Who is Molly Muriel? What inspired you to choose that name?
The name Molly Muriel was inspired by my dog. That was her name, and she was my biggest inspiration when I started this company. She was just a pup back in 2002, and sadly left this Earth last year, at almost 16 years of age. So she had a very long and happy life. Her legacy lives on with this business, and she is still a great inspiration.
I read your story on the website. Can you tell us more about the journey from a candle making class to your own line of vegan soaps, balms, and cosmetics?
After spending a good year trying every kind of candle I could find info on, I wanted to branch out. I’m not sure why soap was my goal, but I quickly dove in and tried my first batch. Back then there wasn’t so much information online like we can find now, so I was reading books on fixed oils, fragrances, colorants, and pretty much tried them all. I truly feel that not being able to access so many recipes and info gave me a huge advantage of completely understanding the process of formulation and saponification from the ground up. Through many mistakes and troubleshooting came the beginnings of the product line that exists today.
What does being vegan mean to you? Do you personally practice a vegan lifestyle?
I’m not one to love labels, i.e. vegan, vegetarian, etc. I live my life more from a conscientious standpoint. I’m a clean eater, avoiding processed and chemical derived foods. As for environment, I try to avoid plastic when possible, and use as many recycled goods as possible. Veganism is such an individual thing and can mean different things to many people. Being a lover of animals, I do what I can to respect them in all of my life choices, including the food I eat, the clothes I choose to wear, and the goods I purchase.
What goes into your testing and product development process?
My process begins with research and development. I do a lot of investigation on ingredients I want to implement. I read about their nourishing attributes, as well as potential allergens or irritants. I also dive deep into sourcing to make sure that the ingredient that reaches me is the best quality. As for testing, my friends and family are usually my best test subjects. They give me honest feedback about scent, function, reactions, or anything else that may pertain. I’m so thankful to be surrounded by great people who will take the time to try some of my creations.
What are some of the challenges of marketing, manufacturing, and distributing an independent, plant-based brand in a crowded global marketplace?
Marketing is a huge part of business, it has the largest impact on getting my brand out there. It also happens to be my least favorite part of running a small business. But I’ve found that it’s very necessary to have a great marketing strategy or you won’t get the information about your products to the people that are looking for it. I’ve done everything from trade shows and cold calling to emailing and visiting potential stores in person to try to connect. It’s a lot of work, but can also be very rewarding. Manufacturing can be challenging as well, as I’ve gotten to points where I’ve had to purchase ingredients in larger quantities and make bigger batches, there’s always a learning curve with each step forward. I still go through that now, 16 years in! As for distribution, I’ve realized that my industry, natural beauty/body care, has been on the rise and will just keep going, so I don’t try to compete with large companies. I have a vey different product that will appeal to those folks that seek natural and healthy lifestyles. I do what I can and figure that beyond that the products will speak for themselves, and so far they have.
What are some gifts you would recommend for vegans? (These can be from your store, but they don’t have to be.)
Of course I would suggest anything from my product line. However, one of our lines stands out for vegans. It can be very difficult to find vegan lip balm, most is made with bees wax. We use candelilla wax and floral wax instead, which is so very nourishing to chronically chapped lips. My favorite is the lavender mint. Outside of my product line, I really love Queen Bee products using vinyl instead of leather. They also have a 25% discount buy-back program that rocks! Also, a gift certificate to Blossoming Lotus or Sweetpea Baking Company would be excellent, two of my favorites! Yum!!
What is the most popular item / product among your customers?
Our bar soaps have always been great sellers, specifically the Volcanic Bliss bar. I can’t seem to keep that one in stock. During the winter months we sell a lot of candles, the Spice It Up being a big hit, it has cinnamon and clove essential oils and is warm and spicy during those winter months.
This isn’t a question but I have to say that as someone with perennially chapped lips, your lip balm is truly the best thing I have ever tried. Better than all the national brands. Thank you.
