Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Crawford.
Hi Rachel, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
April 3rd, 2018, was my personal Independence Day. I have scoliosis and spent years battling severe chronic pain. Eventually, I was placed on daily prescription narcotics & was on them for over 15 years, but they never truly relieved the pain. I was still taking ibuprofen and additional tylenol and my liver and kidneys were very unhappy. The turning point came when I visited a pain specialist hoping to find modern alternatives, only to be told that the only options were heavier, longer-acting narcotics like Fentanyl. Something in me broke when he said that and I got up and walked out with him calling my name behind me. Walking out of that office, I made a life-altering decision: I was done relying on pills, and I was going to find a natural way forward on my own. The next day I was a mess & my husband went out and brought home my first bottle of CBD as well as a CBD topical. Within 15 minutes, my tension began to subside enough that I could think. Within a week, the constant stream of pain in my back had subsided. Not long after, when a coworker asked me to rate my pain level, I broke down in tears because, for the first time in my life, I could honestly say zero. Experiencing that kind of relief changed the trajectory of my life. I went home that night, looked at my husband and said, “If this is what plant medicine can do for people, then this is what I need to spend my life doing. When Rustic Oils opened on SW 3rd Street, we started on pure faith. I had about $1,500 worth of product on the shelves, zero money for marketing, and simply a desire to hold space for people who felt just as lost in the healthcare system as I had been. I told myself that even if the business failed, helping just one person walk away from debilitating pain would make it all worth it. Slowly, people began walking through the door. Customers became friends, and friends became like family. When people walk into Rustic Oils today, they aren’t just shopping—they’re greeted by name, and they know they have a trusted partner who will listen and help them find real answers. Over the years, our mission naturally expanded. I brought in nutritional mushrooms years ago because they worked hand-in-hand with CBD. Then, as shifting hemp regulations created uncertainty, I made a proactive commitment to protect our community’s access to wellness. Instead of pouring everything solely into CBD, I began investing in targeted, whole-body supplements specifically focused on our customers’ three biggest needs: sleep, pain/inflammation, and anxiety. Today, alongside clean CBD and pure essential oils, our shelves are stocked with curated, high-grade solutions—from inflammation tinctures, Celtic sea salt, turmeric, and saffron to quercetin and berberine. Instead of just pointing people to a generic health food store, I brought those trusted remedies under our own roof so I could personally control the quality and ensure our community gets exceptional products at accessible prices. Being recognized as a “Hidden Gem” in Lee’s Summit means everything to me. I’ve never spent money on billboards or flashy commercials—I’ve always believed in investing that money directly into our people, handing out samples so customers can try them and discover what actually brings them relief. If there is one thing I hope readers take away from our story, it’s that you must be your own advocate. In today’s world, taking charge of your own health and asking the hard questions is more important than ever. You do not have to accept feeling unwell as your baseline, and you don’t have to navigate it alone. I’m here to hold space, advocate for you, and help you find the natural tools to help your body heal
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
“Smooth sailing” couldn’t be further from the truth. When I first opened the doors, I didn’t come from a corporate background—I didn’t even know the basics of starting a business. I had to teach myself everything from the ground up: registering the LLC, setting up commercial bank accounts, setting up merchant processing, and managing daily operations. Every lesson was learned through late-night research, community forums, trial, error, and sheer grit. To compound the steep learning curve of opening a business, I had no idea just how volatile the hemp and wellness industry would be. Small businesses rely heavily on digital reach, but I quickly discovered the doors were locked to us. We were barred from running traditional ads on platforms like Facebook and Instagram, and severe shadow-banning on social media meant the few “free” marketing channels available to normal shops were practically useless for us. Beyond digital roadblocks, staying open has meant constantly being in the trenches. Over the years, we’ve weathered shifting policies and shutdown threats at every level—from federal and Missouri state regulations down to local municipal hurdles. Every victory has had to be fought for, and every regulation had to be navigated with vigilance and determination. I have learned every single lesson the hard way. But when I look at the lives changed, the pain alleviated, and the community that relies on our doors staying open, it has been a thousand percent worth every battle. The struggle simply built the resilience that defines Rustic Oils today.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Rustic Oils is a women-owned, locally-owned, and family-operated wellness boutique based right here in Lee’s Summit. We bridge the gap between traditional herbal wisdom and modern wellness, offering a carefully vetted selection of clean, natural remedies. I am very picky about the products I bring in and most often will try them myself before putting them on my shelved.
