacostia, unlike other parts of the city, there’s a lack of green space,” Doswell explained.
The friends partnered with a number of local businesses to bring the new studio to life. D.C. based architecture firm Drummond Projects helped design the space while D.C. chef and restaurateur Erik Bruner-Yang of Maketto, helped develop the cafe food menu. The new studio was funded by a grant from the city’s Neighborhood Prosperity Fund which hopes to connect downtown D.C. to the historic Anacostia neighborhood.
View this post on Instagramadvertisement
The Grounded Wellness Studio sells a variety of plants, merchandise and offers wellness sessions in their back studio including yoga classes, Reiki sessions, pilates classes, sound baths, and breathwork exercises. In total, there are more than 42 classes offered weekly and attendees can subscribe to the membership program which boasts a number of perks including free beverages and a new plant monthly.
“Instead of just selling plants, we focused on helping people feel more “grounded.” Whether through our outdoor hike club, which connects people with nature, or our Grounded Radio playlist designed to enhance the experience of plant care, we’ve made it about cultivating a deeper connection to nature and well-being,” explained Doswell.
View this post on Instagramadvertisement
The D.C. based entrepreneurs said it’s a full-circle moment for them and they are excited to continue growing their brand, with plans to open a nonprofit arm that engages teenagers in the city with the stuido.
Grounded Wellness Studio is currently located at 1913 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE, DC.
Cover photo: HBCU Grads Open New Grounded Plant Shop & Wellness Studio in Southeast D.C./ (l to r) Grounded Wellness Studio co-founders Mignon Hemsley & Danuelle Doswell/Photo credit: Grounded/Washington City Paper