One of the absolute pleasures of running Yogipod is meeting others who also run small businesses. It’s always inspiring to hear their stories, particularly when so many of those I find myself in community with are female founders. In this series I’m going to introduce you to their businesses and most importantly the founders themselves.
Hannah is the founder behind aromatherapy brand Sage and Grace. Set up in 2018 Hannah hand blends all the natural scents herself from her studio. All her products are natural in origin, using 100% soy wax and pure essential oils. This ensures the products are free from toxic artificial fragrances, and free from paraffin and other harmful chemicals. All products are also vegan and cruelty-free.
Sage & Grace creates unique aromatherapy blends in candles, rollers, diffusers and wax melts, what inspired you to start creating these and start your business?
It was my sister-in-law who led me to essential oils and their powers. Embarking on a wellbeing journey of her own, she opened my eyes up to what these oils could achieve and how easy it is to incorporate them into our daily lives. Suffering with mental exhaustion from my PhD, I began creating unique blends to help me. Since those early days in 2018, I have created blends to help with a range of emotions, and knowing people are benefitting from these is now my ongoing inspiration.
What do you think the best thing is about having your own business and running Sage & Grace?
For me, the best thing about running my own business is the creative freedom I have from start to finish. I also love being able to collaborate with other like-minded small businesses.
Conversely what do you find the most challenging?
Being alone. There are moments where your head is so full of ideas but as one person, you are only able to act on 1 or 2 at a time. I am very lucky to have my parents full support who I bounce ideas off constantly, almost daily!
You blend all of your products yourself, what does that process look like?
This is one of my favourite parts of my business. I knew from day 1 that I wanted to create unique scents that no one else could replicate. Of course, in order to do this, you have to start from scratch and blend multiple batches together before finding ‘the one’. When I am creating a new blend, before anything practical, I research and pick the oils I want to test first. I will create several blends with the same purpose in mind and let them sit for a few weeks, to note the changes and let the oils harmonise with one another before selecting the oil blend to test.
As someone who aims to help people use scent to strengthen their connection to their emotions, what is one thing that you would suggest to people to get started with this?
It’s all about habit. We all know, even if it’s not consciously all the time, how important our sense of smell is and the power it has to transport us back to a memory or a feeling. Rather than associating scent with our past, we can use it to help our future. Begin with a blend that connects to you. You can find this by closing your eyes and gently inhaling blends, not knowing any of the details or scents included. You will be drawn to a specific blend and this is the blend that you need at that moment. Start with this blend and use it at any moment you feel relaxed/happy/energised (your desired emotion). You will then build the connection between that scent and that feeling, and when you want to achieve that emotion you can use the blend to transport you there.
Creating a community around a small business is, I think, one of the privileges of running one. What five words would you use to describe what you would like your business to bring to the community around it?
Freedom, trust, wellness, positivity and luxury.
I know we aren’t supposed to have favourites but what is your favourite product you’ve ever created and why?
Ooh this is a tough question. I think it’d have to be my Spring Refresh or Winter Wonderland blends. Both took extensive testing, and many many attempts to get right and funnily enough, they are one of my most popular scents. It must show!
What does a typical day look like for you?
I prioritise movement in my day so I would typically get up early and head to the gym or out for a run/walk. I am an early bird so the mornings are my most productive time of the day and when I tackle mentally demanding tasks, such as research, website updates and maintenance and advertising. The afternoon is when I will make, pack orders, tidy my studio, reply to emails, and create content. I either walk my orders to the post office in the day or if there are too many I will drive to my local post office which stays open until 10pm, a small business godsend!
When running a brand in the wellness sector it can be assumed that as founders we have everything sorted, when it can often be the total opposite. What do you do to look after yourself or what would you like to do more of?
It’s taken me a good few years to really figure out what makes me relax. For years I used to say “I just can’t relax, relaxing isn’t for me”. That couldn’t be further from the truth, but the difference is I find relaxation in hobbies that are otherwise perceived as the opposite – hiking, running, cycling, swimming. Don’t get me wrong, I can watch a good film or series but I typically find I’m at my freest, mentally and physically when I’m outside in nature.
What does the future hold for Sage & Grace?
I have a vision for what I want S&G to be, which in turn is for me personally too, but it’s a vision I keep close to my chest. The business is an extension of me, and I would like to continue having freedom, spontaneity, and a business that works around my needs. Of course, I would like to see S&G stocked across the country and to evolve naturally into a household wellness brand.
Did you know Hannah and I have collaborated on our Relaxation Bundle? Shop a gorgeous gift bundle of one of Yogipod’s best selling eye pillows, some yoga cards to inspire practice and a choice of aromatherapy roller. Perfect to inspire some relaxation in the one you love and care for