We were lucky to catch up with Jess Royer recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jess, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

Back in 2013, I was working at my local co-op (community owned/natural food grocery store). I, very quickly, realized that I had a fascination with herbal medicine. I found myself over in the wellness section of the co-op with all of the supplements, reading and learning about plants. Very shortly after realizing my fascination with holistic medicine, I met an herbalist that was presently teaching classes in our community center. Her name is Leah Wolfe, owner of the Trillium Center in Conneaut, OH. One day, I approached her and asked if I could learn from her. I ended up applying and then becoming part of an apprenticeship program out at the Trillium Center. Alongside a small group of other humans interested in herbal medicine, I participated in a, nearly, year-long program. In this program, called the Community Herbal Intensive, we learned about plant medicine, how to identify plants in nature, how to prepare plants in the form of medicine, how to develop relationships with plants, how to use our intuition to connect with plants, and so much more.

After the program, I continued to independently study herbal medicine, from 2013-present. Somewhere in those years, I started concocting my own tea blends, using herbs that I learned about. I started making very intentional tea blends. I had my friends and family try them. Creating blends from scratch really invoked something in my spirit, and still does to this day.

After years of, again, concocting and experimenting, I decided to bring my sacred tea-making practice to life. I realized that I had a knack for intuitively putting plants together that would then become medicine for someone. I did not take that for granted. I left my job at the co-op, decided to jump head-first into the whole “starting a business” thing, and then came… Sacred Ayla Tea Co. – a tea company specializing in intuitive herbal tea blends.

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

My job now, is to create custom tea blends that meet my customers’ needs. Whether you need physical support or emotional support, Sacred Ayla offers custom, intentionally crafted tea blends to help you navigate through life’s turbulent waters.

Sacred Ayla quickly became one of the most fulfilling AND most difficult things, simultaneously, that I’ve ever done. It hasn’t been easy. Leaving a comfortable, well-paying day job (that I DID care about tremendously), to pursue a business of my own, built on intuition and natural medicine? What a risk.

To this day, I am still trusted by my customers to make tea blends for whatever ails them. I have people come to me, share with me their vulnerable truths, and they allow me to use my gifts to create something special for them. Do you realize what a blessing that is? I recognize how fortunate I am, every day, to be able to do what I do. It isn’t easy. Owning a business is HARD. Worthwhile? Absolutely.

I now sell my teas in the co-op that I worked at before I started this journey. Talk about a full-circle moment. I’m very grateful to be where I’m at today. Still learning, still growing, still connecting with humans on a deeper level.

Here’s a snippet from my website, sacredayla.com, for a little more insight:

“Our goal is to assist customers in cultivating a mindful lifestyle, as well as a strong connection to their own intuition and inner-knowing. By sharing the healing benefits of plant medicine, Sacred Ayla Tea Co. meets our customers where they’re at, without judgement, and with full love and support.

Whether you need a tea blend made up of herbs for supporting the immune system, or a tea blend for nurturing yourself through a heartbreak, Sacred Ayla brings comfort, acceptance, and a genuine desire for connection to the table.”

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

All of our lives, we have been taught that we’re meant to live to work and then, well, die. I had to unlearn the idea that work is supposed to just be a means to and end, and that work isn’t enjoyable. I had to pave my own way to realizing that you can make life meaningful by creating meaningful work.

Unlearning these deeply ingrained lessons is hard and uncomfortable and confusing. A few lessons I’ve learned along the way are:

1. We are not just alive to work. However, since we have to do it, we might as well try to capitalize on things that we’re good at, things that are meaningful and fulfulling to us.
2. The work that we DO decide to participate in… It matters. Participating in work that is rooted in heart & soul is ultimately deeply fulfilling and rewarding.
3. We’re all doing the best that we can when it comes to “finding our passion”. No one has the answers. Listen to your intuition and you’ll end up where you need to be. You are capable of making work meaningful and enjoyable.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I believe that choosing to connect with my customers on a deep, spiritual level has really helped foster meaningful relationships. My business is essentially built on vulnerability. I love to encourage people to open up, dig deep to pinpoint what exactly is going on in their mind/body/spirit (which involves being deeply present with oneself), and then share with me whatever they are comfortable sharing in order for me to move forward with creating something custom for them. I truly believe that Sacred Ayla teaches people that tea is, not only, medicine, but a sacred practice, and a way to bring sacredness and intentional living into your daily life.

Contact Info:

• Website: sacredayla.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sacredayla/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sacredayla
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sacred-ayla-tea-co/

Image Credits
Photos by Matt Mead Photography LLC