I look back now at when the idea of Blair’s Herbals was born. It all started over eight years ago with a simple thought that I should make my own herbal vinegars, teas and salves because I was having trouble trusting that even the organic body care products on the store shelves were clean enough.

Inspired by local herbalists and on-line resources, I began playing and crafting with my backyard plants; soon our house was becoming one big and spreading project space. Every available table top had plants drying on them. Bottles, jars and tins were stacking up in rooms. UPS was delivering regularly. Lots of creative ideas were being born at great speeds–dream pillows, eye pillows, lip balm party kits, bath salt tea bags, sleep sachets, “Good to Go” kits, soaps, etc. Each year expanding and rebranding. Massive lessons. We had fun, frantic and hectic times (it became a family style venture) and the projects had a pace of their own. Blair’s Herbals was taking me places, and I would sit in the mystery of the unfolding.

Getting into the Saturday downtown farmers market was a big turn. I met so many interesting people and that led to more ideas–testing out the market for what people were willing to spend on what kinds of projects. It seemed to me that many people were already going down a path towards personal empowerment in their health. They had tried so many different things that coming back around to simple, clean products with a life force to support our own life force had great appeal. My offerings were new and commanded attention and a strong component was educational. I had a CSA like the farmers only mine was a Care of Self Always (CSA!) subscription the would support regular self care. My booth on 13th Street was awesome. I moved around at first and eventually found my “home” across from Aspen Moon where I would often think of the biodynamic loving elementals going back and forth between our booths. Pete and the boys helped with early morning set up at 6am and take down at 2pm. Learning how to be strategic about what I brought downtown would take a few years but eventually, I learned not only what I could sell under the market “growers only” guidelines but what people wanted for their self care or for gifts. Weather and other events would make sales unpredictable. An introvert at home, I would become an extrovert feeding off of interactions—looking for friends and regulars. I rarely missed a Saturday; wind, snow, rain, cold and heat–I was there. I loved it and it was exhausting and exhilarating. Laughter and tears and lots of hugs! I shared my passion and my purpose—inspiring others to notice the weeds and to become aware of what they were putting on their skin. I developed a loyal following and one customer actually blew me away by driving three hours to pick up hand salve (I did mention my online store for future convenience).

So…community sharing seemed to be a great fit for me. Yes, I have had products in retail outlets and currently do have some in a select few stores (Alfalfas and McGuckins). The retail landscape is constantly changing, the margins remain slim, and regular demos/giveaways are expected. It seems difficult to imagine that scalability for my bootstrapped operation is possible. But then again, never say never! In the meantime, one can still find me online and at local fairs.

I also found Naturally Boulder, a great place for me to meet dynamic and savvy business types in the natural products space. The folks there have been supportive all along the way from the very first time moment I attended a networking event to now—a seasoned attendee eight years later. I even entered a pitch slam contest on a whim a few years ago, and got to present my vision to a couple hundred people. Exciting!

I have been in stretch mode ever since going from an herbal hobby to a real business. I have learned business terminology and hired help in areas of brand design, business development and marketing. More hard work, time and money went into identifying my core values and what products are my favorites and why. Charts, graphs, time management tools and more! So much to do and yet the flexibility and joy of owning my own business and working at my pace in my time was so worth it. I had people wanting to help and yet I had trouble figuring out how to have regular hours—the plants have their own timing and picking the flowers was an art unto itself.

My aim has been to inspire and to keep people connected to the beauty and the magic of the natural world through simple yet profoundly powerful skin and soul care products. I have created natural and herbal enhanced lip balms and salves, bath salts, body oils (with and without hemp). I have hosted workshops on making wild weed pestos and dream pillows. And, I have had children’s camps to welcome them to the art of tending to the elementals and crafting their own natural soaps and lip balms. Birthday parties were fun events too as I would be welcomed excitedly by the girls– “Are you the lip balm lady?”, and knowing that they were making sparkly natural practical party favors was a bonus. These are my wonderful memories of a time of pure outward creative energy.

Now, I write this because all ventures need an in breath and an out breath. I’m no longer at the farmers market after six rich years. I am reflecting on all that I have learned and wondering where I want to take this business venture that has been so dear to my heart—it carries my name and carries my truth.

I am still very much making products just not on the same scale as years past. This first part of the year has been dedicated to pausing and assessing, coming back to what brought me into this business in the first place—my joy of being with the plants. So this spring/early summer has been all about tending to the spirit of the plants and my own spirit. Reconnecting with joy. I long to be still with my herbal allies in a sacred and intentional manner and listen for my next authentic move. What might that be? I’m open and curious. Not rushing it. Trusting I will be ready when I am ready. Divine timing.

Thanks for supporting me along the way. I know that these plants have touched so many people and my gratitude is immense for the feedback. The tenderness of life that we all experience is real. In my short time connecting with people at the market every week, I have noticed that the plants can soften and often help the healing process. It is incredible to witness.

With you in health and connection,
Blair