Today we’d like to introduce you to Charlee Roy

Charlee, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?

My name is Charlee (Johnston) Roy, and I’m the founder and creator of NakdBasics.

My journey started when I struggled with my own skin issues. I had suffered with acne my entire teenage life and tried so many products with no relief.

Fast forward to my early 20’s.

I was working in Burlington at a store called Goodness Me in the supplements department. I was selling lots of skin care products and was always so interested in how they were made and the ingredients involved. I told myself that one day I would do that. I would make a product that would work. I had moved to the city to attend College. I worked multiple jobs ranging from modelling to vet technician. I finally found the position at Goodness Me and absolutely loved it.

Fast forward again to my mid 20’s.

My father passed away in 2013 so I moved from Burlington, Ontario back home to Owen Sound, Ontario to be closer to the rest of my family. I started nursing school the following year to pursue another passion I had; caregiving. I knew I wanted to offer my energy to people in need, and nursing felt like a good fit.

During the 3rd semester of Nursing School, I wanted to bring in some more money to help pay for my tuition as nursing school was not cheap. I approached a centre called The Business Enterprise Centre and enrolled into the Summer Company Program. They helped me start up with a grant to purchase supplies and get the business off the ground.

In my first Summer, I earned enough money to pay for my tuition and continued growing the business with markets and local pop ups in various store fronts in my town.

After I completed nursing school, I worked in my field as a community nurse. I was also then hired by the College I attended to teach the Open Lab Program for RPN, RN and PSW students. I then began my Herbalist Diploma through Dominion Herbal College in British Columbia and gained my Aromatherapist Certificate as well as Reflexology Instructor Certification.

In 2017 I decided to take my business to the next level. I quit my nursing jobs and opened my first brick and mortar. I had started getting into the world of foraging around this time. I was learning a lot from my herbal program and creating new products as I gained more knowledge.

After a short year, I outgrew my space and had to relocate to a much larger and better located brick and mortar right downtown. The business grew very quickly and I continued to expand. I had a do-it-yourself room in the store, as well as a full refillery for skin care and bath products.

I became pregnant with twins in 2018 (which ended up being a very rocky pregnancy and landed me in the hospital for several weeks, 3 hours away from home). My best friend, and store manager, took over and kept the doors open for me while I was away.

I’ve had my Workspace from home since 2020 and finally after almost 5 years. I’m ready to open up another brick and mortar. The new store front is going to have a retail space, an in-house workshop as well as a reflexology clinic. it’s going to be a very unique style storefront, unlike any other in the area. Opening date is November 16th at 1095 1st Ave West in Owen Sound, Ontario. The storefront is set right along the river which adds such a beautiful vibe to the space. I’m incredibly excited!

At the beginning of 2020, I chose to close down my store front. I had a nudge that there was a big shift coming and I’m very thankful I made that move at the time. I went through a divorce and a move all at the same time, so it was a lot of big changes within a short window.

It is now 2023 and I have far more knowledge than I had when I started out. I have learned many lessons and gained a wealth of real life experience from spending my days outside with plants and nature. In the warmer months, I am rarely inside. I often even craft my products outside in the summer months.

I now have a workshop in my attic that I work from. I create skin care products for the face, hair, and body. I also craft bath/shower products. I forage the plant materials needed for many of my products, as well as formulate, create, package and label every single one. I offer workshops to educate others about plant identification, wildcrafting, plant medicine and much more.

I homeschool my 6 year old twin boys so this allows me to work from home and put my attention into my kids. They love to hike and forage with me. We have lots of adventures and it’s been such blessing being able to teach them everything along the way.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?

Like any small business, it’s a rollercoaster. Just when you’re getting ahead 2 steps, you’re kicked back 10. Whether it be shipping issues, increase in ingredients prices, stock issues, shady business deals, etc., there is always some form of hurdle you have to work through. It can be absolutely exhausting some days mentally, but I really can’t imagine doing anything else.

I do it all on my own which can also be really hard as I have to forage, create/craft the products, jar, label, ship/deliver, clean, reorder inventory, manage the socials, answering inboxes from everywhere, texts, phone calls, and everything in between. I don’t work a normal 8 hour day. I tend to put in far more than probably recommended but when you truly love what you do, it’s addicting. I seem to thrive amongst the chaos.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?

I turn plant based ingredients into affordable, great quality skin care for everyone.

I have a custom built greenhouse, as well as a ton of raised beds that allow me to grow and tend to a lot of the plants I use for the products. My mom also has a large piece of land and stunning gardens that she grows specific plants for me as well such as Calendula and Lavender.

My products have become a staple for many which honestly humbles me. It’s pretty wild to be recognized by so many for what I do, even when I go to a different city.

I’m known for making a quality product that’s affordable. In a world where everything is so expensive and people are getting gauged left, right and centre, I started this brand and continue to run this brand with people’s average budget in mind. I can still deliver a reasonably priced product without emptying people’s pockets.

What sets NakdBasics apart is that I not only do the foraging and crafting of the products, I educate people how to plant identify and forage their own medicines and foods to empower them on their herbal journeys. Having a nursing background has allowed me to explain a lot of my teachings on a more medical level which often helps people in their understanding of plants and how they work in and on the body.

I have formed a nice community of budding herbalists who join my classes/walks, and I have really loved watching their passions grow. It truly fills my cups to be able to offer a full spectrum of education.

We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?

Covid-19 really seemed to have awakened the general public. I noticed a huge uptick in individuals wanting to learn more about the plants and medicines around them as their trust of western medicine took a decline. Obviously not everyone falls into that category, but there really was and still is a great divide between people when it comes to the pandemic. I respect everyone’s stand points on the matter. I just found it beautiful how many people took it as an opportunity to educate themselves on their health and more natural ways to heal from the inside. There has been a huge shift among people.

A lot of individuals are really taking their health into their own hands and healing inside and out. Mentally and physically. I’ve seen a lot of people going to therapy (myself included), changing what they’re eating, getting more exercise, practicing gratitude, etc.

The pandemic brought a lot of negative, but also a lot of positive in some aspects as well.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.nakdbasics.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nakdbasics/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NakdBasics/

Image Credits

The photo of my adding mushrooms to the cast iron pan was taken by my friend Sonya. Everything else was shot by me.