Blue Ridge Aromatics Essential Oils To Offer Marketplace First in Western North Carolina
ASHEVILLE, NC – February 25, 2015 – This week marks the launch of Blue Ridge Aromatics, an Asheville start-up committed to strengthening the Western North Carolina region’s health and wellness marketplace by delivering locally cultivated and produced essential oils. Housed in a previously vacant 6,000 square foot hydroponic greenhouse near Weaverville, the new Asheville-based startup is preparing its March crop and implementing the systems needed to grow organic herbs and distill them into pure essential oils.
Quality and Integrity: National Market Opportunity
Presently there are no essential oil growing operations or distilleries in Western North Carolina, but Blue Ridge Essential Oils has its sights set on the national distribution opportunity. “In an industry that sources products in isolated batches all over the world, how can practitioners and other users know for certain the growing and handling conditions, the authenticity of the species and the quality of their essential oils?” asks Ian Montgomery, company Founder and President. “From planting the seed, to harvest, distillation and bottling, we handle our products every step of the way and can absolutely guarantee their quality.”
Demand and Distribution: The WNC Market Opportunity
Sourcing high-integrity oils is difficult for health & wellness professionals who are concerned about the environment as well as the health of the community. The demand for quality is especially felt in Asheville, home to over 170 businesses that practice aromatherapy and 7+ schools of natural healing.
“When I buy essential oils I have no idea, most of the time, where they came from,” says Betsy McClellan, former owner of Relax & Rejuvenate in Asheville. “So the benefit of sourcing locally, combined with knowing that the oils I am using are unadulterated, is very appealing.”
Banking On Asheville: A Crowd-funding Story
Blue Ridge Aromatics is placing its bets on Asheville’s burgeoning startup scene and Western North Carolina’s extraordinary track record for supporting local businesses. Montgomery has launched a crowd-funding campaign to compliment his own investments, with the goal of raising $25,000 for the construction of a commercial steam-distillation unit. Other uses of funds will enable the company to purchase supplies and plant the greenhouse. Hosted on IndieGoGo.com, all donations are rewarded with products from the first harvests, which will ship as early as mid-July 2015. To support the campaign, visit https://igg.me/at/blueridgearomatics.
About Blue Ridge Aromatics
Blue Ridge Aromatics grows, distills and distributes the highest quality handcrafted organic essential oils and hydrosols possible from its greenhouse facilities in Asheville, North Carolina. Upon harvest, pure essential oils are steam-distilled by hand. Never diluted or adulterated in any way, each batch is tested using Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) to ensure purity and authenticity. Learn more about Blue Ridge Aromatics at www.blueridgearomatics.com.