In November 2021, Jenny Pollard opened the doors to Life Distilled, a natural health and wellness shop specializing in essential oils. Her essential oils journey, however, started many years before.
After being introduced to essential oils by a friend, Jenny researched and explored the benefits and impacts they could have. She began experimenting with various essential oils by blending them and making rollers. Before long, her expertise attracted interest from friends and family who sought her guidance on essential oils.
Jenny began hosting classes from her home to teach others how to make essential oil rollers. This evolved into selling her essential oil products at various markets and shops. As Life Distilled continued to grow, Jenny took the next step by opening a storefront on Main Street in Ames.
At Life Distilled, customers feel welcomed and valued. Jenny and her team are always willing to meet customers where they are and simplify living a natural lifestyle. They engage with customers through various workshops and classes, including Essential Oil Roller workshops and Blend Your Own Perfume Roller events.
As a small business itself, Life Distilled places a strong emphasis on supporting other small businesses by offering a diverse array of products sourced from Iowa-based small businesses. Additionally, Life Distilled is dedicated to contributing to the Ames community by actively supporting various local organizations and being a good neighbor to other businesses.
Since launching Life Distilled’s storefront in 2021, Jenny has expanded her entrepreneurial endeavors by opening another Ames establishment called Homegrown. Situated on Main Street as well, Homegrown showcases a wide selection of gifts and apparel meticulously crafted by Iowa artisans.
Reflecting on her journey with the Iowa SBDC, Jenny explained, “If it hadn’t been for meeting with the ISU SBDC, having someone show me where to get started, and receiving guidance on evolving from a side hustle to a full-time business, I wouldn’t have ventured into opening a business. The meeting was exactly what I needed to take the necessary steps toward opening a storefront.”
Moving forward, Jenny plans to find new ways to grow her business and continue meeting her customers’ individual needs. Learning how to educate others best and promote a welcoming environment will continue to be a top priority of Life Distilled.
Jenny’s Advice: As an entrepreneur, you have to keep up with the marathon and persevere through the mental game of it all. Always take advantage of available resources, seek mentors, and engage with your community.
Check out Life Distilled on their website, Facebook, or Instagram below!