We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Monika Gawlowska. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Monika below.

Monika, appreciate you joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

Tell us the story of how you came up with the idea for your business. Paint the picture for us so we really understand the context, circumstances, the emotions, etc.

The story of Flutter Labs began during one of the most challenging times of my life. I went through a serious medical procedure—a health crisis that forced me to reexamine everything around me, including what I was putting in and on my body, and especially what I was using in my home. Through that experience, I learned that many of the symptoms I had been living with were linked to toxic exposure—chemicals hidden in everyday cleaning products I had trusted for years.

That was the wake-up call. I began researching, reading every label, and realizing how little transparency there was in the cleaning industry. Even so-called “natural” products were filled with synthetic ingredients, preservatives, and artificial fragrances. I felt betrayed and knew I had to make a change, not just for myself but for the environment I lived in—my home, my animals, my peace of mind.

I started making my own products—simple, effective, non-toxic formulations using food-grade ingredients and essential oils. And for the first time, I felt safe in my own home. Friends and family began asking for them too, and I saw how universal this need was.

Then the pandemic arrived. People were disinfecting their homes constantly, trying to stay safe—but unknowingly flooding their spaces with even more harmful chemicals. That was the turning point. I realized that what had helped me heal could serve others as well. Flutter Labs went from a personal solution to a public mission.

Walk us through how you knew this was a worthwhile endeavor. Talk to us about the logic of why you felt this would work.

It was a combination of personal conviction and clear market demand. I knew firsthand the physical impact these toxic products can have—and I knew there were others quietly suffering or simply unaware. Once I shared my formulas, the response was immediate: “This smells amazing,” “I’ve never felt better using a cleaner,” “Where can I buy this?”

At the same time, I recognized a major gap in the market. There were few options that were truly clean—products that were plant-based, non-toxic, effective, and elegant. People were ready for something better. Something honest. Flutter Labs was created to fill that space.

Were you solving a problem that no one else was solving? Were you offering a unique approach?

Yes, absolutely. I was solving two problems: health and trust. Most conventional brands don’t disclose their full ingredient lists. Even “green” ones often rely on marketing language rather than true transparency. Flutter Labs is different. Every ingredient is carefully selected, listed clearly, and safe enough to use around children and pets.

But beyond the health factor, I also wanted to create an experience—beautiful scents, elegant glass bottles, and products that look and feel like they belong in a spa, not just under the sink. Cleaning became something I could enjoy again. That shift—from fear to joy—is what makes our approach unique.

What about this idea got you most excited?

What excites me most is that Flutter Labs isn’t just about cleaning—it’s about wellness, empowerment, and changing the way we relate to our homes. It’s about creating space for healing, safety, and beauty, all at once.

Knowing that someone is wiping down a highchair, a kitchen table, or a bathroom sink with something truly safe—that’s powerful. That’s the heart of it. And that’s why this is so much more than a business to me. It’s a purpose.

Monika, 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?

My name is Monika Gawlowska, and I’m the founder of Flutter Labs, a wellness-driven cleaning brand born from a deeply personal experience and a powerful desire to create safer, more beautiful homes.

Before starting Flutter Labs, I never imagined I would end up in the world of natural cleaning products. My background spans creative work, business, and a deep love for nature and wellness. But everything changed when I faced a serious health issue that led to an intense medical procedure. That experience forced me to reevaluate everything around me—what I ate, what I used on my skin, and most importantly, what I was using to clean my home.

As I started to peel back the labels of conventional “green” products, I was shocked. Even so-called natural cleaners were full of synthetic chemicals, artificial fragrances, and preservatives—many of which are unregulated and toxic over time. I realized the very things I thought were keeping my space clean and safe were contributing to the toxic load on my body.

So I took matters into my own hands. I began experimenting with truly clean, food-grade ingredients—plants, essential oils, minerals—and developed my own formulations at home. The difference was immediate. I felt better, my home smelled fresh and natural, and friends started asking if they could buy what I was using.

Then came the pandemic—and suddenly, cleaning became an obsessive part of daily life. But the irony was striking: in the name of health, people were overexposing themselves to harsh chemicals. That was my turning point. I knew it was time to bring Flutter Labs to the public.

What we offer:
Flutter Labs is a line of non-toxic, plant-based cleaning products made with food-grade ingredients and therapeutic-grade essential oils. Every product is hand-formulated with care and packaged in refillable glass bottles to reduce waste and elevate the everyday cleaning ritual. Our current collection includes:

All-Purpose Cleaner
Window + Glass Cleaner
Floor Cleaner
Bathroom Scrub
Wood Cleaner + Polish
Dish Soap
Laundry Detergent
Automatic Dishwasher Powder
Air Fresheners (in three scent profiles)
We also offer curated bundles like the Flutter Labs Essentials Box and Holiday Gift Sets that pair our products with natural fiber brushes and cloths.

The problem we solve:
We help people take back control of their home environment. So many households are unknowingly filled with toxic residues that affect everything from skin irritation to respiratory health to pet safety. Our products are free of synthetic preservatives, artificial fragrance, petrochemicals, and fillers. They are safe to use around children, pets, and sensitive individuals, and they work.

