Meet Alexis Bagby | Business Owner & Veterinary Student

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

Hi Alexis, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
In the past around 2017, I found that cannabis would help me relax and relieve stress, but after a while my anxiety began to overshadow its benefits. Then around 2020, I tried hemp flower instead of cannabis to help relieve various symptoms such as stress, anxiety, and back pain. I enjoyed the benefits of hemp flower, but soon began to wonder about what other herbs and flowers could help relieve and rebalance one’s mind, body, and soul. This is initially how¬¬¬ I began to learn more about smokable flowers and herbs along with the great holistic benefits they can offer, whether you smoke, sip or soak in the herbal flowers.

I founded Botanical Aura amid my first year of veterinary school. Dealing with personal hardships and the high stressors that come with veterinary medical school left me feeling overwhelmed with stress and negative emotions. I knew that developing better coping mechanisms and balance was vital for my success in maneuvering through my vet program and this crazy, yet beautiful thing we call life. My interest in anatomy, conventional and holistic medicine for both humans and animals are how I am here today. My goal is to continue expanding my knowledge of holistic medicine for both species. I want to educate and bring awareness of herb and flower holistic benefits to all communities, with the use of Botanical Aura’s products. Many are unaware of the healing properties that herbs and flowers can give and be for the mind, body and soul.

My love for meditation and holistic medicine has helped me become more present and at peace in life, and Botanical Aura is a result of such! I researched various herbs and flowers and their holistic benefits and was committed to only organic botanicals to ensure health and no unnatural or manmade toxins. Botanical Aura offers quality, organic herbal blends that one can smoke, sip or soak in. They can bring many health benefits as our herbs and flowers are rich in antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins. Our Herbal Flower Blends can help promote a healthy body, relaxation, recovery, refresh or clear one’s mind. They also help to deepen your meditation and help relieve things like insomnia, anxiety, depression, concentration, pain, stress, and more. Because our Herbal Flower Blends are organic and freshly dried, many say when they smoke or sip them, that our blends are very “clean” tasting and flavorful. This can enhance meditative breath work for a more relaxed effect for mind, body and soul due to their restorative health benefits.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
After undergrad, I worked as a vet tech alongside amazing veterinarians at animal clinics and hospitals in LA. I decided to get my MBA degree during this time because, for one, I knew that I would want to continue being my own boss, but also because I enjoy finance, entrepreneurship, and mentorship. Additionally, I’ve ran a small pet services business offering dog walking, sitting and doggy day care. Treating domestic, companion animals and household pets as a vet tech and student doctor has brought me so much joy. I’ve also enjoyed being mentored and learning about horse racing and equine medicine. Being accepted into veterinary school has been one of my proudest moments thus far. Next, will be graduating from veterinary school as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine!

My journey hasn’t been easy, but I believe it is an inspiring one. There are times when I reflect and am hard on myself because of the obstacles and hardships I have faced. I know I faced biases by some and endured financial challenges to even be able to apply for vet school; it was expensive! Although being admitted to veterinary school is exciting, my journey since starting veterinary school hasn’t been the smoothest, but it has taught me so much about myself. What’s life without lessons and learning from them, right?

Because of such lessons up until this point, I have learned how to have better work, school, life balance and how to better cope and manage my stress, anxiety, negative emotions, and more. I’ve also learned that it is okay to ask for help, no matter how scary it may be, no one should ever feel ashamed or as though they must suffer alone. Society doesn’t make that an easy task, I know, but it is important that we are patient, and learn to trust in ourselves and believe that we can push through, no matter how hard it may feel. I look forward to being a mentor to someone else in the future. I want to show and reassure others that they are capable of anything they set their minds to in life. Whether it be starting a business, pursuing professional school, or simply stepping outside of their comfort zone… I want to be there to remind them that it is possible to achieve such. It may seem too hard or impossible at times, but it is not and that is why I will be there to guide and support them along the way.

