Start a Home Business with Herbs!

(Page 4 of 4)

March/April 1979
By the Mother Earth News editors 
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At first, the lady herbalist gave a lot of free speeches, but then she realized that the knowledge she had gained over the years had a real monetary value, and that — since she was in business for herself — her time was valuable, too. (She currently asks at least $100 for a lecture, and gets it.)

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Such response has also encouraged Phyllis to put her experiences together in a booklet, Growing Fragrant Herbs for Profit, which she sells through her outlets (copies can occasionally be found online). The book contains a good number of the Herbal Acres' "secrets" for success.

Great Expectations

October, November, December and January are the big-money months in the herb business. (Phyllis expected to make $500 per month this past season.) And in 1978, for the first time, she received an income from her "hobby" all year long.

"I don't make a living from herbs," Mrs. Shaudys is quick to note. "Not yet! So far I've put most of my profits back into materials, new herb beds, photographic slides for my lectures and a new drying shed. All in all, though, this equipment represents some $5,000 in assets, and I expect to make as much as $10,000 a year by 1981."

And, besides the expansion of her current operation, Phyllis has other ideas. "Over the years I've grown culinary herbs and teas for my own use, but — since these are edible products — I'll have to meet all the federal, state and county regulations before I can sell them. However, I plan to write another booklet this year on how to grow and use these herbs. I'll also go further afield with my lecture program, which I call  a 'show-and-tell, see-and-smell, and take-home-to-taste' event."

In the meantime, Phyllis Shaudys is a happy woman. "My summers are spent where I love them best, outdoors in my herb gardens. And during the winter — when I work on my products — I find that the gardens have moved inside! So I get to savor the beauty and essence of my plants three times: in the garden, as they dry in my house, and, for years, as potpourri and sachets!"

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  • kat 9/18/2009 10:15:43 AM

    I'm a big fan of Phyllis Shaudys ! My husband gave me a copy of her book, The pleasure of Herbs,(1987). She has helped me tremendously in my adventure with herbs.

  • nancy 1/4/2008 8:21:42 PM

    Is Phyllis still making potpourri? This looks like it was written a
    long time time ago. What are the prices now and is it still
    successful?

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