For The Love Of Plants
The founder + formulator of Botanic providence, Jo-Anna, has long had a passion for the power of plants; amazed by their beauty and the abilities they possess. She has formally studied Botany and Herbalism since 2005, however she would tell you the plants themselves have been her most intimate teachers giving her insight into translating their language, mythology and lore.
My plant path to here….
I began my plant path very young, growing up on an orchard with five acres of woodlands where my family lived. I spent countless hours of my childhood into early adulthood observing, learning, gathering and collecting treasures from that special place. It is where I began to decipher the language that my plant friends were teaching me.
As I grew into a young adult, the desire to live a life founded on the things I loved most; art, music, and my love for the plants became impossible not to follow. My unquenchable curiosity to return to my roots and learn first hand about my ancestry led me to Italy. I remained there for 16 years. I started my studies in Herbalism in a more structured and academical way, traveling to study with some amazing Herbalists in both Greece and Egypt in the quest of knowing my more complex ancestry in a profound way. Opening myself to a much deeper connection to the plant medicine used by my ancestors. Bridging all of those experiences to help interweave those traditions into forming the Herbalist I am today.
I have completed many programs in Herbalism here in the U.S., although the best teachers have been the plants themselves. I am currently continuing my studies with The School of Evolutionary Herbalism, and am also an active participant in a few other programs that resonate with who I am as a Herbalist both Philosophically and Spiritually in the Vitalist/Animist tradition. I currently have a clinical practice as part of a holistic healing collaborative here in the city.
In 2020, I was taken on as the resident Herbalist at Shewatuck Farm in Exeter, Rhode Island. Shewatuck served as an incubator for local farmers. I am planted the medicinal herb gardens, taught workshops on the basics of herbalism, and worked to provide the community with education on meeting the plants where they live and to provide an opportunity to hear/feel their subtle language.
In early 2026 Shewatuck changed direction and is no longer an incubator for small micro farms, so I am currently taking a brief hiatus from farming as I search for my new farm home. In the meantime, I grow on my own small land, as well as source from the many lovely local growers here in R.I. I look forward to hosting classes and workshops with access for all soon!
I am also a proud member of Herbalists Without Borders.
My path as a formulator began in the early 2000’s, when I was still residing in Italy. I began learning how to blend my own plant based products and tea blends for my own personal care, for friends and family by using what was growing around me and the beautiful ingredients I would find at my local herb shop or farmers market. Having been a licensed and freelance Cosmetologist (the career that made all of my travel and living abroad possible) making my own products for the folks I would work with is what set fire to the passion I have for formulating.
I gained my Diploma in Cosmetic Formulation and I’m currently working toward an Advanced Diploma in Cosmetic Science and Formulation with Formula Botanica, among other wonderful programs I’ve done, which have taken my intuitive formulating skills and knowledge of more complex ingredients to the next level, and has allowed me to create spa grade, high quality botanically based beauty. I believe self care ritual to be a fundamental part of overall healing. I decided to open Flipp Salon Apothecary in 2011 with the old idea and original concept of what “salon” meant…a creative space + gallery where I could truly conjoin all of my passions ; the Art of holistic healing through Self Care Ritual, Haircraft, Herbalism, Music (yes, we host live music!), Art, and in turn, to provide this space to create community.
After witnessing how all facets of the Botanical world could enhance and support the well-being of the body and spirit through custom formulating for my clients, I decided to start my own line of botanical therapies for self care ritual . I create in small batches, some products are staples, many things are born from the Season at hand. Every product is formulated with the principles of energetic balance in mind, made with both local and sustainably grown ingredients from trusted sources alongside some I have grown myself. My heart hopes that if you choose to work with one of these creations, it will bring you joy and well being.