My journey in life, not just vet school, is how Botanical Aura came about and although I may wish things were a lot easier or different along the way, I am still very grateful for my journey and can appreciate what has resulted from it. I enjoy doing things that allow my creative and caring sides to show through and have become so proud of my resiliency, that I want to remind others of theirs. Botanical Aura can be a way for us to connect as a community. Finding healthier ways to relax, cope, relieve stress, anxiety, and negative emotions is important. Since starting Botanical Aura, I have met so many people who are unaware of the healing properties that herbs and flowers can give and be for one’s mind, body and soul, aside from cannabis and hemp flower. Our mission is to educate and bring awareness of herb and flower holistic benefits to all communities, as we are dedicated to the health, wellbeing, and mindfulness of all.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Being someone who loves nature and a breathtaking view, if my best friend were visiting, I would show them the most beautiful sceneries around LA. From Escondido Falls in Malibu or Paradise Falls in Thousand Oaks to Griffith Park, the Getty, Runyon Canyon Park to the Hollywood sign, it’d be a variety of adventures I know they wouldn’t want to miss. Then we’d have to visit the beautiful, fun beaches Southern California has to offer like El Matador State Beach in Malibu, Venice Beach, and the Santa Monica Pier.

Now… I’m a foodie, which those of you who know me, know… so of course, we’d have to try some of my go to or favorite food and drink spots like Met Her at A Bar, Kings and Queens Cantina, Nobu and Sugar Fish to name a few. A night or two out in Hollywood and Downtown LA would also be on the list, as the night life in LA is a blast. Oh, and let’s not forget about our brunch outings as we love our mimosas and a good time, with the sun out and shining bright.

Within the past few years, I’ve grown to have a huge love for flea markets, such as Melrose Trading Post, Rose Bowl, Black Market Flea, Soulful of Noise, and Black on the Block. So, if there is one taking place during my friend’s visit, we’d have to go! I’ve found them to be such a great vibe and absolutely love how the community shows up and gives nothing but euphoric energy and endless support to one another. Whether it be locals ready to shop, cooks making the most delicious food for everyone, up & coming artists looking to show case their talent, creators, and more, I feel as though these events have a way of bringing so much of LA and local cities, to one space. Travel, nature, food, sunlight, laughter, movement, and community are some of the undervalued health tools I make sure to enjoy. I would only want my friend who is visiting to enjoy them as well!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Shout out to my mom, that’s my girl! She is the true definition of a role model, in all aspects of life. Her unconditional support and love are how I got to where I am today. I get emotional just thinking about it because how could I be so blessed to have such a great friend, sister, and mom all in one? Her aura, drive, confidence, strength, determination, and sophistication are like no other. She is such a strong woman, although sometimes we both must remind one another that it’s okay to not be strong at times. I’ve always loved the diversity that our relationship has. We can go from talking about our emotions and careers, to helping one another find a cute outfit for an outing, to crying on the floor laughing with one another. I couldn’t imagine my life without her.

I also want to give flowers to my dad. He has been there for me since day one and has never made me feel like I was different when it came to having a diverse family, and for that alone I appreciate him so much. Over the years, going through personal hardships, I have learned how important family it is as well as what it means to me. Family is what and who you make it to be, whether that be blood related or not. Having my dad in my life has only made me understand and appreciate that more day by day. Thank you, dad, for bringing even more love, light, and laughter into my life. Bubba (my little brother) has been the icing on the cake!

Both of my parents are so smart and have been a role model in my life in both similar and different ways. I believe that we have all helped motivate one another to accomplish our dreams and goals. With the each of them receiving their Doctorates, I am reminded that I too can accomplish my dreams and goals, no matter the obstacles. I appreciate all my friends and family who have been there in support of me, my career and business ventures till this day. You all know who you are! <3

Website: www.thebotanicalaura.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/botanical.aura

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexis-bagby

Twitter: https://twitter.com/botanical_aura

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Botanical-Aura-115841844450536