We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Alicia Hooks a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Alicia thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?

Yes, the moment that changed the trajectory of my career was deeply personal — it started with my daughter.

She was struggling with anxiety, and as a mother, there’s nothing more heartbreaking than watching your child suffer and feeling powerless. I wanted to help her in a way that felt gentle, natural, and supportive. So, I went to my roots — to the knowledge I had about herbs, their energetics, and how they can bring the body and mind back into balance.

I carefully formulated a tea blend with calming herbs — things like chamomile, lemon balm, lavender, and passionflower. The first time she drank it and genuinely felt calmer, more at ease, I saw it in her body language. That change lit something in me. It wasn’t just about herbs anymore — it was about healing, nurturing, and giving people tools to feel better naturally.

That single act of love for my daughter turned into my purpose. It gave me the clarity to start offering my herbal blends to others — and the confidence to turn my passion into a business.

The lesson I took away: when you create something rooted in care and intention, it resonates. Healing starts at home — and sometimes, your calling finds you through the people you love most.

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.

My journey into plant-based medicine began in high school, driven by a deep curiosity about how plants support the body, mind, and spirit. Over the past seven years, I’ve been crafting herbal remedies for my family, and three years ago, I turned that passion into a professional path. Since then, I’ve earned multiple herbalist certifications and am currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Alternative Medicine to further deepen my knowledge and offerings.

I founded Sekhmet’s Nectar Herb Shop as a space where tradition meets intention. Every product is handcrafted in small batches, using whole herbs and clean ingredients — no shortcuts, just earth-rooted care. I offer a range of plant-based wellness items, including:
• Infused honeys (like elderberry, ginger-turmeric, and cinnamon blends)
• Herbal loose-leaf teas that support immunity, anxiety relief, respiratory health, and more
• Salves and oil infusions, including pain relief and skin-soothing blends
• Tinctures, tonics, and herbal smoke blends
• Seasonal wellness boxes, DIY kits, and educational content for those curious about herbal healing

What sets Sekhmet’s Nectar apart is the intention behind every remedy. This isn’t just a business — it’s a calling rooted in personal experience. One of the most defining moments in my journey was formulating a tea to ease my daughter’s anxiety. Seeing how the herbs helped her find peace sparked a deeper understanding of my purpose: to provide natural remedies that support real lives, every day.

I’m most proud of being able to share plant-based healing in a way that feels personal, accessible, and authentic. Whether you’re new to herbalism or looking for natural alternatives to support your wellness, know that every product from Sekhmet’s Nectar is created with care, backed by knowledge, and inspired by the power of plants.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Losing my brother in March was one of the hardest things I’ve ever experienced. He wasn’t just my brother — he was my best friend, my biggest supporter, and someone who truly believed in my vision before I fully believed in it myself. His passing shook me to my core, and for a while, it felt like the world had stopped. But in that pain, something shifted.

Instead of letting grief consume me, I chose to alchemize that pain — to turn it into purpose. I started moving with more intention, more drive, and more clarity. I began showing up for my business, my daughter, and myself in a way I never had before. Every remedy I crafted, every market I worked, every new product I launched — I did it with him in mind.

My brother’s memory has become fuel for my journey. When I feel tired or uncertain, I think of him and how proud he’d be to see me building something meaningful, something rooted in healing and community. His passing reminded me that life is precious and purpose is urgent.

Resilience, for me, looks like turning heartbreak into momentum — creating a life that honors the people we love and continuing to show up, even when it hurts. That’s the spirit behind everything I do. I go harder for him now — and that energy lives in every part of my work.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I had to unlearn was thinking the world owed me something because of the pain and trauma I’ve been through. For a long time, I carried this weight — feeling like life should give me a break, like someone should come and save me or recognize what I’ve survived. But I realized that mindset was holding me back more than anything else ever could.

The truth is: no one is coming to hand you the life you want — you have to build it yourself. I had to accept that I am in charge of my own destiny. No one owes me healing, success, stability, or peace. I have to create that. I have to become that.

That shift in thinking changed everything. Once I let go of waiting for permission, approval, or a miracle, I started showing up for myself — taking risks, starting my business, going back to school, investing in my growth, and creating the life I knew I deserved.

It wasn’t easy, but it was necessary. That unlearning taught me my own power. It taught me that surviving isn’t the end — choosing to thrive in spite of everything is where true healing begins.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sekhmetnectarherb.etsy.com/
• Instagram: @sekhmetsnectarherb
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alicia-hooks-946b252b8?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
• Youtube: SekhmmetsNectarHerbShop