Board and Batten
While many of us are now well-versed in diet and nutrition and the impacts of what we put INour bodies, it is still so very common to overlook the impact of what we are putting ON our bodies. I once came across a statistic that the average person encounters over 100 chemicals every morning before even leaving the house while showering and doing their morning beauty and hair styling routines. That is a heavy toxic load for our bodies to process. As you learned on Earth Day, Marietta believes that being green is a never-ending effort and we are always looking for ways to nurture our planet and those that use our products. With these philosophies in mind, we are so proud to have joined forces with Patricia Walker, the founder of the exquisite Board and Batten brand, to create an amenity program that is gentle on body, mind, and Earth. I consider the Board and Batten Inspired Bath collection to be less of an “option” for hotels and more of a conscious “offering” to hotel guests. With this single choice, hotels can send a strong and meaningful message to its guests that they are looking out for their health and wellness while under their roof. It is so encouraging and downright wonderful to see such thoughtful collections entering the hotel space.
The Board and Batten brand was born on a beautiful farm in Florida. With horses grazing in green pastures, rows of citrus groves and a cypress-lined lake, creator Patricia did not have to look far for inspiration. Disappointed with existing products in the marketplace, Patricia’s desire to create truly balanced and pure products blossomed into a passion for her and her family. She has hand-picked and studied every ingredient to ensure the simple, yet effective care our skin and hair deserve.
The Board and Batten amenity collection packaging is clean and simple with a nod to traditional apothecary style bottles that conjure up notions of a bygone era’s pure and simple treatments. The bottles, cartons and wrappers are 100% recyclable ensuring a low impact to Mother Nature. The timeless branding is an accurate extension of the back-to-basics formulations contained within the stylish packaging. The fragrances are subtle and fresh with herbal, citrus and woody notes all transporting the user straight to Patricia’s serene farm.
I had the opportunity to talk with Patricia and was so inspired by her dedication and passion. I learned that she is a also a Certified Aromatherapist and currently working towards a certificate in plant based nutrition. When I hung up the phone, I felt healthier just having talked with her. Your skin and hair are safe in her hands and you can trust she will be continually be creating and working towards bringing us the very best.
In Her Own Words:
Q: Describe for me a day in the life on the farm for you and your family
Patricia: I spend most of my mornings outside, feeding and riding our horses, then some sort of exercise like biking, running, or paddle boarding. During the heat of the day, Board and Batten and our Tree Farm becomes my focus; fulfilling orders, putting together social media campaigns, payroll, or, my favorite, creating a batch of new products.
Q: Tell me about your first-hand interactions with those who love your brand. What do they say? How does it resonate?
Patricia: We recently started selling our products as a seasonal vendor at our local farmer’s market. I love the opportunity it gives us to chat and get to know our customers. The best is when I see a someone come to our booth and immediately read the ingredients listed on the back label. It is so great to see more and more people paying attention to what they are putting on their skin.
Feedback from happy customers is what makes my work so fulfilling. Often people write to me about their problem skin and how our line has alleviated dryness, acne and even rosacea. Others tell me how once they started using our products, they have been receiving compliments on how great their skin looks. Stories like these keep me creating and researching to keep my customers happy and our line fresh.
Q: How are your values reflected in your brand?
Patricia: Growing up, I was taught the value of truthfulness, resourcefulness, and living a balanced life. Once we moved onto our farm, I noticed how small daily rituals can have big impacts on our lives. These values are all reflected in our brand.
Q: What were your thoughts behind creating the unique fragrance profile for the Inspired Bath amenity collection?
Patricia: When creating the fragrance for the Marietta amenity collection we had the hotel traveler in mind. I wanted it to be enjoyed by men and women alike and bring about a soothing association with their hotel stay. Because we are based on an orange grove, we chose to use uplifting citrus combined with rich floral notes to bring calmness throughout the day.
Q: Why was Marietta the best fit to introduce your brand to the hospitality industry?
Patricia: We are so excited to have our line partnered with Marietta. Everyone we have met and spoken with has made us feel welcomed and part of their extended family. I knew it was a perfect fit when I learned that their company started in a rural area of New York and that manufacturing takes place in the USA.
Q: It must be so exciting to think about all the new people who will experience your brand while traveling. What do you hope their main take-away is?
Patricia: Well, first of all, it is important to me that they enjoy the experience. I hope they like the simple elegance of our packaging, it’s unique fragrance, as well as the way it feels on their skin. People who are traveling can feel rushed, jet-lagged, and frankly, just one of the masses. My hope is that they know that our line was thoughtfully curated at our farm specifically for them to enjoy a time of soothing relaxation.
Q: Aside from your business, what are you passionate about?
Patricia: I enjoy so many things in life, traveling, the outdoors, reading, but what I love the most is spending time with my family. I have 4 amazing children and a supportive husband who keep me inspired and striving to do my best in everything I do.
