Rooted Refill Co.

A Women-owned Small Business

Even the small things can make an impact...now is the time to start...anywhere!

It all began when I unexpectedly found myself searching for a new path after 25 years with the same company.

I had spent my career working as an Operations & Finance Manager for a business closely tied to the automotive manufacturing industry in the Detroit area. Between technology, rising costs, and a rapidly shifting industry in 2025, it became clear that closing the company was the smartest decision moving forward.

As we cleaned out the building, dumpster after dumpster were filled with items we couldn’t sell or donate. Watching so much waste pile up felt like a wake-up call. Somewhere in the middle of hauling things away, I realized just how normal wastefulness had become — and how I wanted to start making some changes to live differently.

So I started small.

First it was shampoo and conditioner bars instead of endless plastic bottles. Then refillable and low-waste swaps throughout my home: laundry detergent in paper packaging, concentrated cleaner tablets instead of disposable spray bottles, TOOTHPASTE TABLETS (my fave!), solid dish soap, reusable containers, and natural ingredient products that actually made my home feel healthier instead of smelling like harsh chemicals.

The more changes I made, the more I realized this lifestyle wasn’t about “being perfect.” It was about making better choices little by little, like cutting down on single-use plastics wherever I could and eliminating microplastics that were not necessary and replacing with wood and metal utensils.

As I shared these swaps with friends and family, I kept hearing the same thing:
“Where do you even buy this stuff?”

That question planted the seed for what would eventually become Rooted Refill Co.

Right now, this business is being built slowly and intentionally. Like many small business owners, I’m starting with limited inventory, self-funding what I can, and growing step-by-step as support from the community grows. Instead of waiting for the “perfect time” or perfect funding situation, I decided to begin anyway!

This is very much a soft opening season — a real, behind-the-scenes journey of building something meaningful from the ground up. Every order, every share, every kind word, and every person who chooses to shop small truly helps shape what this business can become.

My hope is that Rooted Refill Co. becomes more than just a store. I hope it becomes a place where people feel inspired, welcomed, and empowered to make small sustainable changes without pressure or perfection.

Thank you for being here at the beginning. I hope you’ll follow along and grow with me.

If you are a local maker of low-waste, natural products and would like Rooted Refill Co.
to carry your products, please email rootedrefillco@gmail.com for more information

The Rooted Refill Co. Way

Zero Waste

Switching to natural, plant-based skincare products can be a simple yet powerful way to support healthier skin and a healthier planet. Many conventional products contain synthetic fragrances, harsh preservatives, and chemicals that can irritate sensitive skin or disrupt its natural balance. Plant-based formulas, on the other hand, often rely on nourishing ingredients like botanical oils, herbal extracts, and naturally derived antioxidants that help hydrate, soothe, and protect the skin. These ingredients tend to work with your skin’s natural barrier rather than against it, making them a gentle option for many skin types. In addition to skin benefits, plant-based products are frequently produced with sustainability in mind, using biodegradable ingredients and eco-friendly packaging that reduce environmental impact.

Sustainable

Each year, the world produces over 400 million metric tons of plastic, and a significant portion of it becomes waste that isn’t properly managed. It’s estimated that around 19–23 million metric tons of plastic leak into the environment annually, with approximately 11 million metric tons entering the oceans every year—that’s the equivalent of a garbage truck full of plastic being dumped into the ocean every minute. The majority of this plastic is single-use items like packaging, bottles, and bags, which are used briefly but persist in the environment for hundreds of years. In landfills, plastic can take centuries to break down, slowly fragmenting into microplastics that contaminate soil and waterways. Without major changes in consumption and waste systems, this number is expected to nearly triple by 2040, posing serious risks to wildlife, ecosystems, and even human health.