Slow North, an all-natural home goods store based in Northwest Austin, rose from humble beginnings. The shop's owner and CEO Michelle Simmons grew the business from a backyard candle-making operation to a nationally recognized brand with a full storefront and studio space.

Simmons is the first guest on "CI Conversations," a limited series of special episodes of the Austin Breakdown podcast released every Wednesday. Each week, guest host Connor McGovern talks with interesting local residents of the Greater Austin Area about how where they're from inspires what they do. Listen to this episode for more insights on how Simmons' passion for introducing natural products into her family's life planted the seed to shape Slow North into a successful Austin brand.