Today we’d like to introduce you to Aimee Martin
Hi Aimee, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Originally from Southeastern Kentucky, my story kinda started when I was in high school. After my Pawpaw passed, we moved in and started taking care of my Mawmaw (great grandmother) she was not in the best of health with having multiple strokes, heart attacks and alzheimers.
During this time, I saw how many prescription medications she was on and always wondered how that differed from that commercial on TV about your brain on drugs from smoking Marijuana. (Yes, I’m old) Could the prescription meds be a cause of her memory loss? I decided then that I never wanted to be in that situation.
Fast forward from college to culinary school in St. Augustine, FL. I discovered the weather that I love and the DATIL pepper! I started incorporating it into many of my homestyle recipes and surprisingly it became an instant hit with friends and family. I didn’t realize it would be an important part of my life some years later.
From culinary school and cooking, I went into the front of the house and started managing restaurants. I worked managing properties in St. Augustine until moving to Savannah, GA. Two of my best friends lived here and I felt it was way more like home but without the snow (at least most of the time) I started managing the Olde Pink House and have been there in some capacity for the past 12 years.
Then Covid happened, while we were on our shutdown, I thought to myself, “life is too short to have regrets about what could’ve ” so Hillbilly Willie’s was born.
Our name is a little silly but it’s full of love. Willie is my cat. He was rescued in a snow storm by my Aunt and she saved his life. I knew as soon as I saw him that he was my boy! When I came home for Thanksgiving, that was all she wrote and he came home with me! The name is my love from where I’m from and him, we’re both Hillbillys and proud of it!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road is definitely not easy, especially these days! Worry about products and shipping and tariffs, oh my! Is an everyday struggle. I am also a total GenXer that had to learn everything about computers, websites, logos, social media and it has been a learning experience. I am constantly learning something new everyday! Originally, I thought I would just be making tea and spice and helping people but there is a lot more to it. The balance of personal to work life is delicate and a challenge especially when you love what you do and are passionate about it.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
So as I said earlier, I couldn’t help but notice the correlation between my Mawmaws prescription medications and her advancing alzheimers. I’m also allergic to penicillin and aspirin and just felt that there had to be an alternative.
When living in St. Augustine, I was under so much stress that I was constantly having outbreaks of shingles. A dear friend reached out and reminded me that prescription drugs weren’t the only things with chemicals so I cut out as many chemicals and plastics from my everyday life and started incorporating healthier alternatives. Guess what? The shingles went away….go figure. I also started focusing more on self care and my emotional balance.
I realized that over the years, I had been changing with using alternative medicine and natural remedies. People started noticing and started asking for help. The teas were born mainly out of this reason.
While my seasoning blends are full of natural, organic, beautiful herbs, they’re not full of fillers, salt, caking agents, sugar. Instead, I use little or zero salt and organic coconut sugar. The flavor is in the plants! The tea however, was made to be delicious and help in aiding different ailments. My teas are generally, naturally sweet due to me quitting soda but I have been getting more into less sweet options too! I have green, black, and herbal teas now that can aid in sleep, inflammation, pain, detoxifying, tummy aches…the power of plants can do anything! I also create special blends for specific ailments for individuals and for local businesses.
I guess I am most proud of having safe products that can help people feel better inside or out. It is indescribable to have someone contact me and tell me their tea or Wonder Oil have helped them or a family member. It makes my heart happy.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
I had a pretty awesome childhood and makes for a single memory too difficult. Some of my favorite ones though are…eating wild strawberries from the backyard, visiting with my uncle Caney and Aunt Dory, hanging with my Pawpaw while he took stats during UK basketball games, fixing my Granny Ruby’s hair, watching my brother run cross country, splitting cheeseburgers with my Marme and absolutely anything with my Pa! I am a very lucky girl to have soo many good memories.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.hillbillywillies.com
- Instagram: Hillbilly_willies_wonders
- Facebook: Hillbilly Willies
