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Chrysalis Herbs
Owner:
Susan Evans
Founded: 1998
Location: Indian Hills, CO
Employees: none
Annual Sales (if you’re willing)
Varies, spring and summer can be quite lucrative, I travel in
the fall and winter and spend most of it.
Q: How did you start (or become owner)
of the business? I decided on a career change after having
my own landscaping company and experiencing escalating burnout.
After returning to school and getting certified in clinical
herbalism I started Chrysalis Herbs.
Q: What made you choose this type of
business? I have always worked with plants and have a
fascination with medicinal herbs and edible weeds. I had been
making tinctures, teas and salves for years for family and
friends. When I started getting calls from friends of family and
friends, I decided to study in depth before I ended up on the
six o’clock news.
Q: What is your background? Started
out working for a landscaping company in Illinois, then moved to
Colorado and worked as a manager of a garden center and
greenhouse. Always had a plan to start my own business. Along
the way also took courses in business and interior design. Took
whatever courses I could find on herbs and wild plants and then
went to the Rocky Mountain Center for Botanic Studies for two
years and completed their course in clinical herbalism.
Q: What are your biggest challenges as
an herb business? Focus. There are so many things I do. I
teach cooking and crafting with herbs, gardening, do herb walks
and women’s retreats, write, do garden consulting and work with
people on their health. Sometimes I think I need to just sit
back and pick one or two to focus on but the only thing I have
really cut back on is the health consultations.
Q: What are the biggest rewards of
being an herb business? Working with plants and having the
freedom of owning my own business. With that comes all the
responsibility of making sure it’s profitable and covering all
the expenses of taxes, insurance, etc. and being able to pay the
mortgage.
Q: What is your philosophy of customer
service? I try to have everyone come away with something
that will enrich and expand their life, whether that be through
discovering the amazing qualities of plants they are stepping on
every day, inspiring them to cook healthy meals for themselves
and their family, learning how to make their own medicines or
how to become more independent by growing their own food.
Q: What makes you stand out from your
competitors? I have a lot of experience with plants in all
their many facets. I am willing to work one on one or with
groups on a large series of topics. My gardening consultations
are specifically for home gardeners who want to do it themselves
but just need a little guidance. I also do personal herb walks
so people can discover what wild plants are on their land.
Q: What plans do you have for your
business? I will pretty much keep it as is. I have started
speaking to larger groups and really enjoy it and wouldn’t mind
traveling more to speak. Would like to expand the gardening
consultation end of the business with a brochure to hand out at
classes, right now it is just word of mouth. Would also like to
start doing day long workshops at my house. We are putting in a
second bathroom this summer, I live in a log cabin in the
Colorado foothills, so that should make things easier. Would
like to have small groups up for gardening and cooking classes
and high teas.
Q: Is your family supportive of your
business? Pretty much. They were all very dubious at the
start, but now often turn to me for advice on ailments and
health solutions.
Q: What do you wish you’d done
differently with the business? Kept the garden aspect going
from the start. As a clinical herbalist I spent the 1st
eight years of the business renting office space and seeing
people with health problems. Although rewarding, it is very
draining, as you sometimes spend 6-7 hours on research to get
paid for a one hour appointment. A lot of people want to just
take an herb, not do the lifestyle and diet changes that are
essential for real change. It was frustrating at times. I love
watching people connect with plants and the earth, so the
gardening and teaching element is a lot more rewarding.
Q: What do you think people starting out
should know about getting into your type of business? Don’t
expect to make a fortune and give yourself time to succeed. You
can certainly make enough to live on but I don’t know any rich
herbalists. If money is your goal you would be better off with
real estate. Do your homework. Don’t go out suggesting herbs for
people if you don’t know your herbs extremely well. Plants
are medicines and can impact people with medical issues in
negative ways. Finally, if you are not a disciplined soul, think
twice about starting your own business. It takes belief in
yourself and a lot of work.
Q: How has the internet helped/hurt
your business? This is one area where I lack discipline.
Maureen did a wonderful web site for me, but I count on the
various places I teach and word of mouth for most of my
marketing. That said, I have gotten some very good opportunities
through my website and I can’t imaging not having one, it is
really essential in today’s business world.
Q: How long has it taken for your
website to pay off? It pretty much paid off from the start.
My students can go there and see where and what I’m teaching.
Potential clients can go there and see what services I offer
without ever having to talk to me.
Q: What things have you done to promote
your website? I have it listed on my logo which goes on all
my class handouts. Whenever I am teaching at a large venue I
have them put it up on their website. I also list it on any
published articles and of course my business card.
Q: Is there anything else you’d like to
tell people about your business, growth, or plans?
I guess I would just say that it is a fascinating field that
is growing as people yearn for a more natural and connected way
of living. I meet wonderful people every day and there is always
something new to learn. I can’t imagine making a living any
other way.
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