Dr. Sarah Slaby completed her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2003 with a focus on the dairy industry. She studied under one of the top holistic veterinarians in the country, allowing her passion and knowledge of naturally treating animals to blossom. After graduation, Sarah had the opportunity to take over a retiring field veterinarian’s practice in rural Wisconsin and has been focusing on sustainable agriculture and holistic healing ever since.

While adjusting to owning her own practice, Sarah began creating products using essential oils and botanical ingredients for the animals she was treating. She tested recipes and crafted new ideas in the lab, looking for better ways to treat the animals in her care, especially those on an organic farm. After seeing the effectiveness of what she was creating and at the request of many of her clients, Dr. Sarah’s Essentials was officially launched in 2006.

Dr. Sarah’s Essentials now specializes in natural products for animals and humans while also supporting local women through flexible employment opportunities. When it comes to ingredients, Dr. Sarah and her team have always prioritized sustainability, sourcing locally, and choosing fair-trade wherever possible. Every product is made with human-grade, natural ingredients and packaged with recycled and repurposed materials. Dr. Sarah says they are “natural essential oil and botanical based healing products for both human and veterinary use,” and she and her team pride themselves on their Farm to Family motto.

2020 brought plenty of new challenges. Being a small business owner was especially tough as the pandemic impacted businesses in ways no one could have imagined. Early in 2020, they experienced packaging and ingredient sourcing disruptions as the supply chain caught up to the sudden increase in sales of, well, everything. You can imagine the frustration of having a product ready to sell but not being able to get the packing needed to get it to consumers. On the other hand, 2020 has forced everyone to slow down and look at the businesses they choose to support. Dr. Sarah is hopeful that consumers will continue to shop locally and support small, sustainable businesses after the pandemic passes.

When asked what her favorite part of owning a body care business is, Dr. Sarah said “I love hearing success stories and wonderful feedback from customers. I also really enjoy getting to employ some very talented women who are able to work part-time on a schedule that best meets their needs and the needs of their families.” Dr. Sarah’s Essentials balms, sanitizers, and lotions can be found in Aisles 5 and 6 in Aisles 5 and 6 in-store or online. Look for them next time you shop!

Shop for These Products & Others from Dr. Sarah’s Essentials In-Store & Online

This article was originally published in the January/February 2021 issue of our bi-monthly newsletter, The Morsel. If you’d like to read more stories like this one and stay up to date on the latest co-op news and events, pick up a print copy in-store on your next grocery run or find more news on our website here.