Today we’d like to introduce you to Koby Marsh.
Hi Koby, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My journey here actually began when I was 5 years old. It was at this age I was diagnosed with Chiari Malformation with Syringomyelia. I needed a “simple” brain surgery, which turned into 7 surgeries in 10 weeks. Since the age of 5, I have had a total of 19 surgeries, with the majority of them being brain and spinal. Almost 10 years ago, during a brain surgery, I had a PICA stroke and woke up from the surgery having no control over any part of my body from the neck down. I had to relearn to walk, hold a pencil, etc. It was on the road to recovery from this injury that I began to look at more natural remedies to my issues. Since I was a child, I have been on numerous prescription medications that caused lots of damage to my body and created various issues. I first turned to teas to help with some of these issues, as well as weaning off my prescriptions with my doctor’s help. My best-selling product, Light Through Darkness pain relief, first came about after a doctor told me I had to live in pain and I would always need hardcore pain medicine and muscle relaxers. I did some research and found the things God gave us on earth to help my pain issue. All of these battles have brought me here to Grandaddy Willow. Grandaddy Willow is where hope for relief begins! I began this business to help show others in battle that there is hope! Grandaddy Willow is more than a shop; it is a place for people to experience calm. Grandaddy Willow is a holistic shop with products supporting the body, mind, and spirit. I do have training and am a certified natural health consultant. I am working to become an herbalist as well! However, I am not a doctor, so while I can advise, I cannot diagnose or treat. The business name comes from my two symbols of strength and perseverance: My late Grandaddy and the Willow tree.
It wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
As far as opening a business in the middle of a recession, it hasn’t been easy! However, I believe in my products and mission, so I’ll never give up! It isn’t easy to get a brick-and-mortar shop off the ground nowadays, but it is possible. More and more people are wanting natural alternatives! One of my other obstacles is my pain. However, I do all I can to spread as much light as possible. As I mentioned, with all that got me here, it hasn’t been an easy road, but it has given me the ability to be truly sympathetic to my customers.
Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I make all of the body care products in my shop by hand. I do not use alcohol, phthalates, or parabens. I am very dedicated to making sure I use natural ingredients in my product’s recipes. Muy Light Through Darkness cream is my most popular and the one I use on myself daily for pain management. It warms my heart when customers tell me how much it helps. Another product type I’ve become known for is my essential oil roller balls. I have a roller ball for almost everything, from insomnia to chakra balancing; I’ve got you covered! My signature tea blends are a shop favorite as well! All of my tea blends are hand-blended here in the shop! All of my blends are unique to Grandaddy Willow. I have also created blends for customers dealing with issues where I still need to get tea.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I am in Waco, and I love the presence and support for small businesses. While the city has grown quite a bit in the last few years, it still maintains that small-town feel. If I had to choose something I disliked, I wish people were more open-minded. The city has come a long way in the past decade, but there is room for improvement. There needs to be more love and respect. Even if you don’t understand or agree with someone, it doesn’t mean you have to be adversaries or be rude to each other.
Contact Info:
- Website: grandaddywillow.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grandaddywillow
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grandaddywillow
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@grandaddywillow