Founder Branda Tiffany
Well, thank you! I find the same thing to be true. I had chronically chapped lips for years and did research to formulate this product for myself. The mimosa floral wax I use helps not only to heal tissue, but is a great protectant against the elements. I’m sure that’s why it has been so great for me 🙂 I’m so glad that you’re experiencing the same thing!!
You’ve been in business since 2002. Any advice for aspiring entrepreneurs?
I would say, put your focus on feeding your soul before your bank account, and this can be a very sustainable venture for you in the long run. Of course we have to be practical, but true happiness comes from choosing to do something that we love and the money will follow. Don’t give up, just keep your eyes and ears open, and listen to others’ advice, whether you take it or not. One of the worst things we can do is to be stubborn and let our ego get in our way. If we move that aside we can be very successful in all the ways that matter.
We’ve put together a list of helpful national and local Portland, OR and Seattle, WA resources for mental health and suicide prevention, updated for COVID-19. Please let us know if any of these links are broken, or if you have new ones to suggest. Thank you, and be well.
Helplines
https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 (formerly 1-800-273-8255) provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals. Telephone and online chat available.
https://calltosafety.org A Call to Safety advocate can connect you with resources through the crisis line, or you can explore some Portland Metro resources below. Learn more about domestic and sexual violence, stalking, and sex work on our site.
https://oregonyouthline.org For teens, they can call, text, chat and during certain hours can talk to peer support.
IAPMD.org The International Association for Premenstrual Disorders (IAPMD) is a not-for-profit organization providing education, support, advocacy, and resources for those affected by Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) and Premenstrual Exacerbation of underlying disorders (PME).
https://www.nami.orgNAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. Oregon NAMI Chapter:https://namior.org/
http://gettrainedtohelp.com – Suicide First Aid. Free trainings in suicide prevention for the general public, youth workers, and more. Includes the ASIST curriculum.
https://grantsforseniors.org – Website to guide seniors and retirees when they need help. Includes categories such as financial help, health care, food, housing, and transportation assistance, as well as help and resources for daily life.
https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org – Nationwide organization providing training to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a crisis.
https://www.detoxrehabs.net/ – This site helps you find centers in your home state or out of state. We also provide information for different community needs, such as help for our veterans, LGBTQ+ friendly programs, free or Medicaid accepting treatment, and pet-friendly facilities.
Employment Resources for People Recovering From Substance Use – Studies have shown that finding employment plays a huge factor in maintaining sobriety. Having a regular work schedule builds a routine and structure as well as provides a sense of purpose. This online guide helps people in recovery gain meaningful employment. It provides information on job searching, addressing employment gaps, interview preparation, and the laws that protect them.
www.AlcoholRehabGuide.org – This guide doesn’t promote any specific clinic or service, but it does provide valuable information to help people understand the effects of alcoholism and the variety of ways to find help.
www.alcoholhelp.com – Browse resources and get connected to treatment that is right for you.
The PDX Local Wellness Gift Guide celebrates independent, local, and woman-owned businesses while making it really, really easy to beat traffic and do your shopping online. But what exactly qualifies as a “wellness gift?”
Well…
That’s a tricky concept. Maybe you’re thinking it’s anything that doesn’t involve mindless consumption, booze, strippers, or chocolate. Except… we have beer yoga. And pole dancing workout classes. And chocolate, like that made locally right here in Portland by Moonstruck, has been shown to reduce heart disease and promote emotional well-being.
For me, wellness means taking care of yourself—and giving others the tools and resources to do the same. I put this list together by asking friends, allies, and colleagues on social media, as well as going with a few old favorites and items from my personal “wish list.” I hope it inspires you to think past the obvious and create wonderful experiences and memories for the year to come.
Have fun! Shop local.
Stand and Deliver
Maybe someone on your list works from home, but their office is a cubbyhole in the corner of the kitchen? Support their goals and dreams with a healthy, ergonomic home office.
Swopper Air Motion Chair With Wheels – by Aeris. There are plenty of adjustable ergonomic chairs out there that can be configured to work with standing desks. I’ll be honest. The Swopper is here because it looks the coolest.
