Meet Emily Stock | Herbalist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Emily Stock and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Emily, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
When I started my business, it was pure creative expression. I wanted to make as many herbal preparations as I could, so I initially started selling products just to fuel my own passion. To me, herbalism has always been something that I knew I could study forever and not be satiated, so I feel really lucky to be able to spend my days working with herbs.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I make original herbal products, including tea blends, body care products, and tinctures. I grow many herbs that I use in my garden, which is one of my favorite parts of my profession. Every herbalist has their own formulations, and mine have mostly been created and tested through personal necessity and enjoyment. Herbalism is a kitchen art; creating things that work well medicinally and that also are enjoyable to take is my passion. One thing that sets me apart from others is my insatiable interest in studying, and I am always keeping up to date on research and continuing my education.

My professional path started almost 10 years ago when I incorporated Sundial Medicinals. I would say that my business growth model has been slow and steady. Not being one for financial risk, I have always made sure that each growth spurt would be fully sustained by the business, and I haven’t had any debt in the process. I started selling herbs at the local farmer’s market and co-op, and eventually rented a retail location, and then expanded that location to where we are today, on Main Street in Moab. We also ship our products to many retailers in Colorado, Oregon, Montana, and Arizona.

Sundial Medicinals is really a labor of love. I love being an herbalist, I love making medicine, and I mostly love hearing from customers and clients about how their wellness is positively affected by using herbs. When people find the right plant medicine for them at the right time, it truly feels like magic. Facilitating those connections is what keeps me on this path.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I grew up in Moab, and what brought me back and keeps me here is the access to wild places. If I wanted to show someone a good time, I would take them on a long hike – preferably where we could escape the noise of motorized recreation.

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?
My shoutout goes to my family. My parents and my sister have always empowered me to choose my own path in life, and encourage me continually when things get tricky. My grandmother had the first herbal references that I perused as a teen, grew medicinal herbs in her garden, and made everything feel like magic. My husband always encourages me to go for it when growth opportunities arise, and supports me in any way I need. And big gratitude goes toward my daughters (2 years and newborn), for getting carried around in a baby pack while I work in the apothecary and loving our garden days together.

Website: www.SundialMedicinals.com

Instagram: @sundialmedicinals

Image Credits
Moab Area Real Estate Magazine/Murice D. Miller , Corie Spruill Photography