Shop Talk: We love working with people who do things differently. When setting up our shop in Sri Lanka we wanted to make sure whoever we stocked had an interesting story to tell.
Words by Emma Brown & Venita | 31st July ‘17
When we met Venita and she told us about her 100% natural skin oil, Surfskinoil, we had to find out more. This stuff is seriously amazing, it acts as an antibiotic, soothes sunburn and heals up pretty much any skin issues we've had the misfortune of encountering.
What is your name?
My name is Venita.
Where is home?
My heart and my home is on earth, I really don’t believe in borders or barriers between people.
How did you first get into creating potions?
My Mother was a practicing aroma therapist for many years, so I grew up around natural plant essences. Mom trained under Patricia Davis who was a field leader and brought aromatherapy to Europe by founding the London School of Aromatherapy.
I was never sent to a doctor, instead, if I ever got sick or encountered disease, Mom would go to her wooden box full of different plant essences and treat me using those oils. So I know first-hand how effective they are.
Who or what inspires you to do what you do?
It is my mission to show people that you don’t need pharmaceutical drugs to be well. That you can come to mother earth who provides everything we need to experience true health and healing on all levels. Plant essences don’t just affect you on a physical level, they positively affect your emotions too via their scent.
When people tell me that they used my oil in place of anti-biotics and it worked much better, or that sore, irritated or broken skin was healed in super quick time, that makes me very happy and inspires me to continue!
What sort of projects are you working on next?
I am currently developing my first aromatherapy brand called Skin Nectar into a full range for the Sri Lankan market place. Skin Nectar uses precious flower oils to beautify the face and body.
I am also working on a retreat which will be held at the stunning retreat centre, Rukgala, set on the rainforest-covered slopes of the Sri Lankan blue mountains.
This retreat will teach people how to clean up their subconscious minds, releasing memories and beliefs which are not serving the higher purpose, discover or solidify what their true purpose is and also connect the conscious mind to the super-conscious mind.
Where is your favorite place to eat in Sri Lanka?
I live in Galle and when there I love to eat at Bedspace. It is right by Una beach and serves up food that is fresh and delicious. Whether you are vegan, veggie or a carnivore the menu delivers! If I am in Colombo Kumbuk Café is a regular spot, it is also connected to the wonderful Prana Lounge.
What does soul mean to you?
For me the soul is the eternal part of the human nature. It is our piece of the Godhead or the part of us which is divine. Another way of putting it is, that the sum of all souls in existence equals God/Nirvana/Universal spirit – whatever you’d like to call it. In this way we are all one.