Meet Nichole Sando

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

Hi Nichole, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My thought process behind starting my business came from a deep desire to heal, not just myself, but my community as well. After healing my body naturally from Crohn’s Disease and managing eczema through lifestyle and ingredient awareness, I realized how powerful intentional self-care truly is. I didn’t just want to use clean products. I wanted to understand them, create them, and share that knowledge with others.

I officially launched my business during the pandemic, a time when I actually took a pay cut but unexpectedly gained more time at home. Instead of seeing that season as a setback, I saw it as an invitation to finally pour into what had been sitting on my heart for years. It was never about money for me; it was about purpose, service, and creating something meaningful that aligned with my healing journey.

I started with what I had, remained consistent, and built everything with intention. Over time, Namaste Naturally evolved into more than a business; it became an extension of my mission to educate, empower, and help others feel confident about what they use on their bodies while reconnecting with themselves through conscious, everyday rituals of self-care.

What should our readers know about your business?
What truly sets me apart is that my brand was never built from trends; it was built from lived experience, healing, and necessity. I didn’t enter the wellness space because it was popular; I entered it because my life depended on learning how to care for my body in a different way. Living with Crohn’s Disease, healing naturally, managing eczema, and becoming deeply aware of how ingredients affect the body completely reshaped the way I approach wellness. My brand is a direct extension of that journey, rooted in real healing, education, and intentional self-care.

What I’m most proud of is that I built my business from the ground up with no outside funding, just consistency, faith, and reinvestment. Every product improvement, every upgraded ingredient, every certification, every expansion came from pouring earnings right back into the business. I didn’t start with perfection; I began with purpose.

Reaching my current position was not an easy path. In fact, I officially launched my business during the pandemic, at a time when I had taken a pay cut but gained more time. Most people saw that season as instability. I saw it as an invitation to finally build what had been sitting on my heart for years. I didn’t create this for money; I created it because I felt called to serve, to educate, and to help people feel safer and more confident in their self-care choices.

There were many challenges along the way: doubt, financial limitations, burnout, balancing motherhood, school, multiple jobs, and entrepreneurship all at once. I overcame those challenges by staying disciplined, protecting my vision, and remembering my “why” on the hard days. I learned that growth is slow, consistency is everything, and comparison will always steal your joy if you let it. I also learned that you don’t need to have everything figured out to begin; you just need to start with what you have. Don’t wait for the “perfect” time or for when you have more.

What I want the world to know about me and my brand is that this is more than skincare or products; this is healing work. It’s education. It’s nervous-system support. It’s ingredient transparency. It’s empowerment. It’s about teaching people how to reconnect with themselves through intention, ritual, and cleaner living. My story is proof that purpose can rise from pain, and that something beautiful can grow from seasons that once felt heavy.

If my journey teaches anything, I hope it shows that you don’t have to be perfect to be powerful; you just have to be aligned and ready to start.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Day 1: Land, Ground & Sunrise Glow

We’d start the trip with an early sunrise at Hollywood Beach, with the fresh ocean breeze, quiet skies, some fresh fruit, and cold coconut water as the sun comes up. After that, we’d head to a morning yoga class to get centered, followed by smoothies and a slow nature walk through the park to ease into the week.

Day 2: Beach, Farmer’s Market & Massages

Morning beach time with mangos, berries, and coconut water. Then, off to a farmer’s market for fresh juices, flowers, local honey, a fresh lunch, and handmade goodies. The afternoon is strictly for massages and deep relaxation, no negotiations. Cozy takeout and early rest after.

Day 3: Art, Color & City Energy

We’d head to Wynwood Walls for murals, coffee, creative wandering and planning, shopping, and a yummy lunch. We’d end the night with rooftop vibes, mocktails, and city lights.

Day 4: Train Ride to the Springs (Adventure Day!)

We’d hop on the Brightline for a train ride to Orlando, because that alone is part of the fun. From there, we’d head to the springs for a crystal-clear water dip at Wekiwa Springs, floating, swimming, sunbathing, and grounding in pure nature energy. We’d grab a healthy dinner in Orlando and ride the train back feeling completely reset.

Day 5: Full Self-Care Reset

Yoga in the morning, clean beauty shopping, skincare treats, candles, and wellness finds. That evening we’d wind down with a facial, sound bath, or meditation-style reset, followed by a nourishing but indulgent dinner.

Day 6: Road Trip + Real Sunset Magic

This would be our relaxation adventure day, featuring a scenic drive to Naples for cute cafés, slow strolling, beach walks, and a seaside dinner. Then we’d take in one of those jaw-dropping sunsets that make everything go quiet for a moment. There is great beauty in being still and watching the sun go down.

Day 7: Slow Return & Gratitude

Back home, we’d close the trip with a final slow morning, coconut water cheers, gratitude journaling, and a nourishing breakfast before they head out, rested, restored, and glowing from the amazing week we just had.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many people, programs, and spaces that deserve recognition along my journey, but first and foremost, I want to dedicate my shoutout to the educators and guides who helped shape my foundation in holistic living and healing. My herbal studies through Herbal Academy completely transformed the way I understand plants, ingredient formulation, and the art of handmaking natural products using the wisdom of nature. Those courses deepened my respect for herbal medicine and gave me the confidence to work with herbs and healthy alternatives in a more intentional, informed, and responsible way.

I also hold deep gratitude for my teachers at Synergy Yoga, where I completed my Reiki and Sound Healing training. That experience expanded my understanding of energy, nervous system regulation, and the truth that healing extends far beyond what we can physically see. It taught me how to hold space for others in a way that is safe, grounded, heart-centered, and truly supportive.

In addition, my holistic and natural healing coursework through Broward College provided me with a strong academic foundation in natural health and integrative healing. That blend of science and holistic education helped me bridge the gap between intuition and evidence-based learning, allowing me to approach wellness from both a grounded and soulful place.

Beyond formal education, I also want to recognize the countless herbalist books I’ve studied over the years and the deep, independent research I’ve committed to understanding herbs, clean ingredients, and holistic living. Much of my growth has come from quiet study, lived experience, and an ongoing curiosity that continues to guide my personal and professional evolution.

Each of these sources plays a significant role in who I am today and the work I do through Namaste Naturally. None of this was built alone; it was built with guidance, discipline, and the generosity of those who chose to share their knowledge with me along the way.

Website: https://namastenaturally.com/

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