"The earth laughs in flowers" Ralph Waldo Emerson
Botanical Trader was born from this quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson. When I first heard that quote many years ago it deeply resonated, and it stuck with me.
Welcome I'm Claire, the founder of Botanical Trader [and all the Wildspace Collective sites]. I am a yoga teacher, gardener, writer, animal lover + whole living seeker who thrives on conversations and connecting with like-minded people who have a desire to lean into a more kinder, healthier, joyful + sustainable lifestyle.
Ever since I can remember I have had an affinity with plants whether it was picking mandarins, mangos or mulberries from my backyard tree as a child or spending my youth travelling the world seeking spots of natural beauty that I could hike into or spend a few days camping in.
Plants and nature have healed me in more ways than I can express. I was very sick in 2012-2013 and my first moment of healing actually came when I was watering my rosemary and lavender planter boxes on my small inner-city apartment balcony.
It was a normal day, like any other, I went about my daily duties mindlessly, hurried and a little overwhelmed. I was pouring the water from my watering can quickly onto my plants with the intention of getting that job "over and done". Then out of nowhere I was struck with something I can only explain as one of the most beautiful experiences of my life.
As I was literally flooding my poor plants; I felt the warmth of the sun on my skin as I heard the sound of the birds in the tree above me. It was in this same moment I became overwhelmed with the beauty of the intricate and delicate purple flowers as I caught a smell of the rosemary and lavender aroma; and for the first time in a long time I felt complete peace, stillness, gratitude and hope for a happy and healthy future. It was in this moment that my journey to health and wellness began.
Since that day I have used nature to completely heal and rebuild my mind, body and soul. I garden, I make products from nature, I eat plant-based, I drink lots of kale, celery + wheatgrass, I exercise in nature, I do my best to only ever buy consumer products derived from nature and I spend every moment I can connecting and re-energising myself with nature.
It was an organic journey to making natural products from plants, but one I was called to do. Plants are my life- they are my passion- they hold a powerful energy that heals and brings balance to the mind, body + soul. The true purpose behind creating botanical trader was to bring more plant products into the marketplace in hope that one day we might get rid of the synthetic, unethical and toxic.
Whilst natural products are expensive in comparison to their more synthetic counterparts - there is nothing more grounding, healing and inspiring than surrounding yourself with materials that come direct from mother nature.
I believe the energy held in plants is both healing and restorative. From the uplifting aromas that come from the oils extracted from plants, to the intricate design and vibrant colours of flowers, the earthy scents from the wood + bark of trees, and the healing properties of leaves, moss, herbs + roots, When I infuse myself with plants my energetic vibration increases dramatically, and those who purchase our products also find that their energy vibrates higher when they wear one of our natural products steeped in botanicals.
Making natural, vegan, cruelty-free and sustainable products and then giving away profits to charity is the platform I use to promote sustainable, ethical and kind living. It is a gentle yet peaceful form of activism and it is the rent i pay to inhabit this beautiful mother earth.
I believe through ethical consumerism we can all create big change in this lifetime and put an end to global poverty, human rights violations, animal cruelty and the destruction of our planet.
Personally I am a gentle yet active advocate for the plant-based, simple and sustainable lifestyle. If your values align with mine then I would love to connect with you.
Our continual growth and expansion is a testament to what we have achieved together on this path we have chosen.
Thank you for walking with us
Claire Charters
Botanical Trader is much deeper than just a commercial brand that wants to sell you something. I started the company with the intention of not keeping profits. I wanted to create something that was not profit orientated but instead joy orientated. I wanted an outlet to express my passions, creativity, joy and values in hope of connecting with like-minded people - where together we can make a small yet impactful contribution to the world we all live in. Here are my values and philosophy - therefore they are also Botanical Traders.
Botanical Trader was created out of a passion to create a business that made its decisions based on ethics rather than profits. I believe there are a new breed of consumers and business owners - the kind that believe consumerism should give back rather than take.
It is for this very reason I have started a not-for-profit project called the Wildspace Collective - it is one hub or resource where all my business finances funnel into and then get distributed to charities and non-profits.
Drawing on holistic wisdom, Botanical Trader has partnered with Mother Nature to create grounding and restorative products. All our products are hand-blended in small batches using only the highest of quality essential oils, resins, wild-crafted wildflower essences and botanicals harvested from my own garden. Everyday that I harvest something from nature I give "thanks for her abundance" - she really does give us so much.
It is our duty of care as guardians of this planet to ensure we only ever create products that are not harmful to our beautiful planet earth.
I believe all products should be as sustainable as possible. In the design process the product should be assessed to ensure it has very little to zero negative effect on our planet over its entire life span - from its conception to the day its packaging gets recycled, upcycled or composted. We use glass, compostable wheatstraw, aluminum, recycled cardboard, non-toxic inks and refill bags.
Any bubble wrap we use is always recycled from old packaging materials.
Everything originates from mother earth in someway. However, all too often her raw beauty is taken and manipulated into highly processed products that destroy the spirit and energy of Mother Earth - resulting in all her healing properties being destroyed. I believe we need to drop the excess and simplify our lives; and get back to the basics where we are supported, nurtured and healed from nature.
All our products are brimming with high vibrational energy derived from Mother Earth - some of raw ingredients include crystals, botanical extracts, wild-flower essences and solar infused botanical oils.
Over the years I have (like many of you) agonisingly watched on as animals, wilderness, culture and people have come under increasing threat despite all the efforts to protect them.
Consumerism has the power to either destroy or empower. Call me naive, but I believe world change is possible if every single business and consumer chose to make more informed and ethical decisions in their everyday life – from what products they buy, how they eat, what principles they adopt to which companies they choose to support.
Botanical Traders philosophy is grounded in having respect for all life – with you, with animals, with nature and with the local communities which so depend on them.
Our encouragement of ethical choices when it comes to consumerism is more than just a passion…it is our way of life.
You, our customers, are our partners in this lifestyle choice and every purchase you make with us leaves a positive impact on our planet and all beings. That’s why we only sell ethical and natural products that have no negative impact on humans, animals or the planet. We then give ALL our profits to not-for-profit animal groups, people and causes in need.
In a world that is noisy, crowded and over-stimulating it is easy to get lost in the hype. I wanted to create a space and products that reconnected people back to their state of calm. I wanted to create a brand and products that restore and rebalance. I wanted to create a space where I could speak from my heart to yours. A space where people felt nurtured, accepted and reconnected. A space where everyone left feeling a little more full than when they first arrived.
Sugarloaf Cottage is our farm and HQ for Botanical Trader. We have spent over $60k on two wombat soft-release enclosures. We also part-take in the Koala monitoring program and are working hard to raise enough money to build a kangaroo soft-release pen and a Bush Baby nursery
Some of the initiatives Botanical Trader support are born and bred at the Wildspace Collective. The goal of Wildspace Collective is to find a balanced approach and formula towards consumerism, communities, conservation, people and our animal friends that will leave a positive impact on the world we live in.
Working through our not-for-profit program Wildspace Collective we plant a tree for every sale we make at Botanical Trader both online and in-store
