In this episode, Daniella sits down IRL with Lauren Haynes, Founder and CEO of Wooden Spoon Herbs. A trained herbalist and 3rd generation entrepreneur, Lauren shares her entrepreneurial journey starting with the genesis of her brand at a farmers market in 2014. She recounts her early experiments with herbal products and how she expanded from local sales to a national presence, recently securing a significant distribution deal with Whole Foods. Lauren discusses how she has evolved and grown as a leader alongside her business, emphasizing the support, resources, and mentorship that have been critical to her success. She highlights the challenges and opportunities of building a successful herbal supplement brand, including the need for a clear vision, focusing on products that truly matter to consumers, and connecting to a deeper 'why' beyond just making money.

EPISODE KEY MOMENTS

• Wooden Spoon Herb early days


• Experimenting with products and gathering consumer feedback


• Brand growth and distribution partnership with Whole Foods


• Product development and refinement


• Making herbal products accessible


• Fundraising for a natural products business


• Scaling a brand

Where to connect with Lauren on the internet:

Wooden Spoon Herbs website - Find them at a Whole Foods near you via this store locator

Wooden Spoon Herbs Instagram

Lauren Haynes

PLANTAS POD CREDITS:

Host: ⁠⁠Daniella Allam⁠⁠

Producer: ⁠⁠Jacqueline Smith⁠⁠

⁠⁠Plantas Strategy website⁠⁠

For episode transcripts, go to the Plantas Pod website ⁠⁠here

If you have any feedback or questions about the podcast, email ⁠info@plantasstrategy.com