Anker Wireless Vertical Ergonomic Mouse I have one of these, and in all honesty it is probably the reason I am still able to type and write today. For those who struggle with repetitive stress injuries (and for those who wish to prevent them!) this inexpensive and elegant wireless mouse is a game changer.
Olander Earthworks makes quirky desktop zen gardens that many therapists and wellness advocates use as a fun anxiety relief tool. So many ways to customize. Portland, Oregon Local Business.
Fitness
Seriously. Who doesn’t need a little Lululemon and prAna in their life? But did you know that we have fabulous, fashionable brands of active wear being produced right here in Portland? Check out SXY Athletics. This local, woman-owned line of fitness clothing will keep you motivated to go to the gym. Check out their #BlackFriday Sale. SXY Athletics is aPortland, Oregon Local Business.
Go “Ruck Yourself.” Seriously! Rucking (walking with a weighted backpack) is one of the easiest and safest ways to lose weight over time. If you don’t have a sturdy backpack, you can pick up the weighted kind at goruck.com. For the 80% to 90% who have our own (or our kid’s) Jansport sitting in a closet somewhere, adding weight to a day pack is a great way to try out rucking. I recommend custom rucking weightsover hand weights because they are less likely to shift and potentially damage the pack.
Comfort and Joy
You know how we always say “practice self care?” Well, sometimes that’s easier to do when somebody else helps out with the little things. The people on your list will know they are cared for with these thoughtful and practical gift ideas.
Full Belly Fare – Do you have a loved one who’s had a new baby, surgery, or other stressor? Although you may not be able to deliver a meal yourself, Full Belly Fare is the perfect gift solution for family and friends who want to provide meaningful support to someone experiencing a life transition or challenge! Personal chef Lyla prepares hand-crafted meals, including vegan gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian, soy free, and paleo meal options. Use discount code PDXLocal15for $15 off all first orders (new customers). Portland, Oregon Local Business
Cassarole – Handmade and vintage items. Only shop features tinctures, body butter, and this extraordinary geode soap. Portland, Oregon Local Business
Seagrape bath + body is a queer owned natural brand with a focus on artisan crafted goods for self-care. Portland, Oregon Local Business
Mama Tea-a Inspirational hand-blended organic herbal teas. Portland, Oregon Local Business.
Cherryriver.net. CBD products for Bath, Beauty, and Wellness. They offer gift sets, along with a line of topicals, a sports line, bath bombs, and have just released a high potency tincture. Portland, Oregon Local Business
Back to Broth. Organic, local, pasture-raised medicinal bone broth. Portland, Oregon Local Business
Briar Patch Herbs. Culinary and medicinal herbs. Receive compassionate guidance from an experienced Herbalist. Portland, Oregon Local Business
Gather Around Nutrition. Johanna is a private therapeutic chef with a Master’s Degree in Holistic Nutrition who does in-home meal prep, custom meal plans and in-home cooking classes. Portland, Oregon Local Business
Molly Muriel. The best lip balm I have ever found. Even better, it’s vegan! Read our interview with founder and apothecary Branda Tiffany here. Portland, Oregon Local Business
Optimistic Soap. Optimistic Soap makes unique, handcrafted soap with all-natural ingredients! 20% of all profits are donated to charity. Portland, Oregon Local Business
Recreating Society self care holistic products and tea. Portland, Oregon Local Business
Whole Tree CBD. Hand-crafted hemp CBD products that aid in healing of the mind and body. Portland, Oregon Local Business
Yo Soy Candles Handcrafted eco-conscious candles. Each beautiful scent is paired with its very own “I AM” statement to inspire a positive mindset + empower transformation by practicing the self loving ritual of I AM. Portland, Oregon Local Business
Gift Certificates
So many people will tell you that they don’t need more “stuff” in their life. So what is the perfect gift? Consider health and wellness services from a local practitioner. From massage to coaching to astrology, a gift certificate gives someone the opportunity to explore a path that they might never have discovered otherwise.
