We had the good fortune of connecting with Haley Spadafora and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Haley, we’d love to hear what makes you happy.
I am happiest when out in the forest. Whether teaching children the uses of ferns, harvesting deadnettle out of my backyard or sitting by a fire with loved ones, I am happiest with trees above me. I started my business, Pinecone Potions, in the wee hours of January 2021. When the pandemic hit, I was laid off from my outdoor education job and started the long job search. Eventually, I took a remote job, then one in a basement with six energetic first-grade boys. WHILE fulfilling in many ways, as you can imagine, I had to be high energy. Most of the time my outside life became recovery only.
So, I started thinking about ways I could make a little money off of things that make me happy, while also keeping some things for myself. (I feel like it becomes very unhealthy if you monetize your only creative outlet.)
Pinecone Potions pushes me to go into the forests I love, learn new things about the plants I’ve walked by forever, and learn new ways to use natural things I can grow myself! It makes me happy.
Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
My business works with the magic of the land! I am trying to work in tune with the seasons by harvesting from local privately owned sources (with permission) to create teas, health products, and crafts. I am so excited to continue to learn and work with herbs to expand public awareness of common medicinals. Hopefully, this will lead to an increase in awareness and care for their local environment. Maybe more people will let their yard get overrun with deadnettle, plantain, and dandelion.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well, I can only speak for where I live!
On the mountain, I’d go get Chai (or coffee if you like that) at Mt. Hood Roasters. Then, we could walk around Wildwood park in the forest before we head off to the North American Bigfoot Museum. We wave bye to the bearded man at the front desk, and decide where in Gresham to eat lunch, maybe the Local Cow or Sunny Hans? In the afternoon, there are two options. We could either head up the gorge and see Multnomah Falls and end with dinner at Sugarpine Inn or we can go into the city, walk around the Lan Su Chinese gardens and then go dancing at the crystal ballroom!
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 mean how many people can I thank? Because I could give you a phone book of people who have made me become me.
Obviously, my pillars of strength are my parents, my husband, Nico, and the handful of product testers (my friends) who were brave enough to try the teas and concoctions I made for them.
So many people from Trackers Earth, the Oregon Zoo, and others. As well as many of my friends starting their own businesses and showing me it was possible. I can give you their names and numbers!
Website: pineconepotions.com
Instagram: @pinecone.potions
Facebook: Pinecone Potions
Other: Etsy@ Pinecone Potions