New community. New opportunities. Nearly 15 years of experience. And the same passion that started it all.
There is something both humbling and exciting about beginning again.
I took this photo just before my first essential oil class in our new hometown. The room was empty, the class handouts were neatly placed at each seat, and my presentation was ready on the screen.
As I stood there, I couldn't help but think about how familiar this moment felt.
Nearly 15 years ago, I was doing almost exactly the same thing.
Back in 2012, when I first started teaching essential oil classes, I had very little experience. I would collect RSVPs, print enough handouts for everyone who said they were coming, gather my oils, and show up.
My first class had one friend and 4 of her friends.
I didn't have years of training, extensive product knowledge, or a polished presentation.
I had literally gotten my own set of doTERRA essential oils just one month prior.
What I did have was a handful of incredible personal experiences with essential oils in my own home, particularly as a mother navigating some long-standing health issues with my children - to the everyday support.
I had also listened to an online class taught by someone I admired. I took notes, created my own teaching sheet from what I'd learned, and used it to share what I was discovering with others.
I still have that very sheet.
And that was it.
A few of my own essential oils I had purchased with mug-wraps I made and sold. A stack of handouts I had downloaded and printed on my Dad's printer. A willingness to share. And a passion that was just beginning to grow.
I certainly didn't know everything. But I knew enough to begin.
And that simple decision to start opened doors I never could have imagined.
Nearly 15 Years Later, Here I Am Again
This October, I launched my first essential oil classes in my new community.
New town. New faces. New relationships to build.
The printer has definitely received an upgrade over the years! But more importantly, so have I.
Today, I walk into a classroom with nearly 15 years of experience, countless conversations, ongoing education, leadership lessons, and personal stories that have shaped how I teach and serve others.
I have learned so much about natural wellness, about people, about business, and about myself.
I've learned that listening is often more valuable than speaking. That the best education creates curiosity rather than pressure. That relationships matter more than transactions. And that you never stop being a student, no matter how long you've been teaching.
Perhaps most importantly, I've learned that experience doesn't eliminate the vulnerability of a new beginning. It simply gives you a stronger foundation to stand on.
Starting fresh in a community where people don't yet know you takes courage.
You have to introduce yourself again. Build trust again. Extend invitations. Put yourself out there. And sometimes, walk into a room not knowing who will come or what connections might be made.
But there is something beautiful about it, too.
You're not the same person who began all those years ago.
You see opportunities differently. You recognize what matters. You know what you want to build, and you're much more intentional about how you build it.
You're starting fresh, but you're starting wiser.
My Passion Hasn't Changed. My Perspective Has Grown.
One thing that has remained constant throughout these years is my passion for helping people understand that they have options when it comes to their health and everyday wellness.
I believe education is incredibly empowering.
Sometimes we absolutely need a medical assessment, a diagnosis, or professional treatment. We don't always know what's happening in our bodies, and good healthcare is an important part of making informed decisions.
But I also believe we can take an active role in our everyday well-being.
We can learn about nutrition, rest, movement, stress management, environmental exposures, and the ways natural products may complement a healthy lifestyle.
We can ask better questions.
We can understand our choices.
And we can become more confident advocates for ourselves and our families.
That is what I love about teaching.
My goal isn't for someone to leave my class feeling they need to purchase something.
My goal is for them to leave knowing something they didn't know when they walked in.
To feel empowered, curious, and better equipped to make informed decisions about their health.
If someone leaves understanding that they have choices, knowing how to research those choices responsibly, and feeling more confident asking questions about their wellness, then that time together has been meaningful.
If they leave or when they come back and choose to incorporate a purchase and using essential oils in their own home or office, that is the step that ignites the journey!
That was my heart in 2012.
And it's still my heart today.
The Joy of Watching Someone Else Begin
One of the most exciting parts of this new chapter is that I'm not stepping into November alone.
I have a new business partner who is beginning her own journey, much like I was in 2012.
And I cannot tell you how much fun it has been watching her discover things for herself.
Seeing her excitement over her own experiences with essential oils, hearing her share what she's learning, and watching her prepare to launch her own classes has brought me right back to those early days.
It's a wonderful reminder of what it feels like when something new captures your heart and you begin to imagine what might be possible.
There is something special about sharing a passion with someone who is excited to grow alongside you.
For me, building a business has never been just about what I can personally accomplish. It's also about helping other people discover their strengths, develop their confidence, and pursue something meaningful to them.
When someone else begins to recognize what they're capable of, that's when leadership becomes especially rewarding.
And having someone to build alongside opens an entirely new chapter of possibility.
What If You're Standing at Your Own Beginning?
Maybe you're considering starting a business.
Maybe you're entering a new career, moving to a new community, pursuing a long-held dream, or simply rediscovering something that once made you feel alive.
Maybe you're beginning for the very first time.
Or maybe, like me, you're bringing years of experience into a new season.
Either way, I want to encourage you with something I've learned:
You do not have to know everything to begin.
You don't need the perfect plan, the perfect presentation, the perfect circumstances, or every answer to every question.
You need a willingness to learn, the courage to show up, and enough belief in what you're doing to take the next step.
The knowledge will grow. Your confidence will develop. Your relationships will deepen. And the experiences you collect along the way will shape you in ways you cannot yet anticipate.
And if you're starting fresh after years of doing something you love, remember that your experience comes with you.
The lessons, the growth, the wisdom, the mistakes, the victories, the relationships, the skills — none of that disappears because you're standing in a new room, surrounded by unfamiliar faces.
You get to bring it all into what comes next.
Here's to New Beginnings
As I looked at those empty chairs and freshly printed handouts, I realized something.
In many ways, the scene looked just like it did nearly 15 years ago.
But the woman standing behind those tables had grown.
And while I waited for the people who would sit in those chairs, the connections that would be made, or the opportunities that would unfold, I felt the same excitement I remembered from the very beginning.
The same curiosity.
The same anticipation.
The same passion for sharing something I believe in.
And perhaps that's the most beautiful part of this season.
I'm not trying to recreate what was. I'm excited to discover what can be built from here.
Here's to starting something new.
Here's to beginning with fresh eyes, a little more wisdom, and a whole lot of heart.
And here's to having the courage to show up, even when the chairs are still empty.
Because every new beginning starts somewhere.
— Tasha xo
I'd love to hear from you:
Is there something you've been thinking about starting, restarting, or finally giving yourself permission to pursue?
Sometimes the most important step is simply deciding to begin.