This post is part of our series featuring International Herb Symposium sponsors.

Emblossom provides education, resources, and community connection to herbal product companies through their annual conference and ongoing membership program, The Cultivator. Thank you to co-founder Zoe Gardner for taking the time to tell us about the work they’re doing!

UpS: Starting with the basics, what’s your mission?

E: We are working to nurture the next generation of herbal businesses. Emblossom provides education and resources to support herbal product businesses. Our focus includes regulatory compliance, ethical marketing, sustainable supply chain development, and equitable business practices.

UpS: What are three surprising things about Emblossom?

E: We make learning about regulations fun and accessible. We’re anti-capitalist and excited to support a new economy that nurtures life in a multitude of ways. We consider our cats and dogs to be key members of our team – they join all our meetings.

UpS: Do you have a favorite memory from the IHS?

E: We remember being in a session on FDA compliance and good manufacturing practices at the 2015 IHS. A couple of wonderful herbal companies had recently gotten warning letters, they were sharing their stories on all the work it took to satisfy FDA after getting those letters. The room was packed full, and the audience had so many questions about compliance. People were deciding whether or not to start or to continue their companies, and others were mystified and discouraged by how few resources there are available. We didn’t know it then, but that session was part of what started Emblossom. Wanting to be a resource for companies and to support our herbal community.

UpS: Do you have a plant conservation program?

E: As we support companies in sustainable supply chain development and ethical sourcing.

UpS: What are you excited about at Emblossom? What’s new?

E: In August 2021, we started The Cultivator membership program. Each month we host a webinar, interview a successful company founder, have office hours for Q&A, and support each other during co-working time.
Our next Emblossom conference is planned for March 24-26 2022.

If you’d like to learn more, sign up for Emblossom’s mailing list at the bottom of the page at emblossom.co – and follow along on instagram or tiktok @emblossomherbal.