In 1996 Marsha Dean Walker watched her husband die in a hospital intensive care room from lung cancer caused by his exposure to Agent Orange. His death was emotionally and financially devastating for her and her family. She was suddenly a widow with eleven children and a relationship coaching practice that fell far short of meeting the financial needs of her family. Things were tough for the next two years. Then in 1998 a friend took her to a local flea market. She watched as vendors sold a variety of items and she noticed that they were making money! With an idea that began in her kitchen Emy Baker’s was born. She invested in a ten pound block of paraffin, three bottles of scented candle oil and and a box of small Ball canning jars. During the week she melted and poured pounds of wax scented with the oil and some crayon shavings for color to make what became her trademark candles and she used botanicals to create her own line of scented lotions, shampoos and bath items. Every Friday she loaded the products into the family van, drove to a local flea market at midnight to secure one of the prime selling spots the next morning. The setup took a little getting used to but in a few weeks the products were selling well, but she was always troubled by the soot caused by the candles, the safety issue and the fact that the used containers were recklessly discarded in the trash.
Through the years she worked on creating a freshening product that would do a far better job than candles, was much safer and much more environmentally friendly. In 2011, with new insight and a new husband and business partner, Jim Eastwood, a certified financial planner, Emy Baker’s was reorganized as Emy Baker’s Originals, LLC. Their green products company manufactures eco-friendly 100% all natural, biodegradable tea fresheners for cars, big rigs, RVs, and boats, dorm rooms, pet areas, kitchens, bathrooms, and storage areas. The versatility and portability of the fresheners make them the perfect take-a-longs on camping vacations, time shares and to alleviate the stale smell of hotel and motel rooms.
Jim and Marsha Walker Eastwood are confident that Emy Baker’s Originals Car Teas, Dorm Teas, Kitchen Teas, Pet Teas and Shoe Teas will change the way people think about fresheners and the environment.