Meet Tasia Kieffer | Herbalist & Founder of Eartha Matter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tasia Kieffer and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tasia, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My name is Tasia Kieffer, and I’m the founder of Eartha Matter, a small-batch online apothecary offering handcrafted remedies rooted in nature. Beyond our apothecary offerings, we provide personalized herbal consulting. Our mission is simple yet powerful: to nourish Your roots so You can flourish, using herbal wisdom.

I started Eartha Matter as a way to bring my lifelong connection with natural wellness to others. I grew up in a home where naturopathic practices were part of daily life, and that early exposure planted a deep respect for nature’s healing potential. In high school and college, I worked at a local juicery in Cincinnati, Ohio, where I saw firsthand how herbs, fruits, and vegetables could support wellbeing.

A few years ago, I began clinical herbalism studies through the University of Wisconsin. That’s when I knew I wanted to offer more than just products, I wanted to offer guidance. Eartha Matter was born from that calling, to make herbal support approachable, and personalized. I believe that even mild imbalances can be transformed with nature’s help, and I’m passionate about sharing that transformation with my community.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Eartha Matter is more than just a business, it’s a living expression of nature and ancestral knowledge rooted in holistic wellness. We’re a small-batch online apothecary offering handcrafted remedies and personalized herbal consulting and we curate herbal infusions to elevate events. What sets us apart is the level of care and connection we bring to each offering. Every herbal blend is thoughtfully curated with the client or season in mind, rooted in herbal traditions that honor both the Earth and the individual.

Clients come to us for personalized natural support. Some examples of helping clients: I’ve curated calming tea blends for those struggling with sleep, transformed breastmilk into custom soap for gentle skincare, helped women prepare their bodies for motherhood, and offered herbal safety guidance to help clients avoid potential interactions with medications. I approach every consultation as a sacred act, one that builds trust, educates people about natural plant medicine and the cultural knowledge of plant medicine. Our herbal packages are very affordable, they start at $60 a package and are on a sliding scale based on the client’s budget.

One of the most defining aspects of Eartha Matter is our sourcing. Every ingredient is carefully chosen, either from my personal home garden, my family’s home garden (tended by my mother in law, Stacy <3), trusted California farms, or from regions where the herb naturally originates. I personally call farmers, growers, and suppliers to understand their growing and harvesting practices. I want to know how the plants are tended, how they’re harvested, and whether those processes reflect the respect and sustainability Eartha Matter stands for. That level of intention ensures our remedies are not only effective but ethical.
What also sets Eartha Matter apart is our commitment to sustainability and community care. Later this year, we’ll be organizing volunteer events like tree planting and community clean-ups. For Eartha Matter, being an herbalist means being stewards, not just of people’s health, but of the land itself. We believe healing the Earth and healing ourselves go hand in hand.

Building this business has been anything but easy. I self-funded Eartha Matter and built it from the ground up while working a full time job as a policy advocate (registered lobbyist) for the California business community. From wearing every hat from accounting to educator to marketer to photographer. But I’ve stayed grounded by choosing slow, soulful growth and staying close to my purpose: to make herbal wisdom personal, safe, and transformative. I focus on B2B marketing and partnering with wellness creators and businesses to build an authentic and engaged community.

If there’s one thing I want the world to know, it’s this: healing is not a luxury, it’s a birthright. Eartha Matter exists to nourish Your roots so You can flourish, all while honoring the Earth that sustains us. We’re here to support You one tea blend, one tincture, one ritual, one act of care at a time.

Here is a link to one of our substack articles that gives deeper insight into our herbalism practices and philosophy: https://substack.com/home/post/p-161359588

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Our business is based out of our home in Rancho Palos Verdes and is registered in Ventura County, a reflection of the coastal and nature rich roots that inspire everything we do at Eartha Matter. We’re especially drawn to Ojai, a city that holds a special place in our hearts. If you’re visiting, I highly recommend an olive oil tasting at Ojai Valley Olive Oil, followed by a visit to Meditation Mount, it’s a serene place to reflect and connect with nature.

In Los Angeles County, some of our favorite spots align with Eartha Matter’s mission of wellness, community, and plant wisdom. We hosted our Eartha Matter launch party on Earth Day at Tea at Shiloh in Downtown LA, a beautiful tea house and gathering space that offers high-quality tea, meaningful workshops, and the staff there is incredible, it is a portal to a magical realm at the Shiloh Tea House.

Another community we’re proud to support is the Long Beach Beekeepers Association. Bees are essential to the survival of herbal medicine, and this nonprofit offers free beekeeping courses to help educate and empower the next generation of bee stewards.

For those interested in herbalism, Anima Mundi in Venice is a must-visit. Their apothecary is a haven for adaptogenic lattes and herbal education, a great space to explore herbal healing from a modern lens in a beautiful space.

Of course, the land itself is one of our greatest teachers. I always encourage people to hike the trails in Rancho Palos Verdes for breathtaking ocean views, or take a woodsy hike through Topanga to reconnect with the stillness of the Earth.

Follow @earthamatter to wander the wonders of nature with us where we show cool places to hike and visit to reconnect with our Mother Earth at our socal events.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to dedicate my shout out to my fiance, James Markulis. He has been integral in the creation of Eartha Matter and helping me stay dedicated to Eartha’s mission despite setbacks. He constantly encourages me to persevere through the hardships that arise when starting a small business. He provides honest feedback and he has been a constant line of emotional support. Whenever I have a crazy idea, I can always count on him to help me bring it to life.

There have been many late nights, especially pre-launch of Eartha Matter, where I was overwhelmed and on the brink of giving up my dream but James always has a pep talk rooted in rational alternatives to my irrational fears and encouragement to help me keep going. Tech issues? James to the rescue! Help take content? James is there holding the camera. Eartha Matter would not be in existence without James’s support. In need of a hug? James is there with open arms.

He doesn’t like attention, he prefers to be in the background, out of the spotlight but I want to recognize his love, energy, and support he has provided to bring Eartha Matter to life. I am so grateful for his partnership and love.

Website: https://earthamatter.com/apothecary

Instagram: @earthamatter

Linkedin: @tasiakieffer

Other: Substack: @earthamatter

Image Credits
Most photos were taken and edited and designed by me Tasia Kieffer however a few of the images were photographed by Jacquelyn Diaz