Adora Winquist, Woman Entrepreneur, Holistic Aromatherapist, Intuitive Healer, Wellness Coach and the creator of ADORAtherapy is helping women find their path to balance and healing daily incorporating her aromatherapy fragrance collection as a way of life to experience anytime, anywhere. Adora is now also reaching out to invite consumers and investors to collaborate sharing the positive experience with your following.
What motivated and inspired you to start your own business?
For much of my life, I have experienced bouts of depression and chronic anxiety that began in my early teen years. At times it was debilitating. I wanted to find a way to help myself but for me it had to be natural. I was introduced to essential oils and started to make my own blends, my friends wanted to try my formulas and were raving about how they smelled and how helpful they were.
Once I realized I had a gift for blending essentials oils I began infusing the blends with specific intentions for healing. I then embarked on receiving formal education in aromatherapy and energy healing. It was clear my mission was to create a line of products to offer the world – products that create balance, clarity and wholeness to life.
Tell us about your business.
ADORAtherapy is the leader in pre blended organic essential oils designed to enhance emotional well being. We recognize that essential oils are the fastest avenue of mood elevation. When you have the right essential and the right formulation you can literally transform how you feel in the moment – we call this Scent with Intent. Our products are sold everywhere from Saks Fifth Avenue to Whole Foods.
Our award winning packaging and formulations have wide acceptance in channels from spa to beauty, gift to yoga, drug stores to health food coops. We cross channels and demographics atypical of brands our size because everyone is searching for a Mood Boost.
Are you currently running any promos/contests/giveaways that you would like our readers to know about?
We sure do! Our best seller – Room Boost Clear Away.
List awards/certifications/accomplishments.
- Graphic Design USA Awards 2014, 2016
- Top Aromatherapy Company by Spirituality and Health Magazine 2016, 2017
- Finalist CEW Indie Fragrance Award 2017
- Best All Natural Perfume Natural Solutions Magazine 2015
- Vegan Certification, Leaping Bunny Certification
Where is your business based?
The beautiful mountains of Asheville NC. We have a wonderful workspace in the center of downtown in magical Tingle Alley.
What were the first few steps you took to get your business up and running?
Everything in life starts with a dream and a vision. However the steps to actualize one’s dreams are always grounded in action. The first step is finding the right people to support the dream. A good deep look at the market, competition and other successes allowed us to see the white space of opportunity.
Forming a business entity and protecting it for the future is crucial. Creating a product, testing the product, being innovative in packaging, following regulatory standards in labeling – these are all other crucial components. The understanding that the view of never ending steps is part of the excitement and challenge of the entrepreneurial journey.
What has been the most effective way of raising awareness of your business and getting new customers?
The most crucial steps are authenticity and listening to the needs of our core customer base. Many of our products came from people coming to us and asking for a particular formula for areas of life, like better sleep, invigorating passion and feeling more vitality – to name a few. I believe we all have a particular purpose in this life.
Once I found my purpose, I learned to let my voice speak with authenticity. I partnered with my co-founder Laura McCann, a serial entrepreneur to run with the branding, marketing, packaging sourcing, and creative strategy. Putting our hearts and minds together is the foundation of our success. Brand awareness and demand grew organically.
What have been your biggest challenges so far?
The journey of the entrepreneur involves so many levels of self exploration and personal growth. Managing finances trigger every point within, and yet inspire deep levels of courage, out of the box thinking and faith. The more you persevere the more you excavate your strength and brand on the pathway of success.
How did you overcome these challenges?
My business partner and co founder Laura McCann says, “You can’t give up until you turn over every rock.” I love that allegory to remember there is a solution to every problem you just have to find it and not give up.
How do you keep motivated through difficult times?
Faith, meditation, exercise and Mood Boosts and experiencing gratitude for everything in my life, especially my two daughters, Lilly and Violet.
How do you distinguish yourself from your competitors?
We shine in so many ways. Small indie brands do not typically have their own “nose”, someone who can create the scents and develop the formulations. My background in sourcing organic raw materials, the complexity of our formulations and the intricacies of our essential oil blends are key components. Coupled with the innovation and sophistication of our packaging and branding our positive messaging stands out in the marketplace.
We have simplified the usage of aromatherapy and essential oils to make aromatherapy accessible to everyone. No need to buy 20 oils, break the bank and blend at home, trial and error and possible injury by not knowing all the safety around essential oils. Our products are “pret a porter”, ready for immediate use because who can wait to lift and shift their mood in the moment.
What is the best advice you have received recently?
Take some time off and disconnect from your business. It’s imperative for your health and emotional well-being as well as the well-being of your family. When we are in the “doing” mode of our business every day, it’s easy to loose clarity and perspective and how to best “run” your business efficiently and profitably.
What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs?
Trust your vision and yourself and don’t be afraid to seek out the leaders in your field and ask for advice!
What are your favorite business tools/resources and why?
I adore Google docs and sheets which turns my phone or an iPad when I am on the road into a shared communication and brainstorm tool. Local business support resources like SBA, SBTDC, and other organizations can be really helpful when you are faced with a new challenge.
What is a good article or book you have read recently?
“Busting Loose from the Money Game” by Robert Scheinfeld.
What are you currently learning about for your business or looking for help with?
We are currently raising funds through a woman supported crowd funding campaign to assist with the next level of growth. Our platform can be viewed here: https://www.ifundwomen.com/projects/adoratherapy-mood-boost-bar.
What are your goals for the next few months and how are you striving to achieve them?
We are currently brainstorming creative ways of communicating the essence and benefits of our brand architecture to scale the business. Stay tuned!
What social media outlets do you use? List them below.
Instagram @adoratherapy
Twitter @adoratherapy, @adorawinquist
Facebook www.facebook.com/adoratherapy
Pinterest @adoratherapy
Website www.adoratherapy.com
Hashtags #ladoratherapy #adoreyourself #scentwithintent #organic #vegan #crueltyfree
Elaine Dean says
Congratulations on your success! I use essential oils frequently in my business and that is what caught my attention to this post. I learned that you are located in Asheville and so am I. I look forward to sampling your products and being able to support a fellow Asheville business.