Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kewounie Bennett. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Kewounie , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.
From Roots to Remedies: The Story of The Healing Gardyn
Born into an Indigenous lineage, where herbs, roots, and the art of conjuring have always been central to our way of life, I was raised with a deep connection to the spiritual realm. My gift of clairvoyance, which I’ve carried with me from childhood, has allowed me to feel attuned to the unseen forces of nature. My fascination with all things nature—plants, herbs, and the quiet magic they hold—has been the heartbeat of my life.
As a child, I watched my grandmother, Dovie Anna, serve our community by crafting homemade tinctures and remedies that healed the body and soul. Her hands were never still—whether she was gathering herbs from the backyard, carefully washing and preparing them, or bottling them with care and intention. The way her creations helped others left a lasting impression on me. I knew then that I, too, wanted to be a “Medicine Woman,” using nature’s gifts to bring healing to the world. But how? How could I also heal those in need? I knew that using natural ingredients has its purpose, but would people listen to what I had to say?
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.
My path, however, wasn’t without its challenges. Growing up in a single-parent household, I saw my mother work tirelessly to support my sister and me. Though I always had creative ideas and a desire to serve others, I wasn’t sure how I would do so. Life’s responsibilities caught up with me, and I became a single mother to three children. My dreams of entrepreneurship faded as work and school consumed my time. But that quiet calling never left me.
In 2018, I relocated to Florida, and my creativity began to flow again. I found myself blending herbs, creating hair oils, and crafting teas. One night, as I slept, I was awakened by a powerful vision—one so vivid and clear that I had to call my sisters at 3 a.m. to share it with them. In this vision, my great-grandmother Nelly showed me the name for what would become my life’s work: The Healing Gardyn (THG). But with the name came a new question: What was I supposed to do with it?
In 2021, I moved to Columbus, Georgia, where my creativity began to grow even further. I spent months reflecting on how I could create products that would help people with the everyday ailments I had witnessed through clinical research—like sleep issues, joint pain, and menstrual discomfort. I began crafting herbal, root, and floral tea blends, paying close attention to how they made me feel and the ways they helped my health.
As I continued to refine my blends, I realized that there was a gap in the market. At local farmers’ markets, natural food stores, and small shopping centers, I found plenty of synthetic products and new medications, but no one was offering the kind of loose-leaf, natural herbal teas I was creating. I knew that people were seeking natural alternatives to support their health—and I wanted to be the one they turned to for that.
But even with this knowing, doubt crept in. How would I start? How would I fund the start-up costs? The thought of business itself made me anxious, as I had no formal training in entrepreneurship. Still, I felt the pull, and I knew my purpose was bigger than my fear.
Then, in April 2022, my world was shaken when my mother fell ill. She transitioned in July 2022, leaving me devastated and unsure of anything. Grief, anger, sadness, and anxiety filled my days. But I had made her a promise—a promise that my vision would continue, that my purpose was greater than my own pain. And so, through meditation, deep reflection, and hard sacrifice, I gathered the funds and resources needed to bring my first tea blends to life.
In January 2023, The Healing Gardyn made its debut when I sold my very first tea. It was a moment of immense pride and joy—one that I knew my mother would have been proud of. Soon after, I became a vendor at local events, traveling throughout the city to share my handcrafted products. My goal was simple: to heal one soul at a time through the natural wisdom passed down to me, just as it was always meant to be.
Today, The Healing Gardyn continues to grow. From the farmers’ market to local grocery stores, my teas are making their way into the hands of those who seek healing through nature. Each blend is made with love, care, and the intention to restore balance and wellness to the body and mind. This journey, which began with the teachings of my grandmother and great-grandmother, is now my legacy—a legacy of healing, empowerment, and connection to the earth.
What Sets My Tea Blends Apart
What truly sets my tea blends apart is the energy and intention infused into each ingredient. While I won’t reveal all the details of my process, I can share that every herb, root, flower, and dried fruit in my blends is selected with care, love, and a deep respect for its unique vibration. Each ingredient is spoken to with intention and life, as I believe that what we consume carries the energy of its creator. I am always in a high vibrational state when crafting these teas because I want my customers to receive the best energy possible.
In a world full of low-vibrational products, I refuse to be a part of that cycle. My teas are made with love, and love is the essence of every blend. I also take great care to ensure that each combination of herbs, roots, and flowers is not only harmonious in flavor but also balanced for your well-being. Each blend is carefully researched to ensure that the ingredients work together safely and effectively, without causing any adverse reactions.
For me, it’s not just about making a product—it’s about creating a tool for healing, peace, and nourishment. When you drink my tea, you’re not just consuming herbs, you’re drinking something that has been intentionally made to elevate your mind, body, and spirit.
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
The most effective strategy I’ve found for growing The Healing Gardyn is through direct, personal engagement with people. In today’s world, it often feels like social media is the go-to tool for building a client base, and I understand why. It’s a powerful way to reach a wide audience. However, I’ve always been a bit “old school” in my approach. I believe in creating real, meaningful connections through face-to-face conversations. When someone asks about herbal remedies or expresses interest in wellness, I find natural ways to introduce The Healing Gardyn into the conversation.
For me, it’s about building trust and relationships with people, and that’s something you can’t always do through a screen. The energy you put into a personal connection is something people can feel, and it’s something I take pride in.
That said, I recognize the importance of social media in today’s business world. As part of my goal for 2025, I plan to use social media more intentionally to reach and engage with a broader audience. But even as I grow my presence online, I’ll continue to focus on the personal touch that has always been at the heart of The Healing Gardyn. It’s about balance—embracing new tools while staying grounded in the values that have guided me from the beginning.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
Unlearning “I Can’t”
One of the most profound lessons I’ve had to unlearn is the idea of saying—and living by—“I can’t do that.” So often, we get trapped in the belief that what we want to achieve is impossible. I used to think that certain things were beyond my reach, telling myself I was “too old” or “too this” or “too that” to start something new or bring an idea to life. This was one of the hardest habits to break, especially since I was told so many times throughout my life that my circumstances (particularly as a young, single mother) would limit what I could accomplish.
But once I let go of that limiting belief, everything shifted. I realized that there is no “too late” or “too difficult” when you are aligned with your purpose. The real work is in recognizing that I can do anything I set my heart and mind to—and that includes starting a business, creating something from nothing, and nurturing it into existence.
It’s been like creating your own version of a favorite dish. You add a bit of this, a pinch of that, maybe skip something or try something new—whatever feels right to you. And suddenly, you’ve got your own unique recipe for success. It’s about trusting yourself and your own intuition. You can’t make something yours if you’re always second-guessing your ability to do it.
Contact Info:
- Website: [email protected]
- Instagram: TheHealingGardyn
- Facebook: TheHealingGardyn
