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

Hi Violet, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I believe the entrepreneurial spirit has always been alive within me; starting a business was an impulse, like a flame that couldn’t be ignored. I’ve always been someone who thrives on creation and innovation, with a fire for doing things my way. I’ve come to see that everyone must walk their path to truly discover themselves—and for me, business allows for that constant unfolding of self. It is a canvas where I can see myself reflected in the wider world, and it gives me the freedom to imagine, dream, and create.

Being a business owner requires a strong imagination, a vivid vision, deep creativity, and an unwavering dedication to the self—all of which are my core principles and values. My business is more than just a venture; it is a way of living fully, allowing me to dedicate myself to what truly matters for my expansion and evolution. The business grows as I grow; it teaches me how to evolve, just as I guide its evolution. In this way, it is a dance—a constant, flowing exchange that keeps me aligned with my goals, dreams, and deepest virtues.

Reflecting on my journey, I’ve always been a creator, an ambitious dreamer who wanted to experience life as pure adventure. I started my first business at 16, as a henna artist. I remember being captivated by the henna booths at fairs—the intricate designs, the peaceful atmosphere, the colorful tapestries swaying in the wind. So I created my own, and the next year, I started selling handcrafted products—decorative plant hangers that combined my love for beauty, sustainability, and the aesthetics of the natural world. I loved the idea of placing something in others’ lives that brought peace, inspiration, or simple joy. At that time, I created art for people; and I captured moments through photography, finding beauty in every scene, and gifting it back to the world. When I wasn’t crafting henna mandalas or tending to my plants I was in the woods photographing my friends.

When I graduated high school, I decided to explore the world of academics. I wanted to pursue a “normal” career path and planned to become a doctor, drawn by my love for helping people and my fascination with health. Quickly, I realized that my fascination with people was the underlying drive I had towards helping others. After four years in academics studying Neuroscience and Anthropology, I found that becoming a doctor was not the way that I wanted to help people. I wanted to help people reach their spirit again rather than reach for a prescription. In college, I felt myself losing my creative spark, my edge. I realized that the way we are taught to live is often out of alignment with the way our souls crave to live. I wanted to feel more alive, I wanted to create something of my own to help others. I wanted to show people that they didn’t have to settle, that they could build a life for themselves out of beauty rather than lack.

After graduating, I decided it was time to find my soul again. I returned to art and beauty, and began an herbal medicine business, weaving together my love for plants, health, the natural world, and creation. I crafted herbal blends with all my senses, guided by both intuition and the science I had learned. This process reignited my creative spark and helped me heal a lot of my health issues. Branding my business rekindled my passion for beauty, aesthetics, and photography, and I found myself drawn back to what I love most: helping people feel good, find beauty, and reconnect with their spirit.

Today, my brand stands for a lifestyle of natural beauty, magic, and rekindling the spirit. I teach people to see their beauty through photography and guide them to reconnect with their original nature—their magic, their imagination, their spark. I do this through creating content, guided meditations, tea blends, photoshoots, spiritual guidance, and reflective writing—anything that awakens the spirit, opens the imagination, and nurtures gratitude for our original nature. My business is an invitation to return to the self, to nature, and to the art of living beautifully. Currently, I am offering photo sessions, mentorship for people looking to change their lives, and 1:1 sessions. I am hoping to reawaken my herbal brand after my nomadic venture in an RV – so stay tuned for the grand re-opening.

So, while I never had a clear-cut plan or a defined niche, I’ve discovered that the heart of my business is about inspiring others to live in a way that brings them joy, passion, and purpose.

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.

My art lies in the unfolding of life. I document the beauty of this unfolding—through my photography, coaching, and crafting products and experiences. Everything I do is meant to awaken people to the inherent beauty of life. What sets me apart is that my art isn’t just a product; it’s a way of life, a spiritual lifestyle. But this isn’t about following a particular dogma; it’s about awakening to the spirit that exists in every moment. Each moment holds a unique essence, a lesson, a piece of a larger puzzle. It’s full, and it’s calling for our attention right now.

My art brings people back to their center, to their true essence. This constant return to the self allows for greater gratitude, a deeper appreciation of the present, and an expansion of the mind and imagination. This creates an unfolding—this is where the spiritual guidance part of my business comes in. Once people are sparked by the beauty in my art or photography, I hope to inspire a lifestyle that nurtures this spark—a lifestyle where their spirit is in charge, and where they continue to nourish that inner light. When someone does this, they watch their life unfold into a world of imagination. This essence of my work is what I am most proud of today.

I arrived at this point through many roundabouts with the universe. There were many times when I tried to confine my business to one facet of artistry—just being a photographer, a spiritual guide, or an herbalist. There were also times when I craved validation from my work. But my mission is much larger than any single niche or a large following. Accepting this wasn’t easy. I realized that trying to fit my business into a pre-defined framework was simply another way of not accepting myself for the full spectrum of who I am. There have been a lot of ups and downs with trying to control the direction of my art/business, and I have found that life does not have a plan, so all we can do is create from the current moment and let that inertia propel us into the next fantastic moment.

A recent adventure taught me a profound lesson. A few months ago, I decided to take a leap and chase my dream of being a full-time entrepreneur and content creator, living in an RV and traveling across the beautiful United States. I wanted to witness the beauty of this country firsthand. But after two months in my hometown, where the RV was parked, everything seemed to go wrong—repairs, delays, signs from the universe I couldn’t quite decipher. I felt lost, wondering why things weren’t working out when I was so certain the RV was part of my path.

