We recently connected with Michaela Holdridge and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Michaela , thanks for joining us today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?
Growing up, my mother was constantly telling me that one should be a life-long learner. She would say that you’re never too old to go back to school or note that it’s never too late to learn something new. She not only talked the talk, but she was a strong example of that rule she taught us to live by. As my siblings and I were growing up and dealing with our own primary schooling, my mother was taking classes. First to become a Certified Nursing Assistant, then Registered Nurse. Finally, when I was starting college, she decided to go back to become a Physician’s Assistant. For my first year at university, my mother was attending the same college! It was through her schooling that we were able to take an educational trip to Haiti which ultimately set me on the course to become an anthropologist and open my own apothecary shop!
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I have a master’s degree in Anthropology with a focus on cultural and medical anthropology. I have taught college classes in both Sociology and Anthropology since I graduated in 2014. My first job outside of college was as an Executive Director for a non-profit called OneMorgan County where we worked to bridge together communities of various cultural backgrounds. My professional career has really provided the foundation for my creative and artistic adventures in opening Anthro Apothecary. I love teaching about cultures! I have a passion for life-long learning, and I have a passion for sharing this with the world! I love sharing knowledge with my customers on everything from tea blending to infusing oils to making medical tinctures. I carry products that meet my values in supporting small, woman-owned businesses across the globe such as Ten Thousand Villages, Malia, and Fair Anita. I also love to partner with other local businesses to support out community. I carry products from local pottery artists, dried flower vendors, soap makers, local household plant vendors, and local coffee roasters. I meticulously research the ingredients I use in my products, the herbal benefits, and the cultural impact. I am proud of my degree, yes, but I am most proud that I am able to use all I have learned to create a store with products that are truly good.
Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.
After grad school, I began blending herbs at home, making teas and tinctures for my family. I started off with maybe 12 different herbs that I knew a little bit about and had a stack of resources on. Coming from a medical background with my mother being a PA, I wanted to see how well herbs would actually work, and if there was truly a benefit to more natural lifestyle. The blended teas and tinctures I made would be placed all over my kitchen. I would have friends over who would notice the teas and herbs on my windowsills and be curious about them. They always sparked interesting conversation! I also began gifting my homemade teas and even some bath and body products using these herbs. I was teaching Sociology and Anthropology classes at a local college when a neighbor and friend suggested I sell my teas and natural products at a local farmer’s market in town. I had never even considered making a business out of my hobby. I really just wanted to try to share what I was learning about the benefits of herbs with my friends and family. What started off as a passion and hobby at home turned into a business practically overnight! The feedback I received from local shoppers was so positive! I had to start devoting my evenings to preparing and blending teas to be ready for markets. After one season at our local Farmer’s market, I was able to open a downtown storefront in Tecumseh, MI. Today, I have my Anthro Apothecary storefront and sell my products in 12 other Michigan and Ohio stores!
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
In Michigan, there are a number of Fresh, Local Market storefronts that are so helpful in supporting local businesses. Once we were able to get our products in one store, our consignment and wholesale really took off. Today we are in 12 stores throughout Michigan and Ohio. I get customers stopping into our downtown storefront saying, I saw you in Manchester, or I saw that product in Saline. It is really great that these stores are so supportive of local businesses and that has allowed us to get more brand recognition in our area!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.anthroapothecary.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anthroapothecary/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anthroapothecary
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaela-holdridge-3bba0475/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX6qPheEF2Gz8vxlV9HMXWw/about
- Other: www.herbalhint.com https://www.instagram.com/herbalhintflavorshaker/ https://www.facebook.com/Herbal-Hint-Flavor-Shaker-107130435431217
Image Credits
Anthro Apothecary