Laura Sheehan, 48, is celebrating 17 years as owner of Full Circle Market this month. Sheehan is celebrating the market’s anniversary by offering special discounts and giveaways until Wednesday.

Originally from Pulaski County, Sheehan traveled the country while working with the National Park Service, from the great heights of the Smoky Mountains to the gushing geysers at Yellowstone all before returning home to Kentucky.

Winchester Sun: What do you as the owner of Full Circle Market?

Laura Sheehan: I’m the owner of the business, so I do enjoy working with customers, helping people find unique things that they can’t find anywhere else in town. I also do a lot of work behind the scenes, ordering products for the store and working with local vendors to keep the shelves stocked.

WS: What has changed the most throughout the past 17 years Full Circle Market has been operating?

LS: Our product selection has changed a lot. When we first opened, we had a lot more grocery items, but it has trended to supplements, beauty care, bulk items and Kentucky Proud.

WS: What are the main criteria you look for when ordering a product for the store?

LS: Everything that we sell has to meet our definition of natural which means anything that we bring in, regardless if it’s a supplement or beauty care or a Kentucky Proud product, it has to meet that definition. And to us, all natural means no artificial colors, sweeteners or preservatives, no high fructose corn syrup, no MSG and no hydrogenated oils or trans fats … That’s really important to us so that people do not have to read labels when they come in. They know everything is clean; everything is natural. Even our vitamins. We have no synthetic vitamins … Anything new that comes in, we’re making sure it is in sustainable packaging. We’re making sure that things are non-GMO and as much USA made products as possible.

WS: Why do you think it’s important to have this kind of natural and organic type shop here in Winchester?

LS: Smaller towns need access to these types of products. And also people like to talk before making a purchase. So it’s nice that we’re here and can answer questions for people.

WS: Who or what inspires you?

LS: Nature inspires me. I like things that are simple.

WS: What’s the best advice someone has ever given you?

LS: Don’t give up.

WS: What is your favorite product in the store?

LS: It changes. It really does. I love our beauty care products, our soaps. I’m really into our soaps right now; I’m trying to educate myself, and folks about do you really need something in a plastic container? So, I’m really loving all of the bars of soap right now.