We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Emily LaPrairie and Oni Thomas a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Emily and Oni thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

Our mission at Triple Goddess Tea & Essentials is hooking our communities up with safe and ethical natural products at prices that won’t break the bank. We’re all about spreading the word and educating folks on making healthier choices.

We’re firm believers in the power of small businesses and the awesome impact they can have on their communities.

Those sneaky sugars in soda and juice can really add up, so we’re here to offer refreshing and natural alternatives like our fruit teas. They’re a tasty way to stay hydrated without all the added sugars! 🍹🌿

In addition to our fabulous teas, Triple Goddess Tea & Essentials also offers a wide range of natural bath and body products. We’ve got you covered with our selection of soaps, salves, lip balm, body spray, and more. It’s all about pampering yourself with products that are good for both you and the environment. 🌿✨

Emily and Oni, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Oni: It all started during a work trip to Germany in 2017 when I stumbled upon a family selling homemade soaps at a holiday market in Frankfurt. The impact those soaps had on my skin was truly amazing, and it got me thinking about the chemicals added to store-bought soaps back in America.

Determined to take a cleaner and healthier route, I decided to dive into soap-making and have been honing my craft since 2019. Now, I’m not only sharing my amazing homemade soaps with my community, but also educating them about the harmful chemicals found in commercial soaps. It’s all about taking care of our skin the healthy way!

Emily: Ever since I was a little girl, my heart has been drawn to the woods. They’ve always held treasures waiting for me to collect. Over time, I realized I had to give these treasures a second life, and that’s when the idea for my boxes was born.

I’ve always loved a good box – jewelry boxes, silverware chests, cigar boxes – you name it! I find them tucked away in cozy corners of antique shops, longing to be dusted off and loved once more. But often, they’re worn and scuffed, lacking their former glory. That’s where I come in. I breathe new life into these forgotten gems.

It was at an event where I was selling my boxes that I crossed paths with Oni, a talented soapmaker. We instantly connected and became fast friends. Around that time, my love for creating expanded into infusing oils and making salves. The process fascinated me, and I dove headfirst into experimenting with various botanicals and herbs.

Both: We came together to explore the world of loose leaf tea, Today, with 20 artisan tea blends and a wide range of bath and body products, including our signature soaps, salves, oils, lip balms, body sprays, and of course those beautiful boxes, our dedication to using clean and ethically sourced ingredients shines through in everything we create.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

By offering on-the-spot tea samples and pay-what-you-can tea mocktails, we’re giving people the chance to experience the delicious flavors of Triple Goddess Tea & Essentials firsthand. Providing take-home samples of our salves allows potential clients to try them out for a few days and see the benefits for themselves. I believe this generosity is the best source of new clients for us.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

Consistency is key when it comes to building a reputation. By showing up for local events like the Art Jamboree, Old Town Saginaw Street Art Park, and SVRC Market place, we’re not only showcasing our passion for what we do but also establishing a strong presence in the community. This level of dedication and authenticity is what helps us build a loyal following.

Contact Info:

• Website: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/triplegoddesstea?igsh=Y2hhMDRvbjh3Zmdw
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TripleGoddessTea?mibextid=kFxxJD
• Other: Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@triplegoddessteashop?_t=8k9oITI25LK&_r=1

Image Credits
Image of Midnight Moonflower Soap – Oni Thomas Image of Bath Bomb – Oni Thomas Image of Strawberry Mint Lavender Tea Blend – Emily LaPrairie Image of Blissful Blossoms Tea Blend – Emily LaPrairie Collage of green box images – Emily LaPrairie Cluster of Tea Tins – Emily LaPrairie 3 Salves – Emily LaPrairie Image of Oni and Emily – jeffalcortamedia on IG