This is not just any ol’ New Year. In fact, 2019 marks the 25th Anniversary of Natural Awakenings magazine! Our fearless leader, Sharon Bruckman, began this publication in 1994 as a means of providing healthy living information to her community in Naples, Florida.

Today, there are more than 74 publishers who carry her dream onward across the country—beacons of hope and health for their own communities. Learn more about our humble beginnings on page 10, and check out our awesome Natural Awakenings family tree of smiling publishers pursuing a passion of creating a healthier, happier world.

Natural Awakenings provides a tremendous opportunity for small business owners and entrepreneur wannabes. I am exceedingly grateful to be pursuing a career that makes my heart go pitter-patter. Natural Awakenings provided me with a work passion after spending years at a desk behind a computer, doing work that did not stir my soul. I learned to run a business and received the gift of moving across the country to fulfill my dream in the beautiful, warm Southwest.

But of course, the goal has always been the difference we make in the lives of our advertisers and readers. We are a community of like-minded, intelligent, quirky, inspired health-seekers who are constantly growing and learning from one another. This edition especially shines a light on those in our community that have the most to offer our tribe of healthy Tucsonans. This Natural Living Directory will be an invaluable guide to you throughout 2019—from making healthy resolutions today, to seeking relaxation and rejuvenation during the hectic year’s end.

As always, I am honored to do this work with and for the Tucson family. Here’s to many more years of Natural Awakenings… Cheers!

Holly