After working in the health care field for 15 years, Seward resident Kelly Haney knew she needed change in her life.
“I knew that my passion in life was somewhere else,” Haney said. “I knew that working in the healthcare field was not where I was supposed to be, although I still wanted to help people.”
After leaving her health care position, Haney has been teaching yoga at William Henry School of the Arts and creating sprays and candles.
Haney said that her ideas and creations all started with essential oils.
“When I was still working in health care, I wanted to look for a healthier and safer alternative to pills and medications,” Haney said. “Working around them for so long, I didn’t want my kids to take all of them. There truly isn’t a pill for everything.”
A co-worker suggested essential oils.
“My co-worker said that they were all natural and had nothing added to them,” Haney said. “I started to do research on them and that got me interested. I started experimenting with the oils and trying different combinations that could help with certain things, like mood. I found out that I could make these combinations cheaper and just as good, so I figured, why not?”
After Haney got comfortable mixing the essential oils, she started making new items.
“A lot of people asked if I could make certain things out of the oils. One of the biggest requests was bug spray,” Haney said. “I figured that I might as well give it a go. I did a lot of research on what oils were the best at repelling bugs, and then I went to work mixing.”
Haney said that the spray was a big hit.
“I sold out immediately when we first started selling them,” she said. “People loved how well the spray worked and that it was all natural.”
A shortage in ingredients slowed the business last year.
“I wasn’t able to get all of the oils that I needed due to COVID, which led to me not being able to sell much of the bug spray in 2020, and even early in 2021,” Haney said. “Fortunately, oils are starting to become more available again so I recently started making more spray to sell.”
Not only does Haney use her oils to make bug spray, she also uses them to make candles.
Like Haney’s bug spray, the candles are a highly requested item.
“My husband and I are really big into candles, so he also suggested that I should try and make one,” Haney said. “I make my candles with the oils and pure soy, so that it is all natural.”
Haney said her natural candles are different from normal candles.
“My candles always burn clean, which also means that they won’t leave any residue behind,” she said. “They also smell really good.”
Although Haney’s work with her oils and projects that come from them might seem like a lot, she also teaches yoga.
Haney said that her first time doing yoga made her want to teach it.
“I remember my first time doing a yoga class, I was terrified going in,” she said. “Before doing yoga, I had a lot of back issues to where I couldn’t get off the floor by myself, so going into my first session was scary. After finishing my first session, I felt so much better and I couldn’t believe it. I knew after that I wanted to teach yoga and share what it can really do for a person.”
Haney said that she understands why yoga can be intimidating, but wants people to try it.
“Most people think that you have to be flexible in order to do yoga, but that is very untrue,” Haney said. “Yoga is perfect for beginners and it really can help make you stronger physically and mentally.”
Going along with Haney’s yoga, she also hosts Reiki sessions.
“Reiki is from ancient Japan that works with your body’s energy and is a complementary form of medicine,” Haney said. “Everyone that I have worked with has walked away with a complete feeling of peace.”
Haney said that most people are skeptical of Reiki, but they shouldn’t be.
“I truly think that Reiki is good for the body and people should try it,” Haney said. “I think that they would be surprised.”
Anyone interested in purchasing Haney’s bug spray, oils, or candles can shop for these items at either Liz’s Sweet Stuff and Bakery or Liberty House Bed and Breakfast.
Also, anyone interested in attending Haney’s yoga classes may show up to William Henry School of the Arts. The first class is free. You may also contact Haney for a Reiki session at (402) 418-2510.
“I’m so incredibly blessed to be doing the things that I love,” Haney said. “I couldn’t imagine my life any other way.”