We also bring joy and beauty back to cleaning. Flutter Labs turns a daily task into a sensory, grounding ritual. Our essential oil blends are formulated not just to smell amazing but to support wellness through aromatherapy.

What sets us apart:
Full transparency: You can read every ingredient we use, and you’ll recognize all of them.
Glass packaging: We don’t just say we’re sustainable—we act on it.
Small-batch, handcrafted: No industrial shortcuts, no compromises.
Aesthetic meets function: Our products are designed to look good and work beautifully.
What I’m most proud of:
I’m proud that Flutter Labs was born out of something difficult and transformed into something healing—for myself and now for others. I’ve had customers say our cleaners helped with asthma symptoms, that their pets stopped sneezing, that their homes feel like sanctuaries again. That’s why I do this.

What I want people to know:
Flutter Labs isn’t just a cleaning brand. It’s a commitment to living with intention—to making small daily choices that add up to a healthier, more beautiful life. It’s for those who care about what they breathe, touch, and live with. For the conscious parent, the wellness seeker, the nature lover, the design enthusiast.

At the end of the day, I created Flutter Labs for people like me—who want to live cleaner, love deeper, and surround themselves with things that nourish, not harm.

You can find us at select East End stores, farmers markets, and at www.flutterlabs.us, and we’re always expanding. Whether you’re switching to non-toxic living for the first time or are already on the journey, Flutter Labs is here to support you every step of the way.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Yes. My journey into creating Flutter Labs was not a straight line—it was born from rupture, from a moment when life brought me to my knees.

A few years ago, I went through a serious medical procedure after a long period of unexplained illness. It was one of those chapters where you begin to lose faith in your body, in the system, in everything you thought was “normal.” I had always been healthy, intuitive, self-aware—and suddenly, I felt betrayed by my own health. Doctors offered surface answers, but I knew something deeper was wrong. And I was right.

It turned out that toxicity had built up in my body—not just physically, but energetically too. It wasn’t just the products I was using; it was the pace I was moving through life, the things I had been tolerating, the disconnection between the life I was living and the one I was meant to live. That’s when I surrendered. And that’s when I began to listen.

I started to remove everything unnecessary—from chemicals in my home to noise in my mind. I slowed down. I began to make things with my hands again. I healed through scent, through plants, through creating something clean and beautiful that came from the Earth. That was the beginning of Flutter Labs.

Resilience, for me, wasn’t loud. It was quiet. It was in the days I couldn’t get out of bed but still lit a candle. It was in starting over at the cellular level—choosing to build something with meaning instead of pushing for survival. It was trusting that what broke me open was also showing me the way forward.

Flutter Labs is not just a company. It is the living embodiment of that resilience. It’s how I turned pain into purpose. And it’s a reminder—to myself and others—that healing is not linear, but it is always possible. Even when you think you’ve lost your way, your soul still knows the direction.

Can you talk to us about manufacturing? How’d you figure it all out? We’d love to hear the story.

Yes, I personally manufacture every product under the Flutter Labs brand. From day one, it was important to me that every formula be made by hand, in small batches, with complete control over each ingredient and process. I didn’t want to outsource it to a lab or white-label someone else’s formula—because Flutter Labs was born out of something deeply personal: my own healing journey. I needed to know exactly what was going into every bottle.

When I started, I didn’t have a background in chemistry or manufacturing—but I had intuition, determination, and an obsessive need for purity and transparency. I spent months studying the properties of natural ingredients—how ethanol behaves when infused with herbs, how essential oils interact with different plant-based surfactants, how to stabilize formulas without synthetic preservatives. I tested everything in my own home. My kitchen became a lab. My friends became my first testers. I cleaned every surface over and over again until the scent was right, the texture felt balanced, and the result was both effective and safe.

It was a long process of trial and error, but I was never in a rush. I wasn’t trying to push out a product for the sake of launching. I was trying to create something that felt sacred—something I could confidently use around my elderly cat, my energetic dog, and my own sensitive skin.

As the business grew, I began looking into scaling. I explored vendors and manufacturers who could potentially support production—but I quickly realized that many didn’t meet my standards for ingredient integrity or eco-friendly packaging. Most wanted to cut corners, add fillers, or use plastic. That was a hard no.

So for now, Flutter Labs remains handcrafted in-house. I blend, bottle, label, and pack everything myself, or with a small, trusted team. It allows me to stay close to the process, maintain quality, and ensure that each product reflects the values we stand for.

What have I learned along the way?
Manufacturing a clean, truly non-toxic product is much harder than it looks. Natural ingredients behave differently from synthetic ones—they separate, shift, and vary by season. You have to work with them, not against them. I’ve learned patience, precision, and how to adapt without compromising integrity.

I’ve also learned that people can feel the difference. They can smell the real essential oils, they can feel the texture, and they know they’re using something made with care. That connection—that trust—is worth every hour I’ve put into getting it right.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.flutterlabs.us
• Instagram: @flutterlabsus

Image Credits

All images are certified and owned by Monika Gawlowska / Flutter Labs.
I have rights and permissions for the personal images.