Meet Kristan Green

We recently connected with Kristan Green and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Kristan, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

When I reflect on my past, I realize that “finding a purpose” felt overwhelming. The uncertainty of not knowing what I was supposed to be doing with my life was consuming. I had so many ideas that I didn’t know where to begin, and eventually, I would either force something to happen, which felt inauthentic, or become so overwhelmed that I ended up doing nothing at all.
I believe the society we live in has created this idea that purpose must be reflected in success, perfection, or status, rather than in fulfillment, alignment, or connection. It took me many years to understand that purpose does not have to be tied to a career, an achievement, financial status, being well-known, or being a successful businesswoman. I had to get back to basics, back to my intuition and my calling. It was all very rudimentary, really. Instead of viewing my life through the lens and expectations of societal norms, I had to find a way to show up authentically, both within and for myself, secure in my own thoughts, concepts, opinions, and ideas that were—and this is the important part—consistent with my own values, standards, and integrity.
I did this by letting go of the belief that purpose equates to success, and instead, through somatic work, allowed my body with its innate wisdom and abounding love, to be my guide. This might sound unconventional, even foreign to some, but if we cannot listen to and trust ourselves, our intuition, our creativity, how will we ever find our true purpose? It doesn’t belong to anyone else but ourselves! Only when I came to this illuminating realization did I finally feel liberated and empowered to share the parts of myself that had been dormant for so many years. It helped build my confidence and self-esteem and strengthened my resilience, breathing new life into my gifts and talents.
I strive to live a beautiful life amid the division and madness we face daily, showing up authentically while bypassing the influence, perfectionism, and distraction that will never serve me. My purpose is to inspire others to do the same: to find something they love, that feeds their creativity, and that helps them reconnect with nature and others in nourishing ways.
That’s it. As simple as it sounds, it’s actually quite revolutionary.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

As The Natural Dye Company (NDCo.) continues to shift and transform, I see it not only as part of my own healing process but also as an integral part of building community and connection. While I do make some products to sell, I don’t run a retail business. I am a teacher, and my heart is in the workshops I offer. With that said, I don’t actually see NDCo. as a business or career. It’s an experience, both for myself and for anyone who wants to participate. It’s an invitation to show up authentically and surrender to the unknown; to connect and create what I like to call alchemical magic. And that’s not just within the dye process itself, but also within the ecosystem of the group and beyond. It is a way to take care of yourself, and ultimately, a way to take care of me and each other, even in the simple act of making a naturally dyed textile and practicing an art form.
To receive words of gratitude from folks who thank me for sharing my story, or for giving them an opportunity to be creative or do something that aligns with their heart—this is why I do what I do. The experiences from these workshops are reciprocal and deeply mutual.
I encourage anyone reading this interview to show up in a communal space that feels intuitively creative and nurturing, but also invites you just a little out of your comfort zone. And do it more than once, and try different things! It will open creative portals and desires, and fulfill the need for healthy social connection that is, in my opinion, so desperately needed in these times of division.
This past year, I really put myself out there. I knew I couldn’t force anything, but I also couldn’t sit still. I reached out to countless small businesses, artisans, local farms, senior centers, schools, and libraries to see if they were interested in collaborating and the response was abundant.
That effort has now led to even more opportunities, from teaching at small, intimate gatherings to participating in grant-based community events. Starting in 2026, I’ll also be teaching three different courses at the Michigan Folk School. Students will get to delve deeper into natural dye processes by prepping their own textiles for dyeing, exploring detailed shibori designs, learning how to revamp pre-loved clothing, and discovering what types of natural dyes already exist in their own kitchens. It’s going to be fun, experimental, and most importantly a chance to connect with others while tapping into our innate creativity together as a community.

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

Three qualities that have most impacted my journey are optimism, strength through vulnerability, and self-authorship. These have shaped how I have navigated my life’s many challenges, from selling all my belongings and moving across the country twice (and eventually settling in the Midwest), to opening and closing a ten-year vintage business, to facing extreme health issues the past three years, and everything in between.
Optimism has always been an integral part of who I am. When truly felt—as in not to bypass a challenging situation, because in reality we have to face hard things—there is an alignment I feel within my intuition and my body’s wisdom. Optimism, to me, is a silver lining, a gift in the face of adversity. It’s a choice, a path, a quiet guide through the storm, reminding me that the sun still shines on the other side of a gray sky. It keeps me moving forward while navigating challenging or difficult circumstances.
For a long time, I believed vulnerability was a sign of weakness. I wore my strength like armor—impenetrable, as if nothing could touch or harm me. I showed only the parts of myself that appeared strong, pushing through life’s obstacles without ever letting my guard down. It was exhausting. Over time, I realized that constantly pushing forward also meant pushing down the softer, gentler parts of myself, the ones I didn’t feel comfortable sharing, the ones I thought were inadequate or flawed.
Then it dawned on me: it actually takes strength to be vulnerable. By embracing that truth, I learned to honor every part of myself. As a result, my creativity began to flow, and, supported by my strength and resilience, I felt free being who I truly am.
As for self-authorship, I believe we are the creators of our own lives. Our bodies and our DNA carry deep wisdom, revealing an inner knowing of how our lives can unfold and what gifts we have to share. We must be willing to move away from outside influence, from the opinions of others, social media platforms that curate perfectionism and comparison, marketing messages, and even the big boom of AI that strips us from our own expressiveness and human connection, and instead walk our own path with assurance, clarity and integrity. When we lean into our innate wisdom, intuition, and values, a beautiful transformation happens—we move from how others define us to how we define ourselves.
My advice is to pay attention to the parts of you that may be difficult to face. This might look like fear of failure or being truly seen, feelings of overwhelm, lack of motivation, or the belief that you’re “not good enough.” These are tender parts of us that need love, kindness, and encouragement. Think of them as invitations to shift your perspective and ask what might they actually be saying beyond the periphery. I needed support in this process, and for me it was through somatic work. I was fortunate enough to find a wonderful somatics teacher who has helped me tremendously in revealing my aliveness, wholeness, and true self.
I’d also recommend putting down the phone, closing the laptop, shutting off the tv and simply step outside to reconnect with nature. If getting into nature isn’t easily accessible, sit on a bench or a stoop. Look around and notice what stands out, and what might be quietly inconspicuous. Observe patterns, light, and color. Close your eyes and pay attention to what you hear, what you feel against your skin. Make a list of these things. Maybe make a little doodle. There are countless ways to reconnect with the world around us that are abundant and free. And in doing so, you might uncover something within yourself that’s ready to be expressed, acknowledged, or healed. It doesn’t have to be remarkable. It most definitely doesn’t have to be perfect. It doesn’t even have to be unique. Just connect—to yourself, to nature, and to the ecosystems around you.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

Yes, I’m absolutely looking to collaborate with others! This could look like partnering for a workshop, teaching and sharing skills with a group, creating a community art piece, or even hosting a weekend retreat. I also love working with small businesses by bringing my workshops on-site to help introduce people to local companies they might not know about or even realize exist. I’ve also envisioned a series of ongoing small workshops or gatherings that bring people together to learn basic self-sustaining skills like mending, gardening, canning, or simple repairs.
If you’re interested in collaborating, hosting me for a workshop at your event or business, or are simply curious about natural dyeing or somatic work, I’d love to hear from you! Please reach out via my email or website.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://the-natural-dye-company.square.site/
• Instagram: @thenaturaldyeco
• Facebook: @thenaturaldyecompany
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-natural-dye-company
• Other: While I am not active on social media, you can follow along with my journey by signing up for my seasonal newsletter via my website.

Image Credits

Kim Skirha, Jones Wilde LLC