Alyson, can you tell us a little about your background and how you became interested in the natural products industry?
I ended up in the natural products industry completely unintentionally! When I moved to Colorado, I needed a job and happened to come across one working for a Denver-based producer of cage-free organic eggs. Before then, I thought ‘the natural’ was only for crunchy granola hippies!
That job really threw me in at the deep end and I had to quickly get up to speed on what natural consumers were looking for, and why. I’ve learned how unnatural most conventional groceries really are, and how little the big food companies really care about the end user. (I also learned a LOT of terrible egg puns, and my family still won’t let me down on those.)
My next job in the natural products industry was at a leading natural skin care brand (coincidentally one of our neighbors here in Louisville, Colorado). That’s where I learned what we stopped doing on our bodies are as important as what we put into them in our bodies.
Before joining the WishGarden family, I worked for a Denver real estate agency that specializes in facilitating relationships between natural producers and natural retailers (such as Whole Foods, Sprouts and Vitamin Cottage). I was able to interact with a wide range of natural brands and individuals and I really gained a lot of respect for the passion and hard work they put into not only making their products attractive and effective, but also the way they feel maintained high standards of quality. quality and durability.
You are the Sales Operations Analyst at WishGarden Herbs. What are your tasks?
I like to say I’m the grease that keeps the Sales wheels moving! I help with all aspects and activities of the Sales department. In addition to many other tasks, I assist our VP of Sales and our Sales Controller with daily administrative tasks, preparing reports and keeping deadlines and projects on track. I also liaise with and support our field team and our retailers, and I work to create materials that allow our representatives to sell WishGarden formulas in stores. My strong point is analyzing existing processes and seeing how we can tighten things up to become more organized, efficient and effective.
What does your typical day look like at WishGarden?
I don’t think WishGarden has “typical” days! As a family business, we are ‘lean and mean’, so we all step in where necessary. I spend most of my day behind a pair of computer monitors, creating reports, drafting promotional and new item contracts, and creating PowerPoint presentations. I also come from behind those monitors and have regular contact with other departments such as Customer Service, Education, Marketing, Production and Fulfillment. Our office is open and we often work together on many aspects of the business. And even though we’re all hard at work, we talk and joke and entertain each other, eat potlucks regularly, and generally share in each other’s joys and sorrows.
We are witnessing real growth in the natural products sector. What do you attribute that to?
I think our society is beginning to recognize that conventionally produced products miss the full benefit of whole, natural, organic, handmade or home-grown foods and other products. Collectively I think we feel the lack of connection to source. When looking for more natural products to nourish our bodies and minds, we turn to companies and brands whose stories give us that connection.
You have extensive experience in the industry. What advice would you give to people wanting to work in the natural products industry?
Being honest and ethical is important in all areas of business (and life in general), but authenticity and integrity are especially critical in the natural products industry.
Consumers of natural products want to know who we are as a company and what we value. They must also be able to trust that we live up to the claims we make about our products. This population group is too knowledgeable to be satisfied with mere claims of being ‘natural’ or ‘pure’. They expect the products they consume to be good for their bodies, but also kind to our planet.
Do you have a favorite formula?
My most used WishGarden formula is Kick-Ass Allergy Seasonal Rescue. I have severe spring allergies and this formula beats them! It has truly been a lifesaver on those mornings when I just can’t stop sneezing.
For educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, or to sell any product.
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