Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Rose D. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Rose, thanks for joining us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

2020 was a tough year for so many reasons, but for me, the hardest part was the loss of connection. Being with people, seeing their faces, hugging a friend—suddenly, all of that was gone. It felt like time just stopped. Then came 2021, a year we all hoped would bring us back to normal. But the truth is, things never really went back. That deep connection we once had seemed lost, and we didn’t even know where to begin again.

Right as the lockdowns started, I signed a lease on a space—my vision was to create a place where people could navigate life transitions and focus on nutrition coaching. By late 2020, the space was ready, and I hosted my very first adult coloring night. Instead of charging, I asked for donations to the food bank. I played music, set out coffee, hot chocolate, and pan dulce, and just let people be. It was simple: you’d walk in, find a coloring book that spoke to you, grab some markers or pencils, and just color. No work, no kids, no distractions—just you, the colors, and the moment. It was about slowing down, being present, and rediscovering the small joys that so easily get lost in the chaos of life.

Over time, the space evolved. What started as an open workshop space focused on mindfulness and coaching women toward empowerment has grown into something more—The Stinking Rose SA. But this isn’t just a retail space. It’s a place to learn how to nourish your mind, body, and soul. A safe space to pause, reflect, and be present. We’re still here to empower, to guide people toward their best selves, but now we also offer books, tools, and meaningful items for those on a spiritual journey.

At the heart of it all, my mission has never changed: to help people find themselves. This space wasn’t just built by me—it built itself, shaped by the needs of the community and my calling to serve. To be a place of encouragement, support, and refuge. To see people when they feel invisible. To hear them when they feel unheard. To remind them that they matter. That’s why The Stinking Rose SA exists.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m Rose D, the owner of The Stinking Rose SA—San Antonio’s Healing Shop. I’m a Reiki practitioner, transformative energy healer, and intuitive oracle reader. By formal education, I earned my undergrad in Psychology in 2018—at the young age of 40. My goal with my degree has always been to help people. But beyond academics, my own life experiences have given me deep insight into family dynamics, relationships, and personal transformation.

From 2008 to 2018, I was on my own journey of self-discovery—one that aligned perfectly with my education. During that time, I did a lot of deep reflection, learning who I truly was, understanding how I got to where I was, and healing from what felt like the lowest point in my life. That journey shaped me into who I am today.

My mission has always been to create a safe space for those on a spiritual journey, no matter what path they’re on. A place where people can come for healing, guidance, and understanding. I personally offer Reiki energy healing to help remove blockages, clear stagnation, relieve stress and anxiety, and support breakthroughs. I like to say—I’m the Auntie you can tell everything to, and by the time you leave, you’ll feel 10 times lighter.

At The Stinking Rose SA, we offer workshops on herbalism, astrology, and other spiritual practices to support growth and self-discovery. We also host guest readers who provide intuitive and spirit-led readings through Tarot, Lenormand, and other forms of divination for those seeking guidance.

Whether you’re just starting your journey or deep in your practice, this space is here for you.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Building my social media presence has been an interesting challenge in this business journey. I’ve always heard that if you want to grow your brand, you just have to show up. But truthfully, I wasn’t eager to be in front of the camera—I was perfectly happy staying behind it, sharing glimpses of how we were getting the space ready.

But there’s something powerful about seeing a face, making eye contact, even through a screen. There’s a connection that happens when people truly see you. So as I moved closer to opening The Stinking Rose SA, I started showing up. I shared my journey—the excitement, the fear, the reality of opening a business. I was honest about how scary it was, but also how it wasn’t nearly as terrifying as staying stuck in a job that didn’t bring me joy.

I talked about the incredible items I was finding for the shop, shared the oracle cards I pulled for the day, and brought my clients along for the ride—from the dream of opening to where we are almost two years later. Now, I make an effort to post a video of myself at least once a week—not out of obligation, but to stay connected in a real way.

And when I do, I’m fully myself. My hair might be wild, I might be in my car, or dancing around the shop—but every time, I show up as me. No filters, no pretense—just authenticity. And that, I’ve learned, is what truly matters.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

The biggest lesson I had to unlearn was that we’re not all meant to fit into a box or follow the rules society lays out for us. For so long, I struggled to trust myself because we were taught that if you didn’t go to college right after high school or follow a specific path, you were destined to fail. That being a single parent was something to be ashamed of, that success only looked one way.

For years, I heard people tell me I couldn’t, I wouldn’t, or that I wasn’t good enough. But the truth is, they were speaking from their own fears—not mine. Maybe they were worried for me, maybe they thought they were helping, but all it really did was make me doubt myself. It made me question what I knew deep down I was capable of.

The moment I learned to tune out the noise—or as I like to say, “eff the noise”—everything changed. I started trusting myself. I started believing in my abilities. The reality is, no one truly knows what they’re capable of until they just go for it. But too many people hold themselves back because well-meaning family or friends have talked them out of their dreams. Or worse, they’ve absorbed all the negative self-talk from years of being told they weren’t enough.

But I am enough. I have just as much of a right to happiness and success as anyone else. No one else is paying my bills, living my life, or walking in my shoes—so why wouldn’t I do what makes me happy? Once I realized that I am in control of my own life, my own destiny, and my own happiness, everything shifted. Now, I’m living a life I created for myself. And that’s the most fulfilling thing of all.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thestinkingrosesa.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestinkingrosesa/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thestinkingrosesa