About Us

The Heart Behind Lavender Labrador

The Lavender Labrador isn't just another skincare brand-it's personal. It's a labor of love, a journey of resilience, and a mission to create safe, natural products for people who need them most. Whether you're immunocompromised, a transplant warrior, a chronic illness fighter, or simply someone who cares about what goes on (and in) your body, you're in the right place.

🫘 A Life-Changing Diagnosis

In the fall of 2022, I was in my final year at the University of Central Missouri, juggling my dual degrees in Graphic Design and Sculpture, when my world came to a screeching halt. I had lost vision in one of my eyes, and what I thought would be a routine eye exam turned into a nightmare. My blood pressure was dangerously high, and within hours of arriving at the ER in Kansas City, I was told I was in end-stage renal failure.

I was alone in a hospital bed, surrounded by what felt like 50 med students (in reality, maybe 10), when the doctor delivered the news. It was terrifying and surreal. I spent the next week in the ICU, undergoing tests, stabilizing my blood pressure, and trying to process the fact that my life had changed forever. A few weeks later, I had surgery to place a peritoneal catheter in my belly, beginning my daily battle with dialysis.

Dialysis was brutal. The nightly treatments made me nauseous, crampy, and exhausted. The draining process was excruciating. But somehow, I pushed through- I finished my degrees, put on two art shows, and graduated, all while hooked up to a dialysis machine every night.

Then, on August 13, 2023, I got the call. I was a backup for a kidney transplant. My husband (then fiancé) and I were in full excitement mode, calling everyone we knew, throwing bags together just in case. At 3 AM, my phone rang again. This time, it was real. By 6 PM on August 14, 2023, I had a new kidney, thanks to the incredible gift of a deceased donor.

Transplant isn't a cure-it's a second chance. A temporary fix. But it gave me the opportunity to rebuild my health, my life, and my passions. It gave me the chance to create something meaningful.

🌿 Why Natural Products?

Living with chronic illness and a transplant means being extra cautious about toxins, chemicals, and ingredients that most people never think twice about. So many commercial skincare and household products are packed with endocrine disruptors, carcinogens, and synthetic junk-things that aren't good for anyone, but especially dangerous for someone like me, who is immunocompromised.

When I started making natural products for myself, I realized I wasn't alone in this struggle. So many people-whether they have chronic illnesses, disabilities, transplants, or just want a healthier lifestyle-are looking for safe, effective alternatives.

And that's how the Lavender Labrador was born.

🐾 The Lavender Labrador Herself 

Of course, I couldn't have done this without my four-legged inspiration, Mabel-the original Lavender Labrador.

In March 2024, we rescued Mabel. She was scared, covered in cuts, fleas, and mange, and had severe muscle atrophy in her leg. She didn't trust people, and honestly, who could blame her? But with patience, love, and a whole lot of rehab, she transformed into the strong, happy, cuddle-loving farm dog she is today.

Fast forward to October 2024, when my husband and I took a trip to Estes Park, Colorado to elope with our dogs. In the yard of our cabin, there was a huge lavender bush, and on our wedding day, as the snow fell, Mabel wouldn't stop rolling in it. After that, I couldn't stop calling her my Lavender Labrador.

💜 Handmade with Heart

Every product at the Lavender Labrador is handmade from scratch in small batches— because quality and integrity matter. There are no fillers, no BS ingredients, and no shortcuts. Just real, nourishing ingredients that actually work.

We create skincare, pet care, and household products that you can trust-whether you're immunocompromised, a transplant warrior, someone with sensitive skin, or just sick of all the toxic junk in commercial products.

And while we take our ingredients seriously, we also like to have fun-expect sarcasm, edge, and a little attitude in everything we do. Because if you've been through hell and back, like so many of us have, you know that sometimes humor is the best medicine.

So, welcome to the Lavender Labrador-where we ditch the toxins, embrace the chaos, and make badass natural products for people (and pets!) who deserve the best.

Let's get healthy, one jar of tallow balm at a time.