November 1 Issue - Newspaper - Page 12
EDITION 10
May 13 2025
Let it Grow
By Toni Fitch
Page 12
they’re going to be a
repeat customer and
they’re going to bring
their friends and family.”
They are all about
“word-of-mouth and
expansion of business,”
and maintaining a
connection with their
customers. Their
hometown, hands-on
approach helps set them
apart from the box stores
that litter the area,
striving to give the
community what they
want.
Expanding on “growth,”
Fuchs says, “If your
business isn’t growing,
you’re just not getting it
done.” Growing the
business also contributes
to growth within the
community with the jobs
Wide varieties very much in bloom
it creates. And it treats its
employees like family,
just as it does its
customers. Fuchs
concluded, “Support your
family business, support
local. We need to support
each other, not hurt each
other.” What a great way
to grow.
Dawn Fuchs at the shop at Seed to Weed
Dawn Fuchs’ roots run deep in Washington County,
going all the way back to when her father, Donald,
founded Weavertown Environmental Group. She
described him as “always a farmer and a grower.”
Growth is an important factor in Fuchs’ life. She has
continued the family tradition, adding many branches to
their ever-growing business tree, including Seed to
Weed, offering a variety of items for your lawn and
gardening needs, and We Guide You Grow, a consulting
firm that aids would-be entrepreneurs as they grow their
business. As a grower, her father grew the economy in
Canonsburg by creating jobs while also sharing his
passion for gardening and plants by educating people.
He established businesses that grew from his love of
agriculture.
As someone who was born and raised in Canonsburg,
the opportunity to help grow the community has been
an integral part of the family business for Fuchs. She
hinted that an announcement would be made soon
regarding another business that would grace their town.
They also now offer eggs. With a partner, they have
acquired 2000 chickens and have started selling
cage-free eggs at their Weed to Seed location. “If
anybody needs eggs, we have farm-fresh eggs
available.” You could say the response to this facet of
the business has been egg-cellent, since they are flying
off the shelves at their store. She adds, “You can taste
the difference.”
Seed to Weed for all your lawn and gardening needs
Seed to Weed uses over 1 million worms in its
composting material and fertilizers to keep everything
growing organically. Per Fuchs, “it really makes your
garden grow that much more enriched.” She added,
“That is how Seed to Weed came to be: job creation,
beautiful garden.” This family-run business likes it
when families come together to enjoy gardening. Fuchs
stresses that they are “all about family.”
You can visit Seed to Weed at 517 West Pike Street in
Canonsburg, Monday through Sunday, 9 am-5 pm.
They offer personalized service that ensures the
business grows while helping your garden thrive. Fuchs
says, “We love first-time customers because we know
DESIRE TO BE WELL JUICERY
AIMS TO SQUEEZE
By Toni Fitch
Many years ago, when
Sandi Kern experienced
health issues, she never
realized that it could lead
her to a successful career.
An inflammatory
condition almost killed
Kern thirteen years ago.
The doctors were unable
to diagnose her ailment. A
visit to an integrative
physician changed her
life and changed her way
of thinking regarding
physical health, mental
health, and nutrition/diet.
She explains that her
physician “knew exactly
what to do, did the proper
testing.” Integrative
medicine is described as
“a combination of
therapies and lifestyle
changes to treat and heal
the whole person.” Once
she was on the path to
better health through
nutrition, Kern decided to
pursue studies that would
help others with similar
ailments. She said that
she “went to school, got
my certifications, and
decided I wanted to add
some science and went to
school for functional
medicine.” After
concluding that she did
not want to be a doctor,
she took her knowledge
of nutrition and created
her “Desire to Be Well”
program.
“Desire to Be Well” is
many different things, all
with the shared goal of
improving health and
nutrition. Kern wrote an
international best-selling
book under the DTBW
title. She coaches clients
both in person and
virtually via the DTBW
regimen. And her juicery
in the Shoppes at Quail
Acres opened January
2024. Following the
integrative physician’s
lead, she takes both a
medical and a holistic
approach to her various
businesses. Kern takes
great care to make sure
DTBW Juicery owner Sandi Kern
enjoying one of her delicious juices
her customers understand
the importance of good
mental health as well as
physical health. Now that
she’s opened a second
location at Southpointe,
while taking time out of
her busy schedule to care
for her own well-being,
too. She shares that “I’m
trying to maintain that
balance while growing
my business.” As the
business evolves, she
plans to hire more
employees and expand
her hours. She has even
put her recently retired
husband, Fred, to work as
an employee.
everything blossomed
from there. Kern features
delicious and nutritious
made-to-order juices
along with various
breakfast and lunch items
and daily specials, all of
which are gluten and
dairy-free, making things
that are good for you
taste good. She also has
products from local
vendors available for
purchase. And she created
an area outside of her
Quail Acres shop for
events when warmer
weather allows. These
activities include yoga,
meet-the-author, and
music and mocktails, to
name a few. Meanwhile,
the trailer has been busy
with several different
functions throughout the
area. She had it on set for
the Mayor of Kingstown
television show that is
filming in the region.
This opportunity was
made by special request
from one of the cast
members. It was so
The DTBW Juicery trailer, coming to an event near you
Using a decorated
horse trailer as a
promotional vehicle for
her book, featuring
recipes that are good and
good for you, Kern paved
the way for the juicery, as
“people fell in love with
the whole vibe, they love
the juice, they love the
whole thing.” Shortly
thereafter, the opportunity
to open her first shop
became available and
successful, they had her
return for another day, an
encore, if you will.
For more information
regarding the juicery and
Kern’s other services or
to purchase her wellness
book, visit the website at
www.desiretobewell.com
or go to the Facebook
page. Like the sign at
Quail Acres says as you
enter, “Squeeze the day.”
