Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Amber Derby. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Amber, thanks for joining us today. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?

As humans, we are all subconsciously being influenced whether we realize it or not. My story starts a little sad, but has created a trajectory in my life of giving back. Beginning with a challenging rare diagnosis in elementary school, several losses in high school, and then losing a close friend to cancer, the impact of those experiences had taken hold. After several cross country moves, I started volunteering at a local cancer resource center called Living Well. Over the next decade I continued to volunteer, donate, and participate in fundraising events. I loved spending my time, knowing it made a difference. I didn’t think too much of it until I lost my husband. In the spiraling darkness of grief, I remembered all of those experiences and how they made me feel better. I had been working with plants since I was young because of my diagnosis, and decided to create a business dedicated to giving back and making a difference. I’ve donated over $200 worth of products to various fundraising events including PanCan and the American Lung Cancer’s Oxygen Ball, as well as donating 10% of my profits.

I’m not really sure it was 1 defining moment per se, but the loss of my husband was surely the catalyst.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Frankentonics really is the spectrum of my exploration of plants. Whether it has been physical, mental or emotional challenges, I’ve always turned to plants (even writing a 10 page research paper on herbal medicine in 6th grade). Plant medicine has been my comfort through loss, grief, and pain; as well as my celebration of joy and connection.

Curiosity has fueled hundreds of hours of research that later resulted in countless kitchen experiments. My background is in the biological sciences, with physiology as the primary focus. It’s been incredible to create products using organic and sustainable ingredients, knowing they will have beneficial effects on the body. This is what I refer to as kitchen witchery!

It’s not just about the ingredients though, I love talking about how taking a moment to enjoy a cup of tea or smelling aromatherapy with full and relaxed breaths helps reset the nervous system. I have a background in teaching massage and science classes, so I tend to geek out about educating people about inflammation and the role certain plants take in regulating it. Often times, businesses and social media will post buzz words like inflammation, toxins, or lymphatic drainage without explaining the mechanisms behind them. I’m always excited to explain to customers about how plants are benefiting their bodies, and how understanding their bodies gives some power back to them.

I’ve been a massage therapist for 15 years, and am honored to have been a partner in wellness for my clients. This has always meant using quality ingredients and spending quality time. Being seen and feeling heard can often be what people are missing. Between my own health concerns, and becoming a widow at such a young age, I learned the value of balance. The therapeutic effects become stronger when there is enjoyment. Yes, the plants in my teas are therapeutic, but they taste great. The plants and oils used in my Dragon Fire that reduces pain and inflammation are powerful, but they also feel and smell amazing! The oils in my aromatherapy are potent, but the bolster and support the mind and heart.

All of my product names come from monsters and folklore such as Mermaid Tea, Dragon Fire oil, or Unicorn Breath. This is a nod to the magic moments that make life a little better. A playful afternoon with friends, a whimsical stroll down a new path, showing yourself kindness with 1 cup of tea at a time!

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I think because of my experiences, because of people around me giving me advice, while I was still deciding if I wanted to get started and how to get started I got lost in the seriousness that comes with business. It all becomes overwhelming. Picking the right name, and making sure the colors match it and “say the right thing”. I’ve wanted to take my kitchen witchery to a place where it could blossom for a long time, and drowning in the seriousness prevented me from doing it. Despite friends, family, and clients telling me how much they loved the concoctions over the past 2 decades I was stuck in my head about making everything perfect. That is, until I realized that what I loved most about the process was what I could do with it. My products brought people joy, they helped non-profits raise money for wonderful causes, they helped people heal. That was the magic. The purpose was perfect.

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

It’s really easy to feel like we don’t have enough credentials and qualifications. Sometimes it takes acknowledging that you are enough as you are right now. And when it’s hard to do that, sometimes it takes someone else acknowledging it for you. I didn’t have this magical moment where I suddenly decided that I was good enough. It actually took a previous boss being in need of a seasonal product for a seasonal treatment at the high end spa I work at. There was a massive time crunch, and I was able to come through for her. My created a decadent product that she loved. And our clients loved it so much they continued asking for it months after the seasonal special. It was after that, that I started to believe I could do this.

Contact Info:

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

Image Credits
Sam Kurdas (Product Photos)