Ten years ago, the non-profit organization I worked for, Mothers for Natural Law, had a table at the Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, California, at the AnaheimConvention Center. Small but mighty, our non-profit had been awarded by New Age Magazine the title of “the organization” that had done the most to raise awareness of the dangers of genetically engineered foods. Our organization survived on donations from a number of big players in the natural foods industry including, Whole Foods, one of our largest supporters. So, I enthusiastically went to California from Iowa, where we had our humble headquarters, with two other women who were among featured speakers at the event. I had the sole responsibility of organizing our tiny, humble booth in the basement of this incredibly palatial venue, with the goal of collecting signatures to summit to legislatures trying to get them to require the FDA to label genetically engineered foods. I had enlisted a few people from the area to help me man the booth for two days, collecting signatures, donations, and talking with people about the issue. It was hard work, but fun and enlivening. We had a table and a couple of banners, and as a non-profit, we were relegated to the basement of the center. It was actually laughable considering the vendors typically had booths and set-ups costing thousands of dollars, were mostly industry leaders, and the venue was upscale. It was a lot like “upstairs downstairs” with Mothers for Natural Law the poor hired help hidden away in the basement.

On a few occasions, I was able to leave my post and mingle among the 45,000 attendees and visit some of the amazing displays of the stars of the natural products industry—it was fascinating. But, my favorite vendor was my hero, Mr. Aubrey, owner of Aubrey Organics, one of our supporters, who had made a generous donation to Mothers for Natural Law, and had a lovely booth upstairs. Of course, as a representative of the non-profit group to which he had so generously donated, I was delighted to introduce myself, extending my hand and thanking him for his support. First, I was charmed to see Mr. Aubrey sitting in chair, an older gentle man wearing an expensive looking suit and sporting two long braids. He looked like a throw back to the hippie days except for the suit and tie. After I thanked him he said, “You have the most important booth in this entire Expo.” I was blown away and felt an immediate connection with this man I so admired, and I then knew the product that held his name was made in his image—he really walked the talk and dedicated himself to creating the purest, most earth friendly products he could, at reasonable prices. We then talked for a few minutes about genetic engineering, and he said something else that I will never forget—something that continues to ring as true today as ten years ago, perhaps more so. “We’re no longer the United States of America; we’re the United States of corporations.” In that moment, I fell in love with Mr. Aubrey; I had finally met the man behind the products, Aubrey Organics! So, I kissed him on the cheek, and said good-buy.

Products that are really natural!

I will now date myself to say that I remember Aubrey Organics products when they first appeared in the health food market 30 years ago, when Aubrey began to experiment on natural formulas in herbal bath oils and protein-based hair conditioners. Aubrey natural lab was born in 1969 and the company then became Aubrey Organics. Their goal was short and sweet, to simply create natural hair and skin products that were free of petrochemicals and synthetics. Now, of course, they are mainstream and available on line and in health food stores and markets everywhere. They are known for purity and affordability, and have skin care lines for different skin types, as well as assortments of hair products, lotions, and moisturizers.

My personal favourite is the entire line of products for dry or mature skin, Rosa Mosqueta and Seaware products. Apparently, Mr. Aubrey is still going strong, making recommendation on the Aubrey.com site for his favourite products, educating us on what is good for us and why. I was thrilled to see how much the Aubrey line as expanded over the years to include: household, pet, makeup, men’s and baby products—I can’t wait to get the dog shampoo!

Upon visiting Mr. Aubrey’s website, I was happy to see that the company is doing good things in the world, such as, working with organic farm communities throughout the world and educating farmers on the techniques of organic farming. At the same time, the company is not forgetting us here at home, and works closely with the local community, implementing fair pay to employees, safe working conditions, and an ethical approach to workplace issues. So, it’s possible to support sustainable industries, make profit, and live comfortably, be kind to other nations, and taking care of our own—inspiring!

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