We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Nichole Sando a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Nichole, thanks for joining us today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

One of the greatest gifts my parents gave me was the example of perseverance in the face of hardship. They weren’t perfect, but they showed me, through their actions, that you don’t stop showing up for life just because it gets difficult. Watching them navigate challenges taught me resilience, independence, and the ability to figure things out even when I didn’t have a roadmap.

My mom was a stay-at-home mom who struggled with her mental health, and while the environment wasn’t always emotionally nurturing, she still taught me some of the most foundational values I live by today. She instilled responsibility, morals, and the importance of setting and achieving goals. Even when she couldn’t show up emotionally, she still pushed me to stay focused, to finish what I started, and to strive for something better for myself. Those lessons built the discipline and determination I carry into motherhood, my career, and my business.

From my dad, I learned strength, structure, and the importance of holding your own. Even when life wasn’t perfect, he taught me, directly and indirectly, how to be observant, wise, and intentional with the choices I make. A lot of the grounding energy I bring into my healing work, my boundaries, and my business comes from that foundation.

One story that stands out to me is how, even during times when things weren’t ideal, my parents still encouraged me to persevere with school, work, or my personal goals, regardless of what occurred. They never let me become stagnant. That mindset followed me into adulthood. It’s the reason I can work 60-hour weeks, raise a son on my own, go to school, and still build a business with love and purpose. It’s the reason I can show up for my community and guide others on their healing journey, because I learned early on how to keep moving, keep growing, and keep believing in achieving more for myself.

So while my parents weren’t the type to hand me everything, they did something far more impactful: they taught me resilience, responsibility, and drive. Their lessons live in how I mother, how I lead, and how I pour intentional, healing energy into every space I step into.

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

My name is Nichole, and I’m the founder of Namaste Naturally, a holistic self-care and clean-beauty brand rooted in healing, intention, and education. My journey into this work wasn’t something I planned; it was something I lived. I’ve struggled with eczema since I was a little girl, and was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease at 17 years old. After years of trial and error, I’ve now been in remission for 8 years without medication. That experience taught me that being intentional about what I put on and in my body isn’t a trend; it’s a necessity. Over the years, I developed a deep passion for understanding product ingredients, utilizing cleaner products, and how lifestyle, stress, and the environment affect our overall health. That passion grew into a mission to help others do the same.

What started as simple self-care rituals for myself evolved into creating all-natural, handmade products infused with love and Reiki energy, like my Essential Whipped Body Butter, Luxury Bath Salts, Namaste Relaxed Soy Wax Candles, Shower Melts, and seasonal wellness blends. Along the way, I expanded into healing services, including sound healing, breathwork, mindset support, and holistic education. Whether someone needs gentle, non-toxic skincare recommendations or a space to reconnect with themselves, my goal is always the same: to help people heal from the inside out.

One of the biggest problems I help people solve is feeling overwhelmed, overwhelmed by the product ingredient list, product misinformation, life’s stressors, or not knowing where to start on their healing or cleaner product swap journey. I break things down in a simpler way. I educate, guide, and create products that people can trust. I also help clients create mindful rituals, manage stress, and find calm again through sound healing, breathing practices, and holistic habits.

What sets me apart is the intentionality behind everything I do. My products aren’t just “natural”, they are researched, thoughtfully curated, and made to actually support the body’s healing process. My wellness offerings aren’t just trendy, they’re grounded in real study, lived experience, consistency, and a desire to lead by example. I’m proud that people can feel the energy, intention, and heart behind my work, not just see the aesthetic of my brand. My products and services carry purpose, healing, and authenticity, and I’m grateful that my community connects with that on a deeper level.

What I’m most proud of is the community I’ve built and the people who trust me to guide them. I’m proud of doing this as a single mama, working multiple jobs, studying holistic health, and still showing up with love for my business and my clients. I’m proud that everything I create, whether it’s a product, a service, a sound bath session, an energy session, a guide, or an Instagram educational post, comes from my heart and a genuine desire to serve.

What I want people to know is this: Namaste Naturally isn’t just about products. It’s a lifestyle, a safe space, and a reminder that self-care doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be as simple as choosing cleaner products with better ingredients, grounding yourself in nature, taking a deep breath, or permitting yourself to slow down. My brand is here to help you feel better, glow naturally, and reconnect with your mind, body, and soul.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

Beyond training and continuing education, the most important qualities in my field are intuition, intention, connection, and consistency. Holistic wellness, healing work, and clean-beauty product creation or recommendations require more than understanding techniques or ingredients; you must genuinely care about people and the energy you bring into your work.

Success in this industry comes from showing up with authenticity, empathy, and a deep understanding of what people are truly struggling with. Having lived through my own cycles of health challenges, burnout, and healing, I approach my work with compassion and a grounded sense of purpose. People can feel that, and it helps build trust.

Another critical piece is integrity; being transparent about ingredients, staying rooted in clean formulations, and offering healing services that actually support the mind, body, and spirit. When your work is genuine, people recognize it and want to stay connected with you.

And honestly, the power of networking cannot be overstated. Building genuine relationships with clients, other healers, small business owners, and people in complementary fields opens doors you could never create alone. Networking creates community, collaboration, visibility, and opportunities to learn from others. Much of my growth has stemmed from sharing space with others, creating a safe space for others, exchanging knowledge, and building connections that align with my mission and values.

Ultimately, succeeding in this field isn’t just about what you know; it’s about how you show up, how you connect, and the heart, intention, and energy you bring into every space and every product you create.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start?

My business wasn’t funded through investors, loans, or big capital; it was built through intention, consistency, and starting with what I had. When I launched Namaste Naturally, I didn’t have a large savings account. I was a single mom working, in school, pursuing a bachelor’s degree, and doing my best to balance life during the pandemic. What I did have was a vision, a purpose, and a willingness to invest in myself little by little.

The initial capital came directly from my own 9-to-5 paycheck. Every time I got paid, I set aside a small amount specifically for my business, sometimes $20, sometimes $50, sometimes whatever I could manage. I used those funds to buy ingredients, jars, labels, and the basic materials needed to create my first products. I literally started with what was in my reach and focused on doing the best I could with the resources I had.

Since I wasn’t working with large amounts of money, I had to be extremely intentional. I tested in small batches, stretched every dollar, shopped sales, reinvested every dollar from each order, and paced my growth in a way that felt sustainable. That consistency, showing up day after day, week after week, is what allowed me to build a solid foundation.

Over time, as my community grew and people connected with my mission around clean ingredients and holistic healing, the business began to fund itself. Each order helped me elevate my business, improving my packaging, upgrading my ingredients, expanding my product offerings, and investing in my holistic education. I was able to pursue Reiki training, earn my sound healing certification, and take Natural Health & Healing and Holistic & Integrative Health courses through Broward College, which allowed me to deepen my knowledge and better serve the community.

So while I didn’t start with much financially, I started with something far more valuable: intention, belief, and consistent effort. And I’m proud of that, because it shows others that you don’t need perfect circumstances to begin, just the courage to start with what you have and pour your heart into it consistently and intentionally.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://namastenaturally.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/namastenaturally/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/namastenaturally/