We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Deb Schaffer. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Deb below.

Hi Deb, thanks for joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

In August 2006, I was diagnosed with a very aggressive breast cancer (triple negative), and during my first meeting with my oncologist, he shared that the prognosis wasn’t really good. In fact, his words to me were, “Let’s see what we can do to get you to two years.”

I was stunned. I thought we had made so much progress treating breast cancer; that I would do my treatment and move on.

So I dove into the treatments with a purpose. I joined a clinical trial (which is now protocol). I did a genetic testing study. I went through a lumpectomy, 4 months of chemo, 6 weeks of radiation, a double mastectomy and reconstruction, and the removal of my ovaries. I saw a therapist. And began studying energy medicine as an adjunct to traditional Western treatment. I was on a mission.

And the reason for my mission was our 13-year old son. He literally had started his first day of 8th grade on the day of my first surgery. And I was determined NOT to leave him without a mother.

One day, early in the process, it occurred to me that I had one more “big gun” on my team. God. The Universe. Spirit.

It was such a powerful moment. I remember where I was sitting and even what I was wearing when “we” had the conversation that changed everything.

My request was simple: “Dear God, I don’t ask this for myself. But please guide me to what You would have me do. In return, I ask that You don’t leave my child motherless. I will be Your hands here on Earth.”

That was it. A one-time ask.

I began to follow the bread crumbs that appeared. I studied energy techniques and became a Reiki Master-Teacher with 4 different teachers. I devoured the books written by Dr. Wayne Dyer. Already an interior designer, I brought feng shui and energy clearing techniques into my practice. I received a certificate in medical herbalism. And I developed a modality that balances the energy of people with the land they live on.

That last technique was the catalyst for founding Enchanted Botanicals.

I was looking for tools that would help me dip into energy fields more easily and into meditation more effectively. And I found nothing that seemed right. Until I heard (and I mean clearly and out loud) the Universe tell me to look into my gardens for what I was seeking.

From there, I created a loose incense (to create sacred smoke) from flowers and herbs that were flourishing in their beds. That led to a candle, and then another.

Soon, clients were asking for products that they could purchase to help their own practices.

And Enchanted Botanicals sprang to life.

I never hesitated because I knew this was the reason for my beating the odds of my diagnosis.

It’s not a job. Rather, it’s what I do. It’s now who I am.

And it’s been 16 years since that conversation with Spirit that led me to my purpose.

Every day, I’m fulfilled and grateful and following all the bread crumbs that Spirit tosses me.

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

The core mission of Enchanted Botanicals is to help people discover or enhance their spiritual practice.

Fundamental to energy work is the understanding that we have four main layers to our bodies, what is know as our aura: physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. My job is to help people heal and strengthen the last three layers. When we are clear and balanced on these “unseen” levels, we can move through the world with more strength and confidence, and with a clear knowing that we are fulfilling our purpose.

As a spiritual herbalist, I work with the energetic, spiritual, and sometimes magical properties of herbs and flowers. With those aspects that I call their superpowers. Here’s an example that I often use to describe the concept of “spiritual herbalism”:

If we feel a cold coming on or we know our immune system is running down, we might reach for the herb Echinacea to boost our system. To give it the strength our body needs to heal itself. That’s part of medical herbalism.

In spiritual herbalism, we reach for Echinacea when we want to boost our willpower. Our internal sense of strength and confidence.

I see the medical and spiritual herbalism as parallel paths, but feel drawn to introducing people to, and teaching them about, the unseen and oh-so-magical part of our natural world.

Because we can’t SEE how spiritual herbalism works, it’s a practice based on belief in the Universe and faith in ourselves. It’s a way for us to blend inspiration from Spirit with gifts from the earth.

Everything I create for Enchanted Botanicals begins with an intention. Something we need to work on or that we want to bring into our lives. Things like clarity and balance, manifestation and love.

I combine the spiritual superpowers of up to 25 different herbs and flowers with essential oils in each candle, which is topped with a crystal or two (or three).

Every ingredient is selected for how it resonates with an aspect of the product’s intention. For example, when we want to manifest something (or call it into our life), we often need to make room for what we want to have a place “to land.” So I add in herbs or essential oils or crystals that will help release what no longer serves us so we can create that open and welcoming space in our soul.

If it sounds like a complex process, you’d be right. But it’s worth every second of the behind-the-scenes work to create such powerful tools.

Like any tool, my products (and truly ANYbody’s products) are not going to do the work for you. You need to pick up that hammer or push that lawn mower to get the work done.

But I’ve formulated them so that when you focus your ATTENTION on the candle or burn the incense or spray the spray, it activates the INTENTION.

I’ve done all the hard work for you! You just need to start.

And you can start anywhere — with a meditation or scented candle (because your home deserves to feel like magic, too), with loose or resin incense, bath salts based on moon phases, and select crystals that work well with my products — among so many other beautiful things.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Wasn’t Covid the ultimate pivot?

But in a weird way, it was also a blessing.

When I couldn’t get my usual candle jars, I was forced to switch to another jar that WAS in stock. And you know what? I actually LOVE the new look. It’s more elegant but approachable. AND they can be reused in more ways than my original jar, which is a bonus.

We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.

When I first started Enchanted Botanicals, I opened an Etsy shop (like to many startups). I also traveled to as many holistic / spiritual expos and events as I could so that people could see my products in person AND meet the person behind the brand and what inspired it.

I then created my website with an e-comm platform, beefed up my social media, and started growing my wholesale accounts (metaphysical shops as well as studios, boutiques, and spas).

But what I really love are the two emails I send each week AND the digital magazine I created called, The Enchantment Guide.

On Tuesdays I send what we call the “Tuesday Inspo” newsletter. I chat about topics that are relevant to the season or thoughts I just want to share. The idea is to offer readers new ideas or new ways to look at things, while at the same time forging a connection between us. I want them to get to know the person behind the label.

Enchanted Botanicals is not just about products. It’s about finding ways to bring magic into our lives in the most beautiful ways. And I find that happens more easily when souls connect.

The second email of the week is the “Friday Faves.” Inside, I highlight (usually) three products that customers may not be familiar with or that I believe would be most helpful in navigating current energies (for example, Mercury Retrograde or setting up fresh energy for the new year).

I receive responses from every single email. Sometimes, people tell me that the email arrived at just the right time with the exact message they needed to hear. Other times, I notice the sale of highlighted products increases and people drop me notes to tell me that they can’t wait to try them or that they love them so much they are gifting them to friends.

To me, the emails are more than simply a sales tactic. They are a way to build a connection. They help readers get to know the person behind Enchanted Botanicals. And they reinforce that, while we all have questions and doubts and struggles, there is someone who cares enough to help them find powerful and beautiful solutions.

The Enchantment Guide is published 6-8 times per year, and is themed by season. I include articles on lots of diverse topics, including how to celebrate holidays such as Samhain and Yule, astrology, essential oils, recipes, and plant profiles.

I love to include articles from other writers and business owners. My intention is that we can all send The Guide to our individual email lists and help each other grow.

Contact Info:

• Website: Enchanted-Botanicals.com
• Instagram: @EnchantedBotanicals
• Facebook: EnchantedBotanical (no S at the end)
• Youtube: @EnchantedBotanicals
• Other: Link to The Enchantment Guide: https://www.enchanted-botanicals.com/enchantment-guide Link to the Enchanted Botanicals online shop: https://www.enchanted-botanicals.com/online-store

Image Credits
Enchanted Botanicals LLC