Meet Melissa Rottunda

We were lucky to catch up with Melissa Rottunda recently and have shared our conversation below.

Melissa, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

Honestly, sometimes a little bit of delusion goes a long way. I’ve had to remind myself that if I’m doing the work, then I am the thing I think I’m not qualified to be. We often wait to hit some invisible milestone – some number, title, or external validation – before we give ourselves permission to feel legitimate. But the truth is, you’re literally doing it.
When that self-doubt creeps in, I flip the narrative: what if I just believe I belong here? That small mental shift changes everything. Confidence often follows action, not the other way around. So if you don’t think you are yet – think you are, and eventually, you will be.

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

I own and manage Herb & Apothecary, a small-batch, organic tea company based in the quiet, rural town of Valley Center in North County San Diego. What began as a personal wellness journey has evolved into a mission-driven business centered on helping people find holistic balance through thoughtfully crafted herbal blends.

What makes Herb & Apothecary special is the intersection between herbal medicine and my professional background in the beverage industry. Before the pandemic, I worked in beverage management as a Certified Sommelier, curating cocktail programs and refining my palate. That experience gave me a deep understanding of flavor balance and ingredient synergy – skills that translate beautifully into herbal tea blending. Many medicinal herbs can be quite strong or earthy on their own, so I approach each blend with the same creativity and intention I once brought to crafting drinks behind the bar.

My goal is to make teas that not only support the body but are truly enjoyable to drink. Each blend is carefully balanced – therapeutic herbs paired with complementary botanicals, spices, or florals – to create something both effective and flavorful. Everything is rooted in traditional herbalism but elevated with a culinary touch, making the healing experience feel a little more inviting, a little more special, and something you genuinely look forward to every day.

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

I’d say the three biggest things have been adaptiveness, the ability to actually execute on a goal, and being okay doing things on my own.

Running a small business means you’re constantly learning and adjusting. Things rarely go exactly as planned, so being adaptable has been huge. And having ideas is great, but being able to follow through on them – that’s where the real growth happens.

I’ve also had to get really comfortable doing things by myself and trusting my own judgment. It can feel scary at first, but it’s empowering once you realize you can figure almost anything out with enough curiosity and determination.

For anyone early in their journey: learn from everywhere, stay open, and don’t be afraid to fail or change direction. Let your business evolve with you. Most importantly, do everything with as much authenticity as possible – people can always feel when something’s real.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

Yes! I’d love to connect with people and organizations in the holistic health and wellness space – those who are rethinking how we approach health and are passionate about supporting the body in more natural, sustainable ways. I’m especially interested in collaborating with folks who want to focus on nervous system regulation, gut health, and overall well-being without over reliance on OTC medications or prescriptions.

I’m really drawn to people who are excited about returning to our roots – reconnecting with nature, herbal medicine, and the simple, powerful practices that help us live more balanced, fulfilling lives.

If that resonates with you, I’d love to chat! You can connect with me through Herb & Apothecary’s website or Instagram, and let’s see what we can create together!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.herbandapothecary.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herbandapothecary
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/herbandapothecary
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/herbandapothecary/

Image Credits

KayDee Lane | @kaydeelanephoto