I’m an avid Gardener, plants are my passion. I grow lots of different varieties of herbs, vegetables and flowers. Recently I started a food forest and it’s been so much fun! It’s a mix of Medicinal plants and fruit trees. I’m always adding to my garden and it’s rather unruly now. Which is the way I like it! Im a huge a lover of books, I have way too many and yet can never have enough. My current favorite is Untethered Soul by Michael Singer. Im equally obsessed with the world of Wellness. I got extremely sick from Mold illness and I found so many different healing modalities that helped me. Wellness became a life line for me, it took a lot of time to heal but I’m better for having gone through that and it opened up my mind to how important self care is! Though I’m a quiet introvert, I’ll talk anyone’s ear off about Light Therapy, Medicinal Plants, Detox Baths and so much more. If it’s about healing I’m interested. I adore nature in every way and the combination of Nature and technology working together synergistically for healing is so interesting to me.
About Niki Brown
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
San Diego is such a beautiful place to have grown up and I’m grateful to be here raising my kids now. I love it and to be close to such a great city while living in the countryside is such a blessing. We have the best of both worlds out here in Ramona.
I have 2 amazing kids and a wonderful husband. We really enjoy each other and are constantly laughing. We spend lots of time outdoors, we like to go on long walks especially when it’s misty out. We also love watching movies together. My youngest son is Autistic, my oldest is on the spectrum too so we experience life differently. We have 4
dogs and a flock of chickens that keep us busy and entertained! My kids are readers like me and are budding artists. We are hoping to get into Martial Arts this next year, we like trying new things, exploring our interests and the world around us. I adore my family!
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I am a Wellness Esthetician and Spa Director. Starting out after high school I got a job at a salon, and and the Skin Care Treatment Room they had became my absolute favorite space. It was a place of Relaxation, all the smells and the texture’s captured my senses and I just knew that this was my world. After getting my license I helped run our Family Salon Bella Mia in Ramona. Managing it was a challenge I enjoyed. Opening a Spa was my dream though. The energy in a Spa is Transformative. My Mother and I recently opened a new Spa called Petals and Potions Boutique in Santa Ysabel. We have curated an experience here that you normally would have to drive to a big resort to get. It’s 5 star meets Intimate Elegance in the country. It’s close to the old Santa Ysabel General Store, in a cottage tucked under beautiful trees. Our focus is Wellness and Healing, and that has driven our choices in what we sell from Eminence Organics Skincare to our Teas, Herbal Elixirs, Oils, Books and Bath Soaks. Everything here is designed to nurture your mind, body and soul. I love what I do, after being so sick and really finding help in the wellness world it’s a mission of mine to share with others products that can really make a difference. Our treatments and spaces are designed to enhance relaxation and help our guests feel at home while providing the most luxurious experience.
In addition to our Spa We are in the process of creating Santa Ysabel Square, a destination in our community where people can come shop in any of our 3 buildings. Olive and Oak Antiques will be moving into The General Store and in its place a Men’s/Out door Enthusiast store called Mo’s Trading Post in in the works. Including our Spa there’s something for everyone! We are building a meandering outdoor garden linking all our buildings to each other and giving people a place to rest, wander and enjoy. We are excited to welcome everyone soon. We are almost ready and are planning to host a Christmas Market this Winter. It’s going to be amazing!!
Q: What advice would you give to people?
To spend as much time in Nature as possible! It’s where we find true healing.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
In 10 years I hope to be living further up in Santa Ysabel, growing a Food Forest and Tea Garden while continuing to Run my Spa and Host Wellness workshops for our community.
Niki Brown & Our Community
Q: What are a few of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Jeremey’s On The Hill in Wynola, Javier’s La Jolla, and Nutmeg Bakery in Poway
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I’ve lived in Ramona for 40 years
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
My parents are the most interesting people I know! My dad can do absolutely anything, from flying helicopters and airplanes to captaining a boat! He can fix anything and solve any problem. He has an incredible mind and a great sense of humor too! My mom is just perfection, she’s the most amazing cook, she has an eye for beauty and design that is unusual. She makes everything she does look effortless, she’s hilarious and is one of the hardest workers, She even listens to books while she sleeps!
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
The Western Center in the Country Estates was such a great place to visit as a kid. They let me earn rides by mucking stalls and after I could ride the horses giving them exercise while having the time of my life! Horses are an integral part of the entire back country and remember just seeing so many horses around here while growing up.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
I love all the trails around our community especially the ones with huge boulders to climb. The hiking here is spectacular and it’s my favorite memory from my childhood, wandering around in the wild finding incredible vantage points!
Q: If you could choose anyone alive today and not a relative, with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would you meet for this lunch?
Rosemary Gladstar the famed Herbalist would be my dream lunch date. She’s the person I admire the most! She spent months with a friend traveling on horse back with no provisions to prove nature does provide enough nutrients to sustain us. I am in awe of her capabilities, she such a gifted herbalist I would be so excited to spend time with her soaking up her wisdom and experiences. I’d take her to Javier’s La Jolla they have best Salsa and Tacos, sitting on the patio surrounded by lush plants is something she would surely appreciate.
For Fun
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
I love Valhalla! It’s amazing and I’m obsessed!
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I want to write a book, someday I plan to put the story in my head down on paper.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
My Moms cooking
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My children!
Q: What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
You have to get lost in order to be found
Q: What Neighborhood do you live in?
Ramona
What I love about my Neighborhood:
I love all the agriculture and animal husbandry!
Please describe your ideal San Diego weekend:
An early morning hike or walk, late breakfast. Beach time which of course includes a nap in the sand. Ending the day with a sunset dinner at Mr. A’s and then star gazing at home.
Q: Finally, what three words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Home cooked food, Family time, Rest
