Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Wishlinski.
Hi Samantha, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Sam Wish has been evolving alongside me for more than 15 years. What began as one creative passion has grown into a business centered around wellness, intentional living, and natural skincare.
In 2010, I opened the metaphorical doors to Sam Wish as an online Etsy shop selling vintage and upcycled clothing. At the time, I was home with my young daughter, Eliza Jane, and wanted a creative outlet that allowed me to contribute financially while doing something I genuinely loved. Fashion, thrifting, and giving beautiful pieces a second life brought me so much joy, and I spent several wonderful years connecting with customers through one-of-a-kind finds.
Around 2013, my interests began to shift. I became deeply passionate about the health of my family and started researching the ingredients found in everyday household and personal care products. The more I learned about the chemicals we were exposed to on a daily basis, the more determined I became to find healthier alternatives. I started making my own organic bath and body products at home, simply to meet the needs of my own family.
On a whim, I brought a few handmade lip balms to a local market where I normally sold clothing. To my surprise, they sold incredibly well! My customers were really excited about simple, natural products made with thoughtfully chosen ingredients, and I slowly realized I had discovered my new path. From that point on, Sam Wish gradually transformed from a vintage clothing shop into an all-natural bath and body care company.
Nearly every product I create began with a real-life need in my own home. Each one goes through countless rounds of testing, refining, and perfecting before it ever reaches a customer’s hands. I formulate everything myself, using ingredients I trust, crafting products I genuinely use every day. My goal has always been to create practical, effective products that support well-being rather than compromise it.
That passion for healthy skin eventually inspired me to take the next step in my career. In 2025, I returned to school to become a licensed esthetician. It felt like a natural extension of the work I was already doing, giving me a deeper understanding of skin health and anatomy to complement my years of experience working with natural skincare ingredients. Becoming an esthetician gave me the opportunity to work one-on-one with clients, educating them about skincare ingredients, products, and routines to help them achieve healthier skin and feeling their most beautiful in it. My expanded knowledge and client experiences has had a huge influence on how I make products for Sam Wish and I suspect will continuously evolve in the coming years.
Sam Wish has changed in so many ways through the years, but the heart of my business has remained the same- creating thoughtfully made products and experiences that help people care for themselves in a simple, natural, and intentional way.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t always been a smooth road. While I earned a degree in Small Business Entrepreneurship, so much of what it actually took to run a business I had to learn through experience. Over the years, I’ve spent countless hours researching, experimenting, making mistakes, and figuring things out as I went. Running a small business means wearing so many different hats- product maker, photographer, marketer, bookkeeper, customer service- each role has come with its own different learning curve.
Starting a business as a young mom also brought its own set of challenges. But one of the greatest gifts my business gave me was the ability to be present for my daughter while still providing for my family. Working from home is not always easy or glamorous but for many years, Sam Wish allowed me to be home, support us financially, and spend precious time with Eliza that I otherwise might have missed.
And of course, like many other businesses, the pandemic brought unprecedented changes. Ironically, it was one of the strongest periods my business has ever experienced. With more people staying home, shopping online, and prioritizing self-care, there was this huge appreciation for handmade, natural products and a push to support local. Unfortunately, the years since have been more difficult. Shopping habits have changed, it seems fewer people are buying local, and the handmade market (especially in Austin) has become much more saturated.
Even so, I’ve learned how to adapt, evolve, and continue to find new ways to serve my customers. Looking back, I wouldn’t change the journey because each challenge helped shape both my business and who I am today.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
At Sam Wish, I handcraft small-batch botanical bath and body products using thoughtfully sourced organic, fair trade, and sustainable ingredients. My goal is to create products inspired by holistic well-being, plant medicine, and the healing power of nature while encouraging people to be more mindful of the ingredients they put on their skin.
My approach to skincare and body care is rooted in holistic well-being, plant medicine, and ingredient transparency. I believe people deserve to know exactly what they’re putting on their skin and why it matters. That’s why I openly share the ingredients in every product, not only to be transparent but to encourage curiosity and help people make more informed choices about their skincare.
What sets Sam Wish apart is that everything is created in-house. I formulate every product, handcraft each batch, and even design my labels, packaging, and website. Every detail is intentional, and every product is made with the same care and quality that I would expect for myself and my own family.
What I’m most proud of is building a business that has stayed true to its values for over 15 years—creating simple, effective products that people can trust and feel good about using every day.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Most of my networking has happened organically over the years. A lot of my connections have come from getting to know fellow vendors at local craft markets and building friendships with other small business owners and artisans online.
My biggest advice is to simply show up, be genuine, and be open to conversations. Some of the most valuable relationships I’ve built started with a simple chat at a market or connecting with someone who shares the same passion for creating.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sam-wish.square.site/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samwish3
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/samwishstore
