On a list of U.S. cities where Chinese medicine is popular, Phoenix probably wouldn’t even make the top ten.
The owners of Mount Sunny, a clinic on Central Avenue and Roosevelt Street that primarily provides acupuncture and cupping, knew they had to get creative in order to draw in customers.
“Everyone gets clothing,” said Dr. Shelby Ramirez, who manages the medicinal side of the business. “If [a customer] is unfamiliar with the idea of acupuncture or herbal medicine or things like that, [they] can at least participate from a clothing standpoint and that can kind of be like [their] entry.”
After purchasing a t-shirt or a hoodie, customers may feel more inclined to hear about the benefits of herbal supplements and, eventually, acupuncture and cupping.
The clothes, designed by Shelby Ramierez’s husband, Spencer Ramirez, are made with unbleached cotton dyed with all-natural ingredients.
“We use a lot of the same herbs that you find in our herbal supplements in the clothing just to kind of give a little callback of a way to tie everything in,” she said. “What you put on your body … should be safe enough to put in your body as well.”
Spencer Ramirez, who is in charge of the creative side and retail operations for Mount Sunny, explained how his work ties into the clinic.
“I’m trying to design graphics and garments that can hopefully kind of bring a similar type of feeling that you’re going to get at the clinic,” he said. “I try and ride the line between informative and educational … but also current and eye-catching and something that people will still want to wear as something that’s stylish.”
The couple spent some time living in Los Angeles while Shelby Ramirez completed her master’s degree in acupuncture and Chinese medicine at Dongguk University and Spencer Ramirez worked on his fashion design skills.
Because they both grew up in Arizona, they decided to move back to officially open up their business.
“We both just wanted to go home and be able to take what we learned in Los Angeles and open something up here in Phoenix that hadn’t really been done before,” Shelby Ramirez said.
Mount Sunny started out as just a clinic on Central Avenue, but eventually, the couple opened up a studio and retail space next door to sell clothing, accessories and medicinal products.
The clinic is appointment only, but anyone is welcome to walk into the studio, which is only steps away.
“People will come in and they’ll ask questions,” Shelby Ramirez said. “I think just having an open and inviting environment really helps people feel comfortable.”
Comfort is key in convincing people who haven’t had much exposure to Chinese medicine to try out cupping or acupuncture.
The relaxing music and calming atmosphere of the clinic set the mood for clients before they get their treatment.
Last month, Mount Sunny was featured in the first episode of Facebook’s new “On the Map” travel series.
While it was nice to be featured, Dr. Ramirez does not think the video had an impact on her business.
“We didn’t really see an influx or anything with that, which is totally fine,” she said. “I don’t think that’s the best answer, but it’s the truth.”
Although many new businesses rely on social media to promote themselves, the Ramirezes went a different route.
“The clinic side for sure has completely only been word of mouth,” said Dr. Ramirez. “We’ve just been lucky at not having to do marketing.”
Mount Sunny has encountered challenges along the way, including having to shut down during the beginning of the pandemic, but support from friends, family and their community ensured they never had to worry about shutting their doors for good.
The couple hopes to expand their business in the future.
“Our big focus is to obviously provide care to as many people as possible,” said Mr. Ramirez. “[We would like] to have more locations than we do today.”
Shelby Ramirez agreed.
“I’d love to expand and just continue building out our herbs and clothing,” she said. “The main goal is honestly just bringing knowledge and education and Chinese medicine to people.”
Contact the reporter Amber Victoria Singer at avsinger@asu.edu.
Amber Victoria Singer is a second-year student at Arizona State University's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication pursuing a degree in journalism with a minor in sustainability. Along with being a staff reporter for Downtown Devil, she hosts a weekly DJ shift and music show on ASU's student radio station, Blaze Radio, and interns at KJZZ. In her limited free time, Amber likes to roller skate, thrift and drink extra sweet iced caramel lattes.
