Meet Daniel And Rachel Olvera | Co-Founders of XēBA BOTáNICA

We had the good fortune of connecting with Daniel And Rachel Olvera and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Daniel and Rachel, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Xēba Botánica started with a simple but powerful idea—We wanted to create something that aligned with our values: holistic wellness, sustainability, and community connection. We had already been making our own soaps, deodorants, and moisturizers at home to reduce waste and because Rachel has sensitive skin—acne, eczema, allergies—you name it. During the pandemic, we had more time to refine our craft and realized that there was a real opportunity to turn our personal practices into a business.

We started with just $500, buying ingredients and soap molds, and reinvested everything to grow. In the beginning, we did everything ourselves—cutting and printing our own business cards, hand-labeling each product, and even running our own markets. We worked nonstop for the first two years, handling every aspect of the business before we were able to hire employees. It was a hands-on, immersive process, but we believed in what we were building.

There wasn’t a big investor or a perfect roadmap—we built Xēba step by step, often working through sleepless nights to make it happen but we trusted that if we stayed true to our vision and values, things would unfold as they should. Our goal was always to bridge traditional herbal practices with modern self-care in a way that felt authentic, accessible, and transparent.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Xēba Botánica is built on quality, authenticity, and sustainability. We keep production in-house, making everything in small batches, labeling each product ourselves, and thoughtfully formulating every product. We ask ourselves: What do we need? What do we want? What is the market lacking? We don’t take shortcuts because we believe true wellness should be both effective and ethical.

We’re most proud of the fact that we’ve stayed true to our values, even as we’ve grown. The journey hasn’t been easy—we started with just $500 and reinvested everything, working nonstop for the first two years to build this from the ground up. There were challenges, setbacks, and sleepless nights, but resilience and adaptability are just as important as hard work. Every challenge has made us better, smarter, and more intentional with how we run our business. We overcame obstacles by trusting our vision, staying hands-on, and never compromising on quality.

The biggest lesson we’ve learned is that success isn’t about taking the fastest path—it’s about building something meaningful and sustainable. We put people over profits, creating only the goods we would use for our family.

Xēba Botánica isn’t just a brand—it’s a reflection of who we are and what we stand for. It’s about embracing nature, craftsmanship, and sustainability in a way that feels real and accessible. What we want the world to know is that every product we make carries our love, care, and dedication. We built this from nothing, and we’re excited for what’s ahead.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If a friend was visiting for a week, we’d love to take them to all our favorite spots. We’d grab breakfast at Honey Hi, coffee from Woodcat, and hike through Griffith Park, stopping at the Observatory for sweeping city views. We’d explore Echo Park, catch a Dodger game, enjoy dinners at A Tí and Gyoza Bar, sip cocktails at Le Fé, and book a facial at our new Xēba Botánica location in Echo Park for some much-needed self-care.

For the weekend, we’d head out to the High Desert where our flagship Xēba Botánica store lives on Mane Street in Pioneertown on an old western movie set. We’d hike in Joshua Tree National Park, grab a quick bite at Luna Bakery, visit the farmers market and shops in downtown Joshua Tree, have lunch at Tiny Pony Tavern, catch a show at Pappy & Harriet’s, and end with live jazz and cocktails at The Copper Room.

It’s the perfect mix of city pulse and desert magic.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
We wouldn’t be where we are today without the support, mentorship, and encouragement of so many people. First, we want to thank each other—for sticking together through this wild ride, pushing through challenges, and never losing sight of our vision or our future together. Running a business as partners in life and work isn’t always easy, but it’s made us stronger, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

We’re also incredibly grateful to our family and friends who believed in us from the start, our small business community for their shared knowledge and support, and our customers whose trust and enthusiasm keep us going. We’re humbled and thankful for everyone who has been part of this adventure.

Website: https://xebabotanica.com

Instagram: @xebabotanica

Image Credits
Kate Shearer