Eventually, I realized that I missed home—I missed Colorado, my community, the simple things that made me feel whole. I realized that everything I was searching for—being a business owner, creating full-time, experiencing beautiful views, staying healthy, and following my spiritual practice—was all possible at home, too. Through this journey, I found a new sense of home and freedom within myself. I have now looked gratitude in the face and realized that while we strive to be our best selves – whether that be our best in art, spirituality, or business, none of that matters if you overlook the beauty of the process that is life itself. Your journey is not yours to control, the process and the adventure are meant to be taken in not changed or manipulated – this is the lesson I have learned in “business”. Our purpose and our path are always unfolding. The universe had sent me on this challenging journey to teach me gratitude and patience. It taught me to not chase ambition but to let creation guide you, peacefully.

So, follow your dreams, but don’t be fooled into thinking they exist outside of yourself. Don’t believe that your life needs to change drastically to start living fully. Choose to live now, choose to liberate yourself now, choose to find beauty now, and choose creativity now. This is what I want the world to know about my brand and story. We can always reawaken to our magic at any moment—this is the deepest truth I wish to convey.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If I were showing you around, I’d tell you that you’re stepping into a spiritual mecca—Boulder holds space for adventure, community, beauty, and unique experiences. I’d suggest you bring your hiking boots, and I’ll bring my camera. Our first stop would be Chasm Lake, one of my favorite hiking spots. Immersed in the mountain prairies, alpine lakes, and giant waterfalls, you’d experience nature’s magnetism firsthand, reminding you of the natural world’s profound beauty. Of course, we’d have a photoshoot to capture the moment and show you that you are a part of this breathtaking landscape.

After our hike, we’d explore Boulder, catching a sunset from the top of Flagstaff Mountain. We might stop by The Root Kava Bar to check out their community events board. Boulder is bustling with entrepreneurs and creatives hosting events that deepen your connection to spirituality. The Root serves as a hub for spiritual creatives, including Naropa students and other locals, offering a space for conversation, networking, and idea exchange. It’s also a sober hangout, providing a refreshing alternative to the bustling college bar scene.

We’d then head up to Nederland for some delicious barbecue at Busey Brews, renowned for its great smoked wings. Boulder Creek is another favorite spot of mine, perfect for catching up, relaxing, and taking in the local culture. Here, you might see yoga practitioners, drum circles, and even live-action role-play events. Boulder Creek is my go-to hangout and a true reflection of Boulder’s vibrant community.

For a touch of nostalgia, we could visit the Hotel Boulderado, which boasts a charming speakeasy-style bar with live music on weekends. Other must-sees include the 4th of July Trailhead – the wildflowers in July here are breathtaking; and camping near Gross Reservoir. On Saturday, we’d visit the Saturday Market for local vendors and scrumptious crepes—artisan crafts abound!

If we’re still in the shopping mood, Pearl Street offers fantastic bites and shops. Gypsie Jewel is a personal favorite for unique jewelry and textiles. This itinerary is designed to immerse you in Boulder’s natural beauty, creative energy, and spiritual depth.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The biggest support in the world has been my partner Anthony. I have had the pleasure of witnessing him grow and transform in unimaginable ways right before my eyes. I have seen him make an impact on other people’s lives and transform people’s entire reality. I got to witness the process of starting a business, learning to believe in yourself, breaking barriers, moving past blocks, and walking the humble path of making a difference in the world. Without seeing him bring what was once an idea, a dream into a physical manifestation I would have never believed I could do what I loved to do in this world. He has encouraged me to become my best self while loving myself fully for who I am. He has quite the special knack for observing one’s gifts and amplifying them back till you realize your glory. Anthony is a coach and a best friend, he has transformed my life physically – pushing me to explore, take care of myself, and push myself; he has transformed my life mentally – helping me overcome negative thought patterns, showing me all there is to believe in; he has transformed my life spiritually, teaching me that there is much to be grateful for in the current moment. Anthony is a soul that takes leaps, overcomes obstacles, and lifts others in his pursuits. He is a successful coach, teacher, friend, and my greatest love! He has taught me true gratitude for my life – the biggest gift I have ever experienced.

Another shoutout, is the Sam Harris Waking Up App. This app was able to show me that all of my negative beliefs about myself, my environment, the world, and everything in between are simply a figment of the mind that can be transcended. Without meditative practice, I would not have awoken to my spirituality, my imagination, and my creativity again. This app allowed me to realize that the universe is much much larger than your current experience and simultaneously – you are the universe and you hold all of its power. Awaken to yourself and your true nature and all can unfold.

Website: https://elderviolet.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/violetelder?igsh=bmg2MHI2MGl6OGk3&utm_source=qr

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/violet-elder-40a846173?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/violets.henna?mibextid=LQQJ4d&paipv=0&eav=AfYc-4p4iWJejG4b1FNVeokGXnz1MPLi-l3I6FF8S2Ana7JiFHHIFxTABRXYl3Bczug&_rdr

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@elderviolet

Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@elderviolet?_t=8pe71xlEstX&_r=1

Image Credits
Violet Elder and Marta Padysz

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutColorado is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.