Today we’d like to introduce you to Muré Browning.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
About ten years ago, I began making my own skincare products to combat dry skin. After trying a variety of lotions and oils, nothing really had worked for me. A bit of research turned up basic recipes that I could change to suit my specific needs. I began with experimenting with soap and eventually started making body butters, lotion bars, body oils, lip balms, and sugar scrubs. Over the years, I made these items for myself and as gifts for friends. I had been encouraged to take these products to market, but it took a company downsize and a pandemic before I finally pulled the trigger. My outlook on all the products I was using changed after I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016. I’m 7 years cancer-free, YAY for me! I used my place in the beauty industry to educate myself and gain access to better products on the market. My focus was to search for makeup and skincare products that were clean and free of toxic chemicals.
In February 2021, my husband and I decided to move from Orange County to the Joshua Tree area to find vacant land where we can build a new home. We always loved the area for rock climbing and the overall vibe of the desert life. It was quite a change in lifestyle, but it was the best decision for us.
While searching for the perfect property to build a house, we settled into a rental property in 29 Palms with a great view of the desert. Fall is my favorite time of year, and my spirits were high as I unpacked my holiday decorations. I was excited about the Fall candle scents and cooler weather. I started thinking about pouring my own holiday candles to repurpose some of my favorite candle vessels and purchased a starter kit. Soon, I realized how relaxing it was to make candles. More importantly, I wondered what other scents I could try and soon found myself down a rabbit hole of everything candle-related. Before I knew it my husband joined in my efforts of testing candles and blending fragrance oils, and Atrium Apothecary was born. Once we had the candle process down, I started Skincare by Atrium, which included all the products I made years ago while opening the door to expanding my product line.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It was a relatively smooth but curvy road as we navigated through starting a new business. Our biggest hurdle was understanding all of the safety measures that were needed for the candles so we were confident we were producing a safe and quality product. Once our standards were met, we were able to let the creativity blossom.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I have always been creative and crafty, taking ordinary things and giving them a new life. My creative background and education ranges from being a long-time makeup artist, skincare advisor, and fashion stylist. The most rewarding part of my workday is having the opportunity to add a creative spin to our product line and develop new items.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
My husband deserves a lot of credit for supporting me through the initial idea of starting a business. He has a background in decorative concrete with a great eye for aesthetics and design. Combining our talents and bouncing ideas off one another has provided us the opportunity to continuously challenge ourselves as we grow our business.
Contact Info:
- Website: atriumapothecary.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atriumapothecary/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AtriumApothecaryInc/
- Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AtriumApothecary
Image Credits
Muré Browning
Jon Browning
Shaun Colquhoun
