Our Story
The Oil Lady® and The Good Medicine Tin®.
Candace Newman evolved into The Oil Lady® during the 1980s when failing health forced her to leave a lucrative position as Executive V.P. of a real estate company in Naples, Florida. Years of physical discomfort followed, caused by a cyst that eventually ruptured internally, nerve pain from spinal misalignment and incapacitating head and shoulder aches. The unbearable pain and stress caused sleepless nights and sapped her energy. After 15 doctors, numerous health retreats and two operations, Candace began the search for a way to get her life and spirit back. This exploration involved many of the therapies now referred to as alternative, complementary or integrative medicine. When a therapist from England used essential oils on her, a light bulb went on that forever changed her life. The aromas gave instant relief and comfort to the emotional stress, anxiety and exhaustion, while the oils soothed the physical aches and pains. However, with her lifetime sensitivity to commercial perfumes and fragrances, Candace was curious as to why these aromas not only didn’t bother her, but also brought needed relief. This wonderment led to her worldwide studies with wonderful teachers from England, France, Germany, Canada and Purdue University.
In 1993, the sole proprietorship of Oil Lady Aromatherapy® was formed. Candace worked from her home, giving Aromatherapy massage treatments, developing formulas, writing, teaching and lecturing. During this time she spoke at over 150 events including TV and radio appearances, conventions, retreats, lectures and classes for the general public. As a volunteer at Hospice, she taught more than 200 nurses, staff, caregivers and volunteers her registered trademark work: Touch With Oils® Hand Massage. Today, her Touch With Oils® Hand Massage DVD is used both professionally and in the home.
During years of research, work and development, came the challenges of facing the end of her 23-year marriage, helping her mother care for her Dad who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, his subsequent passing, and the demands of starting a cottage industry by herself. Twice she ended up in the hospital and Candace readily admits that the benefits of pure essential oils continued to save her life. As word spread of her personal health victory and the effectiveness of her pure essential oils, demand for her formulas, education and oils grew. Slowly, the plastic baggy with handwritten notes used during classes held at her kitchen table became The Good Medicine Tin®. This elegant white tin for self care contains the top five essential oils, a base oil and a Guide booklet. Later she created an accompanying DVD.
Due to increased demand, Oil Lady Aromatherapy® moved into a downtown Naples, Florida studio-shop in 1996 and the business continued to grow. Customers shared stories of how the oils benefited their lives, their family and children. Classes for health professionals led to wholesale programs, classes on Integrative Aromatherapy, Touch With Oils® Hand Massage classes, and two educational DVD’s.
In 2001, Candace first met her current husband. While on a cross-country airplane trip with her mother, they used the mist and oils from The Good Medicine Tin® to calm their travel-nerves and stay healthy. The next thing she knew, the gentleman seated on the other side of her mother was casually leaning in toward them to sniff the aromatic oils. A conversation ensued which led to several months of long distance phone calls. John Newman was in the Texas petrochemical industry and had been offered a two-year assignment in Saudi Arabia managing training teams. As they talked, Candace helped John decide to accept the job and he stopped in Florida to visit her before leaving the country. They later reunited in Cyprus and soon decided to get married.
Candace joined John for most of his second year in Saudi Arabia. Communicating with her shop staff each day by email and sending her monthly e-newsletter to customers, she managed to keep the business running. Every few months Candace returned to the US to replenish the supply of formulas in the shop, lecture, and care for her mother. She states that going to Saudi Arabia served as a type of sabbatical for her since years of running the business sapped a great deal of her creative spirit. “Going to the desert brought the life back into me,” she says smiling. When the Saudi women found out about Candace they asked for a class, which resulted in the debut of The Good Medicine Tin® and videos in Saudi Arabia. She then taught her Touch With Oils® Hand Massage class to a circle of 8 women from around the world. Despite the opportunity for John to stay on with his work, they both knew it was time to return home. Due to the stress in the world and people searching for balance, Candace and John believed it was time to move Oil Lady Aromatherapy® to the next level.
Upon their return to Naples, Florida, in February 2004, the sole proprietorship of Oil Lady Aromatherapy® evolved into The Good Medicine Tin® Company LLC. The launch of their new website (www.GoodMedicineTin.com) enabled them to provide online retail and wholesale shopping and share the benefits of essential oils with people around the world. Candace, The Oil Lady® continues to educate through her free monthly newsletter.
In 2006, Candace and John fulfilled a life long dream of living on some land in the mountains. They moved to the forest in Southwest Colorado, where they continue to offer their products through mail order. Their ongoing commitment to use only therapeutic grade essential oils and Candace’s proprietary formulas keeps them focused on the integrative and holistic value of true Aromatherapy. In June, 2010, after a winter sabbatical to evaluate the company and mission, they moved forward by going back to the company's original name, and formed Oil Lady Aromatherapy® LLC with a revised product line. The test of time and trusting the process has shown them the value of this work and the formulas.
