Meet Aubrey! The owner and founder of Gathered Botanicals. Many of us here at the studio have been using her products for years! We love that her products are made with locally grown plants.
We spent a gorgeous August evening with Aubrey touring her shop and the local farm she sources her plants from. It was so cool to see her process and the gorgeous retail space she brought to life this year.
Tell us a little bit about your story - how did you get where you are today?
"My formal profession and training is in the culinary world. I am a trained chef and chef instructor. I managed and taught at three recreational cooking schools in the San Francisco Bay Area for eight years. During my time there it was important to me to educate guests on the mindfulness of what we put into our bodies. When I began looking into what I was putting onto my body, as it is also absorbed into the body, I had a hard time trusting what was available on the mass market.
I began adapting my culinary disciple into skincare development. Researching and studying organic and botanical ingredients, and how they interacted with each other gram by gram. When I relocated back home to Michigan it allowed me the opportunity to reconnect with the land, and the glorious plants that grow abundantly around us. Giving me the opportunity to incorporate these wild and local plants into my skincare.
As I continued to introduce this hyper-local botanical skincare to the Grand Rapids area the brand loyalty continued to grow rapidly. When the opportunity for a storefront came about it; it felt as if it was the next move for this business to grow. Knowing the storefront was also an opportunity for me to dive back into the world of recreational classes. Making Gathered Botanicals far more than just a product to sell. Crafting a unique space to not only shop for herbal wellness products, but to experience nature and wellness based workshops on a weekly basis. The storefront opened in January of 2024."
What does a typical day in the life look like for you?
"Juggling motherhood and the entrepreneurial spirit! Shop-days consist of getting kids to where they need to be, and myself to the shop. At the shop I am able to craft my botanical skincare, and work on building class offerings for the months ahead. Home-days consist of chasing three little boys 1,4,and 7 years old all around. A lot of our time is spent outside foraging, collecting, and appreciating the seasons. Drying or distilling botanicals to use throughout the remainder of the year inside the skincare line."
Tell us about your craft. What tools do you use? What is your process?
"All of my skincare is infused with medicinal plants that either grow wildly around us in West Michigan, or are sourced from our local herb farms. Once the botanicals I use are dried they are infused inside organic oils for 4-6 weeks until the oil is enriched with the plant’s medicine.
If the herbs are not undergoing an oil infusion, they will be distilled in traditional copper alembic stills. This allows me the opportunity to gather my own hydrosols and essential oils for use in TONE Flower + Herb Facial Toner. These toners are always so incredibly special to me as the allure of the still always calls. Studying and admiring this ancient art form of transforming plants into a liquid state capturing their aroma, and medicinal qualities for our skin. Pure plant alchemy!"
We think a lot about our natural resources and how we interact with the earth, we know that vividly aligns with what you do, too. How do you incorporate sustainability practices into your life? Into your business?
"Gathering mindfully for a sustainable harvest is always important. Most of what I collect are considered undesirable weeds to most. I adore giving these “weeds” a platform to shine on, and showcase what they have to offer. It is my hope that people may view and appreciate these largely overlooked plants with a new regard.
I utilize biodegradable cardboard tubing for face, lip, and hand care items. Allowing this packaging to be composted once the product filled inside is finished. At the shop I also have a refillery program for the 3-step facial care routine. Allowing guests to return to the shop with their empty bottles to be refilled. As a thank you for repurposing I extend a discount per bottle used. Allowing us to incorporate more sustainability into our daily skincare routines."
What’s your favorite herb to work with, and why?
"So hard to pick! Do I have to pick just one?! Nettle, calendula, no yarrow… no, maybe it is lemon balm. I absolutely adore lemon balm. She’s got it all going on both internally and topically. Whenever I work with her fresh leaves I have to nibble on them as I giddily gather away. Lemon balm has so much to offer our bodies. Whether you’re desiring a cooling refreshing water infusion on a hot summer day, a warm cup of tea when there’s a chill in the air, or a powerful tincture to calm frazzled nerves. Lemon balm can truly support us. All while topically lemon balm helps to soothe facial redness caused by a myriad of reasons, and her astringency helps enlarged facial pores to contract."
What product of yours is a staple in your own skincare routine?
"I’m going to give you three. CLEANSE Facial Cleansing Oil, TONE Facial Toner, ENRICH Facial Oil Serum are all richly a part of my nightly skincare routine. I hope I never have to live without them!"
