Francheska Velazquez
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The Backstory
Alyssa Mancini’s journey into the world of yoga and herbalism was born out of a need to manage personal stress and health challenges. Initially a high school science teacher, first in New York City and then in Danbury, Alyssa discovered yoga in 2011 while searching for a way to cope with the stress of her demanding job. She quickly fell in love with the practice and became a registered yoga instructor in 2013.
Her path took a transformative turn in 2016 when she moved to Brooklyn and encountered a local herbal apothecary. At that time, Alyssa was struggling with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and was keen to explore alternative treatments. Intrigued by the potential of herbal medicine, she enrolled in the apothecary’s three-level apprenticeship program. This decision proved to be life-changing. “I began using herbs to treat my condition and saw remarkable results. Despite initial skepticism from my doctor, I committed fully to an herbal protocol. Within three months, my hormone levels were balanced, and my symptoms had completely disappeared.” Alyssa recalls.
Alyssa’s experience in the apprenticeship program became a pivotal moment in her career. She continued teaching high school, becoming the head of the biology department in Brooklyn, where she introduced an herbal medicine elective. “We would go to the courtyard and identify and harvest medicinal plants and then take them to the kitchen to prepare teas, tinctures, honey, vinegar, lotions, and salves,” she explains.
In 2020, Alyssa decided to move to Connecticut to assist her aging parents, settling in Danbury where she taught chemistry at Danbury High School. At the same time, she kept her eyes on commercial spaces available in the area for potential business opportunities. In April 2023, Alyssa found an ideal location in Sandy Hook, CT, which perfectly suited her vision. “I didn’t want to be 90 and regret never giving my dream a shot, so I decided to go for it,” Alyssa shares. She secured the necessary state manufacturing licenses for supplements, cosmetics, and CBD, and launched Herbs Love and Yoga.
At Herbs Love and Yoga, Alyssa’s dual passions for yoga and herbalism have been deeply intertwined, each enhancing her own health and professional life as an educator. “Both practices have not only enhanced my personal health but also enriched my professional life. Through deep exploration of plant medicine and the mind-body connection, I’ve developed effective methods to address stress, anxiety, and various health concerns, fostering continual personal growth and self-love,” she says. Alyssa is dedicated to sharing the benefits of these holistic practices with others, helping them find balance and wellness through natural means.
Her path took a transformative turn in 2016 when she moved to Brooklyn and encountered a local herbal apothecary. At that time, Alyssa was struggling with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and was keen to explore alternative treatments. Intrigued by the potential of herbal medicine, she enrolled in the apothecary’s three-level apprenticeship program. This decision proved to be life-changing. “I began using herbs to treat my condition and saw remarkable results. Despite initial skepticism from my doctor, I committed fully to an herbal protocol. Within three months, my hormone levels were balanced, and my symptoms had completely disappeared.” Alyssa recalls.
Alyssa’s experience in the apprenticeship program became a pivotal moment in her career. She continued teaching high school, becoming the head of the biology department in Brooklyn, where she introduced an herbal medicine elective. “We would go to the courtyard and identify and harvest medicinal plants and then take them to the kitchen to prepare teas, tinctures, honey, vinegar, lotions, and salves,” she explains.
In 2020, Alyssa decided to move to Connecticut to assist her aging parents, settling in Danbury where she taught chemistry at Danbury High School. At the same time, she kept her eyes on commercial spaces available in the area for potential business opportunities. In April 2023, Alyssa found an ideal location in Sandy Hook, CT, which perfectly suited her vision. “I didn’t want to be 90 and regret never giving my dream a shot, so I decided to go for it,” Alyssa shares. She secured the necessary state manufacturing licenses for supplements, cosmetics, and CBD, and launched Herbs Love and Yoga.
At Herbs Love and Yoga, Alyssa’s dual passions for yoga and herbalism have been deeply intertwined, each enhancing her own health and professional life as an educator. “Both practices have not only enhanced my personal health but also enriched my professional life. Through deep exploration of plant medicine and the mind-body connection, I’ve developed effective methods to address stress, anxiety, and various health concerns, fostering continual personal growth and self-love,” she says. Alyssa is dedicated to sharing the benefits of these holistic practices with others, helping them find balance and wellness through natural means.
How Women's Business Development Council Helped
“WBDC has significantly impacted me and my business by providing the essential tools and guidance needed to become a more effective business owner,” Alyssa notes. She says the support she received from WBDC enhanced her skills and confidence, enabling her to handle various aspects of her business, from managing finances to increasing brand awareness.
When Alyssa first opened her business, she was exploring multiple services such as Yoga classes, Reiki sessions, herbal workshops, and running her herbal medicine shop. But when she started working with WBDC business advisors, she gained clarity. She shares, “The support from WBDC business advisors led me to focus on offering 150 and 200-hour herbalist certification courses as my main service. This shift was crucial for the strategic direction of my business and has been instrumental in refining my messaging and effectively portraying it across my website, social media, and other marketing channels.”
Alyssa also credits WBDC’s GPS & Marketing FUN-damentals courses with profoundly impacting her business. “Applying what I learned has helped clarify my goals and refine my messaging, making my business more focused and effective,” she shares. This tailored guidance has been instrumental in enhancing her strategic approach and overall success, allowing her to witness the transformative impact of her practices on her clients.
For the future, Alyssa envisions her relationship with WBDC continuing to impact her business positively. She added, “As my messaging becomes clearer, I aim to delve deeper into marketing, particularly email marketing and paid social media advertising. Setting up email automation to nurture my community and inform them about our unique offerings is a priority. Additionally, I aspire to improve my bookkeeping and financial management skills to ensure sustainable growth for my business.”
When Alyssa first opened her business, she was exploring multiple services such as Yoga classes, Reiki sessions, herbal workshops, and running her herbal medicine shop. But when she started working with WBDC business advisors, she gained clarity. She shares, “The support from WBDC business advisors led me to focus on offering 150 and 200-hour herbalist certification courses as my main service. This shift was crucial for the strategic direction of my business and has been instrumental in refining my messaging and effectively portraying it across my website, social media, and other marketing channels.”
Alyssa also credits WBDC’s GPS & Marketing FUN-damentals courses with profoundly impacting her business. “Applying what I learned has helped clarify my goals and refine my messaging, making my business more focused and effective,” she shares. This tailored guidance has been instrumental in enhancing her strategic approach and overall success, allowing her to witness the transformative impact of her practices on her clients.
For the future, Alyssa envisions her relationship with WBDC continuing to impact her business positively. She added, “As my messaging becomes clearer, I aim to delve deeper into marketing, particularly email marketing and paid social media advertising. Setting up email automation to nurture my community and inform them about our unique offerings is a priority. Additionally, I aspire to improve my bookkeeping and financial management skills to ensure sustainable growth for my business.”
Location
Sandyhook, CT
info@herbsloveandyoga.com
Contact Phone
(203) 914-5446