Anna DeSalvo. “I offer productivity coaching for working moms juggling it all.” Sound like anyone you know? Portland, Oregon Local Business
Avani Massage. Head and neck pain specialist, online gift certificates available for multiple locations. Portland, Oregon Local Business
Beaverton Neurofeedback. Brain training for better sleep, memory, attention and more. Portland, Oregon Local Business
Beginning Within – Massage therapy, pelvic floor therapy, newborn therapy. Offering hypnobirthing classes and childbirth consultations, and a range of gift certificates Portland, Oregon Local Business
The Bodhi Tree Clinic. Gift Certificates for Massage and Chiropractic. Portland, Oregon Local Business
Body Awareness Massage. Wellness collective, NE Portland. Portland, Oregon Local Business
Brass Tacks. Strength and nutrition coaching. Portland, Oregon Local Business
FOXO3 Sauna. Infrared sauna sessions. Portland, Oregon Local Business
Goals with Tracy. Holistic in-home personal training for whole women. Portland, Oregon Local Business
H.O.P.E. PDX. Ear reflexology, trauma release, reiki, and pranic healing. Portland, Oregon Local Business
Indigo Healings. Specializing in energy work: Reiki, Access Bars for people and Animal Healings for beloved pets. Intuitive readings are included with the bodywork. Portland, Oregon Local Business
Jenee Woodlief. Massage gift certificates. Located in NE Portland. Portland, Oregon Local Business
Love Your Skin Day Spa. Lacey offers organic facials, massage, organic airbrush tans, facial waxing, Microderm, LED and oxygen treatments. Portland, Oregon Local Business
Marchick Counseling. If you’re a GenXer like me, eldercare is already on your mind, and probably on the minds of other family members as well. Daniella is a licensed therapist and consultant who makes it a little less scary to address this daunting topic. She specializes in caregiving and aging concerns, and offers give gift certificates to interested individuals who want to consult about caregiving. Portland, Oregon Local Business
Meet at the Spa. Chelsea has massage therapy gift certificates available. Contact her for the most up-to-date-information. Portland, Oregon Local Business
Pathfinder Wellness Clinic Black Friday offers through Monday 12/2. They have holiday gift certificates available for these packages and for gift packages of any size. Portland, Oregon Local Business
Pink Moon PDX. Facials, lashes & waxing & dermalogica products. Portland, Oregon Local Business
PDX Local Coaching. Yes, I offer gift certificates! My coaching practice focuses on entrepreneurial coaching and wellness coaching for individual with depressive and bipolar disorders. Contact me to find out more. Portland, Oregon Local Business
Portland Cuddle Shop. Connection and Cuddle Therapy. Gift a Connection Session to someone this winter. Hold or be held, think out loud, take a nap, play a game, color, cry, laugh, reminisce. Relax in a judgement free zone with you-centered attention. Portland, Oregon Local Business
Beatriz Reyna. Inner child work/shadow work/journeys into your inner world.
From Beatriz: “YOU WILL BE SEEN. YOU WILL BE HEARD. YOU WILL BE UNDERSTOOD. YOU WILL BE FELT INTO AND EXPERIENCE ATTUNEMENT. YOU WILL EXPERIENCE THE LOVE AND PRESENCE YOU’VE ALWAYS WANTED.YOU WILL HAVE MAJOR SHIFTS.”
