Melissa Fuller, founder of Gatherwise Skincare, shares how her personal battle with autoimmune issues and frustration with traditional skincare led her to create a plant-based skincare brand. She opens up about the early days, mixing herbal remedies in her kitchen, and how a passion for holistic healing grew into a thriving business. Melissa explains the deep connection between plants and skincare, discussing the importance of knowing exactly what goes into her products, from seed to bottle. This episode is a raw look at how personal struggles can fuel innovation and why trusting nature can be the key to lasting relief.

Chapters:

• 00:00:00 – The Link Between Seasons and Your Skin
• 00:01:17 – Meet Melissa Fuller, Founder of Gatherwise
• 00:01:38 – Battling Autoimmune Issues with Skincare
• 00:02:39 – The Birth of Gatherwise: A Personal Journey
• 00:03:47 – From Homemade Remedies to Professional Skincare
• 00:05:13 – Diving Deep into Herbalism
• 00:07:03 – How Melissa Built the Gatherwise Brand
• 00:09:52 – Starting Small: Handwritten Labels and Farmers Markets
• 00:11:09 – From Farmers Markets to Online Success
• 00:12:41 – Why Plant-Based Ingredients Matter
• 00:18:33 – Overcoming Challenges and Rebranding
• 00:19:49 – Key Ingredients Behind Gatherwise Products
• 00:23:31 – Scaling the Business After COVID
• 00:25:35 – Building a Loyal Community
• 00:29:10 – Crafting Seasonal Skincare Bundles
• 00:31:24 – Founder Challenges and How to Overcome Them
• 00:34:57 – Personal and Professional Growth as a Founder
• 00:39:52 – Upcoming Gatherwise Workshops and Classes
• 00:42:30 – Melissa’s Own Skincare Routine
• 00:44:01 – Advice for Aspiring Skincare Founders
• 00:45:55 – Where to Find Gatherwise Products
• 00:47:18 – Wrapping Up: Final Thoughts and Farewell

Links and Resources:

• Melissa on LinkedIn
• Gatherwise Skincare
• The School of Botanical Alchemy
• Aggie on LinkedIn
• AB Creative
• Aggie on Instagram
• 5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand (and Having Your Most Profitable Holiday Season Ever)

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