MEET HEALTH WITCH | H.W. APOTHECARY
FOUNDED BY
ASHLEY B. MURPHY
LOCATION: Connecticut
@health_witch_
THE INTERVIEW
Written by Anne Muise, Boston Women’s Market
BWM: Can you tell us a bit about what led you to launch your business? What are your aHa moments?
Ashley: Like most healers, I battled illness and went looking for the answers. I was in my early thirties, serving as a public educator talking in front of people with a serious bout of acne. It really broke my confidence. I was upset with the current standards in dermatology, hormone management, screening and prevention. I wanted to find non-abrasive, healthy alternatives. More than that, I set out to create products that felt less like treatments and more like relaxing beauty rituals. I created beauty and health supporting organic potions that elevate the body, mind and soul, while connecting to something deeper spiritually. The plants used, the bottle artwork, the texture, and smell are mythic. It had to be. What I also came to find out was that the ingredients I was looking for were not currently found in the clean beauty market, and if they were I was not able to drop $200. I had to create top notch quality products in order to heal, calm and moisturize my face. Then I made it accessible for people. I saw a need!
BWM: How have you continued to manage the growth of the company while also finding time and ways to invest in yourself?
Ashley: This business is my passion. I’m such a bookish person. I’m always researching ancient beauty secrets from the Native Americans, the Japanese, Egyptians, to modern advancements made in beauty. Pouring through scientific studies, grimoires (or recipe books as I call them), farmer almanacs and diaries of royalty. A time past, when people had connections to plants and their ability to heal. They didn't find their skincare solutions overnight in a lab, they understood through a millennia of use. This kind of beauty archaeology is my meditation, my enjoyment, and a way of honoring our ancestors. In this kind of work, it’s also a reminder that taking care of yourself is paramount.
“THEY DIDN'T FIND THEIR SKINCARE SOLUTIONS OVERNIGHT IN A LAB, THEY UNDERSTOOD THROUGH A MILLENNIA OF USE. THIS KIND OF BEAUTY ARCHAEOLOGY IS MY MEDITATION, MY ENJOYMENT, AND A WAY OF HONORING OUR ANCESTORS.”
BWM: Our Members are often just beginning to grow their business and many are interested in learning from other successful businesswomen. What key pieces of insight have you learned from launching your business?
Ashley: Network. Guest author on websites and magazines. Get your products out there, samples are great in the beauty industry. Don’t be afraid to send samples to celebrities and hosts who, if called to, will share with their audience. If you are going to grow your business, you are not going to do it alone. Free marketing is also your friend, get out there on Instagram. The @health_witch_ platform has been such an asset.
BWM: With the business acumen you have now, what’s one piece of advice you wish you could tell yourself five years ago?
Ashley: Don’t wait to start your passion, you have more going on for you then you think. You are enough, no more excuses. I wish I would have started sooner!
BWM: We think the stories of failure are just as important as the stories of success. Can you talk about a time that you failed in an entrepreneurial venture or objective? How did you face and overcome this failure? What was the lesson learned?
Ashley: In witchcraft, those failures are the Universe’s way of saying that it was simply not your moment and time. Something better is on the way. Sometimes something unexpected and unappealing has to happen to clear that path for your purpose. Plus, I’m also learning and evolving, and so should you and your business.
BWM: In the name of celebrating other women, what are some of your favorite female brands or shops, local or otherwise?
Ashley: Yes! A shout out to Naturali Nourished, you can find this small business Mama at naturalinourished.com, female operated Blood Milk Jewels at bloodmilkjewels.com, and kick-ass woman witch advocates at witchesmagazine.com.
PRODUCTS WE LOVE
THE REJUVENATION OIL
The Love Potion with 660 roses.