Meet Danielle Galvin

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Danielle Galvin a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Danielle , so happy to have you on the platform and I think our readers are in for a treat because you’ve got such an interesting story and so much insight and wisdom. So, let’s start with a topic that is relevant to everyone, regardless of industry etc. What do you do for self-care and how has it impacted you?

I may seem like an extrovert, but I am an introvert at heart, and as such I prefer to recharge alone. My favorite form of self-care is grounding. Having my feet on the earth and silently listening to the sounds of nature is pure magic. I try to catch every sunset and utilize that time to give thanks and be in awe at the beauty. It’s hard to stay on top of self-care as a business owner. My schedule may be all my own, but I often overfill it and feel like I need to be go, go, go all the time. That is why this year I decided to sprinkle in little bits for myself every day instead of trying to work in big self-care events. Little acts like listening to my audiobook and working on a paint-by-number fill me up more than any elaborate spa day could.
I have noticed a big shift in my nervous system and creativity when I stay on top of my “me time.” I feel better as a person, but also as a business owner. I have more energy and creativity, and I can better handle the stresses of life. It is so important to take care of yourself. I always try to remind myself of the saying “You cannot fill from an empty cup”. I can’t help people if I am also unwell, and being in service of others is important to me.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

The plants pulled me in over a decade ago, and I’ve been in love ever since. My business, Root & Wander Collective, was born out of my passion for teaching. When I was first interested in herbalism, I had a tough time. I couldn’t find any in-person teachers or live classes. Everything was prerecorded classes online, lengthy (and expensive) programs, or book learning. I struggled my way through and figured it out, but it was beyond difficult. That is why I started my business by offering classes and custom products. I aim to be the teacher I never had. I want to show my students that herbalism can be simple with the right guidance. The Earth is filled with abundance and wants to help us. Throughout humanity, every culture has built an herbal practice. It is a unifying act across all demographics. These cultures also held a reciprocal relationship with the land, an idea that is sorely lacking in the Western world. That is the core tenet in my teachings. We do not take from the Earth or “use” plants; we work with them, care for them, and in turn, they care for us.
My dream is for herbalism to be accessible, common knowledge, and for every home to have a herbalist. With that in mind, I have a myriad of offerings at varied price points to be able to meet each student where they are. From group classes and private mentorship to customized herbal study guides and individualized formulas, I guide you through the basics and beyond so you can help yourself and your community.

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

I work mostly with new herbalists, whom I like to call Herblings, and the most common question I get asked is “where should I start?”. I believe each of us should start with our local plants. These are abundant, easily accessible, and can be as close as stepping into our yard. There is something magical that happens when we get to work with local plants. We become a part of the ecosystem instead of just living in it. If you can garden, start planting native species. Tend to the pollinators so they bless our wild areas and gardens. If you can’t garden, don’t worry! Becoming an earth steward is as easy as picking up trash at a park, learning to identify the native plants around you, removing harmful invasives, and giving thanks to the land.
My second tip is to find a teacher. Local is great, but find someone you can learn from in real time. In-person learning is ideal, but if that’s not possible, find someone you can learn from where you can ask questions and bounce ideas off of. Most of my classes are offered in person and online in real-time because I remember the pain of not having anyone to ask questions to.
My third tip is to find a study buddy. This could be someone you meet in a Facebook group or at a garden center, or a friend you already have. Herbalism can sometimes feel very isolating. It’s still fairly niche, and some people think we are “crazy”. Bring a friend along down the plant path and enjoy this new world together. This can make learning so much easier as you can share resources and experiment together. Don’t be afraid to get hands-on and a little messy. You need to! You will make mistakes, but that’s part of the journey.

Tell us what your ideal client would be like?

My ideal student is someone who wants to live more naturally and holds respect for the Earth. I tend to attract those who are brand new to herbalism and maybe know about Elderberry Syrup, but that’s it. I love working with newbies because they are so amped up. Everything is new and exciting. Herbalism can be very overwhelming and a lot to take in at first, but it can be broken down simply. My ideal student wants someone to guide them, but not give them all the answers. The plant path is filled with forever homework, so my students need to be prepared to accept that they will never know everything. It is better to know 20 plants really well than to know just a little about 100. Continued study and a passion for experimentation are paramount in herbalism.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.rootandwandercollective.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/rootandwandercollective
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/rootandwandercollective
• Other: https://rootandwander.substack.com/