09/09/2026
What began as a high school internship through Brightpoint Youth Evolvement has led to meaningful employment for Sequoya at Nature's Mercantile in Auburn. Her story is also a full-circle Brightpoint success story: Nature's Mercantile is a Brightpoint Development Fund small business loan client and is now helping a local student gain valuable workforce experience!
Located in downtown Auburn, Nature's Mercantile LLC is a natural skincare and modern apothecary offering handcrafted soaps, lotions, herbal products, teas, candles, and wellness products. Owner Heather Magner connected with the Youth Evolvement Program because she saw an opportunity to provide students with real-world experience in a small business environment.
"As a small-business owner, I saw it as a chance to expose young people to the many different parts of operating a business while giving them meaningful work they could take ownership of," Heather explains.
As Sequoya's experience grew, so did her responsibilities. Today, she manages much of the store's herb and tea department, maintaining inventory, packaging products, tracking lot numbers, organizing storage, and keeping product information current.
The experience has helped Sequoya build confidence and broaden her perspective.
"Definitely getting to see and communicate with more people has opened my mind to what it's like being around such a diverse group of people," she shares.
This isn't the first time Nature's Mercantile has partnered with Brightpoint. The business previously received small business assistance through the Brightpoint Development Fund.
Today, that investment has come full circle, as Nature's Mercantile helps a young person gain the skills, confidence, and experience needed to succeed in the workforce.
Sequoya is now an official employee and plans to continue working at Nature's Mercantile through her senior year of high school.
Sequoya's journey from intern to employee is one example of what's possible when local businesses invest in local youth. 💙
📖 You can read more of this story and others in our latest newsletter.
Image description: Teenager stands smiling inside a skincare and apothecary small shop, behind a tiered basket of soaps. Quote overlay reads: I've learned a lot about herbs and soap making, and I've also learned how to run a business. It's been awesome. - Sequoya