Andrea is one of the most dynamic, inquisitive, and creative people I know. She consistently ideates, and connects with herself and others deeply and meaningfully. She seeks to understand things thoroughly, and her brain has the ability to connect complex concepts to one another, and process them with compassion. Andrea is easy to talk to, caring, and fun. I can’t wait for you to meet her.
Who you are and what do you do?
Hi I’m Andrea (Andie) Rossi, founder of Dirt & Bones, where we create interesting, independently led experiences that use herbalism, nutrition and connection to the natural world as illuminating portals for living a life that’s furiously fulfilling…and fun.
How do you define leadership?
Leadership is about creating contexts and conditions that usher people’s brilliance forth and orchestrate talent towards a widely-held vision. Leadership isn’t a position – it’s an action, a way of being – it’s available to everyone, no matter their role within an organization, family, or other system.
What’s one (yes, just one) thing you’re really good at?
Being myself. I have different versions of me, but I’m always me, and I love that I can offer myself that way to other people (and show up that way for myself).
Tell us about a time when you realized this is what you were meant to do.
Lots of moments, but the other day is what is most fresh in my mind. There was nothing special about the day – just waking up, drinking water, and enjoying a slow roll into working on some content for my business for next year. And, in that moment, I was just struck with how completely aligned I felt, how everything I was doing felt like such a natural extension of myself that in many ways, though effortful, felt so deeply easeful as well. And in that moment, I just knew – this is what I’m meant to be doing.
What’s one personal value you hold true in your business?
One of my personal values that translates into my business is the idea of “messy brilliance.” To me, messy brilliance is about bringing intention to what we do in the world, but balancing that with a willingness to be imperfect and “messy” in that process in service of actually doing the things that need to be done.
It’s the art of balancing introspective, self-aware thoughtfulness with trial-and-error, just-let-go-and-do, and learning how to vacillate between the two (or let them both coexist).
What do you do when you’re not working?
I love to play, and playing for me looks like trying out a lot of new, different things. So, right now, I roller skate, longboard, and am learning to surf and do floral artistry and ceramic handbuilding. I also spend a lot of my time at open mics for stand-up comedy, but I consider that a bit of a mix of work-play (like, I’m not getting paid to do it so technically not work, but part of that big picture vision, so also technically not play…)
What’s in your 10-year vision?
Dirt & Bones has grown to be a house of creative endeavors. I have a small, fun, inventive, skilled team that manages the community and develops funny sketches and workshops and materials.
I have another team that works on larger media pieces, like shows and movies. They are witty, sharp-minded, and collaborative.
I’m still touring for stand-up, though with more flexibility on where I go and what I do.
I am rooted in my why – illuminating with joy and laughter, approaching complexity with curiosity and play, reveling in a range of identities, amplifying myself and others competencies, honoring the nature of our being, and encouraging myself and those I interact with to be brave enough to be brilliant and to sacrifice perfection in service of living more.
Who is one person who has shown you what’s possible in your life or business? What was the “see to believe” lesson they taught you? (This can be someone you know, someone you don’t know, or even a fictional character!)
There was a woman in my life, Maria Cristina, who died many years back, who taught me what love on fire looks like. She didn’t hold her heart back and because of that, made each person that interacted with her feel so seen, loved, cherished. It was something remarkable to witness, and helped me see it is possible to craft a life that is so intentional, so embodied, so fully lived that your mark is not a ripple – it’s a tidal wave.
What’s one moment in your life that, looking back on, made you realize you would own your own business?
I was leaving a job where I had experienced, once again, an environment for which I felt overworked, overqualified, underpaid, under-resourced, and underappreciated. I felt defeated – I had fully poured myself into my work and came out completely burned, having experienced employers that communicated with contempt and condescension. I didn’t believe work needed to feel that way, though, and I just decided that I was done with it – done with that for myself and done with that for anyone that I worked alongside in the future.
What are three things you always have on you (beside phone, wallet, keys)?
I always have with me my:
- Epipens – I know, not that sexy or exciting, but for me (someone with a couple serious allergic reactions) totally necessary!
- Herbal Tinctures – I always have at least one, but usually three+ different herbal tinctures in my purse for whatever is going on at the moment – herbs for stress, anxiety, digestive support, cramps, immune support – it really varies based on whatever is going on that day and needs a little extra TLC
- Chapstick – usually some really luxurious natural one, like from an herbal maker friend or from brands like Alaffia or Evan Healy
This Leaders We Love segment features Andrea Rossi, CNTP, MS, of Dirt & Bones.
Andrea is a Clinical & Community Herbalist, Nutritionist, and the founder of Dirt & Bones. She creates interesting, independently led experiences that use herbalism, nutrition and connection to the natural world as illuminating portals for living a life that’s furiously fulfilling and fun.
You can follow Andrea on Instagram @_dirtandbones_.