Mission Driven Founders Podcast

How do you sustain a mission-driven brand for over two decades while staying true to the soul of the plants?

In this featured episode of Mission-Driven Founders, host Wanda Malhotra goes behind the scenes with Julie Williams, the Certified Herbalist and visionary founder of Leaf People.

Listen to the podcast on buzzsprout here.

Julie’s journey is a masterclass in entrepreneurial resilience and intentional brand building. Long before “clean beauty” was a trend, Julie was traveling to 17 countries and immersing herself in the Amazon to learn the language of plants. In 2003, after completing formal education in medical herbalism, the healing arts, and Buddhism, she founded Leaf People to serve as a “conduit”—translating ancient botanical wisdom into a multi-award-winning, clinically effective skincare line.

Leaf People is a testament to what happens when you lead with integrity, in-house manufacturing, and a commitment to global reforestation.

In this episode, we explore:

• The Global Founder Journey: How Julie’s travels through the Amazon and 17 countries shaped the soul of Leaf People.
• The 20-Year Legacy: The grit and “all-in” mindset required to build a brand with longevity and purpose.
• The Manufacturing Advantage: Why Leaf People chooses to formulate and manufacture in-house at their Colorado headquarters.
• Ethical Sourcing & Sustainability: Protecting endangered species and the importance of sustainable wild-harvesting through partnerships with United Plant Savers.

Watch the podcast below: