Conversations with Morgan Polk

Today we’d like to introduce you to Morgan Polk.

Hi Morgan, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I began my business in 2019, which was called Pretti P Apothecary, before rebranding to Polk Apothecary in 2021. I solely focused on feminine hygiene and holistic practices, such as yoni steaming. My interest in herbs and using organic produce as a means for healing and skincare started when I was a junior in high school and having to adjust what I ate and put on my body because of my mother having cancer. I became VERY conscious of ingredients and intrigued by the fact that the things I fed my body everyday could be used as a form of medicine. When I began my business, I lived in Los Angeles at the time, and the pollution took a toll on my body in various ways. My eczema flared up and I got my first yeast infection ever. I didn’t have health care at the time, and I knew whatever antibiotics they were going to prescribe would only make matters worse.

I began researching “herbal or holistic remedies” for this and that, and that’s when I began creating my brand. I worked at a large hospital at the time, and I learned A LOT. I saw the many flaws of the healthcare system and I decided that, ethically, that environment was not for me and that I could help people in other ways through my knowledge and experience. Business grew fast. My first product were half ounce bags of herbal blends that could be used for tea, yoni steaming, or as a bath soak. All of my packaging came from the Dollar Tree and I could only afford to buy an ounce of each herb I used. Eventually, I found better sources for my products and packaging, and I began adding to my online store. Next came my #1 products to date, the Body Sap, and then I completed the full shower routine with what is now known as the Body Nectar oil.

In 2020, I decided to quit my job in LA to put my full time into my business. I thought I was going to move to Atlanta right away to grow my business and seek other opportunities, but then Covid-19 put my plans on pause and I ended up moving back home to Portland, Oregon until things were “back to normal”. My business grew more in 2020 than I could’ve imagined. I invested in lots of inventory, influencer marketing, started men’s products called “Mr. Eggplant” and began wholesaling. By 2021, I had learned so much about the human body that it didn’t feel right only providing products by gender. With everything going on in the World, I wanted to provide products for ALL HUMANS of ALL GENDERS without anyone feeling like it’s “just” for cis-women or cis-men. We all struggle with skin issues, finding the right hygiene products, and QUALITY. I want someone to fall in love with my products because they love it for THEM, without thinking it is for a specific gender. From skincare to intimacy, I found that people waste money on products for each individual body part when the main goal is to cleanse. There’s no reason that your intimate wash shouldn’t be used near your face or body, so I always let my customers know that most of my products can be safely used head to toe.

I now have about 15 products on my online store including t-shirts, gift cards, bath salts, wipes and more!

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
ABSOLUTELY NOT! It has taken almost two years to get the Body Sap perfected. All of my products have become better over the last three years. You literally become a scientist. I once had a whole shipment of orders ruined because the bottles leaked. I had to replace 15+ orders. I used to walk a mile and/or take the bus with a duffle bag full of packages to the post office on my lunch breaks. Anything that could’ve possibly happened has happened.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a full-time entrepreneur with four actively running businesses. One is a food cart I began with my mother in 2016 called Fish Fusion in Portland, OR. We serve fried fish, okra, hush puppies, etc. That was my first experience having my own business and glad to see it still up and running. We cater and do festivals as well.

Polk Apothecary is my main business, my baby, and what I want my legacy to be. I rebranded to Polk Apothecary from Pretti P Apothecary because I was watching a video of a man speaking about how we always buy from companies named after someone. We as business owners sometimes wrack our brains on brand names when WE ARE THE BRAND. I also teach/host DIY soap-making classes like “sip & paints”.

I converted the Pretti P brand over to my beauty business, in which I currently am certified in doing lash extensions. I begin esthetician school in May to be able to provide other quality services in the near future.

Lastly (for now), I began a new venture in the cannabis industry. In February, I rolled out Pretty Pothead Fine Cannabis & Accessories, which is a community built for women who like to indulge in cannabis but have experienced negativity towards it. I currently provide CBD pre-rolls and cute girly accessories.

I love immersing myself into new business ventures. You can learn more about me on my podcast, Securely Flawed Podcast, on Spotify, in which I co-host with one of my besties!

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
I love inspiring people. I feel like I have to pay it forward from the people who constantly inspire me. I want to keep it going. I love seeing my growth and being in the middle of it all. Every day is so different and challenging. I. LOVE. IT.

Contact Info:

• Email: bookprettihippie@gmail.com
• Website: www.prettijewelsbox.com
• Instagram: @polk_apothecary/ @_pretti.hippie_ (INSTAGRAM)
• Facebook: @Polk Apothecary (FACEBOOK)