Hidden Gems: Meet Elaine Riley of Clary Hollow

Today we’d like to introduce you to Elaine Riley.

Hi Elaine, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today. 
My business has gone through a huge transformation over the last year or so. I started Clary Hollow in 2016 making crystal jewelry, natural soaps, and skincare. I dropped the jewelry, however, shortly after and leaned into the skincare side of the business for several years. An idea to make crystal soap brought me back into the crystal space, and soon I started to sell the unique crystals I was finding as well as the new crystal soaps. This has since reignited my passion for the world of spirituality, and I’ve been bringing more and more of those elements into the business. Studying different types of energy work like Reiki and meditation along with studying the science of Astrology has opened up a whole new world of business for Clary Hollow that I never thought to incorporate before. 

I’ve recently added services such as Astrology Readings, Crystal Healing, and Reiki to our offerings. These services, along with the crystals, have been the main focus of the business since the beginning of the year. 

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There have definitely been a lot of lessons learned along the way. Especially with owning a small business during the pandemic. A lot of things are learned through trial and error. Then, just when we thought we had it figured out, along came the pandemic, and it was like we had to relearn everything all over. I had to find new suppliers for a lot of ingredients and packaging that I couldn’t get. There was a surge in online business and social media sales. I had sold mainly in person up until this point, so there was a big learning curve transitioning everything to the online space. 

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I like to think that Clary Hollow is a business that helps people nourish their mind, body, and soul. We put a lot of positive energy into everything we do, whether that’s the skincare side or the spiritual side of the business, and I think that really shows. I’ve started to develop a community of like-minded people that want to learn how to work with crystals and other modalities to align their energy and raise their vibration. That all just spreads love and positivity, and I consider that one of my biggest accomplishments with this journey. One service that is becoming very popular are the Intuitive Astrology Readings. I look at your birth chart, which is a map of where the planets were when you were born, and that gives me insight into who you are and what you’re meant to do in this lifetime. This really is a soulful experience that I love connecting with my customers on. They often say they leave the sessions with clarity and direction as well as a validation for who they are and what they’re feeling at the time. 

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I think in business risks are often necessary for growth. I took a major risk with my business a year ago when I started transitioning into more of the spiritual space. It can be a very misunderstood area, and I knew that I could possibly lose some customers because of it. I really wanted to stay authentic to myself though, and what I was being called to do. I am so glad I took that risk because I feel I am helping so many people on this new journey, and it’s something that really feeds my soul. I have also gained a community through this transition that I am so grateful for every day. 

Pricing:

• Astrology Readings $11-$111
• Crystal prices vary from $2-$400
• Soaps & Skincare $7-$18
• Crystal Healing Sessions $15-$88

Contact Info:

• Website: www.claryhollow.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/claryhollow/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/claryhollow/

Image Credits
Marie Walker
Beth Blair
Suzanne Amigo