We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Mollie Nelson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Mollie, we are so happy that our community is going to have a chance to learn more about you, your story and hopefully even take in some of the lessons you’ve learned along the way. Let’s start with self-care – what do you do for self-care and has it had any impact on your effectiveness?
I love this question! I think so many people, women in particular, focus so much outside of themselves that they forget to check in on themselves. It’s hard….. to put so much time and energy into a business, or family or work or whatever drives you (all of the above???), and still feel motivated at the end of the day to care for yourself. I think that has to be built in. Of course I am taking all the herbs…lol. Seriously though, I drink adaptogens daily (amongst other things)… they help protect the body from the effects of stress. For me, it helps that I am also a Clinical Nutritionist, so I definitely eat what my father has deemed an “abnormal” diet. I am plant heavy, tend to focus on organic grass-fed meat and wild fish, eat minimal sugar, don’t drink a lot and stay away from processed carbohydrates. So yeah, not the standard diet, lol. I was also an athlete my entire younger life, through college, and that has carried into exercise as a priority in my adult years. I sleep 8-9 hours a night and do try to find a little time each day to sit for a few minutes and just be in my moment. It doesn’t always happen, but I try.
This is not to say that I have a perfect lifestyle, because, who does? I recently experienced the effects of stress in an unbelievable way. I got Shingles. I am not yet 50, so not eligible for the vaccine, and frankly thought only older people got this. So I was so surprised. However, I am a type A personality: I strive for perfection, I like structure and I tend to get involved in everything. So for me, it was a matter of taking on too much. And while I was mentally capable, my physical being had had enough. And your body will let you know when it’s had enough. So even with all of the above, I still pushed myself too hard. And that was a hard lesson to learn, as I am still dealing with the toll this virus takes. There is a lot of value in the word “no” and it is a word that needs more use in my vocabulary.
When all is said and done, I really do believe that I cannot offer anyone help within this “health and wellness” realm if I cannot look internally and help myself first. So I think that having all this background, with education and life experience, really gives me a unique perspective into how we can, and should, take care of ourselves. And that, hopefully, helps me formulate products that help get at the root cause of an issue so people who come to me can find relief and experience a better quality of life.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
Hi! My name is Mollie Nelson and I am the founder and owner of Wilde Lake Botanicals. I create small batch organic and all natural herbal products that aim to improve health and wellness. I found herbs while I was going for my Master’s in Clinical Nutrition and I fell instantly in love! I recognize that this is a concept that people are learning more about and really getting interested in – taking control of their own health! I feel my brand is different because I focus on quality without the use chemical or synthetic ingredients. Each of my products was created with an intention in mind. I also want to introduce the traditions our ancestors lived by in modern products that anyone and everyone can use. I truly believe that we, as a whole, have surpassed the amount of toxic burden our bodies can handle. Chemicals are everywhere! It is just as important to pay attention to what you put on your body as what you put in it. And I think people are looking for more and more ways to improve health.
Something exciting for me is the conception of my new kids’ line. My children have been using herbs for years and I think the earlier we start the better. Introducing herbs in the right ways can help children form a connection to traditional remedies and help them be in charge of their health from a young age. So keep an eye out for the launch of our new kids’ line coming by the end of the year!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
In terms of qualities, starting a business is not for the feint hearted. lol. I believe anyone who envisions and conceptualizes a business has a slightly obsessive personality. Oh wait, is that just me??? lol. So yes, I am slightly obsessive. I will focus on something until I make it the best I am capable of. But I think that quality helps me create products that I believe in and am proud of. I am a driven person as well. I can’t say when I first noticed that in myself but I know that once I have decided it WILL get done. There were so many setbacks within this journey but I am not one to give up or give in. Lastly, and I believe this is key, I believe in myself. I know the worth of what I have to offer and what I bring to the table. I know the education I have and the life experiences I have learned and grown from and all of that make me better.
It is so hard to tell someone how to improve on themselves. Really, you are the only one who can really look introspectively and become aware of what you have to offer the world. But I would say that no matter what qualities you possess, own it and see the positive aspects of what it can bring to your life. Some may say being “slightly” (lol) obsessive is a negative trait. Well I say it helps me create beautiful, powerful things!
To anyone considering starting a business, I would say to love what you are getting into. Whether you create it or not, it will become a huge part of your life. But if you love the idea, the work, the artistry, then it feels less like work and more like a fun hobby you get to do that helps pay your bills. For as much as we put into our work, why not love it?
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
When I was little my dad told me, “you can be anything you want to be, so long as you put your mind to it.” That one statement has stayed with me. I think it gave me hope that anything I could dream could happen if I worked hard enough. Maybe that’s part of where my drive and determination come from. I don’t remember a time when I doubted my decisions or doubted I could have what I decided I wanted. It hasn’t always been easy. I’ve had failures and setbacks, I’ve learned a few lessons the hard way and I have had to work really hard to achieve some of my goals. But when all is said and done, I hear that sentence in my head and I know I can accomplish whatever that goal is. Now that I have children, they have heard that statement. It’s empowering. And we let them know that this doesn’t mean things will be handed to you or that you will succeed on your first try. But if you want it bad enough, and you’re willing to put in the work, you can find a way. And it’s ok if goals change along the way. We are always learning: about the world, about ourselves, about others, and this can shape the decisions we make. Ultimately, whatever you choose has to be right for you, and that can change as we grow and learn ourselves more and what makes us happy.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.wildelakebotanicals.com
- Instagram: @wildelakebotanicals
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/WildeLakeBotanicals/
Image Credits
Mollie Nelson
