Aug 11 2008
An Interview with Aromatherapy Thymes Magazine
Aromatherapy Thymes is for all who care about plants, healing and the planet. Aromatherapy presents the holistic approach to well-being, applying ancient recuperative, revitalizing and beauty therapies to relieve the stresses of life as effectively today as they have in centuries past. Filling a niche never before covered, it answers the lifestyle needs of a growing market segment.
1. What inspired you to start Aromatherapy Thymes?
Aromatherapythymes.com was launched in the late 90’s as a resource site for consumers interested in learning about essential oils and how they are integrated into the art and science of what is called Aromatherapy. The response was overwhelming, so the magazine was a natural progression. In the beginning, I found it very difficult to understand Aromatherapy so I knew if I felt that way others did. I took classes, went to seminars, and for well over 15 years I became eagerly committed to learning everything I could about Aromatherapy.
My goal truly was to make consumers aware of how important Aromatherapy was and is, and to offer the latest research, industry dialogue, and general information in a reader-friendly style and format. I knew I wanted to put out a magazine that could be placed in any area of your home and always be a reference guide.
2. What are some of your favorite aspects of the magazine?
I really love the essential oil profiles and the letters from our readers. I find that so many people enjoy essential oils and I am really surprised at the responses we get. It really makes us feel good that consumers have so many favorites and care so much about the therapeutic benefits and uses of particular oils and actually use them.
We are trying to lay out the magazine to capture the essence of what Aromatherapy is all about through design, choice of colors, and formatting.
3. What are your goals/visions for the next few years?
To maintain our position on the newsstands and in stores with continued growth. I recently started doing a blog talk radio show, and in the late fall we will venture into documentaries and television. Aromatherapy is a misunderstood word. I feel the process of extracting essential oils is quite amazing and I have gained so much respect for the farmers and laborers. We must also face the trade issue, and be aware that there are so many oils that are on the endangered species list. We can not ignore the argument that the demand for essential oils can result in unscrupulous business dealings in countries that produce them.
I think about essential oil safety issues everyday. I want consumers to be able to walk into a health food store or order essential oils online and not have to question the purity of the oil and I will continue to bring all these issues to the forefront. We are just touching the surface of a very huge and unlimited market, very similar to Martha Stewart position when she successfully launched Martha Stewart Living and tapped into the enthusiasm for all around home improvement, comfort and style.
4. How do you decide what to write about?
The initial step is picking the essential oil profile and from there everything else seems to fall into place. Of course, we try to coordinate each issue and essential oil with its proper season of use. With the exception of our featured essential oil profile, topics that are currently being discussed in the industry are always considered first and foremost. We are always on the lookout for up-to-date research and articles that cover holistic health issues, even if it is not directly involving aromatherapy because overall health and well-being keeps us all connected.
Again, because the publication is published four times a year (starting in 2008) we keep track of what essential oil is best for any particular season. Editorial meetings are generally where we go back and forth to make our final selections on what should be included in the issue. We feel very honored to have so many outstanding manufacturers, distributors and aromatherapy companies sharing information.
5. Did you imagine the magazine would become so successful so quickly?
I feel like Aromatherapy Thymes was needed on the newsstands, but did not have any idea the response would be so huge. I do believe it has filled a niche that was missing. The success do not seem easy because the challenges were and are still so great. Any time you are doing something new you may face obstacles, but it is amazing to see and feel the support and energy from all over the world for Aromatherapy Thymes.
Success means different things to all of us, but being able to take an idea and never waver on it and see it to fruition truly is success. To be voted in the Top 30 Notable launches of 2007 by Mr. Magazine out of 900 magazines launched truly made the staff smile. It felt good because our journey to the newsstands has been an experience. I am actually working on my first book titled No One is Going To Buy An Aromatherapy Magazine! My Struggle And Triumph To The Newsstands.
When I started Aromatherapy Thymes I didn’t know how to get to the newsstands but I knew we would get there. I thank the subscribers and consumers for supporting us and keeping us on the newsstands. It has taught me your passions are all you have to give, and if you don’t try you have already failed. There is a lot ahead for Aromatherapy Thymes, but a lot is behind us.
6. What impact would you like the magazine to have on the Aromatherapy community?
According to the feedback, we are making a difference. Only time will tell what the impact will be, but if people are communicating and discussing important Aromatherapy and holistic health issues we will be very satisfied. If growers, distillers, retailers, and consumers are a little closer in the sense that they have more authenticity, trust and access to each other then we will feel the magazine has accomplished part of its mission. As we continue to connect with consumers and advertisers, the word will get out that Aromatherapy is about healing the whole person and can be enjoyed and used in every area of our lives. The key is implementing Aromatherapy into your life correctly. That is the message.
Aromahead Institute
The Aromatherapy Certification Program was established in May of 2000. The National Association For Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA) has national educational standards for Aromatherapists and approved the program to provide Aromatherapy Certification Training.
Most people are familiar with Shea butter and Coconut oil. It’s hard to come across a store-bought beauty product that doesn’t claim to have one of the more popular, commonly known carrier oils in. 
