This week, Kendle had the pleasure of sitting down with Erica Kuhlmeier, owner of Flourish Herbals & Aromatherapy, to learn about her inspiring journey and unique business.

Erica’s career began as a massage therapist, though her path to entrepreneurship was anything but traditional. Initially studying Biochemical Engineering at Kansas University, she eventually shifted focus to pursue her passion for holistic wellness. After spending time in Colorado and Montana, Erica returned to her hometown of Garden City in 2004 to start a family and launched her massage therapy practice from her home.

As her clientele grew, Erica realized she needed more space—and her family needed better boundaries between work and home life. In 2018, she and Janet Colson, owner of Modern Lactation, secured the perfect downtown Garden City location, where Flourish continues to thrive today.

A Focus on Innovation and Quality

From the beginning, Erica’s scientific background influenced her approach to massage therapy. She paid close attention to the biochemical properties of the oils and products she used, ensuring they were safe for all skin types. Her curiosity led her to pursue certification as a Community Herbalist, the first step toward her current goal of becoming a Certified Clinical Herbalist.

Equipped with new knowledge, Erica began creating her own natural massage oils. Seeing their benefits inspired her to explore other natural products, from teas and popsicles to lotions and herbs sold by the ounce. Today, Flourish is the largest apothecary in Southwest Kansas, offering a variety of innovative products that blend science and wellness.

Community Education

Erica prioritizes her clients safety, which includes allergies. She educates her customers on the products they purchase, ensuring they are informed on what exactly it is they are consuming. As all of her products are homemade, Erica is able to give exact breakdowns of each product's biochemical makeup. With the rise of Tiktok, education and misinformation about holistics is widespread, but Erica is happy it has created a larger audience and always educates her customers, ensuring they get correct products for the benefits they seek.

Recognition and Growth

In 2020, Flourish was honored as the Chamber’s Emerging Business of the Year, an award Erica says validated her years of hard work. More recently, Flourish received the Kansas Department of 

Commerce Award of Merit in the Retail/Service category for 2024, recognizing the business’s contributions to the community through job creation and innovation.

While creating jobs wasn’t Erica’s initial goal, Flourish’s success has sparked community interest in herbs and aromatherapy, leading to the growth of her talented team. The storefront now boasts three massage therapists, three herbalists, two baristas, and one lactation consultant, all experts in their respective fields.

Community-Focused Values

Erica is deeply committed to supporting the local economy. She prioritizes sourcing ingredients from local farmers and emphasizes the importance of keeping dollars within the community. As a proud participant in the Chamber Check Program, Flourish encourages shopping locally and helps sustain a vibrant local economy.

The Chamber Check Program allows anyone in the community to purchase checks in $10, $25, and $50 denominations, redeemable at select vendors in Garden City and Finney County—including Flourish.

Support Local This Holiday Season

As the holiday season approaches, we encourage everyone to shop local and support businesses like Flourish Herbals & Aromatherapy. Erica and her team pour their hearts into their work and into our community, offering products and services that reflect their passion for holistic wellness.

Stop by Flourish to discover their incredible offerings, and join us in celebrating the local businesses that make Garden City a truly special place to live and shop!