Essential Elements Apothocary Use community 'volunteers' as Free Labor Portland Oregon

This review is not to discuss the medicine itself, but to pose the question as to if Essential Elements Apothecary should, in fact, be in business. For reference, the owner is Carmella Cook. When I arrived here, I was greeted by a woman who knew very little of the products she was selling. She appeared to be new, so I gave her the benefit of the doubt. After some specific questions about stones, crystals, and their properties, etc. the worker could not answer questions to my satisfaction. This here, made me question the authenticity and quality of this specialty store. The woman working, at her own free will indicated she was a 'volunteer' and working a 4 hour shift. She indicated that, "everyone who works here is volunteers" and "we are a tight knit community." The woman never indicated she was an actual apprentice, which would be different. I questioned why such a specialty store would solely employ 'volunteers?' In this field of gems and metaphysics, it is a very specialized field. Expertise is needed at all times to make accurate purchases of anything, whether stone or essential oil, what have you.

After some frustration I looked the place up, only to find the website is, 'suspended.' (see attached image) Prices were very high for this type of store, which made me question the genuine nature of the store, as well. 'Volunteers' should not be used as 'free labor' and the legality of this is questionable, as the organization is a business, not a non-profit. This article was useful: laboremploymentperspectives.com/2015/01/05/when-it-comes-to-volunteer-workers-no-good-deed-goes-unpunished/. Had the worker been competent, knowledgeable, and appeared to be in sync with her experience there, and duties etc. I never would have questioned the store's credibility. As the worker went on of her son, and was using an I-phone (?) in a store that is supposed to be healing in nature, quiet, serene, etc. I was very puzzled - she did not appear to be 'enlightened' as a guru of sorts. I was upset that my time had been wasted. And, that this 'business' appears to be in operation under the exploitation of others (i.e. a hierarchy of 'the owner' vs. the minions).

On the way out I glanced at the door, which had a sign stating, "Volunteer Shifts Available." Join the free labor camp. Why not host a workshop to educate people, as opposed to using their free labor as way to keep you in business? The owner's name is Carmella Cook (see attached photo), and her business practices of solely using volunteers for paid labor is not very magical.