Offshore Oasis

A new Waseca shop  which opened Monday, July 7, states its goal is to provide healthy, natural products to the community. Offshore Oasis, owned and run by Waterville resident MiKayla Miller, is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays. 

 

Located downtown at 118 State Street South, Suite 104, Miller has filled the store with teas, shower steamers, bath salts, soaps, candles, crystals and more. 

 

“There’s so many different byprodcuts, different chemicals, that are put into anything, even what you brush your teeth with. And that’s not things that our body needs. So trying to find a good way to still take care of yourself but not fill yourself with all of those icky chemicals,” Miller said. 

 

Miller worked in healthcare for more than ten years. She says what she saw inspired her to take a look at the state of the planet and begin looking for more natural products. 

 

“These products are natural, eco-friendly, zero waste, no harsh chemicals,” Miller explained. “And that’s all of the things that your body and the planet need.” 

 

Along with healthier products, Miller said she wants to provide an affordable option so people aren’t breaking the bank to stay healthy. “Just because it’s good doesn’t mean it has to be expensive,” she added. 

 

Right now, Miller says she has a large stock of tea meant to help with conditions ranging from menopause and fibromyalgia. She also has more unique products including dried jasmine pearls that open in hot water. 

 

Miller said she decided to open a shop in Waseca because her two daughters go to the Montessori here and her mother is a nurse for ICAN. 

 

“It’s a nice community. There’s a lot of history here and people are very friendly,” Miller said. “So just being able to work better as a family, as a community.” 

 

One of the biggest challenges Miller said she’s come across is the business side of things. As a healthcare person, she said she is not necessarily a business person, but a “people-that-cares-about-people kind of person.” However, she said at the end of the day paperwork is paperwork, whether that’s numbers or counting medications. 

 

She says she hopes customers will give her plenty of feedback, giving their impressions of her products to let her know how she can adjust. Miller added she is “here to help serve you.” 

 

“People are really excited. I’ve kind of been throwing the word out there that you can do online ordering. There’ve been a couple people who have done that,” Miller said. 

 

Miller said she finds it surreal that she has become a storekeeper, since it is not something she ever pictured herself doing. She finds it exciting, both because she gets to sell healthy products, and because she is a meth addict in recovery. As of the day of this publication, Miller is seven years, four months and 15 days clean. 

 

“I have built myself up from living in the back of my boyfriend’s car with nothing but the clothes on my back to opening a store today. It’s amazing,” Miller said.