As a Holistic Clinical Naturopath with over 5 years of experience in the health industry, Mickayla Hosking believes that health is built from the basics, using food as medicine first and foremost, and creating healthy habits. She wanted to use her knowledge of nutrition and herbal medicine to give everyone the ability to truly manage their health, and launched Rosemary Naturopathy, a specialised online clinic helping create holistic and natural health rituals to build the foundations for long-term health and longevity. Their specialties include preconception and pregnancy, fertility and family health. Here, Mickayla talks to The Natural Parent Magazine about the inspiration behind her business, the challenges she has faced along the way, and her plans for the future.
The passion: What inspired you to set up your business?
The inspiration for my studies began at the end of my mother’s terminal cancer journey. She was a midwife, and while I didn’t realise it at the time, gave me a lot of my caring and nurturing traits. I started my Bachelor of Health Sciences degree in her last months and studied for the next five years. I am generally quite an independent person and love working on little projects, so naturally setting up a little business for myself suited me. I developed quite the love of nutrition during my studies, and I wanted to take my knowledge of nutrition and herbal medicine and give everyone the ability to truly manage their health. So many of our day-to-day habits affect our health long-term. I know I can honestly change people’s health outcomes through these day-to-day habits.
The launch: How did you start out in the beginning?
I opened Rosemary Naturopathy in 2020 to bring practical healthcare and natural medicine to those in need, from home. I used my savings and bought a starter dispensary and a few tea blends. It took time, but I had help from my family and fellow graduates to help me promote my business. Opening a business in the middle of a pandemic is crazy and definitely not easy. Having the ability to operate online does make the transition easier and allows my business to reach further across Australia. I love working in my business, but I could not have done it without my support network.
The innovation: What was the biggest breakthrough for you with your business?
The biggest breakthrough for me was realising I loved educating kids and families on how to nourish themselves. Those clients gave me so much energy and it was so heart-warming to see how much nutrition and a bit of help from a few herbs could bring such a vibrant change. Good food brings more positive behaviour, clearer skin, better energy levels, and can really bond a family through cooking. Putting my focus on family health and fertility allows me to learn deeply around this area and bring that depth of knowledge into every single treatment plan for my clients.
Yin and Yang: How do you balance work and family?
To be honest, I am still learning. I still work part time and have my business. Naturopaths always talk about preventing burnout and looking after yourself, so I try to implement relaxing activities and outside time into my days off. You can’t be your best or feel your best without making sure your foundations (of health) are in check. Having a business and working part time takes up a lot of mental space. I invest myself into each client, so I value this time to recharge and rest too. I use the same methods with my clients too, as it’s so common for parents to neglect some of their own basic needs to fulfil their child’s.
