About Me
My name is Sylvia, and I am a Food Scientist and Professional Agrologist by trade. I moved to British Columbia 16 years ago, bringing with me a passion for creating, developing, and crafting products. True to my love for innovation and quality, I founded Foundtree Product Design, a consulting business focused on product development for the food industry. While my original vision was to help companies create new products, I soon found myself meeting a different need: helping food processors and producers navigate the complex world of food safety and regulations.
Purpose-Driven Product Creation
Though I’m proud of the work I do with clients, my heart has always belonged in operations—the space where products are created, not just designed, and in the forest, where inspiration grows, naturally. Prior to consulting, I spent many years in corporate product development, but it wasn’t until I began crafting products with ingredients that resonated deeply with me that I truly felt fulfilled. There is no greater joy for me than creating products that have a real, meaningful impact on people’s lives—products that align with my own values of wellness, sustainability, and the natural world.
That's me pictured here, happy to see but not touch the mighty Devil's Club. It is one plant you don't want to stumble into - touching its spiky spine can cause severe pain, rash, blisters, swelling, fever, nausea and difficulty breathing. Traditionally it has been used to treat arthritis, as an expectorant, to purify blood and for stomach ulcers. In nature you'll find several plants growing in an area but all the plants are interconnected underground by one rhizome system. This plant is much like humans in the sense that we can cause so much harm yet also have the power to heal.
Staying Small, Staying Connected
I’m committed to keeping it personal—operating on a scale where I can still get outside to be in nature, make products that truly serve my community and make genuine connections with the people who enjoy them and the people who help me along on this journey.
Pictured here is me picking huckleberries near my home. They grow at high altitudes and are highly sought after by the bears so if you go huckleberry hunting, beware and leave some for the bears!
Truly Canadian
For me, the beauty of British Columbia lies in its vast, untamed landscapes—its endless forests, its rich ecosystems, and the abundance of plants that grow in the wild. When I first moved here, I was awed by the sheer magnitude of what the land could provide. But I also felt a sense of confusion: why was there such a strong push to localize our food systems, yet so many of the resources available in our own backyards seemed largely untapped?
Over time, I came to understand the complexity of our food systems. I learned that turning to the forests to feed us would upset the delicate balance of nature. In my wild-harvesting practice, I’m committed to being mindful of this balance. I take only a small percentage of what is available, ensuring that the land continues to thrive for generations to come.
Pictured here is a LOT cherries found growing in the wild. That was a phenomenal cherry year (if I recall it was 2017 or 2018?) and lots of fun climbing the tall cherry trees to get to the brightly coloured fruit.
At Forage & Soothe, I honour the land by using Good Agricultural Collection Practices to wild-harvest plants and Good Agricultural Practices to cultivate some of the botanicals used in my formulations.
Only the best quality, natural, and when available, organic ingredients are used. For me, the process of foraging, growing, and working with plants is more than just a profession—it’s a joy and a grounding practice. There’s a sense of peace and connection that comes from being in harmony with nature.
I see myself as a bridge between the land and my community, offering products that highlight the incredible, healing power of botanicals, many which are native to this land. By sharing these plants with others, I can connect people to the earth in a meaningful way and help them experience the natural wellness that comes from these amazing ingredients.
I believe in supporting the Canadian economy, so whenever possible, I prioritize local suppliers over foreign ones—especially for the ingredients in my superfood line. I’m proud to contribute to the growth of our local food systems and am always looking for ways to keep things as sustainable and regional as possible.
Pictured here is a fruiting female Sea Buckthorn plant (one of my favourite plants) growing in my front yard. Sea buckthorn fruit is one of the superfoods I ate to help alleviate my dry eyes. It solved that problem and also helped me pull myself out of depression when I was first dealing with fibromyalgia. Sea Buckthorn oil has the highest content of Omega-7 fatty acids of all vegetable oils and is a source of Vitamin C.
My Philosophy
My philosophy is simple: I believe in the power of natural ingredients and aim to create products that highlight nature’s true wonders. In a world filled with harmful chemicals and additives, I take pride in carefully studying and understanding every ingredient to ensure it is safe, effective, and nourishing for you, and perfecting my formulations to ensure you get the best experience possible. My goal is to provide you with products that support your wellness journey, from the inside out.
Pictured here is the wondrous and misunderstood Fly Agaric/Amanita mushroom. If one is reckless with its use, it can lead to poisoning and even death, but when prepared and taken appropriately, can help alleviate depression, anxiety and nerve pain. I process it into a serum that I apply to certain acupressure points to relieve widespread nerve pain resulting from fibromyalgia.