Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica Marie Coston

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

I’ve always been an animal lover and have volunteered at many different animal nonprofits as well as starting my own, Groom for Love (groomforlove.org). Gardening was also a hobby of mine and I gardened for a herb and vegetable farm CSA while living in Colorado.
I’ve felt deeply connected with plants and animals growing up; since I was a young kid I found solace in them. Plants and animals have been my closest allies and most helpful therapists. I’ve felt called to be a steward for animals and plants for a long time. They’re beautiful beings who should be treated as our equals and who don’t have a voice to speak up for themselves, so are oftentimes unfortunately at the receiving end of negative energy and actions from humans.

It wasn’t until working at a conventional animal hospital that I realized the need for connecting dogs with plants for optimal wellness and a better quality of life. The roots for my business sprouted to a mobile market called Pawsitivitea, offering dog teas, powders and salves, at festivals and markets in Florida and Vermont. I preferred selling at pop-up markets rather than online because I could speak directly to the people, oftentimes meeting their dog, who were consuming the product, This way, I could ensure the remedy was a good fit for them.

As a holistic wellness guide, I don’t believe in the “one size fits all” approach to health. With this approach, I quickly realized consulting was needed in giving dogs appropriate customized attention and for speaking with humans about using herbs with their dogs (there’s a lot to it). Individualized attention of the dogs’ lifestyle, energetics, diet, history, current health and needs is critical in selecting appropriate herbs and maximizing their health moving forward. Dogs not only needed natural health options but also a voice in speaking for those options and making sure herbal selection and administration is done appropriately and safely. My consulting work birthed my business, Dog Herbalist (dogherbalist.com), that I’ve now been running for over six years.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?

Getting my business off the ground while making so little money and having to pick up odd jobs that I didn’t want to do in compensating for my income, was a huge challenge for me. Especially I had experienced making a generous income working at corporate companies.

The positive side of this was that, previous to starting my own business, I had already experienced making a lot of money in doing something I DID NOT enjoy, so it kept me moving forward knowing I wanted long-term work doing something meaningful to me, and knew money alone did not satisfy me previously. On the other hand, I was in my late 20s and my friends were all moving up the latter, making more, starting families. It sometimes felt as if I purposely had set myself back a lot of years. I was starting over with my career.

Essentially, like anyone building and growing a business from the ground up, I was trying to build a business into existence from thin air. This was fun and beautiful and I appreciated the creative aspects, but it wasn’t always easy; like trying to get an airplane to take off from the ground, the initial momentum is TOUGH. There was definitely turbulence. It would have been a lot easier for me to back into corporate, work LESS hours and not be financially stressed out. When starting a business, SO many hours put in aren’t paid. When making remedies and products, just breaking even is the first goal. The expenses of labels, packaging, a website, etc. At the beginning you’re working just to break even and that’s tough.

Getting past the beginning challenges and finally getting to work my business full time (no longer having to pick up other part-time jobs-yay!), the only other challenge I would say is technology and social media. I’m not very tech/social media savvy and in 2024 this can hinder a business from it’s growth potential.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Dog Herbalist?

I hold mostly virtual (phone or video), and sometimes in-person, herbalist consultations for dogs.
This year, I started offering companion wellness; helping dogs and their humans in connecting them with plants and energy therapy, and guiding them on a wellness journey, together. Dogs are at an advantage when their human works on improving their own wellness alongside their dogs.

I also hold Distant Animal Reiki sessions for dogs and their humans. I offer packages with both herbal consulting and Reiki. Energy therapy and plant support are complimentary, and essential, in improving holistic health; gets to the root of issues and for maximizes benefit longterm.

Quick fixes don’t last and/or produce other unpleasant side effects. Humans are slowly understanding this. I examine lifestyle, diet, any trauma, history, dominant emotions, in helping match appropriate plants with dogs and humans. I’m known for an individualized approach versus a cookie cutter approach and rarely examine a dogs health exclusive from their owner’s wellbeing.

I believe humans and dogs exist in relationship to help each other and relate to each other, holistically. Dogs are mirrors can be a powerful health and spirit guide for their human.
Dogs and humans are in continuous exchange of information through heart fields; this non-visible communication is the most powerful, and affects our dogs’ health on a daily basis. This is why I promote dog AND human wellness, encourage energy therapy like Reiki, and oftentimes recommend the same plant remedies for both the dog and their humans.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?

As long as you’re passionate about your direction, and it’s AUTHENTIC to who you truly are and what you want to introduce to the world, from the bottom of your heart, KEEP GOING! Humanity is depending on each of us to bring our authentic selves, the desires of our hearts, in evolving humanity to the highest good for all. You are here to bring your unique gift and no one else can fill your role. It is up to you to bring it. The Universe will have your back every step of the way and it will all be worth it; not only for where you end up, but for how the journey expanded you.

Pricing:

• One-hour Dog Herbalist Consultation: $115
• Dog Reiki and Herbal Work-up: $260
• Dog and Human Distant Reiki Session: $180
• Dog and Human Companion Herbal Wellness Package: $445
• Dog-only Distant Reiki Session: $80

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.dogherbalist.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dogherbalist