Monselete Bowden: Bringing Balance to Life Through Aromatic Readings and Custom Wellness Blends
Written by Heather Anderson
Monselete, your journey into well-being and lifestyle coaching is fascinating. What inspired you to transition from the business world into wellness and beauty, and how has your background in these fields shaped your approach to coaching?
Interestingly, I began my career in the wellness industry but eventually transitioned into the business world. After 15 years in wellness, I experienced burnout because I hadn’t yet learned how to balance my passion with the demands of my work. I moved into business coaching, but something was missing—there was a lack of wellness in the work I was doing. That's when I decided to revisit aromatics, which had initially drawn me into the wellness space. Aromatics intrigued me because they support clients on a cellular level and go beyond just intellectual coaching. It allowed me to help clients reconnect with their bodies and bring balance to their lives.
That’s so interesting, and it sounds like you’ve really come full circle, blending business and wellness in such a unique way.
Yes, exactly! And that’s really where the idea of integrating wellness into my coaching practice took root.
“An Aromatic Reading is an experience that allows someone to use their intuition to explore five core pillars of life: well-being, spirituality, relationships, career/business, and prosperity.”
When I first heard about Aromatic Readings, I was really intrigued, and after experiencing it myself, I can see how powerful it is. For those unfamiliar, could you walk us through what an Aromatic Reading entails and how it integrates the five pillars of life?
Of course! An Aromatic Reading is an experience that allows someone to use their intuition to explore five core pillars of life: well-being, spirituality, relationships, career/business, and prosperity. These pillars are interconnected, so if one is imbalanced, it affects the others. During the reading, we explore where imbalances might exist and, together, we identify the areas that need support. The client then leaves with a custom roll-on botanical blend specifically crafted to assist them in rebalancing their life.
Your use of specially crafted aromatic roll-on botanicals in your readings is truly unique. Can you share how you create these blends and how they are tailored to enhance the experiences of those who work with you?
Yes, thank you. Because I created the concept, I’m excited and grateful to be the only one offering Aromatic Readings in the US—as far as I’m aware! Though I may begin training others. We’ll see! I crafted my original blends with the support of my Mentor who has been formulating for decades. I spent weeks in his lab, which houses over 700 oils, crafting 10 signature blends. Each category, representing one of the five pillars, has two blends—one yin and one yang—to address different aspects of energy. Some clients need more intensity, while others require calm. Each blend is made with three essential oil profiles and other ethically sourced proprietary oils mixed with an organic serum of Aloe Leaf, DMAE, and Willow Bark that naturally nourishes the skin while also smelling fabulous.
The hand-crafted deck of gorgeous botanical art you use in your Aromatic Readings is a key part of the experience. Could you tell us about the design and purpose behind this deck? How does it help guide your clients toward balance and self-discovery?
The deck is an integral part of the reading. Each card represents different botanicals used in the blends, and the visuals assist clients in connecting intuitively with what they need. There’s a second set of word cards that align with the blend’s properties—words like confidence or transformation. The combination of visuals and words helps clients gain clarity about what’s happening in their lives and what they need to move forward. It’s a very powerful, personalized process.
It is. I recall looking at several images and having one particular illustration of bright “oranges” call to me. Turned out they were grapefruit, and turned out, reading more about the oil, that that’s exactly what I needed emotionally that week.
Right?! That’s what I find most rewarding and fun—that I get to guide people with imagery and words but have them find their own way intuitively.
Definitely. It’s a hard thing to explain, but for someone experiencing an Aromatic Reading for the first time, what should they expect? How does this process help them find harmony in their lives?
They should expect an experience that’s both exciting and invigorating. The session begins with some personal questions, followed by a more playful, intuitive card-picking process. At the end, we do a guided meditation to help them connect deeply with their intuition. What’s really special is that they leave the session with their chosen blend, which serves as an aromatic anchor to support them in moving forward with clarity and confidence.
Once someone receives their roll-on blend in the mail, how do you recommend they use it?
I recommend using the blend three to five times a day. It’s not a perfume, so you should apply it generously. Along with the blend, you’ll receive an email with your aromatic print with specific words that align with the blend’s properties. You can focus on those words as you inhale the scent, allowing it to become a daily tool for supporting mindset and emotional shifts.
As a coach, you focus on supporting clients toward flourishing personally and achieving balance. What does this process look like in a practical sense, and how do you help clients integrate the insights from your readings into their daily lives?
I’m an ICF (International Coaching Federation) credentialed coach, which means I follow a very client-centered, partnership-based approach. I don’t offer advice or solutions; instead, I work together with the client to uncover blind spots and empower them to make their own decisions. My approach is to “coach the person, not the problem,” which allows us to go much deeper into their life and goals.
The roll-on blend they receive from their Aromatic Reading becomes a tangible, daily tool to help anchor them. It’s something they can use between sessions to stay grounded and focused on their journey. The blend serves as a reminder of the insights gained during our work together, supporting both their mindset and emotional well-being throughout the week. As well as it is a pattern interruptor, allowing them to get out of their head and into their body.
Your expertise and unique approach would be a fantastic addition to online women’s communities. If a leader of such a community wanted to collaborate with you to offer your Aromatic Reading experience virtually, what would that look like?
While I don’t offer Aromatic Readings in a group setting, I can definitely tailor workshops or sessions around specific themes. For example, if a community is focused on relationships, I could guide participants through how aromatics can be used to enhance emotional balance and reduce triggers in their personal lives. We might use specific blends or aromatics designed to support communication and emotional connection.
Additionally, it can be fun to select a specific blend tailored to the theme or purpose of the event. Each participant might receive an aromatic roll-on blend that complements the focus of the workshop—whether it’s relaxation, empowerment, or emotional clarity. This way, they can take home something that not only enhances their experience during the session but also supports them afterward as they integrate what they’ve learned.
Aromatics can really support and enhance any part of anyone's life from yoga and meditation to navigating relationships, making them an incredibly versatile tool for group settings.
Looking forward, what excites you most about where your coaching practice is headed? Are there any new projects or ideas you’re currently working on that you’d like to share?
I’m excited about expanding my deck and blends. Right now, the deck consists of 40 cards, and I’m looking to add more, though it’s a very involved process. Each card is carefully crafted to represent different botanicals and energies, so expanding the deck will allow for even more nuanced readings. I’d love to offer additional blends that correspond to the new cards as well.
I’m also working on developing this system into something other coaches can use in their own practices. Down the road, I’m exploring offering courses that are accredited for continuing education credits through the ICF, which could open up even more opportunities for coaches to integrate aromatics into their work.
For those who haven’t had a reading or aren’t working with you as a coaching client, can they still purchase your aromatic roll-ons directly? How can someone go about choosing and buying their first blends?
Yes, absolutely! You don’t need to be a coaching client or have had an Aromatic Reading to purchase the roll-on botanicals. Anyone can go straight to my shop and choose a Roll-on Botanical, by using their own intuition and reading the descriptions and ingredients based on what resonates with you. If you’re unsure or want a bit more guidance, I’m happy to help via a quick email exchange to assist in picking the perfect blend for where you are in your journey.
For those interested in working with you, what’s the best way to get started? And for community leaders considering a collaboration, what steps should they take?
If you’re ready to work with me one-on-one, head to the services section of my website www.monselete.com. For collaborations, feel free to reach out via email admin@monselete.com. You can also explore my website and shop to choose a roll-on botanical, or download my free guide, Elevate Your Mood, to get started. You can find me on Instagram for more visual content, or connect with me on LinkedIn.