Today we’d like to introduce you to Sami Artus

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?

I’m Sami Jo Artus, and I founded florapothecarie in 2016 because I believe women deserve better, cleaner, cruelty-free beauty.

In 2009, I had a wake-up call while curiously reading the ingredients on my body wash. I was shocked to discover a list of chemicals linked to skin irritations, birth defects, and even cancer. The more I researched, the clearer it became: the beauty industry was not just neglecting our health but also wreaking havoc on our planet through pollution and animal cruelty.

Determined to make a change, I embarked on a personal quest to transform my bathroom into a haven of natural, earth-friendly beauty and self-care. Starting with humble sugar scrubs, I immersed myself in the study of herbalism and the art of harnessing the healing powers of plants for my creations. Each product was a labor of love, crafted with fair trade, organic, and cruelty-free ingredients and packaged in recyclable materials.

My mission extends beyond skincare. It’s about empowering women to reject toxic beauty standards and embrace products that honor both our bodies and the planet. It’s about slowing down for self-care and reconnecting to Mother Nature. It’s a celebration of the magic of the natural world and the power in femininity. It’s about loving ourselves wholeheartedly, inside and out.

The more I became committed to ditching toxic chemicals and embracing the beauty of nature and my own natural beauty, the more I became aware of the other major source of toxicity in my life: the emotionally abusive relationship I was in with a person who dismissed my creations and beliefs, branding me a “dirty hippie” for daring to make natural deodorant—a product that is now one of my best-sellers. In my quest to live a truly non-toxic life, I found my self-worth and ditched him too.

In every florapothecarie jar and bottle, there’s a story—a story of resilience, compassion, and an homage to nature. I stand proudly, not just as a creator of skincare, but as an advocate for those who do not have a voice or have too often been silenced – the Earth, animals, women, BIPOC, and individuals identifying as LGBTQIA+. I regularly donate a percentage of my sales to nonprofit organizations advocating for these groups. Thank you for joining me in this mission to create and celebrate beauty as nature intended it.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?

I’ve had many detractors along my journey – a (now ex-) boyfriend who called me a “dirty hippie” and didn’t support my switch to natural skincare or my entrepreneurial spirit, well-meaning “mentors” who told me I had to sell out or get celebrity endorsements to “go anywhere” with my business, a large razor manufacturer who stole my initial logo and forced me to re-brand, competitors attempting to create identical products and sell them for cheaper (which really only hurts them!). Running a business – especially as a woman and especially solo – is never easy, but I’m pretty resilient and don’t let naysayers get me down!

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?

I handcraft 100% natural and vegan self-care products – facial cleansers, toners, serums, body scrubs & oils, bath salts, and herbal teas. What sets me apart from other “natural” or “organic” or “vegan” beauty brands is that my products are TRULY natural – 100%. I don’t just use natural ingredients in my products, I use ONLY natural ingredients in my products. There are no toxic chemical preservatives, no artificial colors or fragrances. florapothecarie is certified by Leaping Bunny and PETA certified as vegan and cruelty-free which means I don’t use any animal fats or by-products and neither my ingredients nor final products have been tested on animals. I also do not use common allergens like almond oil, which became especially important to me once I discovered my son is allergic to almonds. I use certified fair-trade and organic ingredients whenever possible, and all of my ingredients – including herbs and essential oils – are responsibly sourced. I refuse to work with MLM/pyramid-scheme essential oil companies which disseminate lots of dangerous misinformation about how to use essential oils and are responsible for overharvesting and disrupting the natural environment in order to obtain the plant parts required to make their highly diluted, poor quality essential oils.

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?

I am grateful to Lupo Passero of Twin Star Herbal Education for being my herbal instructor and mentor, to Rachel DeCavage of Cinder + Salt for being such a fearless badass woman entrepreneur and great friend, and my husband Dave for supporting me in so many ways – schlepping all of my products and tent to markets, helping me make products, solo parenting when I’m at a market or otherwise need time to run my business, and loving and supporting me and my business fully.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://florapothecarie.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/florapothecarie/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/florapothecarie
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfFb7KaQVrW-8h1ptu5t8JA

Image Credits

MOJALVO
Adrienne Hess Photography