Today we’d like to introduce you to Alyssa Reed.

Hi Alyssa, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I began my skincare journey around 2009 I believe and it grew from a hobby into sort of a necessity around 2011/12. I was working for a doctor at the time and although I enjoyed my job, the pay was very little. So I began to make amateur body scrubs, lotions, soaps, oils, etc. and I sold them to ladies around the office and their friends in order to make my rent.

I was single with zero support system, so this helped me survive. It ended up blossoming because I was truly interested in it. I educated myself endlessly to come up with better products and my clientele consistently loved whatever I created.

I found great support in those I knew the least, and they gave me the confidence to keep learning, creating, and growing.

Over the next decade I kept creating but at times had to put everything on the backburner for jobs I currently had. Then it occurred to me randomly that I should have been an esthetician all along. I was already interested in skincare, natural remedies, and helping people… so wouldn’t it make sense?

I went back to school, became licensed and officially began my journey that I am still on today. I’m very grateful for where I have come from and what it has taught me. It had taken me places and put people in my path that I would have never imagined!

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?
Nothing about this road has been smooth. I essentially did everything on my own. All self-taught with the exception of seeking advise from herbalists and a few others in the industry outside of New York.

A lot of imposter syndrome can come into play. Lots of self-doubt. I struggle with chronic depression, so it can really affect my ability to pull through at times.

Everything takes time and lots of learning. If you’re not willing to learn, adjust, and re-think things… you’re going to end up in the same spot you always were with no new growth.

I appreciate the struggles now because they helped me grow.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about The Apothecary Girl Corporation ?
My company is called The Apothecary Girl Corp and I am a licensed esthetician in New York State. I specialize in modern holistic medicine as well as natural skincare and remedies.

I offer relaxing facials for women clientele, Ayurvedic scalp spa sessions, handcrafted skin products, and guided workshops.

My workshop sessions are centered around creativity in my realm… being natural perfume making courses and foraged wreath making.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
This may sound negative, but don’t expect your family and friends to support you. It’s going to hurt at first and it’s going to hurt a lot.

But I promise you, the universe is going to put beautiful strangers in your path and they will see your light and support you endlessly.

Don’t take the lack of support from your loved ones personally, we ALL experience the same thing. Ask any maker and they will all tell you that their support system was surely lacking.

It’s hard to get past this fact, but keep creating, the world still needs to see it.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.theapothecarygirl.com
• Instagram: @theapothecarygirl