The HerBusiness Mentorship Program

create & grow

an ethical and sustainable

herbal business…

What: Learn the ins-and-outs of running an ethical and sustainable herbal business alongside five other herbal entrepreneurs during this 5 month mentorship program.

Who: This program is for any herbalist or aspiring herbalist that creates/intends to create herbal products for use or consumption to sell and is in the beginning stages of business development or interested in starting a business. *spots are limited to 6 individuals*

Why: For years, I went around in circles trying to figure out business planning, licensing, finances, sourcing and all of the other behind-the-scenes of running an herbal business. I wish I had someone that gave me all of the information I acquired through trial and error, in one consolidated program. It would have saved me a lot of time and energy.

Since starting Barefood&Barefoot Elixir Bar & Apothecary, I have connected with many other herbalist struggling with similar things and trying to figure out how to make their business a true business model, not just a hobby, and ethical and sustain. After offering guidance here and there, I decided to put all of the knowledge I have gained of running an herbal business into one place for others to learn and to create their own ethical and sustainable herbal business that reflects the work that they do with our Plant Kin. So, I developed this 5 month mentorship program!

When & Where: This is a remote program. We will meet via Zoom every other Monday begging November 4, 2024 and ending March 31, 2025

This program is different from other business programs because it focuses specifically on herbal businesses. It sets itself aside from the very few programs with the same focus because it is not self-led. You will be learning aside others and have time to work one-on-one with me as well, allowing you to receive real-time feedback and support while connecting with others on similar paths.

• group meetings for 5 months via zoom (45 minutes) every other Monday- 12 meetings total (meetings will be recorded and uploaded to keep)
• 1 one-on-one meeting a month- 5 total (1 hour)
• A downloadable booklet with all program information to keep and reference
• Inspirational Exercises
• Grounding into Your Authenticity Practices
• Contacts for support in your local area
• Templates
• Additional Resources
• Real time support & feedback
• Community & Networking
• Continued support after the program ends

• Ethical & Sustainable Business Practices
• Choose Your Business Path
• Building Your Brand
• Creating A Business Plan
• Sourcing: Ethically, Organically & Sustainably
• Calculating Costs & Figuring Out Finances
• Manufacturing: cGMPs and Beyond
• Who Doesn’t Love Licensing?
• Protecting Yourself & Your Business
• Supplemental Income Ideas
• Must Have Contacts
• Helpful Resources, Keeping Organized & more

Your Total Investment: $777

Program valued at $1,500

Payment plans & BIPOC pricing are available.

Meet Your Mentor

Michaela (MK) is an Alchemical Herbalist, Holistic Event Facilitator, Yoga Instructor, Holisitic & Spiritual Lifestyle Mentor, Culinary Nutritionist and the Founder and Owner of Barefood&Barefoot Elixir Bar & Apothecary.

MK offers herbal products and AF Herbal Elixirs through Barefood&Barefoot Elixir Bar & Apothecary that help to support mental health, heart-centered living and foster more alcohol and drug free experiences. She also facilitates holistic events and leads workshops on various wellness and spiritual topics.

The HerBusiness Mentorship Program Meeting Agenda:

Week 1:

Ethical & Sustainable Business Practices

Understanding ethical & sustainable business practices, ethical and sustainable herbalism, defining what is sustainable for you and your lifestyle and business, identifying your areas of strength and weakness, where you can delegate to avoid burnout & dreaming up your ideal life and work/life balance…

• Finding Your Why & Developing Your Core Values
• Ethical & Sustainable Business Practices
• What is Ethical Herbalism? What is Sustainable Herbalism?
• Inspirational Practice: Dream Life Meditation

Week 2: Choosing Your Path

What type of herbal business do you want to pursue? What products do you want to offer? What equipment do you feel comfortable using? Do you want to work on small or larger scale? Will you hire employees or work by yourself? Start to answer all of these questions and more this week.

• Sustainable Herbal Business Models
• Planning Your Products
• Formulation Considerations
• Sustainable Success, What Does Sustainable Success Mean to You?
• Inspirational Practice: Vision Board

Week 3: Building Your Brand

Get to use your creative side and build the brand of your dreams! From selecting brand colors and fonts, to beginning to connect with potential customers- this is where you truly get bring your vision to life!

