Tara's Story
The path to launching Birch & Wilde has by no means been a straight one.
I’ve always been happiest when helping others. I love finding solutions and empowering friends to be strong, healthy and happy. Like many of us, in my 20s, I lost my way. Unsure of my true calling, I worked in a series of well-paid jobs, travelled a lot and even ran my own start-up. I waited for a deep sense of purpose to magically materialise. Yes, on the outside I was successful and happy, and don't get me wrong I had some great times! However, something just didn’t feel right, I didn't quite feel whole.
When I look back I was cleary overworked. I was stressed, sleep deprived and increasingly anxious. Yet, I refused to see this and felt unable to stop. I believed if I just kept going, and tried harder, things would get better. As a result, I saw friends less and worked more. Hobbies and interests drifted, and I turned to props outside of me, like a nice glass of wine, for that welcome relief.
I’m a country-girl at heart, and the exciting city life I had once loved had now engulfed me. I was rapidly heading for burnout.
Changes needed to be made and they needed to happen fast
A traumatic event at work completely knocked me for six. Already burnt out, I lacked the solid grounding I needed to recover. At the time this felt like the end of the world. Looking back, I see the purpose. It was only through this experience that I was forced to stop, breathe, take a step back and reassess my life.
My first port of call was to see a therapist. The impact of this was immeasurably positive. Seeking help kick started the 'journey back to me' that I have been on ever since. I started yoga, moved back to the Devon countryside and began to re-discover my core self – that wild young girl who would spend her weekends at the beach, kayaking, climbing trees or cycling through the countryside.
I focused on truly prioritising my wellbeing - both mentally & physically. I worked remotely, but I put in proper boundaries. I researched hard – I changed my nutrition, built up my fitness and found supplements that supported me in doing this. Gradually, my spark began to return.
Biology, psychology and physiology have always fascinated me, and so researching wellbeing and supplements was a joy. And bingo! I found my purpose…
The challenges of life really are the best teachers. The right supplements, combined with some ‘tweaks’ in my lifestyle, have been an integral part of bringing myself to this great point in my life.
Now I am so happy to be able to support others in their own life changes and developments.
My story is by no means unique
You may have one just like it, or perhaps quite different, but you feel the same.
I firmly believe that with the right support we all have it within ourselves to live lives of purpose, contentment, happiness and fulfillment – lives that we love.
Empowering our own wellbeing, by supporting our bodies and minds, is just the beginning.
It's all in the name
Ruby Wilde was my supporter, my grandmother, my beacon. A strong, glamorous presence in our family. Even into her 90s she oozed old-school Hollywood glamour.
I remember painting her nails so that she looked ‘just-so’ even in the throes of dementia (when she would say ‘Thank you dear, how much do I owe you?’ after they passed inspection). She saw the calling to help and empower others deep within me, long before I was aware of it myself. Like all the ‘Wilde Women’ of our family, she’d be so proud of me, knowing I am living my own truth and helping others.
Birch & Wilde products are designed with this strong and beautiful woman in mind. To mirror her effortless style. To fit seamlessly into a busy life. To reflect both her timeless elegance, and the grounded natural essence of the birch.
My father planted a birch sapling in our front garden on the day I was born. This tree has such deep significance to me for this. Now even more so because, like me, it has weathered the storms and remains tall and strong. It represents the grounded, compassionate side to my family; a truthful and solid emotional reality.
Together the glamourous 'Wilde' and the grounded 'Birch' embody all that we stand for as a business... And so we are, Birch & Wilde.