Today we’d like to introduce you to Denise Woods.
Hi Denise, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started Arawak Herbal Blends as an extension of my Health Coaching business. I specifically coach clients on how to improve their gut health. I wanted to support them in making lifestyle changes, one mini-healthy habit at a time. Sometimes when approaching lifestyle changes, it can be viewed as daunting and often does not last. I wanted to create a product they would enjoy and be a seamless addition to their daily routine. Of course, it had to be both nutritious and tasty. I thought about something I love and has been part of my wellness journey all of my life, tea.
Growing up in Guyana, South America, tea and herbal remedies were a daily staple in my household. My family often turned to herbs before seeking pharmaceutical medicine. This resulted in me sharing my wellness traditions with my clients and others.
The name of my business is rooted in my culture. I also wanted to pay homage to Guyana and my ancestry, so I named my business Arawak Herbal Blends to honor the Arawakan Tribe, who are indigenous people of Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.
Over time, I have added more than teas to the brand. I have included flavored salts that are delicious and may have medicinal benefits. I recently added digestive bitters, which I simply love; this is also customary in my family.
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?
It has not been a smooth road, but the journey has been fun along the way. Starting a business takes time to grow and nurture. It takes a lot of sacrifice, trial and error and to be honest, hard work. Identifying your ideal customer and their needs can be both challenging and rewarding when you get it right. It takes time, and it evolves as well. Knowing what products to sell to your customers and whether you are truly serving their needs is a very humbling journey as a business owner.
Luckily, I have a great support system, my husband, who is my rock. I also belong to a female entrepreneurial cohort. We meet weekly to discuss our business strategies, tech resources, learnings, launches, and overall game plans. We have entrepreneurs as far as Ireland, Mexico, and Canada. We learn from each other and really are selfless in sharing available tools and resources. It is a great networking and supportive group that you can bounce ideas off of as well.
I am also navigating my way in this health and wellness space, trying to continuously merge my love of coaching with my love of all things herbs. I feel privileged to occupy a space where I can be a health coach and budding herbalist in the same space. It is my hope to not only educate others about improving their digestive health, one mini-habit at a time, but also provide a variety of ways in which to do that.
I am still at heart, a learner and have a learner mindset, which is why I continue to take courses and classes and learn from others. I do a lot of pop-up events, which provide an opportunity to connect with customers and find out their herbal needs and digestive issues. It also gives an opportunity to potentially decide on new products to develop.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I graduated from the Integrative Institute of Nutrition with a Health Coach Certificate and an Advanced Certificate in Gut Health. I have taken numerous Herbology courses from the Herbal Academy, Chestnut School of Herbs, and a few others. I also belong to numerous memberships that support budding herbalists. I continue to learn every day with people I encounter in my day-to-day life and travels. It is necessary to learn from others so that you are objective in your approach to building a business and teaching others.
I specialize in digestive health. I work with clients to improve their digestive health by incorporating mini habits into their lives. One of the main areas that focus on with my clients is their stool. I help them to understand that there are messages about our digestive health in the stool. This helps to set the stage for what course of action is next in their gut health journey. I help clients not explore healthy mini habits but also I do so in a variety of ways, including the culinary route. This is what sets me apart from others. My approach is multi-pronged in that I focus on total wellness, which includes lifestyle, customized nutrition, and personal training.
I have digital programs, including a digital toolkit, that I am most proud of, entitled 30 Days to a Healthier Gut. This was developed from a 30-day series that I ran on Instagram, which resulted in me creating a toolkit to further assist people who were part of the 30 Days to a Healthier Gut journey. It takes them way beyond the information on Instagram and provides a ton of resources to support their gut health journey. It has given me an opportunity to service so many people, and I am really proud of that.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I was very athletic and ran track and field. I ran the 400 meters and the 800 meters and was lead of leg for the 4×400 and 4×800 relay. I was part of the winning relay team that broke the national 4×800 relay. That national record stood for over 2o years before it was broken. I was the type of kid who always talked back; in other words, I had a smart mouth. I always stood up for myself and others, and to this day, I am still an advocate for people who otherwise do not have a voice or are scared to use it.
I have always been a risk taker and like trying new things; whether it’s creating a recipe or writing a story, I enjoy the discovery process. It is no surprise to me that as I have gotten older, I have in some ways, gone back to my childhood, where I was always creating. It is such a comforting place for me to experiment with a recipe/formula.
I am an in-your-face kind of person. I never wait to be invited to the party, I start my own and then invite you. My husband says I am the loudest person he knows. Well, you know what that means, I am an extrovert and have tons of energy, and people are drawn to my energy. Sometimes, it’s a little too much for others, and they shy away. Those who like my style and my energy get me and do not require me to change.
My grandmother always said I had a big mouth, and my report cards always said Denise is smart, but she talked too much. Well, talking too much serves me well because I use my big mouth to connect with others, and it works.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.arawakherbalblends.com and www.denisevannooten.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denisevannootenhealthyliving/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/denisevannootenhealthyliving/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@denisevannootenhealthyliving
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@dvnhealthyliving
Image Credits
Crystal Love-Byrd
