Tara Armstead, founder of BodyCare by Tara in 2010, has been making products using essential oils since 2007. She stumbled upon her start in the business rather unexpectedly, thanks to her sister and roommate at the time, Nova (with whom she's photographed here). Nova was completing her education as a massage therapist at the time and was constantly sharing with Tara all of the things she had been learning about aromatherapy and essential oils. She shared her books and even took Tara to local essential oil vendors. The incident that got Tara hooked was when Nova placed a diffuser filled with pure eucalyptus oil in her room one evening. She told her sister the next day, "That was the best sleep I've had in years!" From that moment Tara wanted to know everything she could about these plant-based oils and started to research and experiment making candles, shampoo, lip balm, and even soap. BodyCare By Tara was soon born.
          Tara wears many hats. She's a veteran high school English teacher and entrepreneur. She lives in Gwinnett County, GA with her daughter Phoenix, who is a sophomore at Kennesaw State University. She spends as much time as possible with her close-knit family and friends. When she thinks about the direction of BodyCare, she notes, "I just hope that my products benefit and excite others as much as the world of aromatherapy has fascinated me!"