Today we’d like to introduce you to Chelsea Salazar.
Hi Chelsea, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started making elderberry syrup for my own family to keep us healthy and thought ‘why not offer it to my friends and neighbors so the people that are around us stay healthy as well.’ I honestly wasn’t even trying to start a business but it happened very organically. My neighbors loved my elderberry syrup and found it to be very effective so they told their friends and family and it grew from there. My business was built purely on word of mouth referrals and excellent customer service.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Everything has been trial and error. I’ve learned so much over the years. I’m a Mom to four kids (first and foremost) so my biggest struggle has been keeping up with my family while running a thriving business. Business-wise, at first my struggle was developing the perfect recipes, then it was marketing my business without a marketing background, then it was shipping my syrup all over the country, now it is wearing all of the hats. The juggling and struggles are endless. Every day it is something new. I just do my best to stay organized and disciplined and I never give up.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am the owner and creator of The Elderberry Angel. I specialize in and am known for making elderberry syrup with raw, local honey as a health and wellness supplement that keeps your immune system strong and helps people to recover from illness more quickly. I am most proud of the number of families I have helped to stay healthy over the years. I receive countless messages from my customers who have become like family thanking me for the difference I have made in their lives. It makes all of my hard work and dedication worth it. My work ethic and customer service is what sets me apart from others. I make it a point to always say yes (within reason). Saying yes has resulted in me being able to expand my product line. Excellent customer service and building relationships with my customers has given me customers that are loyal and as excited about my growth as I am. It has been such an amazingly rewarding experience.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
Yes. In January of 2020, I started getting messages from long time customers asking if elderberry syrup was safe to take with Covid-19. Of course, it was a completely new virus and I do not have a medical background so I just started researching it online to see what I could find out. Everyone was scared and quarantined so I figured out a way to still reach my customers by offering contactless pickup and delivery (much like grocery stores and restaurants). It taught me to adapt more easily and to be flexible with change. As a result, I have many customers swear by my elderberry syrup for helping them to recover from Covid.
Pricing:
- 8oz Elderberry Syrup-$15
- 16oz Elderberry Syrup-$25
- 32oz Elderberry Syrup-$50
- Elderbearry Gummies -$15 (one month supply for one person)
- 8oz Elderberry Seamoss $20
Contact Info:
- Email: Theelderberryangel@gmail.com
- Website: www.elderberryangel.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/TheElderberryAngel
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheElderberryAngel
Image Credits:
Robert Salazar