Portland, Oregon Local Business
Root and Branch Fitness Personal training and integrative fitness. Portland, Oregon Local Business
Royal Treatment Skin. As a dual licensed Acupuncturist and Aesthetician, Melissa offers a ton of awesome services to help you look and feel your best. Portland, Oregon Local Business
Sabrina Wright. Massage therapist with gift certificates and massage packages available. Portland, Oregon Local Business
SkinSense Spa. Debbie offers holistic facials using Naturopathica and ISUN skin care lines that is organic, vegan and gluten free and wildcraft. Holistic facials for tweens, teens and adults specifically with acne, also pregnant mamas and clients recovering from skin cancer. She also offers Intraceuticals Oxygen facials to target aging and preventing fine lines and wrinkles and Cryoskin treatments to slim and tone for facials. Black Friday Special: use promo code BF20%
Sofia Angelina Photography. Sofia offers healing portrait sessions, in which she combines energy healing and portrait photography for folks who are looking to celebrate themselves and embrace their bodies with empathy. Portland, Oregon Local Business
Whole Being Massage. We have massage gift certificates and also sell some very nice aromatherapy oils and self-care tools that make great gifts! We can do couples/friend massages, prenatal, new mama massages, and more We are in inner SE PDX. Portland, Oregon Local Business
Therapia Wellness Clinic. Massage, chiropractic and acupuncture gift certificates available. Portland, Oregon Local Business
Disclaimer: This article is not intended to give health or fitness advice. Exercise at your own risk. Consult your doctor or another health professional if you are unsure whether a product or form of exercise is safe for you to use. All opinions expressed are those solely of the PDX Local blog, and do not represent its sponsors, affiliates, or guest contributors. No paid advertising or paid endorsements have been provided for the products featured above. The reviewer makes no claims regarding the efficacy, workmanship, utility, or safety of any of the products listed above. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Use and purchase at your own risk.
Interview with Portland comics artist Andrea Rosales
Artist Andrea Rosales
Can you summarize for our readers briefly what happens in Nine Twilights?
Nine Twilights is a magical girls meets Norse mythology coming-of-age action adventure webcomic series written by Anne Mortensen-Agnew, drawn by myself, and edited by Chris Hansbrough.
The comic tells the story of 16-year old Wanda Dusekova, a Romani girl from the Czech Republic who discovers that she is the modern reincarnation of the Norse god Odin. With her mentor Baldur (The Norse god of light and life, and her son from her previous life as Odin), she has to journey across the world to find the other reincarnated Norse gods (other teenage gals) to join her in fighting against various monsters and beasts from Norse folklore such as draugar and frost giants in order to prevent a second Ragnarok brought about by an unknown foe.
This comic isn’t your usual coming of age story as Wanda and her friends have to not only navigate their own lives, but they also have to deal with the consequences of the decisions they made with their past lives as the Norse gods. Each of the girls have different circumstances compared to their past lives and it makes a great difference in the types of decisions they make as they come to terms with their new powers and responsibilities.
The central theme of the comic is being better than you were before, and having the courage to make the right choices having a second chance at life. This comic explores those themes of redemption and internal strength in depth.
Many of our lifelong passions and inspirations can be seen in the pages of Nine Twilights. This comic is inspired greatly by the likes of Sailor Moon, Thor, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer to name a few. What we were drawn to in these stories were the ideas of reluctant protagonists struggling to find their way as heroes, making sacrifices to do the right things, and growing in tremendous ways as individuals.
How did you and the writer and the editor find each other and begin working together on this project?
Anne and I know each other from college. We both went to Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California and were introduced to each other by mutual friends within the animation program there. I was a graphic design major and animation minor and Anne was a screenwriting major, so we find a lot of common ground and overlap in our interest in wanting to tell stories via comics and animation. Anne and Chris met online by arguing about a long-dead RPG video game series from Konami (Suikoden). That argument turned into a friendship and Anne told Chris that she had a concept for a comic series. Chris told Anne he was a comics editor and they teamed up and went about their search for an artist. In the summer of 2014, they came to me, Anne recalling my interest in creating comics, and the rest is history. We started working on concept art of the comic in late 2014 and early 2015 and made our launch in fall of 2015. Our first chapter concluded in early 2017. Currently we are in the middle of chapter two and our teamwork and friendship is going on strong. We meet pretty regularly to chat story, go over pages, coordinate social media promotions and plan convention appearances.
How has your time in Portland shaped your artistic style and evolution as a creator?
