About Us
Mission: "To contribute to the well-being of our community through a holistic approach to health and wellness."
Many businesses form out of necessity. The Herb Basket is no different. In the late 1980s, Becky Hanks was a young mother of three. Along with her husband John, she was becoming more and more frustrated with the constant trips to the pediatrician. It was their youngest son's persistent battle with allergy and immune challenges that inspired her to find solutions on her own.
In 1992, Becky turned to herbs, and she never looked back. Within the year, her son's health was improved, she had begun to take control of her family's health, and she realized that the need to share this new-found knowledge was too great to ignore.
While pursuing her health education, and with the support of her family, Becky began teaching classes in the community. Soon after, came private nutritional counseling. In 1994, Becky opened the doors of a small shop and nutritional counseling office - The Herb Basket was formed.
Now, after more than 28 years, many clients rely on Becky & staff as nutritional guides. We aim to support our customers' wellness needs in a store where warm greetings and professional advice come standard.
In 2016 and 2018, The Herb Basket was selected as the National Retail Store of the Year by one of the world's largest and most respected health and nutrition brands (Nature's Sunshine Products).
Meet The Team
Becky Hanks
Founder, Owner, Wellness Consultant
Becky is a Master Herbalist, Certified Natural Health Professional, and has a Doctorate of Naturopathic Ministries. Having received much of her training at Trinity College of Natural Health, Becky has trained with leaders in the natural health community including Dr. Bernard Jensen, Reverend Hannah Kroger, and Wendell Whitman.
It was in 2006 that Becky founded the Virginia Chapter of the Certified Natural Health Professionals, where she served as president for two years. She currently serves as the legislative coordinator for the Virginians for Health Freedom.
Becky and her husband live in Prince George and spend their free time traveling and playing with their grandchildren.
Joseph Hanks
Owner, Store Manager
Joseph joined The Herb Basket in 2010. He manages the retail store and focuses on store operations, educational programs and community engagement.
A member of Nature's Sunshine Products' Retail Manager Committee, Joseph works to help develop strategies for improving customer experiences in independent health-food stores & practitioner settings nationwide.
Please contact Joseph with product or services questions, or if you are interested in partnering in community engagement activities (fund-raisers, food drives, etc).
Joe and his wife, Abby, live in Chester and spend their free time making memories with their son, Julian and daughter (Due Christmas Eve 2023)!
Stephenie Blakeley
Licensed Massage Therapist
Stephenie joined The Herb Basket in 2015. She received her massage therapy degree from Centura College and has been practicing massage for over nine years.
Stephenie has several certifications and specialties including: deep tissue, trigger point, myofascial, reflexology, prenatal & therapeutic relaxation.
Stephenie’s goals with clients can be summed up simply: “To make a difference.” A gardening and fitness enthusiast, Stephenie spends most of her free time with her four children and six grandchildren.
Karlaysha Coleman
Licensed Massage Therapist
Hi everyone! My name is Karlaysha, but many know me as Karly. My journey as a massage therapist started during my childhood, just trying to help my grandparents. Both of my grandmothers had strokes and were paralyzed on one side. Not being able to move that side, it would become swollen and very uncomfortable for them. Feeling helpless, my attempt to calm and ease them was massage. To my surprise, it actually worked!
Through the years, I found that, with massage, I could help people in many different ways. I was able to help different family members recovering from hip replacements, sciatica, back injuries, back spasms, muscle cramps, headaches, and tension. I have learned to do deep tissue, myofascial release, cupping, hot stones, reflexology, swedish, prenatal, chair, orthopedic, and craniosacral massage. Massage is more than just pampering someone to me. Its helping people heal.
Sarah Osborne
Team Leader
Sarah joined The Herb Basket in 2020. She is passionate about health and helping people feel their best. She spends significant free time reading and enhancing her knowledge and experience in the fields of health and wellness.
In her free time Sarah enjoys being outside, reading historical fiction and solving puzzles. Her family loves dinner around the table together followed by board games.
Sarah lives in Prince George with her husband and teenage son and daughter.
Abigail Simons
Team Member
Abby joined The Herb Basket in 2018. Abby’s interests include music, art and Japanese culture. Her passion for art has helped shape her skills in graphic design, and has taken a significant role in maintaining The Herb Basket's website.
Abby lives in Petersburg with her cat Callie, and enjoys her time off reading and working with her watercolors.