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

Alright, Courtney thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Alright, so you had your idea and then what happened? Can you walk us through the story of how you went from just an idea to executing on the idea

FastingHouse Naturals began after a life-changing trip to Iceland in 2019. I was deeply inspired by how intentionally people there lived sustainably, simply, and always in rhythm with nature. When I came home, I started paying closer attention to what I was using on my body and in my home. After trying countless products and realizing how many preservatives and synthetics I was reacting to, I began making my own.
It started small, body scrubs, mists, little experiments in my kitchen just for me. One holiday season I decided to gift handmade scrubs to friends and family, and everyone loved them. Around that same time, one of my salon clients commented on how good the spray I was using smelled and told me I should sell it. That grounding mist eventually became my signature product.
Then motherhood changed everything again. I had to rediscover what self-care looked like as a mom how to create simple, nourishing moments in the middle of chaos. That journey became the heart of FastingHouse Naturals: plant-based, intentional self-care for real life, made to help others reconnect with themselves the way I did.

Courtney, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m Courtney, the founder and maker behind FastingHouse Naturals a sustainable self-care brand rooted in nature, motherhood, and mindful living. My journey into this work began out of necessity and curiosity. After developing sensitivities to common preservatives and synthetic ingredients, I started creating my own products that were simple, plant-based, and safe for my skin. That small act of care grew into a much bigger calling.
FastingHouse was born from my desire to help others reconnect to themselves and their environment through everyday self-care. I create everything in small batches from grounding mists and body scrubs to reusable coffee filters and refillable home goods. All are designed to support sustainable living without sacrificing quality or experience. Each product is made to feel like a breath of calm: intentional, honest, and rooted in nature.
What sets FastingHouse apart is our commitment to transparency and sustainability. From ingredient sourcing to packaging, I’ve built the brand around minimizing waste and creating products that align with the earth. Our refill program is one of my proudest accomplishments allowing customers to reuse and refill their bottles, much like an old-fashioned milk delivery model reimagined for modern times.
I’m most proud of the community that has grown around FastingHouse people who care deeply about what they put on their skin, how they live, and how their choices impact the planet. This brand is about more than products; it’s about slowing down, being intentional, and remembering that self-care and sustainability can exist hand in hand.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Becoming a mom was the biggest pivot point in both my life and my business. Before that, I was at nearly every farmers market meeting people face-to-face, sharing stories, and building FastingHouse one conversation at a time. Once my son was born, I quickly realized that the same pace wasn’t sustainable. I needed to find new ways to nurture both my business and my family.
That’s when I started my doorstep refill delivery program. I wanted to make it easy for people to keep reusing their bottles and refilling their favorite products. Just like the old milkman model, but for sustainable self-care. It allowed me to stay connected with my customers, reduce waste, and still honor my role as a mom.
This shift also pushed me to strengthen my online presence and grow my wholesale partnerships so my products could reach people beyond my local community. For me, it’s never been just about profit, it’s about building something rooted in purpose: connection, sustainability, and care for both people and the planet.
That pivot taught me that growth doesn’t always mean doing more; sometimes, it means finding new ways to do things that align with your season of life.

We’d really appreciate if you could talk to us about how you figured out the manufacturing process.

Yes — I handcraft every single product myself. When I started FastingHouse Naturals, I had absolutely no experience in manufacturing or formulation. What I did have was curiosity, determination, and a deep desire to create products that were both safe and effective.
Everything I’ve learned has come through countless hours of research, trial and error, and a lot of testing in my kitchen. I dove deep into understanding ingredients, natural preservation methods, and sustainable packaging. Every failed batch taught me something valuable whether it was how to improve texture, balance scent, or increase shelf life naturally.
Over time, those experiments evolved into consistent, high-quality products that my customers trust and love. I still make everything in small batches to ensure that same level of care goes into each item.
The biggest lesson I’ve learned is patience. Creating natural products that align with your values takes time, especially when you refuse to cut corners or use harsh synthetics. It’s taught me to embrace the process, stay curious, and remember that slow growth is still growth especially when it’s built on intention and integrity.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.fastinghousenaturals.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fastinghouse
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fastinghouse

Image Credits

Jessica Dawson – https://nostalgicrebellion.com
Jordan Petteys