Today we’d like to introduce you to Julie Williams.
Hi Julie, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My path into herbal skincare began long before I ever made my first product. Growing up in rural Alaska, I was surrounded by wild landscapes and developed an early fascination with plants—their intelligence, resilience, and ability to thrive in some of the harshest environments on earth. I was raised in a largely self-sustaining household, where knowledge of the natural world wasn’t just interesting—it was part of daily life. We relied on the land in many ways, and that experience instilled a deep respect for plants and the wisdom they hold. That foundation sparked a lifelong curiosity about the plant kingdom and eventually led me to decades of studying herbal medicine across the globe.
More than twenty years ago, I began formulating skincare products using medicinal plants that I was growing, harvesting, and working with myself. What started as a love of herbalism evolved into a deep commitment to creating skincare that honors both people and plants. Along the way, I learned that the best formulations aren’t about chasing trends or miracle ingredients. They’re about understanding the relationship between plants, skin, ourselves, and our environment, using those connections to support and promote healthy, radiant-looking skin.
Building Leaf People has been a wild adventure filled with equal parts inspiration and education. I’ve spent years sourcing unique botanicals, refining extraction methods, developing a few of my own, navigating manufacturing, and learning what it truly means to build a values-driven company. The road has certainly had its twists and turns, but I’ve had some remarkable teachers along the way, including Master Herbalists and, of course, the plants themselves. The commitment to sharing the very best that plants have to offer has been a constant compass throughout my work as both an herbalist and a manufacturer of natural products.
Today, Leaf People combines my background in herbal medicine with more than two decades of experience in botanical skincare manufacturing. We create products using high-alpine herbs, certified organic botanicals, pure European essential oils, and carefully crafted extraction methods designed to preserve the unique characteristics of each plant. Every formula reflects my belief that skincare should be a ritual of connection, nourishment, and a path to your inherent radiance rather than a battle against aging.
Part of what continues to inspire me after all these years is that I still learn something new from plants almost every day. Working with nature is an endless source of discovery, humility, and wonder. Plants remain some of my favorite business partners—though they prefer communicating on their own terms.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
One of the ongoing challenges has been communicating the value of carefully sourced ingredients, small-batch production, and specialized extraction methods in a marketplace dominated by mass manufacturing, purchased extractions or synthsized ingredients.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Leaf People, Inc.?
Leaf People is an herbalist-founded skincare company specializing in botanical face serums, creams, and skincare products crafted from our own custom herbal extracts. As a medical herbalist, I’ve always viewed people, plants, and the environment as interconnected, and that philosophy influences every aspect of our company.
Unlike many skincare brands that purchase commercially prepared extracts and ingredients, we create our own herbal extracts in-house using methods I’ve spent decades refining. We formulate every product ourselves using exceptional botanicals, including high-alpine herbs and certified organic plants. Because we are independently owned and formulate our own products, we’re not driven by bottom-line formulation decisions. We can create products based on what is truly best for the skin and what will deliver the most meaningful results. It’s not uncommon for our serums to contain exceptionally high concentrations of pure botanical extracts because our priority has always been quality and performance rather than manufacturing shortcuts.
What sets Leaf People apart most is our commitment to seeing things as a whole rather than as separate parts. Herbalists are trained to look at the entire picture—the whole person, the whole plant, and the larger environment in which both exist. Rather than focusing on isolated concerns, we seek to create harmony within the broader system. This perspective influences our formulations and is reflected in products designed not only to support beautiful, healthy-looking skin, but also to nurture a deeper sense of well-being and connection. This holistic view is the cornerstone of herbalism and the foundation upon which Leaf People was built.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud that we’ve remained independently owned and true to our values for more than twenty-two years. We’ve never chased trends or taken shortcuts. Instead, we’ve stayed committed to quality, craftsmanship, and the belief that nature offers extraordinary solutions to many of our most common skincare concerns.
What brings me the greatest satisfaction, however, isn’t the products themselves—it’s the people. Over the years, we’ve watched customers gain confidence as their skin became healthier-looking, more balanced, and something they truly felt good about. Some of our earliest customers have introduced Leaf People to their children, who are now using it with their own families. Seeing multiple generations choose our products is an incredible honor and perhaps the clearest sign that we’ve stayed true to our purpose.
Another source of pride for us is the opportunity to give back. From the beginning, Leaf People has believed that business should be a force for positive impact. Supporting charitable organizations and community initiatives has always been an important part of our mission, and we view that work as a natural extension of the same values that guide our formulations—care, stewardship, and a commitment to contributing something meaningful to the world around us.
Leaf People was built on the belief that skincare can be both highly effective, performance-driven, and deeply connected to nature. We are not simply making products; we’re carrying forward a tradition of authentic herbal craftsmanship, sharing a story of nature, and bringing the remarkable gifts of plants to life for the people who invite them into their daily rituals.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
What I love most about Aspen is the way nature, community, and culture are woven together. People here genuinely embrace life and all the experiences that come with it. On any given day, you might find people hiking mountain trails, cold plunging in rivers and alpine lakes, attending a concert, visiting a gallery, or gathering with friends at a community event. There is a shared appreciation for wellness, creativity, adventure, and connection that makes this place incredibly special.
One of my favorite examples of that spirit is our local farmers markets. Leaf People has participated in them for nearly twenty years, and they have given us the opportunity to build lasting relationships with customers, neighbors, farmers, artisans, and visitors from around the world. There is something meaningful about being part of a community where people still value local businesses, craftsmanship, and face-to-face connection.
If I had to identify a challenge, it would simply be the realities that come with growth and popularity. As more people discover Aspen, there is ongoing pressure on housing, development, and the character of the community. At the same time, I don’t see that as something to complain about. Aspen has always attracted people who appreciate beauty, culture, and the outdoors, and despite its growth, it remains an extraordinary place to live. More than anything, I feel grateful to call it home and to be surrounded by such an inspiring community and landscape every day.
Pricing:
- $25-$225
Contact Info:
- Website: https://leafpeople.com/
- Instagram: @leafpeopleskincare
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leafpeopleskincare
- Twitter: @leafpeople
- Youtube: @leafpeopleskincare
