Meet the Maker: Old Orchard Apothecary
- Stephanie Ann Ferguson
- Feb 18, 2017
- 4 min read
After ogling her Instagram feed for a while, I was so tickled when Amy Traynor, the owner and creator of Old Orchard Apothecary, reached out to collaborate. She has one of the most etherial, poetic IG feeds I've seen, and it showcased her and her beautiful brand so well! I was honored she reached out to me, and humbled she'd followed me for a while on Instagram as well. I do so love all the beautiful connections I've made on Instagram!
When I learned she had a background in Art, it all made sense! Her line is aesthetically pleasing in every way, a true delight to the senses. I was honored to interview her and get to know her better.
She was a trooper--feeling less than herself in the second trimester of her first pregnancy, all while my 3 boys are dog-piling their dad in the next room.
You moved from NYC to New Hampshire—what brought on the big move?
" It was one of those things where I was ready for a total 180 life change. I was the quintessential New Yorker: I went to Art School, I was a photographer, I lived the city life. But, I was tired of the pollution/noise, I longed for a simpler way of life. I had done a year of college in New Hampshire, so I had friends and a “base" to start with."
What is your favorite thing about living in NH?
"The QUIET. I love the ability to go outside and soak in the nature around me. I love being near the ocean and the forest, being able to really spend time there and enjoy it."
What inspired you to create OOA?
"I'm and artist and a creator at heart. I am inspired by art—fueled by my desire to create and innovate. I became really interested in self-sustainability when I moved to NH: preserved foods, soap, etc. It started with products I made for myself, family and friends...then grew from there."
How did you get in to formulating?
"I've always been fascinated with chemistry to begin with. That coupled with my desire to create beautiful things--it worked. I'm very proud of the products I've created. I love that they are multi-purpose, and beneficial to so many different people."
What is your process for choosing your ingredients?
"RESEARCH. Spending the time to really know the ingredients thoroughly, means you will truly know the solution to the problem."
What was the first product you formulated?
"No.1 Beauty Oil—i really love the blend! It is safe and effective for everyone!"
I have had amazing results from your No.16 Oil Cleansing Cream! What is it that makes it so magic?
"Turmeric is KEY: the blend of the ingredients (shea butter, sunflower oil and castor oil) of all my oil cleansing experience-- has proven to be the best combination."
Why do your products have numbers?
"It is really just my creative process. I have a notebook while formulating and I may start out with a No.7 then after tweaking and changing a formula, it may end up at No.9. It just kind of stuck."
Your Instagram feed is captivating! Your posts are a poetic, ethereal combination of fashion, nature and literature. How does that represent you and your brand?
"It is my intention to showcase beauty in ways other than products. I post intuitively, I have a file of images that feel like OOA to me. I respond to what inspires me, and desire to inspire others to the same reaction."
You are expecting your first baby soon, congratulations! How do you plan to balance your business and your family responsibilities?
"That's the big question, isn't it?! I honestly have no idea. I currently have a full time job in marketing—I'm hoping to take the leap into doing just the line full time once baby comes. I feel like that will be a good time to transition as I will already be home and this is all I ever wanted to do anyways."
What do you find most challenging as being a woman entrepreneur?
"Everything! Its true, its not easy to go from having a good idea to making money from it. It takes a lot to set yourself apart from the rest. That was why I was so particular about what I make.
I've been formulating since 2012, and launched OOA in 2015. I create every batch and package them myself. It would be nice to have a manufacturing process, but I actually like to package my products. So much love and care goes into each product. I went through a rebranding process last year and launched the new look this past November. That was such a process, and a huge solo undertaking, but I love the end result."
Do you have a daily ritual or practice that keeps you encouraged when you’re feeling overwhelmed?
"I am currently fascinated with crystals, meditation, taking time daily to chill and ground myself.
Yoga makes me feel more like myself, though I am finding it difficult while pregnant."
Do you have a personal favorite product in your line?
"I deeply love all of my products, each one for their own reason. But I have to say my favorite is No.16 Turmeric Oil Cleansing Cream because of the major transformation it gave my skin."
Is there anything new on the horizon that you can tease us about?
"I had many requests to bring back my Treatment Balm. I am currently in the process of reformulating of the No.25 Treatment Balm. It is a multi-purpose balm with prickly pear seed oil."
I feel like I've noticed quite a bit of division among the Green Beauty community lately. What are your thoughts on how to inprove that?
"From what I see, there's so much negativity within the Green Beauty community. Theres such a great divide between the sticklers and the ones trying to inspire change.
We need to give each other some grace. Every healthy choice is a step in the right direction.
I would rather shed light on the right things you could do, than to boycott the things you shouldn’t."
Thank you SO much Amy! It has been a pleasure to chat with you, especially as a fellow artist and formulator. Best of luck with your line and growing family!
"Thank you so much too, Stephanie, I have really enjoyed getting to know you as well, and look forward to talking again soon!"
Definitely check out Amy's line, Old Orchard Apothecary. You won't be disappointed!
Be Healthy. Live Beautifully.
