We had the good fortune of connecting with Christie Edwards and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Christie, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Being fully transparent, my thought process behind starting my own business would that it would of course require hard work, but I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I heard about the challenges of entrepreneurship from friends and family, but your perspective is completely different and naive when you aren’t sitting in the front seat and actually driving.

I grew up with my father running his own professional photography business. He only had a high school education but he made entrepreneurship look very easy from hiring staff, finances and from having various studio spaces throughout Chicago.
I knew as a business owner I’d be working hard, but I’ve been juggling my business while working full-time, being in year 2 of my herbal school, so working hard doesn’t begin to describe my level of activity.
As a small business of only 1 person you are all things and everything. You are the owner, the brand manager, the marketing department, the networking specialist, the social media manager and content creator, the Creative Director, the employee, the accountant, the photographer and customer service. There have been times when I have been completely overwhelmed and just sat in front of my laptop and cried out of shear frustration. However, when you invest your time and finances into something you absolutely love, it doesn’t really feel like work, which makes the stress palatable.

Though I am still very much in my infantile stage, I know my strengths and I know my weaknesses. I haven’t reached a point where I can outsource for my weaknesses (yet), but it’s nice when you can focus on the things in your business you love. I am a creative, so I love being able to allow my mind and imagination the freedom to create. Developing ideas is my super power. Developing an idea or concept for my business and seeing it manifest from a thought and into something I can hold in my hand, is so empowering and feels magical. I feel like these days I say it often, but having your own business is not for the faint of heart. I think it’s extremely important to know yourself. What you are able to deal with, your work ethic and how you handle stress. Business skills are important but understanding who you are as a person I believe is instrumental when starting a business.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I mentioned I am running my business while working full-time. I hold a graduate degree in Public Health with a focus on Community Health. What sets me apart is my passion and drive for serving others whether it be managing a health equity center which I do at local hospital here in Chicago or if that is me ensuring my clients have access to alternative forms of healing. Either side of the coin, my dedication to serving others will be there. In my previous life, I was a professional dancer which helped to shape my work ethic. As a dancer, the more talented and hardest worker was often selected so I really utilize my talents as a creative when formulating products and though it isn’t good, I have no problem working hard until I see the fruits of my labor. I believe dance helped to instill this in me.
Nothing in my life came easy though many believe it has. I have had to work harder than most people all of my life so I’ve just grown accustom to this. When dealing with challenges, I had to learn to step back and not focus on the big picture. I had to train myself to take bite-sizes so I could feel some level of progress.
I want people to know Sage House Apothecary is dedicated to developing spiritually grounded products for the everyday person. I’ve been working with herbs for over 20 years and it started with my son who was born with eczema. His pediatrician recommended I put him on a steroid cream but I refused and take matters into my own hands. This was really before the internet was widely used so I went to the library and found books and researched herbs to help. I developed my son’s baby products, tossed the store bought ones away and his eczema went away. I don’t know everything but my heart is in place to serve and I will always commit myself to serving and helping others. That is what my brand is all about.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Ohh, I love a good itinerary. I tend to incorporate physical activities into my itineraries so here you go.

Sunday – Morning walk along the lake front, brunch at 3rd Coast cafe in the Gold Coast, hang out in Hyde Park at the museum of Science and Industry and then dinner at Maple & Ash
Monday – Breakfast at Golden Nuggest (a diner dive), lunch at Hampton Social, and go to the south loop to hang out at Vue for drinks, music and dinner on the rooftop
Tuesday – Grab NYC style bagels at Coreys for breakfast, shoot darts at Flight Club and get tacos at Pilsen Yards and go to a White Sox or Bulls game.
Wednesday – Have breakfast at Wildberries at the Water tower and spend the day shopping on Mag mile, visit 4 floors of the Starbucks Reserve and have lunch on the 95th floor of the John Hancock at the Signature Room, go to a comedy show at Second City up the street
Thursday – Go to the Sears Tower (it will never be the Willis Tower), take a bike tour throughout the city, grab THE best stuffed pizza in Chicago, Giordano’s
Friday – Spend the day at the Chicago Art Museum, go to punch house for dinner and live music
Saturday – Morning hike at Glen Falls (30 minutes outside of the city), farmer’s market in the Gold Coast, brunch at Beatniks on the river, Dinner and drinks on me on my rooftop

Chicago is one of the best places for food and scenery (in the warm months) but because it is a cultural melting pot you can find any type of ethnic food that will fit your palate. I am a nature lover so if it has water, trees, and a beautiful scenery, I’m in heaven.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My father, my family and partner for their support, and my daughter for being my first “seasonal” employee.

Books that have helped me:
Getting Things Done by David Allen
We Should all be Millionaire by Rachel Rodgers
High Performance Habits by Brendon Burchard
Believe Bigger by Marshawn Evans Daniels
Essentialism by Greg McKeown

*I’m pretty sure I”m missing a book.

Website: www.sagehouseapothecary.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sagehouseapothecary/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christie-r-edwards-mph-96785620/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sagehouseapothecary

Other: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1163327/episodes

Image Credits
Park photos (with sound bowls), headshot, and podcast photo by Geraldine Teotico

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