We had the good fortune of connecting with Lauren Bragassa and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Lauren, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My business sol medicine originated from a desire to support people on their wellness journeys in a way I had always wanted to be supported. For as long as I can remember, I wanted to pursue a career in medicine. After deciding that the Western framework didn’t align with the values of care that I believed in, I decided to pursue an education in herbalism as a way to support folks in a more gentle and holistic way. I wanted to create a framework of support that acknowledges people as they come, in all of their complexities. I wanted to create a structure that supports all facets of “self care”, with the most important being a reminder to care for The Spirit. My approach in Wellness Coaching centers the journey on reconnecting to The Self and ensuring that the journey towards wellness is rooted in a desire to love and honor the body, not in a desire to change it.
What should our readers know about your business?
The support I offer in my business excites me everyday! I’m motivated to connect people back to nature and help folks relearn the ways we have always been in relationship with the natural world. There is such immense healing to be had when we remember to slow down and revisit the ways of our ancestors. I sell small-batch, handmade products as a way to re-introduce people to the healing power of plants in a more approachable way. When we experience this profound healing for ourselves, it opens us up to the grander opportunities for spiritual healing that herbalism has to offer.
In my Wellness Coaching practice, I support folks in nutrition, mindfulness practices, body movement, and I add herbal support when it’s needed. For me, the beauty of herbalism is that it is so tailored to each individual and takes so many elements of the person into consideration. A huge focus in my work is education! I want to empower my clients to learn how to care for themselves as they move through their wellness journeys. Knowing how to self advocate is an incredibly powerful tool in developing self trust and learning how to create long-term sustainable results! With the community rapidly growing, one of my strengths that sets me apart is the ability to listen and create space so my clients feel fully seen and their needs can be met. It is important that goal setting, tracking progress, and maintaining realistic expectations with my clients is at the forefront of my work!
As I develop and grow my business, I continually come back to the truth that healing is intended to be done in community. We are evolutionarily designed to learn, grow, heal, celebrate, and grieve in community and the powerful knowledge and history of herbalism is no exception. Being a small business owner can be quite daunting and at times the fear of “enoughness” makes business ownership difficult. But I am constantly drawn back to the truth of my power through the support of fellow herbalists, shared knowledge, and holding the truth that societal healing will come!
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Being a Colorado native, I love to show folks my home and explore my city with fresh eyes! As an herbalist, I am so drawn to nature and am always looking for an excuse to show friends the beauty of the Rockies. In the summer I love to enjoy paddleboarding, creek dips, and hammock hangs with friends. Throughout the year, I am always seeking out trails to wander down to commune with plants. I have a short list of favorite trails that range from trails to mozy along, all the way to long steep incline hikes that will make you break a sweat for a good view. Beyond time outdoors, I love any excuse for good eats and an opportunity to bust out some dance moves! On my list of favorite restaurants is Uchi, Barcelona, Rosetta Hall, and Safta. And of course I always have to represent and take out-of-towners to Illegal Pete’s. For dancing, I love to find small live music events, check out local concert venues, or find bars with good music like Lustre Pearl. I enjoy wandering Pearl street and Boulder creek, as well as RiNo district in search of night life, good eats, and street art/performance. The opportunities for exploring Colorado are endless and I love to show friends all of the different ways to enjoy this great state!
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The list of people, organizations, and mentors that have led me to where I am today goes back at least 10 years. I owe so much to my community at Colorado School of Clinical Herbalism where I learned so much about healing, plants, mindful self care, and how all of this connects to spirituality. This community truly allowed me the space to relearn who I am, stand in my power, and reconnect to the sweetness that this life has to offer. Through my journey into herbalism, I also learned so much from my mentors in traditional healthcare. I worked closely with dermatologist Dr. Lindsay Boyers in Boulder for two and a half years and learned so much about how to build a safe space that creates trust with clients. I am forever grateful for the opportunities and lessons in patient care that I learned during my time under her guidance.
I forever owe thanks to my friends and family for continually supporting me, cheering me on, and believing in my vision!
Instagram: @herbal.sol.medicine
Other: Email: herbalsolmedicine@gmail.com
Image Credits
sol medicine LLC, Boxcar Photography