Meet Kelly Hughes

We were lucky to catch up with Kelly Hughes recently and have shared our conversation below.

Kelly, thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts with us today. We’re excited to dive into your story and your work, but first let’s start with a broader topic that might be stopping many of our readers from pursuing their dreams – haters, nay-sayers, etc. How have you managed to persist despite haters and nay-sayers that inevitably follow folks who are doing something unique, special or off the beaten path?

As a crystal and metaphysical store, we don’t encounter ‘haters’ in the traditional sense, but we do occasionally cross paths with non-believers. We don’t take that personally—our path isn’t about convincing everyone to believe in what we do. We’re rooted in the understanding that this life experience is bigger than any one of us. We’ve come to see that our individual journeys are threads in a vast, cosmic tapestry and that truth transcends any single belief system. We choose to focus our energy on the like-minded individuals who are drawn to what we offer. They’re the ones we’re here to serve. We’ve learned that it’s not our job to convince everyone—just to stay aligned with our purpose and let the right people find us. That’s how we persist.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

Bear Soul Studio & Rock Shop is a co-owned crystal and metaphysical store ran by the three of us—Gene, Kelly, and Josette. We’re based in Lakewood, Ohio, and we offer a wide range of crystals from around the world, metaphysical tools, and intuitive services to our community.

Bear Soul was originally founded by Lisa Owen and Gene Corn. Lisa was a shaman, artist, Orisha priestess, and spirit artist. Before opening the brick-and-mortar location, Lisa and Gene traveled across the country to metaphysical pop-up events and larger gatherings like Starwood, Brushwood, the Tucson Gem Show, and Nelson Ledges, sharing their collection of crystals and tools. After a long battle with breast cancer, Lisa felt called to slow down the travel and focus on building a community-centered space—which on August 29, 2018 birthed Bear Soul Studio & Rock Shop. There, she continued to offer intuitive readings and her unique spirit portraits, where she would channel a person’s ancestors, guides, and higher self, and paint what she saw on canvas, accompanied by a reading.

Lisa passed away in September 2021, but there was no question in our hearts that we would carry on Bear Soul in her memory. She made it clear that she wanted the shop to live on and be cared for—and we take that responsibility to heart. Bear Soul has become a second home for many in the community. Today, we continue to offer crystals, metaphysical tools, and divination services like Kelly’s stone, bone, and rune castings. We also host a full schedule of monthly workshops, and recently held a psychic faire with multiple intuitive readers. Bear Soul is more than a shop—it’s a space for connection, learning, healing, and honoring spirit and community.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

For us, having a strong understanding of the crystals and metaphysical tools we sell. This helps us guide people with care and intention. The second piece is listening to and learning from the people in our community. When you tune into what people are seeking—whether it’s healing, clarity, or connection—you’re able to serve from a place of authenticity and heart. Lastly, location really does matter. Being in a space and neighborhood that aligns with your energy and offerings allows your work to thrive organically.

Our advice to anyone starting out would be: study what you’re passionate about, listen to your community, and trust that the right people will find you when you’re rooted in your purpose.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

Stop, collaborate, and listen! – But in all seriousness, we pause or at least try to! We take a breath, maybe step away for a moment, and check in with ourselves. Sometimes your just hangry or exhausted, and a quick reset makes all the difference. Once we’ve grounded ourselves, we come back to the situation and ask: What exactly are we overwhelmed by? We talk it through together and try to problem-solve. Sometimes there’s a clear solution—and sometimes there isn’t. In those cases, we remind ourselves that not everything needs to be fixed right away. We give it up to the universe, trust the timing, and keep moving forward.

Our advice: take a breath, lean on your people, and remember that most things work out the way they’re meant to—just maybe not on your schedule.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bearsoulrocks?igsh=MXJpZGlzZ2RlMjVoOA==
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