An Interview With Wanda Malhotra
Authenticity in Mission and Values: Every company may have its own reasons for cruelty-free ethics. For Mamas Medicinals it was a genuine need for natural healing. Our quest for effective, cruelty-free remedies led to the founding principles of our brand. Our commitment to authenticity resonates with customers who seek products aligned with a true ethical mission.
In an era where conscious consumerism is on the rise, the beauty industry is undergoing a significant transformation towards cruelty-free and ethical practices. This series aims to highlight and celebrate the brands and individuals who are at the forefront of this movement, showcasing their commitment to ethical sourcing, animal welfare, and sustainable production in the world of cosmetics. As a part of this series, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Emily Held.
Mamas Medicinals is a botanical skincare company dedicated to nourishing & rejuvenating your skin and body to make you feel and look your best naturally. Using only the finest cold-pressed, unrefined organic oils and many indigenous herbs sourced from Northern California all made in-house at their workshop. You can see more about Mamas Medicinals on their website.
Thank you so much for joining us! Before we dive in, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your ‘backstory’?
I grew up in a large loving family in rural Northern California. As a child, I remember my mom would pick wild herbs and make us drink them if we were ill. It’s funny looking back on it because we kids just thought mom was picking weeds and playing Dr. Quinn from her favorite TV show Medicine Woman. It wasn’t until I was an adult that I realized the medicinal and healing power of herbs.
Can you share with us the most interesting story from your career? Can you tell us what lessons or ‘takeaways’ you learned from that?
I was a stay-at-home mom with a daughter who had eczema so bad it was painful to look at. We tried every over-the-counter and prescription cream but nothing helped. It was in 2008, I was in herbal school at the time our doctor had informed me that eczema is an inflammatory skin condition. That’s when I took every anti-inflammatory herb I was learning about and made a salve (balm) in hopes it could help relieve her. I was able to soothe and eventually heal my daughter’s rash. After a few years of making this salve for my daughter and friends and family. I had dozens of reviews of it helping with all kinds of things from bug bites and burns to arthritis and growing pains. It was in 2011 that I decided to create Mamas Medicinals in hopes of sharing this salve with the world. The biggest takeaway I learned was maybe my mom and Dr. Quinn medicine woman were right and that plants can heal and by using natural ingredients we can take control of our health.
You are a successful leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?
- Take chances: Being, not afraid to cut the cake as my dad would say. My dad was my biggest mentor growing up. He had a way to make me feel like I can do anything I want to do if I put in the energy and I’m not afraid to try. He taught me to think outside the box and look at things I believe strongly in from others’ perspectives. He often said “Don’t be afraid to cut the cake and on my birthday I took him quite literally, every year I needed a lot of space to cut the first piece of my birthday cake because I swung at it like my knife was an axe and I didn’t care where on that cake the knife landed. In every slice of life, I’ve carried my dad’s wisdom with me — not just in cutting cakes fearlessly but in approaching every challenge with the same bold spirit. As I continue on this journey, I remain dedicated to taking chances, thinking outside the box, and leading with the same courage instilled in me by my greatest mentor.
- Not afraid to learn: When I began the endeavor of starting Mama’s Medicinals, I had no prior experience in business or manufacturing. If I thought of or even knew everything I’d have to do it would have been overwhelming so I took it one step at a time. I dove into extensive research, asked countless questions, and embraced the notion that being wrong was simply a step closer to being right. This helped me to turn each obstacle into a chance to learn and refine my approach and yes I did learn many things the hard way. It’s the spirit of adaptability that has been the driving force behind my continuous growth and success.
- Decisive Nature: I’m able to make a decision and stick to it. My decisive nature has been a blessing whether faced with challenging tasks or mundane routines. There have been times when sticking with a decision meant enduring moments of monotony or resisting the allure of other pursuits. This commitment has been a cornerstone in achieving sustained success in both business and personal endeavors. Ultimately, my decisive nature, in the face of challenges or temptations, has not only shaped my journey but stands as a testament to the enduring power of commitment.
Are you working on any exciting new projects now? How do you think that might help people?
We look forward to our next product launch; a hydrating lip oil. Although we don’t plan to launch it until this fall. The base of this lip oil with be made with Red raspberry seed oil which has a natural SPF between 30 and 50 and protects against UVA, UVB, and UVC rays!
Ok, thank you for all that. Now let’s shift to the main focus of our interview. What inspired you to embrace cruelty-free and ethical practices in the cosmetics industry, and how has this commitment shaped your brand’s philosophy?
It is ethical practices that had us start our journey of Mamas Medicinals in the first place. I was covering my daughter in chemical creams to try to treat her eczema to no avail but it was the healing elements of the earth, rich in nutrients that were able to heal her. We created Mamas Medicinals with the desire to spread this healing. Our philosophy is “so natural, it’s practice edible”. If you can’t eat it you shouldn’t put it on your skin. Preserving the health of our planet and our body is a commitment that lies at the heart of Mama’s Medicinals.
