🌿 Herbal Maker Capability Scorecard

How Far Along Are You on Your Herbal Maker Journey?

Have you taken advantage of our Herbal Communities of Interest / Practice?

Our definitive list of herbal communities has been a guiding star for our Simples & Worts Herbal Apothecary Members for over 3 years. We use the listing (found in our On-boarding tab) to help us identify Communities of Interest which we want to explore this year…. as well as identfying Communities of Practice where we want to take a step further and dig into a specific practice, say, herbal dyes and mordants.

Now, we are releasing a more advanced way to measure your own progress. This assessment enables you to take stock of where you are—and where you want to go, in a differnt way. Use this scorecard to evaluate your capabilities, from simple herb bundles to full-scale product lines and gift kits. And remember… Herbal Maker Businesses and Cottage Industries are very much a “team sport” as you will read below. Always be thinking how to join forces to partner with others who are as serious as you are in starting a fledgling herbal maker business.

Our Simples & Worts Herbal Apothecary and Wellness Gift Shop’s

HERBAL PRODUCT MAKER / GROWER ASSESSMENT:

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🧩 Tier 1 — Start Simple

Capability Area Example ProductScore (0–5) Notes / Action Steps

Sell fresh herbs Bundles of basil, thyme, mint Harvest at peak. Package neatly in paper sleeves or compostable bags.

Sell dried herbs Dried rosemary, chamomile Use a dehydrator. Label with name, date, and use.

Sell herbal starter plants Potted basil or sage Use peat pots or recycled containers with handwritten care tags.

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🌱 Tier 2 — Grow Your Offerings

Capability Area Example ProductScore (0–5) Notes / Action Steps

Blended herbal teas Mint-lavender-chamomile sleep mix Focus on food-safe packaging. Portion using digital scale.

Culinary spice blends Herb salt, garlic-herb seasoning Test ratios. Use grinders and mix in small batches.

Infused vinegars/oils Rosemary vinegar, chili oil Sanitize jars. Add refrigeration or "shake well" labels as needed.

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💫 Tier 3 — Add Value

Capability Area Example ProductScore (0–5) Notes / Action Steps

Herbal cream cheese Garlic and chive cream cheese Requires refrigeration and food labeling. Include allergen notice (dairy).

Herbal body care Calendula salve, rosemary shampoo Include “for external use only” and batch codes for traceability.

Aromatics & ambiance Lavender sachets, mint wax melts Develop signature blends. Package for gifting.

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🚀 Tier 4 — Brand & Scale

Capability Area Example Product Score (0–5) Notes / Action Steps

Herbal gift kits Culinary herb crates, starter tea kits Bundle items. Add branded story cards or QR code for use ideas.

Subscription models Monthly herbal CSA box Offer seasonal themes. Use email list for renewal and upsells.

Partner with local makers Honey + herb bundles, soap collabs

Boost visibility. Share pop-ups and co-promotions.

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🧮 Self-Scoring Guide

• 0 = Not Started

• 1–2 = Planning Phase

• 3 = First Sales Made

• 4 = Consistent Revenue

• 5 = Fully Integrated into Your Business Model

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✅ Total Score: ______ / 60
✅ Top 3 Areas to Focus On Next: ________________, ________________, ________________

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Until next time…

I am…

Phil Wilson…

And, here’s to living an Herbal Lifestyle With You!