Daily Inspiration: Meet Amy Chandler

Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy Chandler.

Hi Amy, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for sharing your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
The creation of Heart 2 Home was actually accidental and a result of a mother trying to help her son. Due to a medical condition, my son underwent multiple hospitalizations, doctor visits, and many rounds of antibiotics/medications for the first year of his life, leaving him with a severely underdeveloped (I’d argue non-existent) immune system. I wish I could say I was exaggerating when reporting he was sick every other week! So, after about a year and a half of constant illness, I turned to ole-trusty Google to search for an all-natural form of immune support in hopes of getting my kid to a healthier place. We tried a few different remedies before eventually finding elderberry syrup. Like times before, I made him this new concoction, expecting it to fail, but surprisingly we started seeing small improvements. He would go a month without being sick as opposed to a week, and alternatively, the allergy components also began to disappear. I knew I might finally be on to something, so I delved into learning all things elderberry. I was amazed to see that there were oodles of other benefits associated with elderberry and elderflower, which led to me playing around and incorporating other herbs into my syrups. I began to share this info with friends and family and got them hooked. I never imagined it would go further than this, but one day I was having lunch with a girlfriend and complaining about finances when she stated, “why don’t you just sell your elderberry?” It was almost like a light had gone off. I had truly never even thought about it before. Still, the more I pushed aside the idea of making a quick buck and settled into the notion that by doing so, I could help others the way I helped my son, I quickly determined it was something I needed to do. Fast forward three years, and we were the first to become independently licensed to produce Elderberry wellness products in the county. We sell in retail stores and medical offices across the valley and have had some amazing collaborations with fellow small businesses. This season alone, we are adding two new retail partners and 4 new farmers’ markets to our line-up. Best yet, as of last year, we implemented our Give Back Campaign, donating 10% of our proceeds to help families in need for the holidays. Last year we were able to help 4 truly deserving families in some pretty amazing ways and are gearing up for this next season!

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Never would I have guessed that something as seemingly simple as elderberry would be so difficult to sell legally. It took schooling, lab testing, process authority approvals, multiple licenses and inspections, and registering with the FDA to get approved to move forward with production. The entire thing took upward of a year to get completed. Once that hurdle was out, the next struggle was getting your foot in the door. For someone who despises the schmoozing and sales side of  business, it was challenging for me to make meaningful connections with people that felt genuine. I tend to have things come out all wrong. Thankfully that is where my mother shines! It didn’t take long before I realized I needed her by my side, and she quickly became my business partner! For every area that I lacked, she naturally excelled and vice-versa.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Focusing directly on the product line: We are the first Elderberry wellness line to get independently approved to process here in Maricopa County. Our artisanal small-batch elderberry products include elderberry syrups, tinctures, loose-leaf teas, DIY elderberry syrup brew kits, and local raw infused honey. All products are all-natural and preservative free, using no artificial sweeteners or thickeners. We create all products in a certified commercial kitchen and have gone through a thorough inspection/approval process to ensure top quality and safety! Our line uses high-quality organic ingredients sourced at their peak to ensure you get a tasty product with top nutritional value. Recently winning the Phoenix Magazines voters choice award for “Best Holistic Business,” we pride ourselves in delivering wellness items that the whole family can enjoy. We have diabetic, ketogenic, vegan, and gluten-free options to meet most of the public’s needs.

Focusing on the people:
Being a female-owned and family-owned small business, we take pride in directly connecting with our customers and are very selective with the locations and partnerships we have developed. We want to work with others with a similar mindset which then aids us in making further connections with our clients. Client connection is big for us. We don’t only strive to sell a product but to get to know those who purchase from us. You connect with me directly when you reach out to us via email or social media. You will often see us there when you are out at the markets or in our retail shops! When you are receiving a delivery, it’s us dropping by! We have customers that have become friends and some even co-workers. The drive to connect with others and propel people’s wellness forward is the joy and the “why” for us. This is one of the reasons our Giving Back Campaign is so important. It allows us to connect with the community, learn about their needs and help meet them in whatever small way we can.

Had we love to hear about your fond memories of growing up?
This one is easy, and one my mother and I would agree on! Our ultimate childhood memories (well, my childhood and her young motherhood) would be camping in a tiny section of the Sierra Mountains called Dinkey Creek that no one seems to have heard of. Once a year, our entire family would make the climb up into the mountains: where we would spend the week hiking through meadows of wildflowers, bathing under waterfalls of cold melted snow, sliding down nature-made water slides, taking walks under the moonlight, singing all too loudly to scare away the bears that were imaginarily lurking around every tree, and sleepily roasting marshmallows around the fire before bed.

Pricing:

• Elderberry Syrup 160z $38
• Elderberry Tincture $36
• Elderberry DIY Brew Kit $20
• Elderberry Infused Local Honey $14
• Elderberry Loose Leaf Tea $12

Contact Info:

• Website: www.Heart2HomeHealth.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/Heart2Home_Elderberry
• Facebook: www.Facebook.com/Heart2HomeHealth