Meet Jess Taylor: Founder of Native Nectar Botanicals

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

Hi Jess, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I started my business during a difficult time in my life. I was struggling with postpartum depression after the birth of my first child. Even though I loved being a mother, I felt I had lost my own identity and sense of purpose outside of motherhood. I think a lot of caretakers can relate to this feeling. I had been studying holistic medicine and clinical herbalism and really wanted to be able to incorporate my knowledge into a business that would allow me the freedom to be home with my baby. I started Native Nectar as more of a side hobby but quickly my ambition kicked in. I realized this was something I was passionate about and wanted to share with the world. At the core of Native Nectar is a message of self-acceptance and self-care. These concepts have been key in my own mental health journey and I want to create a brand and products that people feel good about using because they know the ingredients are safe and natural while also creating confidence in their own skin. Accepting and loving others comes from first loving and accepting ourselves. That’s what I want to put into the world with Native Nectar. 

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Native Nectar Botanicals is a wellness + skincare brand with an emphasis on plant based ingredients and holistic formulations. I think what sets us apart is I’m obsessed with what I do and take a very hands on approach to every aspect of my business that customers can feel. I just opened my flagship shop in Crested Butte which has been a dream of mine since the very beginning. Being able to create a very tangible experience around my brand while being able to interact with customers face to face has been amazing. People can shop not only the Native Nectar line of products but also complimentary products from other small, primarily female makers. We also offer custom facials using our products, massage, and herbal & nutritional consultations. I’m really proud of this space and the women on my team who are all as devoted as I am to helping people feel their best. Getting to this point has definitely not been easy, however, quitting has never felt like an option. I can’t imagine doing anything else. What has helped me the most is coming to the realization that what is meant for me will never pass me by. It’s easy to feel like everyone else is doing better, especially in our day and age of social media. But when I take a step back and see how far this little endeavor has come, I’m so excited for what the future holds. I truly believe that the more kindness we’re able to show ourselves, the more kindness we’re able to reflect back to the world around us. I hope in some small but significant way the products I create can help facilitate that self-love.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
It’s not a stretch to say I live in one of the most beautiful places. The tiny town of Crested Butte is surrounded by mountains at 9,000 feet. It’s a funky, charming town that has a vibrant community so there’s not the stuffy, pretentious attitude you get from some other ski towns that ahem, will not be named. Even though I live in a place renowned for it’s winter activities, my favorite season is summer. Some favorite activities that we love to include our visitors in include going to Spring Creek Reservoir to go fishing and paddle boarding, taking the chair lift to the top of Mt. Crested Butte then hiking down- the view from the top is absolutely mind blowing, riding bicycles into town to check out the Farmer’s Market, hitting up the Secret Stash for pizza is always a must- its eclectic decor and fun atmosphere (plus really good pizza) makes it a crowd favorite, we always end up at Montanya’s (they distill their own rum and have delicious drinks) or The Dogwood where the drinks are beautifully crafted and super strong (learned that the hard way). We also love to build a fire in our outdoor fireplace at home, sip some whiskey and talk under the stars. Most people don’t get to experience the night sky without light pollution so it’s quite the magical experience for friends visiting from the city.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My husband has seen so many ups and downs that I’ve gone through with business and has been really supportive. Even as I’ve struggled with finding a balance with work and family (I definitely can be described as a “workaholic”) he expressed how proud he is of me, which means more than any big sale or success. My Mom is also my biggest cheerleader, she never sees me as a failure and can provide me perspective that only a loving mother can. Finally, my friend Ava, founder of Animal Handmade is my ride or die. We started our businesses around the same time and have shared in so many triumphs and struggles of being small business owners. It’s amazing to have such a talented friend as a sounding board.

Website: www.nativenectarbotanicals.com
Instagram: nativenectarbotanicals
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NativeNectarBotanicals/