Having a child who also suffered from eczema helps me understand first-hand the challenges that most people have to deal with when they or their loved ones have eczema. Seeing how these products have helped my son’s skin heal and reduce the need or duration of antibiotics use makes me feel so grateful to have come across these studies that has enabled me to formulate skin care products that actually work quickly and effectively.
Yin and Yang: How do you balance work and family?
I have to remind myself that my boys won’t be this age forever and make the effort to do things with them that we both enjoy, such as cycling together or baking a cake together. On my days off I love to potter about in the garden and shade-house where I grow my orchids and seeds. My partner is a stay-home dad so it’s a lot easier to be able to dedicate time to grow what I love. When the boys were younger it just wasn’t possible, but now that the youngest is 5 years old, I’m finding I can do some work after they have gone to bed or when they are playing together. I treat this more as a hobby as I still work 4 days a week as a pharmacist-owner in a very busy community pharmacy.
The drive: What challenges have you overcome?
There were challenges with getting the base of the Wound Healing just right. We wanted it to be a 100% natural product but also having enough penetrating ability to make it work quickly and effectively. It was difficult to find a base that would do everything, stay where it was applied, provide hydration and be occlusive, and still be natural and safe, but we’ve finally found the blend that works the best.
For better or worse: What are the pros and cons of running your own business?
It’s great to know that your every thought and action counts, and that I can find ways to be creative in my own business. In my line of work, I get to affect so many people’s lives in a positive manner and it’s great to be able to inspire, encourage and uplift others when they need it. I am lucky to have a great team working alongside me and every day it’s challenging but fun to keep evolving and be relevant.
A small con is that I can’t take long holidays away, but we live in such a beautiful part of the world that it just seems like magic at my doorstep, so I’m always happy to be close to home and work.
Hopes and dreams: What next?
I hope to get these products in other pharmacies in Perth and all over Australia as it would benefit so many other people. I would also love to collaborate with an outlet like Kings Park to bring the healing and nourishing properties of plant-based skincare to more people. My dream is that we realise the goldmine we have that surrounds us in nature and work to protect and look after that which can heal us. Living in harmony with nature, not wrecking it.
To learn more about Botanical chemist and their products, visit their website and follow their journey on Facebook.
