Today we’d like to introduce you to Mimi May.
Hi Mimi, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I am a yoga teacher, natural skincare formulator, and the founder of Maeve’s All Natural. I started this business eight years ago. I am a seasoned business executive turned creative. Being Asian American, I grew up believing that being creative is a hobby, not a career. I am organized, methodical/analytical, and very good at project management. After graduating with a business degree, I started working for a fantastic local company that designed, sourced, and sold consumer products. I quickly moved up the chain, became the company president, and remained there until I started Maeve’s.
In 2012 I became pregnant with my first child, Olivia. Like any first-time mother, I was elated and could not wait to meet her. During routine prenatal testing, I learned she had a genetic abnormality and only had a slight chance of survival. I was devastated and turned to research to find peace in the diagnosis and causes and learn any way possible to extend the pregnancy. I discovered the hazardous nature of many ingredients in my skincare and cosmetics. Back then, the natural skincare world, as we know it now, did not exist. The dangers of parabens and phthalates were only beginning to make their way to the mainstream. There were few organic options, and they were costly at that. I looked at the ingredients and thought, I could make this!
That seed became what is now Maeve’s sprouted in the tiny kitchen of my 1900-square-foot condo almost ten years ago. What started as a desire to create a simple yet effective skincare regimen for me and Olivia became a business I am proud of. I am still excited to wake up and go to the office every day.
I work with over 75 botanical ingredients. While some you can find in a well-stocked pantry (such as organic olive oil and coconut oil), most are exotic and highly sought after in the cosmetic world (sea buckthorn oil and prickly pear, for example.) However, one miracle ingredient comes from a plant that’s been around for thousands of years, Hemp. My company was awarded the Hemp Processor and Retailer license through the Agriculture Department of Ohio in 2020. Since then, we have added a line of hemp CBD supplements to our offerings. In addition, I am developing hemp-infused skincare products to be released in the Spring this year.
Most excitingly, we are opening our flagship store in the Spring! It is called the Healing Studio Chagrin Falls. Along with Maeve skincare and CBD supplements, you can receive whole-body wellness care through Sound Frequency Healing, Cacao Ceremonies, and Reiki.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
One of the most valuable pieces of advice my mentor gave me was, “It will be ok in the end. If it’s not ok, it’s not the end.” I really try to remember this and practice deep breathing when things do not go as planned. No road is ever smooth. In life or in business. But for the most part, it has been and continues to be a rewarding journey.
While some struggles are signs that you are perhaps on the wrong path, others lead to better outcomes. For example, regulatory compliance can seem burdensome, it ensures our products are both safe and effective as marketed. Another struggle has been to pivot in ways that make sense for us and our consumer post-pandemic, especially with supplychain issues and inflationary pressures. Early in 2020, I recognized that the thriving platform of face-to-face retail was disappearing and launched a brand-new website with improved SEO. I enjoyed learning new ways to get my brand out to consumers on social media and have learned many lessons that I will apply to my new business venture.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I am so excited to bring this wellness concept to Chagrin Falls. This is where I hope you will feel calm and at ease as soon as you step foot into the space. Everything we make and stock is well-researched, completely natural, and possesses healing properties. Ceremonies are designed to help heal every cell of your being.
Our mission –
When you consciously choose to heal yourself, you embark on a beautiful journey to connect with the Self. You will grow in ways you never thought possible. You’ll find peace within the magic that is you. Healing is about letting yourself feel all the emotions, shame, and losses and turning your wounds into wisdom. And then, one day, you’ll find yourself in a place where everything feels right.
Your heart is calm.
Your soul is light.
Your vision is clear.
You are at peace with it all.
You are in love, not just with people or things, but with life itself.
It’s never too late to change your life. It takes courage to open your heart, ask for support, receive guidance, and implement new ways of being. Don’t be afraid to take the first step.
The healing studio aims to help women align themselves to their highest potential. It includes intuitively exploring new learning and growth opportunities and receiving nurturing, authentic care of the physical body and subtle energy systems.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
Being true to my nature as a healer matters to me the most. There’s a story on my blog about how the name for my business, MAEVE, came to be. In there, I talked about how I feel empowered by Maeve, an Irish Goddess in the plant kingdom, to be more connected with Mother Earth and her abundant creations. There is sacred feminism and wisdom that, when tapped into, brings balance to our overly masculine culture. Women’s history has always been woven with plants and the healing arts, particularly botanical medicine. In virtually every ancient culture, especially my native Chinese, women-maintained knowledge of herbal healing to prevent and treat common maladies that affect their communities. When I was a little girl, my mother would pick herbs on our walks and make tea or snacks with them when we got home. To this day, she tends to her garden for hours. She urges my landscaper not to get rid of the mugwort and red raspberry plant that’s taking over my front yard. “it’s good for calming the stomach after dinner and removes inflammation.” Last year, I enrolled in herbalism studies and will strive to add to my knowledge.
Contact Info:
- Website: maevesallnatural.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maeves_all_natural/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Maeves2015/
