On Herbal Work, Deep Healing and Slow Growth: Ebony Cherelle of June & Sage. Co
Today, we’re chatting with one of The Front Market’s Fall 2022 vendors, Ebony Cherelle of June & Sage. Co.
“June & Sage. Co was inspired by my ancestors and their deep, rich connection to the land. I wanted to rebirth the ancestral wisdom and roots that plant medicine has with healing, wholeness, sustainability, and natural living.
In 2018, I went through a transformative journey of seeking deeper healing, connection, and wholeness within myself. During this journey I began taking a more holistic approach to life, practicing sustainability, mindfulness and I began studying deeply into herbalism. I learned and experienced many ways that herbs can help support and aid the body in healing and wholeness and I wanted to share this with my community. Black diasporic roots in herbalism have been forgotten, and I wanted to bring back the remedies, recipes, and herbal wisdom that our ancestors created. I wanted to create a line of herbal offerings that were clean, didn’t have a bunch of chemicals and preservatives, that helped support different ailments, skin conditions, and supported self-care + wholeness for the entire body.
Most importantly, I wanted June & Sage. Co to be a point of knowledge and community. We believe that every home deserves a healer and that we can all learn how to heal and provide wellness for ourselves and families. ”
Q: What does wellness mean to you?
A: I believe that wellness is a constant state of pursuing good mental, spiritual and physical health. Obtaining wellness looks different for each person. I obtain wellness in many simple ways like burning a stick of sage or rosemary to cleanse energy or manifest, drinking a cup of herbal tea to support my body, creating my own body butter with clean nontoxic chemicals or by sitting outside soaking up the sun.
Q:What are your goals for June & Sage Co. in 2023?
A: My goals for 2023 are to scale up. We will be looking into small business grants and other financial resources to help us expand! Our brand was created in California, and we just celebrated one year in Austin, so I’d also love to build an even wider network of community here.
In 2022, we launched in our first retail store, Soul Made Collective, in the Austin Arboretum. In 2023, you will begin seeing us expand to a few local retail stores in Austin. One final goal of ours is to begin cultivating herbal workshops with the community and hold spaces for creatives who specialize in healing and wellness to share their gifts as well.
Q: Do you have any advice for creatives looking to start their own small business?
A: My advice for creatives looking to start their own small business would be to stay true to who you are, find meaning in your gifts and let that reflect in your work. Building a business is hard work that takes a lot of time, sacrifice and resilience.
If you are doing work that is meaningful to you, it will always drive your motivation during tough times. I also believe that you don’t need to be perfect to start your business. Start where you are and things will grow. If you wait for everything to be perfect, you’ll never start your business.
Q: Our latest market theme was “Metaphorical Community Garden.” What does this mean to you?
A: I think that nurturing a community garden means fostering and building relationships with your community and those around you. We all have gifts and talents and creations that benefit the collective. I believe that we must share our wisdom and resources with one another so that we can all thrive.
At June & Sage. Co, we know how important it is to pour into our communities. It’s the life cycle of giving and receiving. We are all on the journey of wellness together and a big part of wellness is nurturing the communities that we have connections to.
