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
- Work with the AB Creative team
- AB Creative
- Aggie on Instagram
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