For Eleanor Matheson, Wildflower and Bee began with a desire to reconnect with nature, family and the simple, grounded way of life she had grown up with. After returning to New Zealand from Australia with her young family, she found herself drawn to gardening, beekeeping and natural living. When her second son developed persistent skin problems, she began researching botanical ingredients and experimenting with natural formulations at home, eventually creating the Skin Saviour Balm that transformed his skin. What started as a mother’s search for a gentle solution for her own child soon grew into Wildflower and Bee, a handcrafted skincare business rooted in nature, family and Eleanor’s belief in the power of thoughtfully chosen botanical ingredients. Here, she talks to The Natural Parent Magazine about the inspiration behind her work, the challenges she has overcome and her hopes and dreams for the future.
The Passion: What inspired you to set up your business?
After returning home from Australia with my husband, our four-month-old son, and our cat and dog in tow, I found myself longing for a deeper connection to my roots. Growing up in a family that valued natural health, self-sufficiency and living closely with the land, I gradually rediscovered that connection through gardening, bush walks and beekeeping.
When my second son was born, he struggled with persistent skin problems. Determined to find a gentle, natural solution, I immersed myself in research and spent countless hours experimenting with different botanical ingredients. After much trial and error, Skin Saviour Balm was born. It quite literally transformed my son’s skin, giving him the relief we had been searching for, and became the foundation of Wildflower and Bee.
That experience inspired a passion to create truly natural skincare made with purpose-using carefully chosen botanical ingredients that nurture, protect and support healthy skin for the whole family.
The Launch: How did you start out in the beginning?
Wildflower and Bee began quietly, with handmade balms gifted to friends and family. As more people experienced the difference the products made to their skin, I found myself receiving regular text messages and phone calls asking for more. It was then I realised this passion had the potential to become something much bigger than a hobby.
I continued researching, experimenting and formulating new botanical products, always with the goal of creating gentle, effective skincare that truly supported the skin’s natural healing process.
Finding the perfect name took months. I wanted something that reflected not only the products I was creating, but also who I am. Wild represents my free spirit and love of nature. Flower reflects my passion for botanicals and the healing power of the flowers infused throughout my skincare. Bee honours my love of beekeeping and the vital role bees play in our ecosystem.
And so, Wildflower and Bee was born.
The Innovation: What was the biggest breakthrough for you with your business?
The biggest breakthrough for Wildflower and Bee wasn’t one single product; it was seeing the difference my products were making in people’s lives. What began as creating natural remedies for my own family quickly grew through word of mouth. Friends and customers started sharing their stories of skin issues improving, dry skin healing and finally finding products that worked without harsh chemicals.
That was the moment I realised Wildflower & Bee was more than just a hobby. People were actively seeking out handcrafted skincare made with integrity, using locally sourced ingredients, homegrown herbs and beeswax from my own hives. It gave me the confidence to invest in my business, continue developing new botanical formulations and build a brand that stays true to my values.
Every product is still made in small batches with the same care and purpose as those very first jars, and knowing that something created with my own hands can genuinely help someone is still the greatest breakthrough of all.
Yin and Yang: How do you balance work and family?
Life is wonderfully busy! One of the things I love most about running Wildflower and Bee is the flexibility it gives me to work around my family and our lifestyle block. Most days are spent with my children, tending the gardens, caring for the bees and keeping everything else ticking along. Once the kids are tucked into bed, my second shift begins. The quiet hours of the evening are when I can fully immerse myself in creating new products, perfecting formulations, packing orders and responding to emails. It’s not always easy, but building a business around the life I love makes every late night worthwhile.
The drive: What challenges have you overcome?
One of the biggest challenges has been learning how to run a business and understand the financial side of it. Before starting Wildflower and Bee, I had no business experience, so every step has been a learning curve. I’ve had to teach myself everything from pricing and budgeting to marketing and managing a growing business.
Social media has also pushed me well outside my comfort zone. I’m naturally a very private person, so putting myself in front of the camera and sharing my story hasn’t come easily. Over time, though, I’ve realised that people connect with the person behind the brand. While it still feels uncomfortable, I’m slowly becoming more confident in showing up authentically and sharing the journey behind Wildflower and Bee.
For better or worse: What are the pros and cons of running your own business?
Running your own business is incredibly rewarding, but it definitely comes with its challenges.
The biggest advantage is the flexibility. I can build my work around my family and lifestyle, creating products I’m truly passionate about, while doing something that makes a real difference in people’s lives. There is nothing more rewarding than hearing from customers whose skin has improved because of something I’ve created with my own hands.
The downside is that you never really switch off. There are always emails to answer, orders to pack, products to make, social media to keep up with and the financial side of running a business. It can feel overwhelming at times, especially when you’re wearing every hat yourself within the business and have a young, active family.
Despite the long hours and challenges, I wouldn’t change it. Building Wildflower and Bee from the ground up has been one of the most fulfilling journeys, and seeing it continue to grow makes all the hard work worthwhile.
Hopes and Dreams: What is next?
My biggest hope is to see Wildflower and Bee continue to grow while staying true to why I started it in the first place. I never want it to become just another skincare brand. Every product will always be made with love, care and intention, using ingredients I trust and would happily use on my own family.
I’d love to keep expanding the range, grow more of my own herbs and flowers and continue learning about the incredible healing power of plants. As the business grows, I hope it allows me to keep doing what I love while still being present for my family. If Wildflower and Bee can help people feel more connected to nature and give them confidence in what they’re putting on their skin, then I’ll feel like I’ve achieved exactly what I set out to do.
Visit www.wildflowerandbee.co.nz to find out more and to browse their products. You can also follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
