Today we’d like to introduce you to Eugenia Lagos
Hi Eugenia, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
When I was pregnant with our second child, our family moved to a house with a lush lawn. We soon discovered it had poor drainage, turning our yard into a swampy mosquito breeding ground. I couldn’t step outside without being eaten alive.
Knowing I didn’t want to put harsh chemicals on my body, I obsessively sought out natural solutions. To my surprise, most natural repellents I tried were either ineffective or left a sticky, greasy residue. This quest for the perfect natural repellent took me on a two-year journey, ultimately leading to the development and launch of Anthos Botanica.
‘Anthos’ is the Greek word for flower blossom. My grandmother’s garden in a small village on the Greek island of Kefalonia was a place of wonder for me as a child. She’d wake up before the sunrise to water her brimming basil plants, flower beds, and tend to her fig trees. Bougainvilleas scaled the walls and a pergola of grapes provided shade from the intense summer heat. Yiayia used the bounty of that garden in her cooking and also as a natural remedy for many ailments. Anthos is a nod to that magical garden oasis.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Repellents are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Navigating this regulatory landscape has been both a blessing and a challenge for us. While their stringent standards ensure the efficacy and safety of insect repellents, compliance presents some logistical hurdles. We’re required to register in each state we operate annually, which entails a substantial amount of administrative work, including juggling deadlines and managing various filings.
Moreover, a significant challenge lies in educating consumers on how we’re different from other all-natural repellents. Many existing repellents rely on essential oil blends that require frequent reapplication due to their volatile nature. In contrast, our Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus formulation is EPA-approved for 6 hours of repellency against mosquitoes and 4 hours against ticks. We pride ourselves on offering lab-tested products that have passed stringent efficacy and safety standards!
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
My upbringing in Northern California and summers with family in Greece instilled in me a profound love for the outdoors. Whether camping in the majestic redwoods alongside my parents’ vintage 1973 Volkswagen bus, going on beach jogs along the Pacific coastline, or carving through the powdery slopes of Lake Tahoe on a snowboard, I’ve always felt at peace under a blue sky.
In moving to Ohio, I have a newfound appreciation for the cyclical rhythm of the seasons. I’ve found so much joy in mini trips to places like Hocking Hills and Mohican State Park. And my heart is full watching my children frolic around our family’s farm in Springfield, chasing wild turkeys and picking sweet corn and tomatoes.
What products do you offer?
Our flagship product is our repellent sprays that come in two sizes: a 2oz travel bottle– perfect for throwing in your purse or taking on the airplane, and a larger 4oz bottle. The sprays are DEET-free, derived from the leaves of the lemon eucalyptus tree, and are kind to the skin with a refreshing, citrusy eucalyptus scent. They’re also safe for use during pregnancy and suitable for young children. We also offer soy wax candles that are citronella-based and have notes of sage, clove, sweet orange and a hint of vanilla. We hand-pour each one and make them in small batches. We also recently launched an accompanying matchbox that is great fun to use and set out on a patio table.
Where can readers go to learn more?
You can find us on our website at www.AnthosBotanica.com and follow our adventures on our Instagram, @AnthosBotanica. Thanks for all of your support!
Pricing:
- 2oz Travel-Sized Insect Repellent – $12
- 4oz Full-Size Insect Repellent – $22
- Citronella Spice Candles – $18
- Matchbox – $6
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.AnthosBotanica.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anthosbotanica
Image Credits
Julie Karatzis
Mauretta Patitsas
