Demi Lizzann believes something essential has faded from modern life, even as convenience and choice continue to expand. Culture, which was once carried through ritual and shared knowledge, is now reduced to trends and surface-level meaning.
In her view, this shift has consequences that extend beyond wellness into how people relate to one another and the planet. Through Traces of Akoya, a global supply chain resource and botanical wellness company, Lizzann approaches culture as an element that needs to be actively stewarded rather than passively practiced. "As the world becomes more connected, there's an erasure of the essence that connects us," she says. "We aim to remember what matters most."
Her work is rooted in self-discovery as a foundation for collective responsibility. Lizzann explains her early journey as one of inward attention. "At our core, we can only care and show up for the world as much as we show up for ourselves," she says. That understanding later intersected with science. Trained in medicinal plant chemistry with a concentration in ethnobotany, she began to see how interconnected systems operate at both molecular and societal levels.
Professional experience in the green beauty industry brought that theory into sharper focus. Lizzann witnessed how products labeled as natural often relied on claims unsupported by formulation integrity. She also observed patterns of cultural appropriation within wellness markets, where aesthetics were borrowed while the originating communities remained unrewarded. "Often, people see that ethnic groups are trending," she explains. "They might incorporate an element of what that culture represents and profit from it in a way that isn't ethical or sustainable, because it exploits the land and its stewards."
Traces of Akoya emerged from a desire to offer an alternative grounded in cultural competence and transparency. "I sought to combine conscious consumerism with luxury and indulgence. That's when Traces of Akoya birthed itself," she says. By sourcing natural and pure materials that represent the people who harvest them, Traces of Akoya uniquely positions itself as a bridge to botanical treasures.
Aromatherapy became central to that mission. As Lizzann explored scent culture, she became increasingly aware of the global inequities embedded in botanical supply chains. Essential oils and resins, she notes, are tied to specific people and places, yet those connections are often obscured. "Once I started learning that these materials come from all over the world and are connected to actual stories and people, my worldview expanded," she says. Preserving scent culture, in her view, is an act of cultural continuity at a time when global inequity is at an all-time high.
Commerce, Lizzann believes, plays a decisive role in shaping ethical outcomes. "The dollar is how we truly vote," she says, explaining purchasing as a reflection of values rather than a neutral act. Ethical consumerism, as she frames it, should feel empowering rather than punitive. "We're taking responsibility and making informed choices from where we are and where we could be, and that, I believe, restores optimism," she explains. Traces of Akoya seeks to make that process accessible by offering well-sourced botanical products without overwhelming people with information or guilt.
Inspired by her respect for science, Lizzann advocates for the integration of botanical medicine with modern medical systems. "It's important to have a holistic perspective," she says, emphasizing that science and tradition are not oppositional. Many modern treatments, she notes, are rooted in plant-based knowledge passed down through generations. The challenge, as she sees it, lies in our fixation on convenience. "It doesn't have to feel like you're sacrificing creature comforts in the pursuit of making choices that compound into a fulfilling life," she adds.
For those beginning to explore botanical wellness, Lizzann often recommends essential oil roll-ons as a practical entry point. She explains them as a tool for grounding, especially during moments of anxiety. "I believe they offer a way to bring yourself back into your senses, into your breath, and allow you to slow down," she says. Small rituals, practiced consistently, reflect her belief that care does not need to be elaborate to be effective. Traces of Akoya also promotes the practice of creating your own relationship with botanical medicine. "As you rekindle your relationship with earth-based practices, what you need will find you when you need it," Lizzann says.
Highlighting the importance of community, Lizzann believes modern loneliness stems, in part, from a lack of shared physical spaces. "Community is all about proximity," she says. "And because of that, it's important for accessible physical spaces to exist." This belief is expressed through Lizzan's community-based initiative, The Altar, a maker space and boutique that hosts creative gatherings such as incense-making, natural perfume, and soapmaking workshops. These spaces, she believes, allow people to reconnect through intentional making and shared presence in ways that digital platforms cannot replace.
Underlying all of Lizzann's work is the principle of interconnectedness. She believes culture is meant to evolve, not be frozen in time. "Culture isn't designed to be one thing," she explains. "We're not trying to create an attachment to the past; we are adapting with the times without leaving behind what's useful."
The guiding ethos of Traces of Akoya: "That which one seeks is found within," captures this philosophy. Botanical offerings, personal rituals, and cultural education are presented as tools rather than answers. Lizzann believes the deeper work lies in consciously choosing and honoring the origins of what supports daily life.
