1610 Boston Post Road Old Saybrook, CT 06475
(860) 877-8273. Serving the CT Shoreline towns!
Our Journey: From Harm Reduction to Holistic Wellness
Since opening our doors in 2011, our focus at Natural Paths – Alternative Solutions has always been on harm reduction. We were originally known as Northeast Vapor Supplies and were dedicated to providing safer alternatives to combustible tobacco products.
In 2016, a pivotal moment reshaped our direction. While introducing a new product line at a trade show, our co-founder, April Meyers, suffered a debilitating migraine that neither prescription nor over-the-counter medications could alleviate. A friend recommended she try CBD, and within an hour of taking a CBD tincture, April experienced enough relief to continue her work.
Seeing firsthand the value of natural alternatives, April began exploring and testing products such as CBD, kava, kratom, and other natural solutions. By the end of 2017, our name had changed to Natural Paths – Alternative Solutions, reflecting an expanded commitment to natural wellness and harm reduction.
April also pursued other holistic approaches, including aromatherapy, UV light therapy, red light therapy, and more—continually learning and enhancing her expertise. Her passion for aromatherapy led her and her daughter, Kaley, to start a second business in 2017, called Stripped, which focuses on all-natural bath and body products and can be found on both Etsy and Amazon Handmade.
Despite her expanding knowledge and enthusiasm, April’s limited time made it challenging to fully develop new ideas that could help even more people. Fast forward to the early fall of 2024, when April met Eileen Parent, co-founder of the local nonprofit Access Navigation
(www.accessnavigation.org), at a community event. The two intelligent and creative entrepreneurs not only discovered a common passion for helping others, but also realized many of their ideas closely aligned, and often mirrored each other’s.
As Eileen shared her vision for Access Navigation, April knew she wanted to be involved—and Eileen wholeheartedly welcomed her participation. The only obstacle was Access Navigation’s need for a location to launch its pilot “Hub.” After a few unsuccessful attempts to secure a space, April offered to share her own.
Beginning in January 2025, Access Navigation—a 501(c)3 nonprofit whose mission is "to save lives by creating solutions that combat the current mental health crisis and build a brighter future through innovation, community, and accessible support"—will share space with Natural Paths – Alternative Solutions. Through this partnership, Access Navigation will implement its wellness programs, while Natural Paths provides consultative support and a physical location for the Hub. The first of these programs to launch will be “HydroHope,” with more to follow.
In an exciting development, April Meyers, Managing Partner at Natural Paths – Alternative Solutions, will also serve as the Hub’s pilot Executive Director, while Eileen continues to oversee the Hub, support retail operations, and expand the nonprofit’s broader initiatives. Both women—along with a team of professionals dedicated to advancing the nonprofit’s mission—are eager to see this collaboration flourish. Their shared goal is to empower our local community with innovative, accessible pathways to wellness.
We hope you’ll visit often and join us in the programs and services that feel right for you on your wellness journey.
Natural Paths - Alternative Solutions
1610 Boston Post Road Old Saybrook, CT 06475 USA (Inside of Northeast Vapor Supplies)
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