Meet Jo-Anna Cassino

We were lucky to catch up with Jo-Anna Cassino recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jo-Anna, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

I believe I have resilience for many reasons. I have developed the skill in being able to communicate with myself in a kind and loving way, pretty much like talking to your inner child. There have been many moments and occasions where I perhaps felt like whatever I was doing didn’t matter, that I had nothing important to contribute or share but have learned that that’s simply not the case. Time and time again someone will approach me with some sort of confirmation that things that I have given, made or said has enriched them in some way. Perhaps helped them through a hard time be it spiritual or physical.

Oftentimes we all feel that sort of imposter syndrome, or that we have nothing unique to express in our creative endeavors, it’s all been done before. This was something that would also come and go for me, but I realised after much meditation and thought on this subject, that indeed we are all unique. What I create can never be replicated by someone else. It will always have my signature as I am the only me, and weave myself throughout all of my creations. This gives me te rewilience I need to go forward and do what I love.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I have always been a creative person with a passion for Science and Art. The beauty in the world is what fuels me, whether it be forests, fields, flowers, poetry, music. I have always loved the art and science of Alchemy and the concepts of ancient alchemy. This passion and curiosity led me to obtain a diploma in Organic Cosmetic Formulation and also the many years of studying Herbalism through scholastic programs as well as apprenticeship programs.

I have been a licensed cosmetologist for a couple of decades as well as an Herbalist. In 2011 I opened my first business, Flipp Salon Apothecary, which is more like an art studio encompassing all of my passions. We have a team of stylists, we use the walls as a rotating gallery for local artists to exhibit their work. We host live music nights in a semi acoustic setting to give voice to local and not so local musicians to tell their stories and share their songs, and of course, we have a fully stocked apothecary featuring botanically based self care and beauty products (including my own line, Botanic providence), locally made candles, incense, herbs, tes and much more. We also sell organic seeds and encourage local flora and pollinator plants.

I recently opened a second shop about a block away from the salon which is named after my line, Botanic providence. This is an Herb Shop and Apothecary where I create bespoke blends of teas and a wide range of small batch beauty and self care products. It’s also a lovely little gift shop with a strong focus on sustainability and zero waste/eco friendly items. We also offer acupuncture 3 days a week.

I’m always working to create something special in small batch following the rhythm of the seasons, using many of the plants and herbs I grow on our farm, and that I source from farms I trust. My strong passion for Alchemy and the concepts of chemistry and the art and science of herbalism and formulation are the foundation under the ideation and joy in creating the things I create for the shop and ultimately, the community.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

The ability to not take yourself too seriously, to understand that it is indeed a journey and not a destination. To take one day at a time. Try to be organised as to not feel overwhelmed and rest when you need to.

To understand that there is room for everyone, and that your unique imprint is meaningful.

Take the time to research your sources for learning, studies and whatever information you are using to create your vision and to bring it to life. Everyone has an opinion on all things, and it can get confusing. Do your research. Take the time. Compare sources of information. Educate yourself. Don’t be afraid of making a mistake and then learning from it.

Do you think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to try to be more well-rounded by investing effort on improving areas you aren’t as strong in?

I think it’s critical for our personal growth to try to improve on areas where we may be more weak. It’s easy to go all in on our strengths, but we limit our ability of elasticity and potential growth that way. I believe that it’s really important in any situation, whether it be professional or personal, to develop critical thinking skills, and you can only do that in situations that are more challenging to navigate. Those skills will be a companion when you need to problem solve or get to the truth of a situation. Becoming stronger where we are weak will also help us understand who we are in a much deeper and more meaningful way. They help us understand that we are not perfect and that it’s ok.

I think you can do both, shine where you are strong, and also work on where you can be better.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.flippsalon.com. + www.botanicpvd.com
• Instagram: www.intagram.com/flippsalon. +. www.instagram.com/botanicprovidence
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/flippsalon. +. www.facebook.com/botanicprovidence
• Linkedin: Flipp Salon
• Twitter: Flipp Salon
• Other: (I would like both business handels to be included in the article please)

Image Credits

Jacquelyn Marie Goulet