Today we’d like to introduce you to Alicia Connolly.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Long before Southern Mushroom Company existed, my husband and I were simply two people who loved growing things.
During his birth I incurred a brain trauma which lead to a road of recovery I am blessed to say by the grace of God was beyond anyones hopes. One thing I was really struggling with after my brain trauma was regaining speech recall. In the midst of that challenge, something familiar caught my attention: the medicinal mushrooms we had occasionally grown over the years. I began a deep dive into research; speaking with experts, studying historical and scientific literature, and exploring mushrooms’ relationship to brain health. There’s a reason humanity has revered mushrooms for millennia.
With intentional focus, I began taking high doses of Lion’s Mane , a mushroom long studied for its neuroprotective and cognitive-supportive properties. It was a miracle also grounded in science and consistency, that within four weeks I regained my full speech. That moment didn’t just amaze us, it shifted the very nature of our lives.
From that breakthrough, our casual interest in mushrooms became a devotion. We started to see their potential everywhere, not just in culinary delight, but in healing, in community nourishment, and in sustainable food systems. But as we explored what was commercially available, we realized we desired more transparency in growing spore to fruit; knowing how our mushrooms are grown, what is used around them, how they are processed. etc.
That realization and about a million not-so-subtle signs from God, the idea for Southern Mushroom Company was sparked; a mushroom farm where every step could be controlled and done intentionally: from spore to fruit, organically grown, attentively processed onsite, and delivered with integrity and transparency. We wanted to build something that aligned with our values — personal health, natural methods, and a community rooted in health, connection and nourishment for the soul and body.
We had incredible support along the way – family, friends, and fellow growers; we couldn’t have done it without our village. And at every pivot point, we knew God was gently nudging us where we needed to be with signs around every corner where we were supposed to take our journey.
What started as curiosity and healing became a life’s mission and deep passion: to share this amazing resource from food to medicine with our local community. Staying local, making it available and bringing our experience and education to anyone who is interested.
Today, Southern Mushroom Company stands as a testament to how life’s most unexpected challenges can spark purpose and how, sometimes, healing doesn’t just restore what was lost, but grows something beautiful in its place.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I had someone the other day say to me that the most amazing part of my brain trauma journey to them, was that I never once complained. I had a son, I had a brain trauma, I lost my speech, 50% of my site (I remain half-blind as that did not recover) and had a long journey to recovery while being a new mom.
I smiled and chuckled at the comment and said – what do I have to complain about!? I had a healthy son, I came out of that with so much more physical and mental health than what anyone could have expected! I am truly blessed! I truly cannot express how grateful I feel and am. I felt that way the moment I woke up in the neuro ward, and still feel that way to this day. I have nothing to complain about. God is good.
I think that sums up my take on “smooth roads” – I look at my life and feel blessed by every moment of it. I am here, I am blessed, I have a son I never thought I would have and I get to pursue my passions. Life is truly, by the grace of God, absolutely amazing.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
As mentioned before, SMCO was launched because I wanted to know what was in our product, how it was grown, what was around it, how our tinctures are bottled, etc. I wanted full control to know that the products we bring to the table are of my high standards. I wanted to be able to bring something this truly life-changing to our community. I wanted to share the amazing world of mushrooms to anyone who would listen. It’s my passion to spread the word. I just want to be a mushroom farmer, and a vessel for education to bring the amazing world of mushrooms to each and every person I meet. North America has a long way to go in fungi knowledge and I want to be even the tiniest change in that world of getting more people comfortable and knowledgeable about this amazing organism.
As far as what sets us apart – I prefer collaboration over competition. Just this month, I launched a soft- start of the SC Mushroom Guild – a collaborative get together for SC mushroom farmers. Focusing on collaboration over competition and joining in the mission to spread the world of mushrooms to all. That’s my mindset, my focus and my continued journey in this industry.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
We love to collaborate and it all starts with a conversation. From teaching to Homeschool co-ops to connecting with retail partners and attending markets, we want to be involved in our community. We love our community on a truly deep level and the more we can be involved, the better.
We also have an online shop and attend 70+ markets a year in the Upstate from farmers markets to earth day festivals – we try and connect with as many people as possible to share our passion.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.southernmushroomcompany.com
- Instagram: @southernmushroom
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/southernmushroom
