Meet Taylor Shea | Herbalist & Artist

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

Hi Taylor, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
After I graduated from art school in 2015 from Arizona State University, my father quickly became ill and I was motivated to start studying nutrition and herbalism so I could help him as much as possible. He passed away in 2016 and I was very disappointed by the lack of care he received from our modern healthcare system. It inspired me to become an herbalist so I could help my community reclaim their health and wellness.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
If my business as an herbal practitioner and creative entrepreneur was a seed, I would be in my sprouting phase. I officially launched my online apothecary in 2020 after losing my jobs in the customer service and event production industry. The first year was slow and I can admit that. Once the world kind of started moving again in 2021 I began setting up every Saturday at the local farmer’s market. This is where my business started to really take off. I loved connecting with my local community and getting herbal remedies and healing art into the hands of those who needed it. Before I knew it I had clients coming back for more and I was receiving great reviews. My services and products were expanding and they still are! That is something I have really learned as a creative… as I evolve, so will my art, and so will my business. It is important to give myself permission to be fluid in my expression and my creative flow. I don’t like to force anything and move at my own pace.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Welcome to Bisbee, Arizona! The best time to visit is on the weekend! On Friday we will check you in at the Jonquil Motel and walk to the best Mexican food this side of the border at Contessa’s Cantina. I personally love the mole enchiladas. Saturday morning we will grab pastries from the local bakery Patisserie Jacqui and head to the Vista farmers market for fresh tortillas and garden plants. We will stop for lunch at Jimmy’s Hot Dogs and go for a hike in the Huachuca Mountains for bird-watching and creekside relaxing. Sunday morning we are going to Dot’s Diner for brunch and then antique shopping all day long! That’s just an average weekend here though.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I think it is very important to always honor our mentors and I wrote a blog post going into more detail about this wisdom lineage on my website.

My main teachers that come to mind are Darcey Blue of Sacred Earth Medicine, Elsie Lopez of Goldwater Alchemy, Chloe Bee of Rainbow Bliss Botanicals, Sajah Popham of the School of Evolutionary Herbalism, and the whole faculty at the Borderlands Restoration Network in Patagonia, Arizona.

I am so grateful for all the teachers and experiences that have shaped who I am as a person in general and especially as an herbalist and wellness guide.

Website: desertlavenderwellness.com

Instagram: @desert.lavender.wellness

Facebook: facebook.com/desert.lavender.wellness