We spoke with DeeAnn Tracy, the inspiring health and wellness founder of Peak Scents. Besides offering affordable, toxic-free, and all-natural skincare products, Peak Scents is committed to supporting clean and healthy rivers. Learn about the business’ origin story, their most highly recommended self-care product, and how they give back.

What inspired you to create natural skincare products?

I grew up in the back of my mom’s herb store in Flagstaff, Arizona. She was an ethnobotanist and bootstrapped her way to creating a business. I loved growing up in the shop, listening to peoples’ stories, and learning from neighboring community members.

As I grew up and went off to college, I wasn’t eating healthy and getting sick every month, which lead me to changing my lifestyle and studying herbal medicine at Southwest School of Botanical Medicine. I eventually brought back that knowledge and started managing my mom’s store. That was about thirty years ago.

As I was in the store, I heard the need for truly natural skin care products. That was about 30 years ago. And I just started developing products for our customers in the shop.

Besides managing the store, I also worked as a white water raft guide. On the trips, I noticed my fellow guides and clients having reactions to chemical laden sunscreens and the harsh elements on the river. I started making all natural sunscreen and skincare products for my fellow guides and clients, I got a great response and that is when I started developing all natural skincare products.

As a business owner, How do you give back to the community?

Being a river woman, it’s important for me to give back to an organization that is protecting our waters. Without it, we are nothing. This is why I wholeheartedly support the American Rivers nonprofit. They work to promote clean drinking water, river restoration, and clean water conservation.

Do you recommend a wellness product during this time of covid?

I recommend the Rose Phyto3 Facial Mist ($20 before shipping/tax). It’s a truly nurturing and soothing product that keeps your skin well hydrated. It's calming, relaxing, and so helpful during these stressful times. I also recommend getting into a regular self care routine. I find that a morning and evening ritual helps people find balance and a sense of peacefulness.

Any tips for aspiring entrepreneurs?

• Treat your mind and body. I meditate every morning, use my sauna to sweat out any toxins, and try to get outside as much as possible. It takes some time to find your daily personal health and wellness routine, but once you do, try and stick to it.

• Stay in the moment and be flexible enough to pivot. I often use metaphors of my time on the river. I see having a business like rafting a river. There are so many challenges and unknowns, that you need to be ready to face whatever your’e gonna come upon. Tune into nature, be alert and in the moment, seek advice from those who have navigated these waters before, get your boat in the right place to make it through the rapids and be prepared for anything.