• Your Mission, Philosophy & Values
• The Vision (Creating Your Branding)
• Product Lines
• Choosing A Name
• Creating Your Logo
• Labeling & Packaging
• Networking & Building Hype
• Inspirational Practices: Dream Customer Meditation

Week 4: Creating A Business Plan

Put all of your ideas into one place and begin to build the structure of your business. A Business Plan is the roots, the foundation of your business. It can be incredibly supportive throughout the development of your business and should be referenced and refined throughout it’s lifespan. It is also a great tool when it comes to sourcing funding!

• Choosing Your Business Structure
• Identifying Your Target Audience
• Business Plan 101
• Industry Research
• Business Plan Template

Week 5:

Sourcing Ethically, Sustainably & Organically

If you ask me, one of the most important parts of running a business of any kind, is sourcing ethically and sustainably. When it comes to herbalism, sourcing organically is important to. This week we will cover what these buzzwords truly mean and how to make sure the companies you are sourcing from are aligned with your core values of ethics and sustainability. Plus, ethical and sustainable wildcrafting practices.

• What is Ethical & Sustainable Sourcing?
• What is considered Organic?
• Other Questions to Consider
• Sourcing Raw Materials & Packaging
• Wildcrafting & Growing Your Own Herbs

Week 6: Manufacturing: cGMPs & Beyond

When working with raw materials, such as herbs, it is dire that your formulation and production practices are safe. This week we will dive into current Good Manufacturing Practices and begin to discuss licensing and documents needed to sell herbal products in compliance with local safety regulations, to protect your customers, yourself and your business.

• current Good Manufacturing Practices
• Paperwork & Documents
• Ethical & Efficient Formulation Practices
• Cleaning & Sanitizing
• Licensing Basics
• cGMP/Document Templates

Week 7: Who Doesn’t Love Licensing?

Ah, licensing. This one can be a doozie and can often seem an impossible obstacle to overcome, but a necessary one to move from herbal hobby to herbal business, and once again protect yourself, your business and your customers. Don’t worry! This week we will dive in deep and make sure you have all of your licensing boxes check off!

• Business Registration & Beneficial Ownership
• Licensing Details
• Topical Products v. Food v. Dietary Supplement
• Specific Licenses Needed
• Contacts & Resources
• FDA Labeling Requirements
• Questions & Considerations
• Beginning Your Research

Week 8:

Calculating Costs & Figuring Out Finances

The scope of this program does not cover scaling your business, but we will go into depth to make sure you know and honor your value and the value of your offerings, identify various streams of revenue, know how to calculate costs of production and take into account overhead expenses, organize your finances, and various ways to source funds to support the growth of your business.

• Streams of Revenue
• Costs of Production & Expenses to Consider
• Organizing Finances
• Finding Funding
• Creating Wholesale Accounts
• Inspirational Practices: Believing in Yourself & The Value of Your Offerings

Week 9: Protecting Yourself & Your Business

Learn about the best business structure and other practices for protecting yourself and your business. Ground into your power and use your voice, set boundaries and choose what is most aligned to protect your energy and your brand.

• Finding Alignment, Setting Boundaries & Saying No
• Insurance
• Business Structure
• Verbiage (What to Avoid)
• Creating Disclaimers/Warnings
• Partnerships & Creating Contracts
• Inspirational Practice: Finding Your Voice

Week 10:

Adding Additional Revenue Streams + Beyond

Business: Plants & People, Make it Fun!

We have covered a lot of the “business” side of things. This week we will talk about how to make sure you continue to be passionate, have fun and stay inspired while being a business owner. Plus, return to your why and bringing plants, people and Nature back into true alignment.

• Explore additional revenue options for Herbalists & incorporating your other passions and talents
• A fun business model is a sustainable business model- Returning to your why
• Bringing plants back to the people & people home to Nature

Week 11:

Additional Resources & Contacts, Keeping

Organized + Individual Presentations

Receive more resources, contacts and templates to support the growth of your business. Each individual in the program will have the opportunity to share a short pitch of their business or product line for support and feedback.

• Additional Resources & Templates
• Tips for staying organized
• Each individual has some time to present a pitch their business to the rest of us for feedback!

Week 12: Individual Presentations + Q&A

This is our last week and there will be time for any final questions/concerns and each individual in the program will have the opportunity to share a short pitch of their business or product line for support and feedback (those who did not share the meeting prior).

• Each individual has some time to present a pitch their business to the rest of us for feedback!
• Final questions

You can spend your time flowing with the rhythm of Nature, a channel through which our Plant Kin share their wisdom and power. You can be your own boss, take control of your life and thrive in your definition of freedom. You can and you will.