“I’ve been an entrepreneur since I was a child. I grew up wanting to make my career out of things that I enjoy doing,” said 33-year-old Brooke Bridges, a mental health speaker and owner of Brooke’s Botanicals. 

Brooke started dabbling in herbalism in 2016, but immersed herself more fully when she was pregnant with her first child in 2021. She was seeking products that were all-natural and chemical-free and was having a difficult time finding products that would best suit her needs. 

This need led her to learn more about herbalism and holistic wellness, and eventually, to launch Brooke’s Botanicals in 2022. Located in Petersburg, NY, Brooke has over ten years of cumulative experience in herbalism, farming, mental health speaking, and entrepreneurship. In preparation of launching her business, she also enrolled in numerous herbalism and natural skin-care formulation courses. 

“I realized that there were a lot of people looking for the same kinds of products that I was looking for. That inspired me to expand my knowledge about herbalism and get the business off the ground,” she said. 

Locally sourced products

When first launching her business, Brooke operated on a limited stock. Her first year consisted mostly of trial and error, talking to lots of customers, and determining what people are drawn to and want to purchase. “I’ve had to phase some things out. I also have some best sellers that I didn’t expect to be so popular, but people love them,” she said. 

While Brooke sells her products mainly online, she also sells some of her products at Wild Oats Market in Williamstown, MA, and at various farmer’s markets that she attends throughout the region. 

She grows many of the products that she uses herself, and also forages ingredients locally. In addition, she works with local farms – including Soul Fire Farm, a nonprofit in Petersburg that is dedicated to ending racism in the food system, and Foster Farm Botanicals in Vermont – to source natural ingredients for her products. Whatever she is unable to source from local farms, she will look for at local farmer’s markets. 

Over time, she’s learned that skin care products and teas are some of the most in-demand products. Additionally, over the past two years, she has introduced more workshops and classes where she teaches about herbs, why they are beneficial, how to use them, and how to make your own products. 

“My focus now is on combining the two worlds of mental health and herbalism,” Brooke shared. “For example, fragrance can be used as a proxy for positive emotion. Scent is tied to memory, so if you use a scent like lavender when you’re relaxing, then over time, whenever you smell lavender, you’ll associate the scent with that feeling.”

Brooke also hosts youth workshops centered around herbalism and gardening. Similar to the workshops that she conducts for adults, she teaches how to make teas, formulate balms for afflictions such as bug bites, and utilize nature for healing. 

Using nature to heal

As a mom of two toddlers who also works a part-time job, it can be incredibly difficult to find the proper time to dedicate to Brooke’s Botanicals. As such, Brooke is working towards creating a structured schedule for 2025. 

“I’m going to make products on two set days of the week, and I’m going to do launches next year instead of having products available all the time,” she explained. “Next year, products will be available for two months at a time, with a one-month break in between. I’m finding that I have to be more in control of availability, and I think this is a good way to do that.” 

The fact that Brooke also works an additional part-time job is a double-edged sword because while it does limit the amount of time that she is able to dedicate to Brooke’s Botanicals, it also allows her the freedom to explore and learn as she goes without having to constantly worry about making ends meet. 

“I wish I would have taken a class on the administrative side of things,” she laughed. “The bureaucracy stuff has always been my least favorite part. I’m much better at the creative side. Luckily it’s not what I’m relying on 100% for income, so I’ve gotten to try more fun things along the way and learn on my own.” 

In that same vein, the most important lesson that Brooke has learned is to be flexible and able to pivot if something doesn’t go your way. You could have a great idea for a product, she said, but it might flop anyway. 

“You can’t take setbacks as failures. It’s all about learning, and you can always shift and change as necessary.” 

Going forward, Brooke is hoping to host wellness retreats and bring all of the elements of her business together: herbalism, mental health advocacy, and overall wellness. 

“When people are struggling with their mental health, the first thing that tends to go is hygiene,” she explained. “People who take the time to use body butters and take care of their skin or to use magnesium salts in their baths – that’s self care. Having a skin care routine isn’t just about vanity; it is about simply caring for yourself. Ultimately, it’s an investment in yourself.” •

To learn more about Brooke’s Botanicals, visit brookesbotanicals.co and follow Brooke on Instagram @brookembridges.