Back in 2015, I (Kate) was living with daily headaches. My neighbor had just started using essential oils and kept insisting she had something natural that could help. I laughed her off and said, “Get away from me with your voodoo oils.” (Yes—those were my exact words!)
Six months and countless medical tests later, I learned I had a severe case of TMJ. Even with a bite splint, I was still battling headaches 3–4 days a week. One desperate night, exhausted from the pain, I caved. I texted my neighbor: “Whatever oils you’ve got, just come over. I’ll try anything!”
She showed up with Basil, Peppermint, Lavender, and Frankincense. Just a drop of each massaged in—and within minutes—the pain was gone. Completely gone. I sat there in shock, realizing that maybe these so-called “voodoo oils” were more legit than I ever gave them credit for.
From that moment, I was hooked. I started learning, experimenting, and eventually crafting my own products—shaving creams, lotions, lip balms, soaps, bug sprays—you name it. I shared them with friends and family, and before long, people wanted to buy them.
Fast forward a decade, I went back to school for a graduate degree in Human Services Counseling and Coaching, and launched Open Door Counsel & Life Coaching. Because I work from home, creating natural products became a beautiful way to get out, connect with people at vendor events, and spark conversations about holistic wellness. Out of that blend of passion, education, and a whole lot of trial and error, Petal & Pine Restorative Botanicals was born.
Today, I get to share homemade, nature-inspired remedies while also talking with people about the bigger picture—mind, body, and spirit health. My products are more than jars and bottles; they’re a way to open doors, build connections, and remind people that restoration is possible, inside and out.