Susan left her nursing job to create a business - wanted to spend more time with her daughter + still help women at the same time, Lotions + Potions was born.

1990

Susan left her nursing job to create a business - wanted to spend more time with her daughter + still help women at the same time, Lotions + Potions was born.

1999

1999 - Lotions + Potions moved from Pine Ave in Niagara Falls, NY to Main St. in Williamsville, NY.

2000 - Opened up our retail corner at The Mansion on Delaware.

2006 - Opened up a second storefront on Grand Island, NY. Worked on many Junior League show-houses with Ann Medinac, helping to create + design beautiful spaces.

2007- Susan was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. The doctor said “Give me a year of your life.” and she did. Through this, the Williamsville store remained open, while the Grand Island store unfortunately closed.

2008 - Lotions + Potions moved to Elmwood Ave in Buffalo, NY.

Formed a partnership with Ryan Miller’s Steadfast Foundation to sell their clothes to raise money for Roswell Park and worked to support their events.

Started a fundraiser for Roswell Park with Jean Mulkey of Nektar - Fashion Rocks for A Cure - raised over $30,000 to support breast cancer awareness + research over the course of three different events.

2010 - Her Story Jewelry was born with the creation of the original Strong Women necklace and Strong Women Collection.

Cindy was diagnosed with breast cancer.

2011 - Susan was featured in Business First for “Surviving in Business, Surviving in Life.”

2012 - Created the Strong Women campaign + calendar with 12 cancer survivors to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Each woman was a long time friend, and was photographed by the amazing Cheryl Gorski. The launch party was held at The Mansion on Delaware, where we sold over 1,000 copies.

Honored by the American Cancer Society - Honoree for Cuisine for a Cure - for her work in wellness + advocating for breast cancer research + awareness.

Susan became an ambassador for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer for the American Cancer Society.

Began the Strong Woman of the Month series - which featured a local woman artist in our window, their story + their products.

Created our signature “HER Story” cold-pressed juice with Ashker’s juice bar for our HER Story Hours + sold at their cafes.

Ciara moved home from New York City.

Cindy continued her battle with breast cancer after a reoccurrence.

2013 - The Shoptober Bra Crawl was created to raise money for Making Strides - joining together the local businesses on Elmwood Avenue. Each business created a decorated bra to represent their business to display in their windows - together raising over $5,000.

Honored by the Elmwood Village Association at the local fashion show, Mass Appeal, for being a positive force in change in the Elmwood Village.

Presented Giulianna Racnic with her custom HER Story Jewel necklace at the Roswell Park All Start Gala.

Featured on the cover of Buffalo Magazine for their relationship issue.

2014 - Her Story Hours was born with longtime friend + partner in wellness, Leslie Shatkin. The group was featured on AM Buffalo.

Designed and launched the Celebrate HER collection.

Feb 2015 - Attended the gifting suite for the Academy Awards, where we presented the attendees with our Celebrate HER necklaces.

Aug 2015 - Susan + Ciara got matching FORZA tattoos to celebrate the showing of the HER Story Jewelry collection at the NY NOW gift show in New York City, where the collection was picked up by over 30 vendors across the country.

Began our first local retailer - Cheri Amour.

2016 - Created “HER Strength” juice with local salad bar, Newbury.

Partnered with Delaware North to curate a wellness section in the gift shop at the new Westin hotel in downtown buffalo.

Cindy lost her battle to breast cancer.

2017 - Launched our Celebrate HER vegan chocolate line in collaboration with Chow Chocolate.

Ciara + Susan featured on the cover of Buffalo Healthy Living for breast cancer awareness month.

Created HER Sanctuary in memory of Cindy to create sanctuary spaces for women in the community, featuring a tea bar + co-working space.

Oct 2017 - Launched our Celebrate HER three-day event - a fundraiser to benefit Metavivor - featuring Ana Ono bra line for breast cancer thrivers. After meeting the designer, Dana Donofree + becoming close friends, she traveled to Buffalo for the event, and showcased her line at HER Sanctuary, while introducing the collection to Roswell Park.

Joined a partnership with her Canadian sisters, started by author Modesta Tonan, Confession Sessions, Stories from Within - a platform for strong, resilient men and women to share their motivational stories and promote positivity and love.

2017 - Created a signature HOPE necklace in collaboration with Mercedes Wilson.

Feb 2018 - Susan walked in NYFW for Ana Ono - raised over $60,000 for Metavivor.

Sept 2018 - Susan was featured as a speaker at the first Confession Sessions event, a fundraiser for Path Stone Mental, Health + Wellspring Niagara.

2019 - Created Mastermind class - Women + Wisdom

2020- Created HER Kitchen.