Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Murphy
Hi Ashley, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was a stay-at-home-mom of 2 under 2 and looking for a hobby that I could turn into extra cash. I always had a love for herbal remedies, so making Elderberry Syrup was enjoyable to me. There was a demand locally. especially for those who were sick and seeking delivery. I was the only person making and delivering Elderberry Syrup in the CSRA, so that’s how ABĒCA Naturals quickly became popular among the holistic health community in Augusta. Within two years of business, I had developed a full line of signature plant medicine products; I hired my first employee and opened our retail store in 2021.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Growing pains are not easy. The challenges that come with owning a business and experiencing rapid growth include financial instability alongside personal doubt and burnout. One minute you feel like you’re on top of the world and everything is going well. But then a creative rut comes along, or a slow season you didn’t anticipate; suddenly you’re pivoting and praying for the best. Entrepreneurship is really an unpredictable ride.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
We’re a plant medicine business, so we focus on the phytochemistry of plants and how they act within our bodies. Our signature line of items includes capsules, teas, and extracts made in small batches in our store. We have a team of seven of us between herbalists, production assistants, retail clerks and a brand manager. I see clients on a clinical basis and help people restore balance to their bodies (both chemically, mentally, and spiritually). We are a faith-based business, so we operate wholeheartedly on the great commission: telling the world about Jesus Christ. We opened our store in the middle of a pandemic and have record growths year after year since; it is undoubtedly all glory to God. This is His business, and we just show up every day and work hard and have fun. It’s a blessing indeed.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
We LOVE to show up on social media and have so much fun with marketing! Our team films reels and behind the scenes clips that keep our followers pretty entertained. You can also count on us to educate you about locally growing herbs. We teach classes too, and you can register for those at abecanaturals.com. Follow us on IG @abecanaturals.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.abecanaturals.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abecanaturals
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abecanaturals
Image Credits
Ryan Krafthefer
