Conversations with Lorna Schlegel

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lorna Schlegel.

Hi Lorna, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I moved here from Beacon, NY its a beautiful place in the Hudson Valley. I spent most of my time in the woods hiking. Nature has a way of calling you out to come and play when you live close it. I’m a creative person by nature and I grew up in a home where we gardened and cooked all the time. I learned about herbs and spices at a very young age, it came very natural to me to able to pair the right smells and flavors together. My mom and I had a ritual of drinking tea together every night. Herbal medicine was always favored before any over the counter drugs. Playing in the woods, picking flowers, mushrooms or making mud pies is my childhood past. I was raised to be an independent and strong person. I think that’s why I’m successful with my personal goals and my work ethic. Through my own interests and hobbies I was able to educate myself more on the benefits of herbs and flowers. Experimenting is something I would always do and my family or friends would be my test subjects (lol) Try this, use this or drink this! To this day I still make them try things.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No way in hell has it always been a smooth road, I’ve failed so many times, but if you don’t fail at things you never learn. I like learning keeps the mind fresh. I didn’t always have people in my corner that wanted me to do well either maybe because I didn’t fit the mold of what they thought could be successful or bring a person joy. Look at me now Bitches! (Can I say that?) I did lose my creative ability for awhile after college or so I thought and definitely didn’t take myself serious in my 20’s. I went to art school and tried to pursue a career with graphic design and painting. That didn’t pan out the way I hoped. I struggled with things just like everyone but I never let it hold me back from getting and doing the things I want. I take risks and I’m not scared or worried if someone doesn’t like me. I never thought I would call myself a business owner let alone have a small growing and successful tea business this early in the game. I had a conversation with my Mom not to long ago about creativity and lack of not feeling like I’m still there because I don’t paint anymore or can’t find the time. She said, You are still creative, you are still an artist, but you have shifted your medium and you are creating art it’s just different now. That made me feel good.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a firm believer that we’re only here for a short while, and we may as well make the very most of it while we still can. I really fully immerse myself in anything and everything that suits my fancy. Needless to say, I wanted to create a business that the sole purpose and goal was to help heal the body to its natural state through herbs. I truly believe that herbal medicine helps the body return to its natural balance. Born with a natural artistic talent, herbal creativity comes seamless, like I was meant to do this work. I’ve been in health care for many years now, by breaking away from prescription medications and harmful chemicals we can bring our mind and body back to a healthier balance of living better and longer. Nature is everything, we learn everyday day what herbal medicine can do for a person’s health, so why not continue on with that path of life.

The best thing about running this small business by myself is when I get to speak with customers at face to face because I’m able to bring light to my passion and share it. I love that I have a small following of tea lovers, they get it. I need more! I can’t be more happy when I hear people say, “this tea is so good and it’s really working for me or I ran out and I need more” I’ve found that creating blends that are not the norm gets the attention of people. I hope to expand soon and start to bottle cold sparking tea’s to sell at local farmers markets. This journey has been wild and I’m so proud of myself for taking this leap into what once was a dream on paper. Having such a strong creative background is what sets me apart from others because I’m able to evolve into more than what I thought I could achieve.

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Naked Herbs is a small herbal botanical tea company, that is dedicated to having a variety of tea blends geared for specific health needs in mind. I want to show the septic’s or non tea drinkers that herbal tea heals the body inside and out and can be enjoyed hot or cold. While its fulfilling to have created a small body wellness line my main focus is always going to be crafting tea blends. We need alternative ways to express ourselves naturally with the help of herbs and flowers. I’ve taken my time and done the research carefully for each blend on the medical properties, but also the spiritual aspects of sipping tea that brings people together. Get Naked and drink your tea!

Pricing:

• Herbal Tea Blends $13-$15
• Linen/ Room Sprays $20
• Bath Soaks $21
• Rose Mary Hair Tonic $19
• Charcoal Body Scrub $23

Contact Info:

• Email: nakedherbsco@gmail.com
• Website: nakedherbstea.com
• Instagram: nakedherbsco
• Facebook: Naked Herbs Co