We were lucky to catch up with Alexandria Dierkes-whitson recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alexandria , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

In 2015, my life changed dramatically. My health, which had already been fragile from battling chronic Lyme disease, hit a breaking point. I was forced to leave my job and move back home – a humbling and challenging time that left me questioning everything. At first, it felt like my world had shrunk. I was confined to my bed, overwhelmed by physical pain, emotional turmoil, and a sense of defeat.
But as I sat in that stillness, I realized something powerful: I could either let my illness define me or use it to fuel a new purpose. Slowly, I began to reclaim my creativity. I started with beadwork – crafting necklaces, earrings, and hatbands – and selling them to bring a spark of joy and independence back into my life. That small step inspired me to dream bigger, and I taught myself graphic design, eventually launching a home and lifestyle website filled with products I designed.
Throughout this journey, I was also on a deeply personal quest for healing. My passion for holistic remedies grew as I researched natural ways to support my body through its struggles. This led me to pursue a Master Herbalism degree, which became the foundation for my second business, Dakoda Herbals. I knew I didn’t want to just heal myself – I wanted to help others find natural solutions for their health challenges, too.
My mission is simple yet profound: to bridge the gap between traditional herbal remedies and modern health needs. Through Dakoda Goods & Co. and Dakoda Herbals, I create products that not only serve a purpose but tell a story. Our herbal teas, pet remedies, and unique wellness solutions like hangover strips and menopause tea are crafted with care, inspired by the wisdom I’ve gained from years of healing.
What sets us apart is our commitment to empowering others. I believe deeply in the power of knowledge and community to transform lives. By sharing the tools and insights I’ve gathered, I hope to inspire others to reclaim their health, one step at a time. My journey wasn’t easy, but it’s taught me that resilience, creativity, and a connection to nature can lead to incredible transformations.
Through Dakoda Goods & Co., I’m not just offering products—I’m offering a piece of my story, a path to wellness, and a reminder that we all have the power to nurture our minds, bodies, and spirits.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

For those who may not know me, I’m Alexandria, the founder of Dakoda Goods & Co., a creative business that combines my love for design, holistic wellness, and personal healing. My journey into this industry started from a deeply personal place. In 2015, I was forced to leave my job and move back home due to chronic Lyme disease. It was a humbling and challenging time, but it also sparked a transformation.
I began by channeling my creativity into beadwork, crafting and selling jewelry and accessories. That small step gave me the confidence to expand, teaching myself graphic design and launching a home and lifestyle brand offering Western-inspired decor and products. At the same time, my passion for holistic healing led me to earn a Master Herbalism degree, which became the foundation for Dakoda Herbals, an extension of Dakoda Goods & Co.
Through Dakoda Herbals, I offer a range of herbal wellness products, including teas, face serums, pet remedies, and unique items like hangover and sleep strips. One of my most meaningful products is our pms peace tea blend and menopause tea, created to support women during a significant life transition. What sets my business apart is our mission: to bridge the gap between traditional herbal remedies and modern health needs, offering sustainable, high-quality products that empower individuals to nurture their physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
I’m most proud of how Dakoda Goods & Co. has grown into more than just a business. It’s a reflection of my journey, resilience, and passion for helping others. I strive to create products that solve real problems for my clients, whether that’s supporting sleep, managing stress, or addressing the unique challenges we face every day. Beyond the products, I aim to educate and inspire through my work, helping others discover the transformative power of herbs and holistic wellness.
To potential clients, followers, and fans, I want you to know that everything I create is deeply rooted in my personal experiences and a genuine desire to uplift and empower others. My work is a celebration of creativity, resilience, and the healing power of nature. Through Dakoda Goods & Co., I hope to provide you with not only thoughtfully crafted products but also the tools and knowledge to embark on your own journey toward vibrant health and well-being.

We’d love to hear your thoughts about selling platforms like Amazon/Etsy vs selling on your own site.

We sell primarily through our website at dakodagoods.com, which integrates our herbal products with our lifestyle and home decor offerings. Having our own website gives us full creative control over our branding, user experience, and the story we want to tell. It’s a space where customers can explore the full scope of what we offer in one place.
To reach a wider audience, we also sell on platforms like Etsy, where our herbal and home decor products are available. Etsy is a great way to connect with customers who are already seeking unique, handmade, and niche products. However, the competition is high, and while it helps with visibility, it can be a challenge to stand out.
We’ve also started listing a few of our home decor items on Amazon, with plans to scale our herbal product line there in the future. Amazon is excellent for reaching a massive audience, but the platform’s fees and the need to optimize listings can be a learning curve. The same can be said for our website, as it’s challenging to get organic traffic to our site.
Ultimately, each platform serves its purpose. Our website is the heart of our brand, while Etsy and Amazon help us increase visibility and connect with customers who may not have found us otherwise. The challenge is balancing the benefits of these platforms while continuing to drive organic traffic to our website, which remains a top priority.

Can you talk to us about manufacturing? How’d you figure it all out? We’d love to hear the story.

When it comes to our products, we take a hybrid approach. For our home and lifestyle items, we work with trusted manufacturers to bring our designs to life. On the herbal side, many of our products, like teas and serums, are made in-house and shipped out personally by me. Additionally, we offer a range of nutritional and herbal supplements through one of our manufacturing partners, who independently tests every product to ensure it meets the highest quality standards.

We decided to partner with manufacturers for some of our products because we didn’t have the bandwidth or the specialized facilities to meet the necessary testing and compliance requirements on our own. Finding the right partners wasn’t easy—it took a lot of time, effort, and trial and error. The biggest lesson I’ve learned through this process is the importance of research. I wanted to ensure that every product we offer is something I can stand behind with full confidence, which means thoroughly vetting manufacturers, understanding their processes, and making sure they align with our mission of providing the best for our customers

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.dakodagoods.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/dakodaherbals. www.instagram.com/dakodagoods