We were lucky to catch up with Rachel Buckley recently and have shared our conversation below.
Rachel, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about how you went about setting up your own practice and if you have any advice for professionals who might be considering starting their own?
In the beginning stages of establishing my own holistic health & Cosmetic practice – there were SO many reasons to convince myself there were too many risks involved and zero certainty it would work out. However, I had a network of friends, family and clientele that I knew needed me to show up in this way. Regularly, people were coming to ME for this type of advice, so I must be displaying a version of myself that was genuine, trustworthy, and AUTHENTIC. So consiously, I made the decision to take initiative. First by making an assessment of what it was that ruled the very essence that made me who I was, and why I became serious about helping people with their health & Wellness, product lines, or business ventures. What was my WHY? What could I do to prove to MYSELF this was the route I put in years of research and work to create ?
In business school, you will learn how to be fiscally responsible, how to perform a SWOT Analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, & Threats) and how to accrue capital but what University will teach you about truly embodying your business?
There is NOONE on this planet that will open a practice or private firm exactly the way you want to. The super power of your brand, is YOU.
If I would have let the negative voices win – I wouldn’t be almost a decade in with nearly ONE THOUSAND testimonials and 5 star reviews. If you are more concerned with profit, and the numbers – that foundation MAY work for you but the method I took was being able to recognize the void in the industry and seeing all the ways I could contribute to improve it. This was SO apparent and crystal clear to me, because I became a Mom. All of the available options for “clean” body care – were non existent. Even the highest quality on the market, was not up to par. I was able to get my foot in the door to cosmetic formulation with my heart in the right place. When you build a fool proof, solid foundation – I have seen that the money will always follow. Yes, its good to be conscious about finances but your passion, drive, and the loyalties to your daily habits and what you’re choosing everyday is the strongest force to use. The more committed you are to the process, the easier you can find your muse and inspiration.
Has anyone told you that you’re too emotional? You care too much about what others think? That means you can use those characteristics to your advantage by anticipating needs before they’re asked. Predicting consumer behavior, and that you actually CARE about making the World a better place for the generations to come. There is ALWAYS a strength on the other side of what other people may claim is your weakness. Build something that absolutely NOTHING and NOONE can take away from you.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I started my brand nearly a decade ago. I noticed the void, as well as lack of sustainability in the skincare and cosmetics industry. I learned everything there was to know about Herbalism, Cosmetic Formulation Chemistry, Clinical Aromatherpy, Reiki, and how to integrate all types of Plant Medicine.
My heart and who I am to the CORE, is a true servant to my community, and loved ones. My brand grew FAST because I genuinely care about
At least 80% of my clients usually find their way to me after many failed attempts of going the traditional route in their health or skincare journey.
For example; developing TWS (Topical Steroid Withdrawal) due to stopping the use extremely potent prescription steroids for any prolonged period of time – and experiencing reactions and skin issues worse than their original problem.
The Facts:
90% of heart disease conditions may be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle.
SOURCE: American Journal of Preventative Medicine
And 52% of Americans followed a diet or eating pattern (such as clean eating) in 2022, which is a huge increase from 39% in 2021.
SOURCE: International Food Information Center
So those thinking health and wellness degrees aren’t promising – have been falsely led to believe so.
Especially since in recent years, we have experienced widespread dis-ease, and health threats. This forced us to face our own mortality, so more people are seeking support and sustainability in advocating for improving their health. The days of putting this pressure on a facility, a coach, or a doctor are disappearing. There is so much empowerment in taking responsibility for living a healthy lifestyle, OR the repercussions of the lack thereof.
The discipline came from many years of research and acquiring different, well-rounded certifications and educational opportunities. Setting up at markets and live events every single weekend go get my name out there, and to allow word of mouth to do our best marketing for us through referrals from happy and satisfied consumers.
Now I have my OWN shop where I feature many other small businesses, local artisans, and Practitioners.
Relationship Marketing showed my clients I was involved for the right reasons, and that I could help them remember that they could take back their power and make a huge impact by letting go of conditioning, harmful programming and laying out all of their cards that they may not have known were available to them.
Like the food industry, the skin and body care industry in America aren’t as strict or strongly regulated as some other countries. I was appaled to learn that the word “Fragrance” on your product could hide over 10,000 undesirable ingredients. Me and my sons skin required PURE and effective formulas that consisted of live botanicals and herbs, plant and seed oils and butters, Essential oils, infusions and extracts that are far superior than what you could find on the market.
Professionals like Estheticians, Massage Therapists, Physical Therapists, and Chiropractors found me through a referral from their client, or trying my products on their own and seeing for themselves how efficient and CLEAN products can make such a huge impact on their practice, and establishment.
This grew my confidence in my offerings and seeing that what I provided individuals and B2B was unique and profound.
Customizing items, and personalizing these connections built strong bonds and kept our consumers wanting to return. We are so grateful to see where all of this ground work has taken the company and look forward to helping young professionals do the same.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
Back story: My brand ships across the country, and thrived off of in person sessions, appointments, and one on one consultations.
Once covid-19 came for small businesses at the knees. I was NOT going to let this affect my impact or work against my brand in a negative way. I was able to pivot, and branch out into many other departments by learning more about the ways and benefits of building my business online. This meant offering REMOTE opportunities, and putting ALL of my cards on the table by opening a STOREFRONT. Showing up for my community by giving them a place to get all of their necessities, and go-to for holistic health education and integration.
2021 was unfortunately, when some businesses were shutting their doors, I was finding this as an opportunity to OPEN them, expand and grow in ways I’ve never considered before.
This was NOT a time to play it small, and I was RIGHT. This was a lesson is trusting my instincts, honoring and believing in myself.
Being able to learn everyone is wired differently, and the ability to empathize with each one is a skill set in itself. Applying that to properly pivot my direction and appease our audience allowed major shifts to happen very quickly.
How’d you meet your business partner?
My #1 business partner is my husband, Nic Buckley. Believe it or not, we met in 5th grade at Columbia Elementary in Florida. We could have never seen this coming. Then, we were just friends and we didn’t reunite and find ourselves in a romantic situation until the beginning of 2014. Nic is formally trained in welding and construction but together, we prioritized family life, and health over everything else. We realized if we joined forces – there would be NOTHING that could get in the way of our initiative for the collective. Once we had our son, Jude – the World became such a bigger place and our responsibility to do whatever we could to be present and involved in his life. This fueled our passion and motivation to put EVERYTHING we had into our business and offerings.
You can have it all! Don’t let anyone make you feel otherwise. It can all be yours. There were so many times the scales would tip, and the imbalance between home and business life would show – but we have been able to successfully communicate our needs as partners in life, just the same way we must discuss them for the business.
We are a decade into our commitment to each other, and eight years into the buisiness. We didn’t get into business together but that is where we ended up. Nic now offers whole food and adaptogen supplements, wire wrapped and crystal jewelry, Reiki, gardening consultation and plant care when he isn’t completing side projects. He stepped in when he saw there was a need for it, and in turn was able to apply more time to our son and home.
He is a huge asset to our company and although we have our hard working employees and vendors – there is noone that could know me, or my needs better.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://naturemamabodycare.com/
- Instagram: Instagram.com/naturemamabodycare
- Facebook: Facebook.com/naturemamabodycare
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-buckley-278b83a5
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@RwheeL174
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/nature-mama-body-care-divide-3?
- Other: Etsy, Website & Affliate Links: https://bio.site/naturemamabodycare
Image Credits
I took every photo I sent you, the one with me and a friend was taken by my sister (who is not a professional photographer) and I can prove that if need be. :) I do appreciate the inquiry though!