We had the good fortune of connecting with Bridget Molloy and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Bridget, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I’ve always been interested in entrepreneurship, and long before that, herbal teas and gardening, which I grew up with. After graduate school and having studied herbalism around the world, I began teaching community health classes and soon found that many people also didn’t know how to or where to look for reliable high quality botanical products that met their needs. After teaching for the first 2 years of my business, saw an opportunity and I decided to begin working on a product line addressing basic wellness…as well as develop cocktail bitters! During my R&D, I realized that my niche was in women’s health and in sexual wellness. I have been working in women’s sexual health & wellness for nearly 15 years, and after hearing so many women’s stories, I was inspired to combine that knowledge with my herbalism background, and studies in molecular biology and pharmacology and develop products and education centered around this specialty. Overall, the business has evolved and grown over the years to meet the needs of the community.
Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Bridget’s Botanicals is a Denver based natural product wellness and education company focused on women’s sexual health and wellbeing. Each product has been formulated with luscious organic botanicals sourced primarily from small herb farms around the US. Manufactured in small batches in Colorado, our products are created for physiological function and flavor based on current scientific research blended with traditional herbal global healing practices and packaged with eco-friendly materials. I started Bridget’s Botanicals in 2014. For nearly 15 years I have worked with women and also to connect people to our planet and personal wellbeing through the medicinal properties of plants. The last 6 years were built on my background in molecular biology, pharmacology, women’s sexual health, and herbalism studies around the world. I hold degrees in molecular biology from CU Boulder and have completed graduate coursework at Harvard and Georgetown in pharmacology and medicinal chemistry. I absolutely love science and formulating natural products based on these principles alongside the rich historical herbal healing traditions from around the world. The journey certainly has not been easy from a lifestyle and business perspective. Being the sole owner of my company, I have of course seen many ups and downs, gone through challenges, have gone through my life’s savings and several loans along the way to see to it that this business succeeds and makes the difference that I want it to. Not to mention working endlessly after my full time jobs that I have held and on the weekends to make sure I could pay my rent and or mortgage. I could have done many things differently, however have learned incredible lessons that have made me into a strong woman that I am today. Simply pushing through challenges due to my immense passion has kept me going. Remembering to be consistent and moving forward, trusting my gut, utilizing available resources, and investing in professional development is always worth it, have been my biggest lessons. Our brand elevates women’s health and sexual vitality through the power of plants and cultivates connection to our wild world. Developed by a molecular biologist/herbalist/sexual wellness expert with 15 years of experience, each formulation is science-based, crafted with sustainably sourced organic ingredients, and packaged with eco-friendly materials.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would certainly go to the Denver Botanical Gardens for a stroll if it is nice outside and to sip on their delicious lemonades or tea at the outdoor cafe. We would also go for a hike up in Rocky Mountain National Park or even better and challenging, one of the 14’ers (14,000 foot high mountains) such as Mount of the Holy Cross, my favorite. Biking along the Cherry Creek path is super fun, you can even rent a bike and get around to different areas of downtown, or up to Cherry Creek shopping area to visit the Farmers Markets in the Spring-Fall. You might continue towards Cheesman Park, stopping for a picnic or relaxing moment in the sun, and continuing a walk through the historic capitol hill. The History Colorado Museum is a fabulous stop as well to learn more about this great state, plus their exhibits are wonderful and interesting! A stroll also through RiNo has some fun stops for drinks and bites to eat, or even better, the Santa Fe Art District with some incredible long-standing art galleries including CHAC (Chicano Humanities and Arts Council) Gallery and Cultural Center. The Dushanbe Tea House is also quite a delight up in Boulder with delicious teas and incredible architecture that was brought over from Tajikistan. Also in the realm of drinks, Leopold Brother’s is super fun to visit as you sample different spirits and liqueurs through their production and tour facility. It reminds me of when I was traveling in Italy tasting all of the homemade concoctions and aperitifs! Going across to Glenwood Springs, you can’t beat a soak in the hot springs!
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to give a shoutout to the SBDC for always being an incredible resource and providing fabulous mentors during my journey. Additionally and most importantly, my Mom for championing me along, inspiring me through her work as a Physical Therapy Pelvic Health Specialist, and consistently seeing what I’m up to next and where she can help out.
Website: www.BridgetsBotanicalWorld.com
Instagram: Instagram.com/bridgetsbotanicals
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bridgetmolloy/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bridgetsbotanicals/
Image Credits
Lee Stiffler-Meyer