Today we’d like to introduce you to Bailey Rose Cronin.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Ever since I was a young girl I was interested in plants and a more holistic way of living. I was a competitive gymnast most of my life therefore my diet and routine were fairly strict. Growing up we had a little garden in the back that we used to plant seeds and flowers. My mother would make our baby food from scratch and put it in ice cube trays. I remember my sisters and I eating the onion grass right out of the ground. My father would take us camping, we were a big outdoorsy family. We’d drink tea and my parents would make us healthy foods if we were sick. I don’t remember ever taking an over-the-counter drug as a kid.
These small patterns as a child grew into the idea of learning more about herbal medicine. This passion of mine became a reality when I was living in Peru. I had just moved from Miami and became very ill being out there. I was recommended to take a few pharmaceutical drugs which were intended to make me better, but did not. I met a lovely couple who owned a holistic cafe and began researching alternative remedies. I was eating whole foods to heal my gut and help with the altitude sickness. I also remember taking frankincense, ashwagandha, pumpkin seeds, and wormwood as herbal remedies.
Within two weeks, I was feeling entirely better. This sparked a curiosity to dive deeper into botany and naturopathic treatments. When I got back to the states, I packed up my car and moved across the country to attend The Colorado School of Clinical Herbalism and Nutrition in Boulder. I grew fascinated with plant pathology and healing my body through herbs. If I had a headache, adrenal fatigue, moodiness, or sleep deprivation there was an herb to help. I became a medical herbalist. I thought to myself “okay, now what?”
At the time I was 23 finishing up my undergrad in psychology, bartending on the side and had no idea what I truly wanted to do with my life. I decided to do something about that by taking what I had loved and known my entire life and sharing it with others. I started packaging up herbal teas from local farms that I had carefully sourced and giving it to anybody that was willing to try them.
I had no clue how to start a business or even if I would be able to do it but I met some wonderful people along the way that were kind enough to take a chance on myself and my products. This turned into creating Rosebud’s Apothecary. I built an online store, applied to local farmers markets and went store to store hoping somebody would be willing to carry my teas.
I started focusing on my business full time, despite a pandemic and setbacks I stuck with it. Three years later I moved back to Colorado where my heart has always belonged and have been able to bring an organic apothecary to the farmers markets out here in Denver.
I am grateful for the opportunity to share my passion with the community and absolutely love being able to offer effective products that I truly believe in.
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?
Nothing worthwhile is ever easy. I welcome both the highs and lows because I always learn something. It was definitely difficult at first as it is for most new businesses.
I struggled to start this business a year before the pandemic hit. I did not realize how many times I would have to switch suppliers to ensure I was sourcing top quality herbs to my consumers. The integrity of my products has always been number one to me. I was comfortable knowing I had a good product that I genuinely believed in and if I kept working the world would eventually see it too.
I chose to embrace the challenges versus being consumed by failures because at least I’m doing something, you know? It makes the part of helping others through plants and herbs so much more meaningful. The little wins are still wins and you won’t ever regret pursuing a passion despite the setbacks.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a medical herbalist specializing in botany and plant pathology. I have an undergrad in psychology that I use to focus on the mental effects of plants versus medication as well as being a CPT and nutritionist. I create specialized organic teas, tinctures, oils and elixirs by hand that are designed to nourish and support your mind as well as body.
I have blends such as Dream Potions that support sleep, Heart Healers that support cardiovascular function, Winter Blues that increase serotonin to the brain. I have topical products as well like our Rosey Skin and Beard Bud Oils that are for skin and hair. We have about 12 different herbal tea blends and 4 different topical oils we encourage you to check out on our website!
There is a product for everyone. I am proud to have created this brand from scratch and take pride in being attentive to the details. It brings me joy when someone has a positive experience after using our products and I want to share that with as many people as possible.
I am also writing a book which is an herbal first aid care kit for children that will be available this year so stay tuned!
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
The Energetics of Western Herbs is my absolute favorite. It is extremely informative and has helped me understand the plant world a bit better.
I enjoy taking workshops that are hands-on in the wilderness, something about being outdoors allows me to connect better with myself.
An app I love to use is called Plantsnap. It allows you to identify over 600,000 plants by taking a photo of the plant. Most of the books I read are more philosophical-based or some type of psychological thriller. Studying abnormal psychology has also helped me further understand the brain and how lifestyle, plants, exercise and stress are all correlated to cognitive function and behavior.
Pricing:
- $18-$40 for all of our 100% organic herbal teas, oils and tinctures!
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website:www.rosebudsapothecary.com
- Instagram: @rosebudsapothecary
