In a world that often demands constant productivity and hustle, Nayda Mauriello is reclaiming magic, healing, and the radical act of intentional living. In Episode #144 of Grit Won’t Quit, host Tom Mirabella sits down with Nayda, the visionary founder of Mercuriosities On Main, to talk about grief, growth, herbalism, and the lessons of saying both “yes” and “no.”
From Grief to Growth: The Origins of Mercuriosities On Main
Nayda’s journey into entrepreneurship began in the aftermath of personal loss. After the passing of her mother—a deeply formative figure in her life—Nayda turned to herbalism, crafting remedies and rituals that helped her navigate her grief in a tangible way.
“I needed to feel productive,” she shares. “Talk therapy helped, but I needed something that allowed me to do something.” What started as personal healing soon blossomed into a mission: helping other women find relief, ritual, and self-love through natural products and workshops.
A Year of Yes—and the Magic of No
Nayda describes 2023 as her “year of yes.” She dove into every opportunity that came her way: pop-up markets, vendor fairs, wholesale placements, and more. She put her creations—handmade candles, tinctures, teas, skincare, and more—into the world with wild, brave energy.
But this year? It’s her “year of no.”
“Saying yes taught me what worked and what didn’t,” she says. “Now I’m creating boundaries—not just to protect my time, but to protect the magic that fuels this work.”
Why Boundaries Are Spiritual Work
2024 is a different kind of magical for Nayda. Her boundaries are a form of spiritual hygiene—a way to keep her energy, creativity, and business aligned. Saying “no” to markets that drain her or events that don’t align with her brand allows her to say a deeper “yes” to workshops, connections, and moments that matter.
“There’s magic in creating space,” she says. “And women especially need permission to take that space.”
Building Community Through Ritual and Workshops
One of the most transformative parts of Mercuriosities On Main is the workshop experience. From candle-making and pressed flower art to herbal healing and magical mixology with her sister (aka The Botanical Bartender), Nayda curates hands-on experiences that foster both creativity and connection.
“They come in feeling heavy, like they’ve lost someone or something,” Nayda says. “And by the end, there’s laughter. There’s lightness. That’s the real magic.”
And it’s not just women attending—plenty of husbands, boyfriends, and even children get involved. Her kids’ workshops are creative and nurturing, giving parents a break and children a chance to play with nature and imagination.
Creating Products With Intention
Each product sold at Mercuriosities is crafted with care—and always tested first by Nayda herself. Her best-sellers? Natural skincare like face serums, herbal tinctures, and sleep blends that nourish the body and soul.
Even the “fails” (like a cinnamon-infused mask that proved too spicy!) are part of the process—and the honesty is what customers love.
“I want everything I offer to be part of a ritual,” she explains. “It’s not about trends. It’s about self-love, about hiding in the bathroom for 10 minutes and remembering you matter.”
Growing Beyond the Shop: The Next Chapter
Mercuriosities On Main isn’t just a shop—it’s a sanctuary. But even sanctuaries grow. In year two, Nayda is focusing on:
Expanding her online presence with a new and improved website
Launching online workshops, including one requested by 50+ women in Australia (!)
Collaborating with other women-owned businesses for events and product features
Sharing more through newsletters and video content, helping the healing ripple out far beyond Farmingdale
And yes—she’s taking her mother’s advice to heart. “She always told me, ‘Show yourself to the world,’” Nayda recalls. “Now I am.”
This podcast episode was filmed at Wingman Planning in Belmar
