We recently connected with Candice Ornes and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Candice thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about how you went about setting up your own practice and if you have any advice for professionals who might be considering starting their own?
I have always loved nature, crystals, essential oils and all things metaphysical. Aromatherapy is a particular interest of mine. I dedicate much time to researching natural alternatives to traditional perfumes that myself and many others find abrasive. Additionally, I am entrepreneurially minded, and I created Be Here Now and Live in 2020 to share my interests and hard work with the community. I initially began displaying my products at metaphysical fairs, but I have expanded to participate in several different markets in San Antonio and New Braunfels. Online marketplaces like Etsy have helped widen my reach. I am in conversation with several retail store owners exploring how to connect with even more people.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I spend several weeks on any new blends for my aromatherapy line. I research every essential oil not only for its smell but also the effects it can have on one’s wellness. Aromatherapy is incredibly powerful! However, smell is only part of the experience. I also add dried flowers and crystals for their beauty and other properties. The visual stimulation, combined with the aroma, can make huge effects in your brain. I make all of my own products and design my labels. I work on my little 3-acre farm in the Texas Hill Country.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
I am far from the first entrepreneur to hang their shingle and try to make a living doing something they love. I have tried to heed the advice of other trailblazers in the industry. It was tough to leave a secure career as a public-school teacher to be enter an industry that is not understood well by the general public. However, when I meet other open-minded people, it energizes me to keep going. I am still trying to find the right balance with my professional and personal life. I am a wife and a mother of three awesome children, with Great Danes, goats, chickens, quails and more.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
I believe research, knowing one’s materials and how they interact with each other, is an important part of my success. It is important for me to do the work behind the scenes so I can offer quality products and be knowledgeable when I interact with customers.
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Dan Ornes