Thoughtfully Made, Just in Time for January

I’m starting 2026 with intention, I’ve created a new line of fragrance that is very personal to me, based on deep pasts, and closing chapters. This month of January begins with the unveiling of the Una Fredericka Church line of fragrances inspired by family history and the New Orleans bayou. 

This line is a reflection of my journey of what is now Workshop Apothecary. That journey really began with the passing of my mother in 2015. Before she passed, she worked alongside me at my first shop, Leaders Soap and Apothecary, located on the other side of Pilsen. Together, we learned what it truly takes to run a small business, from building relationships across the counter to becoming part of the surrounding community. She was my best friend, and even while I continued my career at Rush, she was always there, and helped me keep the shop going.

After my mother passed, I knew I needed a fresh start. I closed Leaders Soap and Apothecary and began searching for a new space. That search led me to Workshop Apothecary, a former auto shop in Pilsen filled with old art on the walls and a layered past. It immediately felt right. The space was larger, perfect for hosting workshops, experimenting with new scents, and creating new memories. Opening Workshop Apothecary marked a new beginning for me. A time of discovery, healing, and sorting through some of the things my mother left behind.

My mother was a single parent. She was a powerful example of strength and independence and filled my life with so much love that I never felt the need to know who my father was. But after she passed, I became curious about the parts of her story I never knew. I turned to Ancestry.com, 23andMe, and other sites to learn more. Eventually, I found out who my father was, though I learned he had already passed. Through this process, I discovered something so unexpected, that my great grandparents were Creole! A culture I had never known or thought I was connected too.

It forced me to reflect, process, and make peace with parts of myself that suddenly felt both new and deeply familiar. As I dug deeper into my family history, I learned more about my grandparents, which eventually led me to my great grandmother’s name Una Fredericka Church. The moment I saw her name, it just stuck with me. It felt strong, meaningful, and full of history, like it was meant to be found. It didn’t feel like just a name, it felt like something I needed to honor. 

As the shop continues to grow, so do I. Through scent, I’m still evolving, awakening, and grounding myself. This line is more than a fragrance; it's a tribute, a reconnection, and a continuation of the legacy that made all of this possible and I’m excited to share it with you!