We recently connected with Jill Laseke and have shared our conversation below.

Jill, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So, let’s start with a hypothetical – what would you change about the educational system?

I believe that education is the foundation of success in all aspects of life. We are all born into different circumstances that present different advantages as well as challenges which we all have the opportunity to learn and grow from. Our nation at one point valued learning and supported public education in even the smallest of communities. If I had the opportunity to change the education system it would be to return to small community based schools. When I was a young girl in the early 80’s redistricting was beginning to sweep the nation, I personally experienced the dismantling of our school and community through this process. We went from a small rural community that came together regularly to support one another to seeds scattered by the winds of bureaucracy. This continues to happen even today leaving us with overcrowded facilities, grossly underpaid teachers, and parents that do not know one another. I truly believe that small community based schools are the first step for preparing our students for a fulfilling life and career. In this type of learning environment differences in learning styles can be nurtured, celebrated, and supported.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

How to explain my work…well I was much like many of the other citizens of the United States, unhealthy and uncertain as to why. Discovering the reasons for my lack of wellness began with going through the medical system that left me with more problems and less money. At a certain point it dawned on me that I had control of my own health and wellness, but I had no idea of how to take care of myself. I was already a bit of a naturalist gardening, raising horses and living in the wilds of Ashtabula County so I knew the basics of healthy food and clean water. What I didn’t know was how my body worked and what it needed for support. I changed this for myself through hours of reading, returning to school to study clinical herbalism, and experimentation. As I began to learn about the basic functions of my body I started to become aware of how much work it had to do and how many things in my environment affected me. Learning that my liver had to filter every chemical I breathed, produced, or ingested was fascinating and horrifying, especially as I started to count the many ways this was happening in a single day. My illness had manifested outwardly through skin irritation so my attention was drawn to the products I was applying topically to my body. I started to look for healthier options on the market and found it lacking, inspiring me to create my own. What further fascinated me was that I could accomplish this task with plants and other simple ingredients from the natural environment. My skin began to heal and others began to notice, encouraging me to share both my story and my products. Thanks to this earlier struggle I have had the privilege of serving my community through education and service for the last 15 years.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

I love learning and reading is by far my favorite way to do that, but as time doesn’t always allow I found myself gravitating towards the podcast. For whatever reason the algorithm gods sent The MFCEO Project my way and I was introduced to Andy Frisella. This mans presentation was filled with intensity, practicality and integrity, not something I see a lot when I look at the current face of business in the United States. Comparatively speaking my business is much, much smaller, but the principles still applied, teaching me to be more disciplined in my behavior and ultimately creating undeniable growth in my company.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

My company certainly started with meager funds. I sold a couple of horses and an old coin collection to pay for start up supplies so I could create enough product to set up a nice display at the local farmers market. I knew the markets were a good place to start because I would have the opportunity to meet the people in my community and share my story. I already knew there was an opening in the market space for my product, but not necessarily an understanding of why something that has been around for thousands of years needed to be noticed and looked at differently. I guess you could say my voice was the greater part of my initial capital.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.natursbundle.com
• Other: [email protected]