Alesia is the Founder and Master Crafter at Sea Witch Botanicals. All of the recipes that comprise our natural home and personal care product line originated from Alesia’s expertise and knowledge in the industry. In addition to being a natural products guru, she is a committed steward to the environment, a kind-hearted friend, and a bad-ass momma to the littlest Sea Witch, Ripley. Sea Witch dedicates August 1st, Founder’s Day, to Alesia! Read on for an exclusive interview with the Founder herself!
Q: Why did you start Sea Witch Botanicals?
A: For the environment! I was working for a company that specialized in fragrance oils. At the time, I didn't realize that I was highly allergic to these synthetic scents, so I started avoiding them in my own personal products. It wasn't until I saw how to dispose of some deadstock oils that I realized, these plastic-based chemical cocktails are going down the drain, whether I use them or not!
I had made my decision, I would no longer be a cog in the fragrance oil machine. I quit my job and took my knowledge of soap crafting, foraging, managing a store, aromatherapy, and massage therapy to create Sea Witch Botanicals.
Our goal is to replace fragrance oils with good old fashioned plant-based essences. Say no to plastic!
Q: What is your relationship with the mythological Sea Witch?
A: I have always been drawn to the sea; growing up on the coast is such a blessing. When I decided to open Sea Witch, I felt that I needed to embody a defender of the waterways. I thought of a hedge witch, someone who works her gentle magics creating healing balms, tinctures, and herbal remedies. The sea witch is the spirit I look to every time we make a decision; she symbolizes our mission statement. The sea witch is the brave and crafty defender of the waters.
Q: Do you have a favorite product to make?
A: I use our Woodland Salve the most for sure. I forage for the pine sap and render it to make a healing balm. To me this is a spiritual process, it is more meaningful than making soap or lip balm. I love to craft something knowing it will help someone feel better.
Q: Have you always made your own home and personal care products?
A: From a very early age, I started foraging for things like dandelions, licorice fern, and sap. I would make teas and herbal sachets. At an even younger age I had a weird fascination with soap - anytime a relative would go on a trip I would ask for their hotel soap. By the time I was 11, I had multiple bins full of soaps and lotions.
Q: Do you have any recipes or products that are in the works?
A: I always have a list of about 20 potential recipes in the works. When I have some spare time in the lab I will pick one and make a couple of test batches of it. Sometimes I will wake up and have a recipe waiting in my head, I scribble it down and the next day I crank it out!
Q: What does an ideal day look like for you?
A: Wake up early, drink coffee, take a hike in the mountains with my family and dog, read, go to sleep listening to the rain. Perfection!
Q: What does your morning routine look like? Nightly routine?
A: I love water and I love to be clean, it makes sense I love soap. Every morning I shower using Quoth the raven soap, wash my face with Radiant pearl facial bar, followed by the Soothing facial toner, and hydrate with Lucidum facial serum. I make my own mineral makeup so I put I fine layer of the powder on and head into the lab for a full day of production.
At night baby Ripley comes first, she always gets a bath using an organic print soap, usually Krampus, or a kitten. After wearing makeup all day I use the same three step facial routine as the morning. I always have incense burning to defuse the stresses of the day. If I am lucky enough to sneak in a bath, I have a candle burning, and a few drops of Ring of the Fae in the water.
Life smells pretty great when you make your own home and body products.
Q: What advice would you give to entrepreneurs wanting to turn their passion into a business?
A: Before you do anything — even deciding what you are going to sell, write your mission statement. Your mission statement is your moral compass on your path to self employment. If you can't follow your mission statement, then you are just out to make money, and if you are just trying to make a few bucks, you won't be happy. I believe we should be the change we want to see; the change I wanted to see was a world without harmful chemicals in our home and body products. I never set out to be a soap crafter, I set out to be an environmentalist
We love you Alesia!