Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Reynna Romo. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Reynna, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. 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.
Desert Rey’s Apothecary started with applying herbalism to a creative outlet. I made an infused oil with Sagebrush one day and made beeswax candles out of it on a whim. I shared the candles and the importance of burning non-toxic candles on social media and people started asking for them and showing interest in what I had to teach. I was immediately excited and eager to share other self taught and ancestral herbal practices with my community. Herbalism has been a seven year practice. It was time to share with others what I treat myself and my family with. We can only keep what we have by giving it away. Building has been a fun and challenging process. It probably took a few months to build a website because I would get frustrated trying to navigate and put it down to refocus. But I didn’t give up because people kept asking and I’m happy with the outcome. Reaching out to local markets for vending opportunities was intimidating at first, but it’s really nice to meet other people doing their own thing and showcasing it. The only way to get booked was to put myself out there!
Having an audience also allows me to speak on causes that matter to me and feel heard. I am Native American and in recovery from addiction and homelessness. My platform is used to shine light on local Native and Homeless causes. Being supported allows me to serve individuals within the two worlds I live in freely.
Diluted new age adaptations of ancient lifestyles have always frustrated me. I knew the best way to transmute that feeling was to be an example and educate myself and others as much as possible. Having a brand enables me to do so and share what I create with plants and my hands.
Reynna, 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 grandmothers passed down natural remedies to me and I have always had a passion for herbalism. Taking care of the land and learning how plants care for us birthed something to share with everyone else. I make naturally scented beeswax candles, infused oils, herbal sprays, and salves. I pride my products on being non-toxic and sourced from places that are ethical in their methods. I am native to Southern California and Arizona and in recovery from long term substance abuse and homelessness. Supporting Desert Rey’s enables me to pour freely in to the recovery and native communities where help is needed.
Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?
I had to save money from my serving job to make the first set of bulk ingredient orders. Tips were set aside to reach a certain goal to be able to invest in my business. Desert Rey’s has been able to pay for itself after meeting that goal, for the most part. Now I work in treatment which fills my need to care for others and gives support to expand the brand as it evolves.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
Doubting myself has been the biggest lesson to unlearn. How would I expect someone to believe in Desert Rey’s if I didn’t? There was a vending opportunity within the Native community in Las Vegas. It was calling to me to apply for it. I had been following the hosts and the people I would be vending with on social media for a while. We cared about the same things and everyone had something unique to offer. Fear immediately greeted me. I was afraid of rejection, but also realized that’s the worst thing that could happen. Thankfully I went for it because it’s one of my favorite places to share what I do.
Contact Info:
- Website: desertreys.com
- Instagram: desert_reys_apothecary
- Facebook: facebook.com/desertreys