How do you ensure that your products meet both ethical standards and consumer expectations for quality and performance?
At Mamas Medicinals, ensuring our products meet the highest ethical standards while exceeding consumer expectations for quality and performance. We go beyond by not only wild-harvesting herbs for our products but also selecting the finest botanicals and oils from local, small farms. This meticulous sourcing not only guarantees top-tier quality but also aligns with our dedication to maintaining a small carbon footprint. By carefully curating our ingredients, we ensure that every product reflects our ethical practices, and environmental responsibility, and delivers unparalleled performance that our customers expect and deserve. Additionally we third-party test all our our CBD and CBD products for quality and potency.
Can you share a challenge you faced while transitioning to or maintaining cruelty-free practices and how you overcame it?
It was pretty easy for us to become cruelty-free certified because if it’s not a local ingredient we source most other ingredients from Mountain Rose Herbs and they too have strict cruelty-free practices.
In your opinion, what are the biggest misconceptions about cruelty-free and ethical cosmetics, and how do you address these in your marketing and education efforts?
A common misconception about cruelty-free and ethical cosmetics is that these products may compromise on quality or efficacy. At Mama’s Medicinals, we understand the skepticism that can arise, and we actively address this misconception in our marketing and education efforts. Through transparent communication, we emphasize that cruelty-free and ethical practices can coexist with exceptional products that are highly effective. By educating our audience on the standards we uphold and the tangible benefits of choosing ethical cosmetics, we aim to eliminate any misconceptions and empower consumers to make informed and conscious choices for their beauty and well-being.
Based on your research or experience, can you please share your “5 Things You Need to Create a Succesful Cruelty-Free Brand”?
1. Authenticity in Mission and Values: Every company may have its own reasons for cruelty-free ethics. For Mamas Medicinals it was a genuine need for natural healing. Our quest for effective, cruelty-free remedies led to the founding principles of our brand. Our commitment to authenticity resonates with customers who seek products aligned with a true ethical mission.
2. Transparent Sourcing and Production: We prioritize transparency in sourcing our ingredients, emphasizing wild harvesting and choosing botanicals and oils from local, small farms. This not only ensures the highest quality but also aligns with our commitment to ethical and sustainable practices, forming a transparent supply chain that our customers can trust.
3. Quality Formulations and Efficacy: Mamas Medicinals invests in meticulous research and development to create formulations that not only meet but exceed consumer expectations. Our commitment to cruelty-free practices doesn’t compromise the effectiveness of our products; in fact, it enhances them. Our customers experience the tangible benefits of both ethical choices and superior performance.
4. Engagement with a Conscious Consumer Community: Building a successful cruelty-free brand involves engaging with a community that values ethical choices. Through social media, educational content, and customer forums, Mama’s Medicinals fosters a community of conscious consumers who share experiences, insights, and a commitment to cruelty-free living. This community engagement creates a network of brand advocates. We are truly blessed to have Crunchy Mama Box apart of our network, with their help to educate the world and give healthy alternative to every day products.
5. Adaptability and Innovation: The beauty industry is ever-evolving, and we thrives on adaptability. Whether it’s staying ahead of ingredient trends, exploring eco-friendly packaging solutions/shipping, or incorporating customer feedback, our brand continuously evolves.
Looking ahead, how do you see the future of the beauty industry in terms of sustainability and ethical practices, and what role do you hope your brand will play in this evolution?
In the future I envision a shift towards a more conscious and responsible shopping, where consumers increasingly prioritize brands committed to the well-being of body and the planet. We see ourselves as pioneers in this movement. Our hope is to serve as a role model for other entrepreneurs. We aim to lead by example that sustainability can be the norm rather than the exception. Setting a path towards a more sustainable and ethical future for beauty.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
Our Vision is, Well-being for one and all! To help us do this, for every salve sold Mamas Medicinals gives a salve to someone in need. Giving every person the opportunity for well-being and self-care by providing education and salve to all. This mission is met by hosting events to raise funds, with collaboration of musicians and celebrities that want to make a difference. Additionally every salve sold, we commit to give a salve to someone in need. Do you know someone in need? Contact us.
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This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for the time you spent on this. We wish you only continued success.
About the Interviewer: Wanda Malhotra is a wellness entrepreneur, lifestyle journalist, and the CEO of Crunchy Mama Box, a mission-driven platform promoting conscious living. CMB empowers individuals with educational resources and vetted products to help them make informed choices. Passionate about social causes like environmental preservation and animal welfare, Wanda writes about clean beauty, wellness, nutrition, social impact and sustainability, simplifying wellness with curated resources. Join Wanda and the Crunchy Mama Box community in embracing a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle at CrunchyMamaBox.com .
Beauty Without Cruelty: Emily Held of Mamas Medicinals On The Future of Ethical Cosmetics was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.