Two female-owned businesses have come together under one roof to create a sanctuary for those who enjoy all things natural, sweet-smelling and wellness.
Willow x Alma Sana on Beresford Street brings together the calm and relaxation offered by Vanessa Vowden’s Willow Home Fragrance, with the health and wellness expertise from Sophie Anderson’s Alma Sana.
Last week, Express sat down with Vanessa to learn more about Willow Home Fragrance.
Today, Sophie shares the Alma Sana journey and her venture into all things wellness…
What inspired you to start your business?
I’ve had a pretty abstract path, but also a whole lot of experience. I’ve studied holistic nutrition, I was a gut health coach in the US for four years and I lived off grid in the US for two years.
At the age of 20, I started experimenting with fasting and detoxing and learning about and researching super foods to understand how I can support my body more naturally, because at the age of 18, I was diagnosed with anxiety, insomnia and I had all these issues but no one could tell me what was going on.
When I moved to the US, it just catapulted my knowledge onto another level; I was in the epicentre of holistic health.
That was initially what set me on this path questioning what is sustainable and good for my body. That has been at the forefront of my learning over the last ten years.
What are some products that you offer at Alma Sana?
I get so excited about our mushroom range – I’ve been an advocate for functional mushrooms for a long time now. I think in British culture, we’re trying to unlearn the mushroom phobia we’ve picked up, and we’re now relearning how beneficial the compounds in mushrooms are for us.
Lion’s mane is neuroprotective and has a lot of exciting data and studies around it showing how good it is for the brain, and chaga, which is a potent antioxidant, is good for mopping up damage in the body.
We’ve got collagens, magnesium – which we’re all deficient in – ashwagandha, which is really good for stress and anxiety, and Microbz, which is my favourite probiotic range.
Some people might be starting at day one, so I always say, ‘start with one thing’, whether it’s a product or a practice, be consistent and cultivate it as a habit.
What was the journey to getting Alma Sana to where it is now?
I started the Alma Sana concept in 2020 under the Bom Life Company, but it was a bit too out there for people. It was too forward thinking, and the health market readiness wasn’t there, so it was not really working.
After lots of conversations and feeling into where things were at in Jersey, I decided to start again, rebrand and go for it. I launched on 1 July 2024 – online and through pop ups.
I started to see that it was a completely different playing field, and people wanted to take care of themselves more – they’re asking the right questions and they’re more educated and savvy.
After having a lot of successful pop ups and events, and the online developing slowly too, I decided to take the leap and open a physical store.
Why did you team up with Vanessa of Willow Home Fragrance?
I really like her candles – their style and simplicity. I started talking to her [at a Christmas pop up last year].
We have the same sense of humour, and it led to, ‘I’ve been looking at getting a shop’, ‘I’d love to get a shop’.
Our first attempt was in the Central Market, but that didn’t happen. We’re actually very grateful because now we have found this space, and we’re so happy.
I think the businesses complement each other – people bounce from my side of the shop to Vanessa’s side and back, then come up with a bundle of goods.
I love that we can offer that to people.
What are your plans for Alma Sana now you have the physical shop?
I want to focus on nature first and help people incorporate that into their lives. I want them to respect nature and understand how we are an integral part of it, and if we can’t access that nature every day, there are natural things that we can bring in, such as supplements and practices.
I select brands based on their environmental and societal impact. I want Alma Sana to be a brand that represents a cleaner future. It’s about lessening our impact but knowing that we don’t have to compromise on quality.
We will be doing health-focused events and workshops, and starting in January, we’re doing a four-part series of drop-in sessions on Wednesday evenings where people can learn from different speakers in the health industry.
We’ll also be doing ‘AM activations’ – morning sessions on a weekend where we’ll be doing fun stuff to set people off on the right foot for their weekend and keep them motivated and inspired to look after themselves. It will integrate with the coffee bar and offer functional drinks like elixirs and shots.
I want to get people talking, thinking and expanding their mindset on how they can live more optimally and take care of themselves. I want to teach people the wisdom of their bodies – I see Alma Sana as a vessel to reactivating that ancient wisdom.