What We Do & What We Specialize In: While we began with clean, high-grade CBD , our boutique has evolved into a comprehensive resource for whole-body health. We specialize in addressing our community’s three biggest health friction points: sleep, pain/inflammation, and anxiety. Our curated offerings include:
* Clean Hemp & CBD: Tinctures, water-solubles, topicals, and softgels.
* Functional Nutritional Mushrooms: Lion’s Mane, Reishi, Cordyceps, Agarikon, Chaga, & Turkey Tail
* Pure Essential Oils & Herbal Extracts: Targeted tinctures like saffron, turmeric, and green papaya. Everyday Vitality Essentials: Hand-selected supplements like Celtic sea salt, quercetin, berberine, and zinc. We also carry targeted supplements like Uric Acid Complete & Chanca Piedra.
* Holistic Pet Care & Bath/Body: Clean topicals, bath soaks, body butters, and pet wellness tinctures.
What Sets Us Apart: A Human-First Approach & people over profits. What truly separates Rustic Oils from a standard wellness retailer or online warehouse is my commitment to personal, face-to-face consultation. I don’t just put products on shelves; I sit down with you, listen to your unique health struggles, and help you find real, personalized solutions. Instead of spending money on flashy marketing, billboards, or paid ads, I invest our resources directly into giving out customer samples & loyalty discounts.
What We Are Most Proud of Brand-Wise. I are most proud of the deep trust we have built within Lee’s Summit. When our regular customers walk through our doors at 618 SW 3rd Street, they are greeted by name. They know I will always tell them the truth, uphold strict quality standards, and fight relentlessly as advocates for consumer health freedom and sensible hemp access. I want every reader to know that Rustic Oils is a welcoming, pressure-free sanctuary where you can ask questions, find guidance, and take charge of your own wellness with confidence.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
The absolute best way to support us is simply by stopping in, saying hello, and sharing your story with us.* Visit Us Locally: Come see us in person at 618 SW 3rd St, Suite J, in Lee’s Summit. Whether you are dealing with sleep issues, chronic pain, or anxiety, or just want to explore clean supplements, we are here for face-to-face consultations. You can also grab a free sample to find out what truly works best for your body.
* Shop Online & Pick Up: If you can’t make it during the week, you can explore our curated selection online at rusticoils.com or utilize our convenient in-store and curbside pickup.
* Word of Mouth: Because small natural health businesses face heavy restrictions on traditional advertising, the most powerful support comes from our community. If something we recommended brought you relief, tell a friend, bring a family member by, or share your experience via social media or leaving us a review. People sharing their personal experience on social media is a Godsend.
Collaborate: We love partnering with local holistic practitioners, massage therapists, chiropractors, and community wellness leaders who share our passion for natural, human-first health.
Pricing:
- Consultation: Always 100% FREE (I want you to be completely comfortable in your selection when you leave the store and will provide a sample where applicable)
- Targeted Supplements & Functional Mushrooms: $25-$45 (botanical tinctures, saffron, turmeric, daily mushroom capsules, etc.)
- CBD Products: $40-$125 (full spectrum, broad spectrum, & isolate – tinctures, topicals, water soluble, pet products, capsules/softgels)
- Everyday wellness & herbs: Starting under $5-$20 (Celtic salt, mullein leaf, bath essentials, & pocket roll on, lip balms, etc.)
- Essential Oils: $5-$54 (Single oils, targeted blends, pocket roll on, aromatherapy sticks, pre-diluted single oils)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rusticoils.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rusticoils/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@rachel.crawford77
