Meet Haley Maness | Clinical Herbalist and Owner of Roots and Leaves and Aiken Wellness Spa

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

Hi Haley, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Starting Roots and Leaves was inititally an accident. I was healing from Chronic Lyme disease and utilizing my own products to support my healing based on herbs known to boost immune functioning. A local store down the street caught wind of my story and asked if I would like to sell my elderberry tonic in their store. I honestly had not thought about turning it into a business, but as soon as she posed that question to me I realized these products that had helped me heal so much could help others as well. That is when the fire was sparked and I began to sell my eldeberry tonic, herbal teas, magnesium body butter and teaching others how to support their bodies in a holistic way. My business may be based on physical herbal products, but the mission is to give hope to others and to remind those suffering that they too, can heal.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Becoming a clinical herbalist and producing all of my herbal products was a big career change for me. Prior to Roots and Leaves I worked in corporate America for many years as a human resources business partner, received my MBA while working full time and climbing the corporate latter and even moved from TX to SC for my job. During this time my chronic lyme symptoms were peaking and by the end of 2016 I had reached the end of my ability to continue working 60 plus hours a week and commuting an hour round trip every day. That is when I made the difficut decision to quit that job and start building Roots and Leaves. I truly never dreamed that it would turn into what it has today as I type this in 2023. I now partner with over 600 retail stores that trust the quality and effectiveness of my herbal remedies. I have thousand of customers that order online from Rootsandleaves.info and have recently opened up my own holistic wellness spa and retail store in Aiken, SC – Aiken Wellness Spa and boutique. Every day I get to help someone feel seen in their chronic pain or illness and give them hope that their body was created to heal. The moral of the story is, don’t be afraid to follow your passions no matter the risk and when others tell you it doesn’t make sense. The ripple effect you can have in other peoples lives, just by following your passions, can be life changing for everyone involved.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
When my friends and family come to visit I take them to the “alley” in downtown Aiken, SC for so many reasons. The charm of the alley with bricked lined streets, old fashioned rocking chairs, live music, delicious food and the friendliest people in the south. My favorite restaurant in the alley is Whiskey Alley for their burgers, handcut fries, fish and chips and rotating menu that never ceases to amaze the taste buds. We then go on lots of outdoor adventures and hikes in hitchcock woods that is in the middle of our town. With 2,100 acres of forestland and 70 miles of sandy trails, the woods are a haven for hikers, equestrians, dog walkers, runners, bird watchers and nature lovers and it is truly one of my favorite places to take visitors.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
So many friends and family walked alongside me in my battle with chronic lyme disease. My husband especially was unwavering support for me on my sickest days, speaking life over me and believing I would heal and it would all be for good in the end. The biggest credit goes straight to God because He opened up all of the doors to turn my pain into purpose and sent me angels along the way to make the dream come true. He truly turned my ashes into beauty and deserves all the credit.

Website: https://rootsandleaves.info/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rootsandleavesinfo/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rootsandleavesinfo