Meet Lauren Williams-Batiste of Elle’s Elixirs

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Williams-Batiste.

Lauren, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Through my experiences as a new mom, former teacher, entrepreneur and working full time, I’ve had lots of days that were hectic to manage. Elle’s Elixirs was created because life comes at us fast and we all need customized care and attention that promotes positive wellness outcomes. Two years ago, I birthed a beautiful baby girl named Ada Elle. She is named after my great grandmother who escaped off the brutal plantation fields and became a civic leader and entrepreneur in North Memphis. I not only birthed a baby two years ago, I birthed a wellness concept that helped bring balance and vitality back into my life postpartum.

Hence the namesake and inspiration behind Elle’s Elixirs. Elle’s Elixirs is a manifestation of my great grandmother’s legacy. Elle’s Elixirs officially launched at the Mid-South Hemp Festival in 2019. Since then, I have been able to put my products in front of my target market. This helped me to capture key demographics of my target customer. I’ve spent hundreds of hours talking with mostly women ages 21-45 years old that were seeking ways to relax, unwind, find relief from aches and pains, increase their nutrient and vitamin intake and stop smoking tobacco, which are key benefits of Elixir No. 1 and Elixir No. 2.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
There have definitely been barriers that I have had to overcome along the way, especially over the last few months. As a new mom, working from home alongside my husband, who is also working from home and an entrepreneur as well as balancing everyone’s schedules and unique responsibilities, has been challenging. I’ve had to rely on my family for support while growing my business and educating my two-year-old from home.

I’ve also been faced with giving my customers a safe sensory experience in the absence of in-person events for the time being. In-person events have been my biggest source of revenue due to me having a product-based business. I’ve expanded my retail and wholesale partnerships as well as upgraded my website to gain more connectivity with my customers. I’ve leaned on other Black businesswomen as mentors, advisors and consultants to help me with blind spots, learning curves or obstacles that have come my way. I had to learn to manage different aspects of running a successful business by delegation, time management and centering my own self-care.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Elle’s Elixirs – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
We are a wellness brand that knows self-care and wellness look different for different women. We provide creative solutions making self care simple and attainable. We offer our customers three innovative approaches that promote relaxation, creativity and fulfillment through the sip, soaking or smoking our herbal elixirs. Our elixirs consist of hibiscus, peppermint, raspberry leaf, rose petals, blue cornflowers and industrial hemp. Hemp is a plant that has a rich nutrition profile and helps relieve pain and anxiety. Our eccentric glam style gives our brand a signature look and feel that always invokes curiosity with potential customers. Our customers are in search of a product that doesn’t take up a lot of time in their day, allows them to incorporate wellness into their regular activities and helps them live life with natural wellness alternatives by sip, soaking or smoking our products. My wellness model, tagline, eccentric glam aesthetic, and unique product offerings set me apart from my competition.

In November 2016, Ele & Ivy Tea Company was launched as an Etsy shop. The mission was simple, offering self-care in a cup. Just one year later, the business had outgrown the shop. In 2017, the company took sales to the Greater Memphis community and eleivyteaco.com. From markets to pop-ups, the original OMM sipping tea was appealing to organic tea lovers as well as shoppers simply seeking new ways to unwind. In 2018, the company continued growing, adding another tea blend, two new methods for experiencing the tea – smoking and soaking, scrubs, brews, infusers, cards and custom product boxes. In 2019, I rebranded Ele & Ivy as Elle’s Elixirs and transitioned into the role of founder and owner. As the sole proprietor of the company, I stay true to the founding mission of wellness by sipping, soaking and smoking for self-care while bringing a new flair of hemp CBD and CBG offerings.

So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Yes, Atlanta is an excellent city to launch a business, especially as a black woman-owned business. It is a Southern hub of black wealth, political power and higher education. Elle’s Elixirs has participated in many events in Atlanta and gained a huge following of customers and supporters in the Atlanta metro area.

Pricing:

• Elixir No. 1 has hibiscus, peppermint, raspberry leaf and roses and is priced at $15.
• Elixir No. 2 has hibiscus, peppermint, raspberry leaf, blue cornflower and hemp, which has 143mg of CBD per serving sizes. It is priced at $25.

Contact Info:

• Website: elleselixirs.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elleselixirs/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EllesElixirs/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/elles_elixirs?lang=en
• Other: https://www.pinterest.com/elleselixirs/elles-elixirs-products/

Image Credit:
Camille Leigh Photography

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