the birth of bela flor
I was inspired to start Bela Flor when I became pregnant with my first child, whom this company is named for. As my little Bela grew inside of me, so too did my belly, and I was in need of a body butter to care for my skin during that period of change.
At my local health food store I found Buddha Butter, which I loved using, but it didn’t meet all of my needs. One day inspiration hit, and I realized my body butter would be perfect if it was infused with herbs. That simple idea created what would one day become the first Bela Flor product, African Rose Body Butter. I hadn’t yet studied herbalism at that time, so I followed my intuition and infused the body butter with all sorts of different flowers and cannabis oils. I loved using my new body butter, knowing it was carefully created to nourish my skin and soothe my mind as I smelled the sweet floral fragrance. It became an important ritual in my pregnancy journey.
Shortly after the birth of my daughter, I began studying herbalism with Kathi Keville, and my knowledge of plants expanded. The more I learned the more inspired I became, and I longed to start an herbal skincare line based around the body butter that nourished me through my pregnancy. Even with the knowledge of herbalism I had gained, I realized that I needed to learn more if I wanted to create the company I envisioned. I found an organic skincare formulation course and began my studies.
This course was the final step I needed. It allowed me to combine my studies of herbalism and aromatherapy and gave me all of the necessary tools to be able to fully develop this dream and bring it to life. After completing the formulation course I revisited my original body butter– carefully working with the formula until it was perfect. With this, (for the second time) Bela Flor was born.
During my second pregnancy with my son, Wolfgang, I naturally experienced anxiety about managing a newborn alongside my toddler. Seeking solace, I turned to CBD for its soothing benefits, which helped regulate my nervous system and provide peace of mind. Inspired by this newfound ally, I expanded my product line to include the very first Serenity Drops.
These drops became a vital tool in my daily routine, offering a sense of calm amidst the chaos of motherhood. Whether navigating travel with young children or soothing moments of tiredness and teething, I found comfort in the Serenity Drops, keeping them within easy reach in the car. The pump dispenser, chosen with practicality in mind, allowed for effortless use, even when my hands were occupied with caring for my children.
Our name, Bela Flor, means beautiful flower. The name originally came from Bela’s father, who is a gardener, and declared that our daughter was “the most beautiful flower in his garden”. Naturally, as carrying Bela into this world is what inspired our first product, I chose to name my company after her. Creating Bela Flor Apothecary has served as a testament to my love and devotion to my daughter and her well-being, and the inspiration she brings to my life.
— Melanie