We were lucky to catch up with Tara Gangadharan recently and have shared our conversation below.

Tara, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

I was going through a personal health struggle that was affecting me both emotionally and energetically. I was trying all sorts of things from yoga to breathwork to making my own body care products to help support my wellbeing.

One of those products I made was a scalp balm. At the time, I was struggling with major dry scalp and psoriasis. I didn’t like using oils because they were difficult to control, and I often ended up with too much product or not enough. As a result, I began formulating a balm that could melt easier in my hands and allow for a more concentrated application.

I noticed that the essential oils I was using to enhance my scalp balm were also great oils for supporting the energy of the Crown Chakra. Chakras are points within the subtle body through which energy flows. The Crown Chakra is an energy center located at the top of our head. It is the space where we connect to our higher self and to all consciousness.

Cedarwood, for example, is a beautiful essential oil for soothing the scalp. Its aroma also helps clear negative thoughts and emotions allowing us the space to connect more freely to spirit.

Once I began making the energetic connections, I realized there was this natural synergy between the botanicals’ physical properties and energetic properties that could be aligned to various self-care practices and products. And, it was so cool! Here was a way to enhance your everyday self-care rituals with products that could also support your energetic well-being.

From there, I began to develop the base aromas for each of the seven main Chakra centers and the formulation of base products that could fit into each category.

Honestly, I wasn’t sure that it would be marketable. I just knew incorporating these products into my life had been a game changer for me, and I wanted to share that with others.

Tara, 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?

I’m a certified Aromatherapist and the Creator/Owner of Thara Sacra in Detroit, MI.

The majority of my professional career has spent in Purchasing and Supply Chain in the Automotive indusry. I left Automotive for about three years and lived abroad in England, UK working for a global FMCG (Fast-Moving Consumer Goods) company that specialized in cosmetics and skin & body care. While in England, I also studied Naturopathic Medicine and began my interest in energy work and aromatherapy.

When I returned to the Detroit, MI area, I went back into Automotive and found the creative and energetic side of me simply wasn’t being “fed.” I was excellent at my job and progressing in my career, but I needed something more. I was not maximizing my full potential.

When I came up with the concept for Thara Sacra, I worked to build the formulations and marketing in my personal time. It was challenging but an exciting time—learning how to take a product from concept to market. I had to learn everything about how to set up a business like registration, marketing, accounting, manufacturing web design, sales, and the list goes on.

What sets me apart is that I’m not just another aromatherapy or body care company. This is sacred self-care. These are energetically formulated products. It’s about elevating your daily rituals and honoring your energy.

I am extremely proud of my brand and what it stands for. There is nothing that puts a bigger smile on my face than hearing one of my products helped support someone on their wellness journey.

I truly believe that beauty radiates from the inside, and I love designing products that help my customers radiate their truest light.

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

In 2019, I was thinking about closing my business. I was struggling to grow, and I felt like it was really difficult to get noticed in the sea of brands already well known in Detroit. Friends and clients were encouraging me not to give up, so in early 2020, I made plans to really amplify my brand and participate in local markets and shows in the coming months.

Then Covid hit, and everything went still. I didn’t know what to do. Trust me when I say I wanted to close my business, but I didn’t. I stopped and listened. I listened to my customers. I paid attention to who was buying my products and why. And over the next several months, I began to envision what would be the next move for Thara Sacra which became what I launched this year in 2022, TS-PRO.

It’s a professional line with back bar sizes geared towards professionals. It’s been amazing for expanding brand awareness. It brings me so much joy when professional clients tell me stories about how my products have helped their clients in their wellness journey.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

Current clients and organic growth. I have tried so many suggested ways to build clients, but the one that gets the best results (and best intel for my business) is my current client’s word of mouth and personal testimonials.

Current clients also helped me figure who my ideal customer was. I wouldn’t have known that expanding into the professional market would be a game changer for my business without the feedback from my current clients.

I think that is why UGC (User-Generated Content) is becoming such a buzz word in social media circles these days. People want authenticity from brands. They want to know who they are and that they are credible.

I am Thara Sacra. Thara Sacra is me. These products are an extension of everything I value.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.tharasacra.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/tharasacra
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/tharasacra
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/company/thara-sacra
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/thara_sacra

Image Credits
Dele Nguyen Photography Erica Treais Holm Photography