I think that growing up in Portland shaped my artistic evolution significantly in that the fact that it was almost always raining meant that I was indoors much of the time, reading and/or drawing. All those rainy days resulted in many drawings and paintings! I grew up in the Aloha/Beaverton area and I fondly recall my parents often taking my siblings and I to the libraries near us. It was my love of reading that inspired me to want to tell stories of my own. I also loved spending days at Powell’s City of Books downtown and perusing through galleries in the Old Town Chinatown area and around the Pearl District. I always gravitated towards comics and the presence of comic shops and major comics publishers has been a significant source of inspiration to me. Growing up in Portland definitely meant I read a lot of comics. I went to university and lived in Los Angeles for a few years before moving back in 2016. Since coming back to the area it has been incredible to see how much the area has grown and changed. I’ve certainly taken notice of the growing big comics scene here of incredible creators and it’s something I’m excited to be a part of. I think Portland has always been a major hub for creative folks from all walks of life and from all sorts of different places and I hope it will continue to remain so for the foreseeable future.
As a woman and person of color in comics, do you feel like you have a supportive community in the local region?
As a woman I’ve definitely noticed a really encouraging community of ladies making rad comics and I’m over the moon that I’ve been able to befriend many of these fantastic artists through conventions and I look forward to meeting even more! I feel like I’m greatly supported with the friends I’ve been able to meet through comic-creators meetup groups around town. I like to frequent “Crafty Night” on Tuesday evenings brought to my attention by the amazing Rebecca Hicks of Little Vampires Comics and I love hanging out with the PDX Comic Crew Group organized by incredible Nichole Robinson that meets every Thursday night at the Books With Pictures comics shop. Being a part of these groups has helped me a lot in being able to combat the sense of isolation I’ve tended to feel in creating comics. I’ve been making comics on my own for a while and it’s really nice to feel like there are places I can go to work on them with other creators, I’m far from so many of my friends still in Los Angeles, and in other places, and while I keep in touch with them, I have also made new friends in Portland and it’s great to be a part of this growing community. This year I’ve been able to connect with incredible comics creators such as Terry Blas (Dead Weight, Briar Hollow), and Luis Silva (Creatively Queer Press). I’ve met more Mexican comic artists and other creators of color and it’s refreshing to be able to meet folks who have similar experiences and share in my wish to create comics that are more inclusive and offer cultural representation for a new generation of comics readers. I’m endlessly impressed and appreciative of just how welcoming, supportive and encouraging these communities have been.
Who are your greatest influences?
My greatest influences art wise have been Marvel superhero comics, Studio Ghibli films, classic Disney animated films and Japanese shojo manga, as well as art nouveau, art deco, impressionism, Mexican folk-art. From all of these artistic styles and mediums, I’ve been drawn to the expressiveness and energy of characters, and the vibrancy of the colors. The compositions of these art styles and movements have also been exceptionally influential to my work as an illustrator, graphic designer and illustrator.
Out of all the Norse deities, who is your favorite?
Of the Norse deities, my favorite has to be Freyja, the goddess of love, fertility, beauty, wealth, wisdom, life and war. She’s a member of the Vanir, who were gods that specialized in fertility, wisdom and the ability to see into the future. I love very much that she rides around on a chariot drawn by cats. While Freyja is very revered among the gods and is graceful, her incarnation in the Nine Twilights is a bubbly, clumsy, energetic girl named Aishwarya “Aish” Narayan who loves playing games on her phone, taking selfies, and living her best life. To an outsider she seems to be taking a lackadaisical approach to life, but Aish is always ready to get down to business when monsters come to attack. The Aish/Freyja character is considered the “tank” of Wanda’s team of magical girls, as she has the strength to easily dual wield a giant battle-axe and a chain whip sword at the same time. It makes for some fun battle scenes to draw. While the Aish/Freya character hasn’t been introduced yet to the main Nine Twilights storyline, readers can see her in action in the Nine Twilights mini-comic up for sale on Gum-Road right now.
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What goes into your testing and product development process?
and 
in their life? But did you know that we have fabulous, fashionable brands of active wear being produced right here in Portland? Check out 
