Today we’d like to introduce you to Cheryl Lemoine-Kainer.
Cheryl, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Ironically, it all began with an eye. My husband’s eye to be exact. He had developed one red eye while I was pregnant with our only child. No discomfort, no pain, just red. After multiple doctor visits, the ophthalmologist he was referred to told him it was one of two things–a thyroid problem or a brain tumor. Unfortunately, it was the latter. Life as we knew it was over. He died 18 months later.
I was devastated. My daughter was my only joy. Many months and tears later, my wise older sister told me I needed to figure out what I was going to do with my life. I knew she was right but had no idea, so I turned to God for guidance. Every day I would pray “God, I will do whatever you want me to do, but you have to show me what it is”. (I was secretly hoping that he would not send me to a foreign country to be a missionary -ha!)
Many months later, I was walking into a health food store, and saw the word Iridology. To this day I can’t explain it, but I immediately knew that this word was my answer to prayer. I just didn’t know what it meant. I booked an Iridology appointment and was instantly fascinated by the science. A few months later I was fortunate enough to study under Dr. Bernard Jensen, and became a Certified Iridologist in 1996. This put me on the path to the Health Market.
Iridology is my first love, and after being certified in 1996 I began seeing clients out of my home in The Woodlands. I quickly realized that there was not a good health food store in our area where my clients could obtain nutritional supplements that I recommended based on their Iridology analysis, and that’s how the Health Market came to be. We celebrated our 18th anniversary this year, and are the largest health food store in The Woodlands, The Health Market evolved over time into much more than just a place to buy vitamins, and we are now known as an alternative health center, with several Certified Alternative Health Professionals on staff, including two Naturopaths, Certified Nutritional Consultants, and an ITEC Certified Reflexologist. The alternative health services we offer include Iridology, Hair Analysis, Ion Foot Detox, Nutritional Consulting and Reflexology.
As for my background, I am a native Houstonian (Spring Woods High School), proud Texas Aggie (class of 1977), Certified Iridologist, and have a Masters in Holistic Nutrition. My husband is well known Montgomery County Veterinarian Dr. Danny Kainer. Our daughter, Lydia, is also an A&M grad, and currently lives in Dallas.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Building any business is difficult, so I basically worked for free the first three years. We have a wonderful client base who over the years have becomes friends as well as loyal customers, and still see new customers every week who ask “How long have you been here?”–when we tell them 18 years they are always surprised. Managing inventory is a constant struggle, and the recent oil bust a few years ago really impacted our business.
Many people are leery of things they are unfamiliar with (like Iridology) and our goal is to educate our customers in order to help them gain knowledge that will help improve their health. Currently our biggest competitor is online sales, so we strive to provide our customers with excellent service, and our greatest asset is the knowledge we freely share with each customer that comes in or calls the Health Market.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
The Health Market is a health food store and more, committed to improving the health and quality of life for all. The Health Market store motto is “Take Care of Yourself” and our knowledgeable staff is happy to answer any and all questions and help each person do just that!
The Health Market is exactly what the name implies–a place to help you feel good, inside and out, by helping you feel good physically, mentally and spiritually. We specialize in high quality nutritional supplements and healthy food, and our emphasis is on Alternative Health Services that help you get specific about your health and your needs.
What sets us apart from others is our love of what we do, and our commitment to helping each individual achieve optimum health. We try to share God’s love with everyone who comes through the door.
What were you like growing up?
I grew up in the Spring Branch area of Houston, and was a total tomboy. I love being outdoors, and have always been fascinated by nature. I also love food, love cooking, and the only kind of shopping I like is grocery shopping. I am fascinated by all types of people, and love hearing their stories, thus my interest in Sociology blossomed at Texas A&M and my Bachelor of Science is in Sociology. I also love math and spelling, and find great pleasure in art, whether mine or someone else’s.
I did not discover Iridology until I was in my forties, and I love the Health Market because it involves my three top interests: Iridology, food and people!
Pricing:
- Iridology Analysis $90
- Hair Analysis $150
- Reflexology $70
- Nutritional Consulting $125
- Ion Foot Detox $30
Contact Info:
- Address: 427 Sawdust Road,
The Woodlands, TX 77380 - Website: www.woodlandshealthmarket.com
- Phone: 281-367-0002
- Email: thehealthmarket@aol.com
- Instagram: @the_health_market
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/the.health.market.woodlands/
Image Credit:
Cheryl Kainer
Andrea Carter
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
