Creator Spotlight: How Janice Clyne Turned a Simple Ebook Into a Global Fundraiser for Mental Health

Raising thousands for mental health support with a single ebook is no small feat, especially during an economically difficult time. But that’s exactly what Janice Clyne, founder of Nourished by Nature, achieved through a purpose-driven digital product launch that resonated with people around the world. What started as a simple idea to give back quickly became a powerful example of how digital products can be used for genuine social impact.

In this Q&A, Janice shares the story behind Nourished by Nature, the thinking behind her charity ebook, and how she used Payhip to turn a meaningful idea into measurable change.

Can you tell us a little about yourself and the person behind Nourished by Nature?

My name is Janice Clyne, Founder of Nourished by Nature. I’m a former research food scientist (BSc Hons, MSc), mum of 4 girls, a passionate foodie, obsessive fermenter, forager, educator, teacher, and both an advocate and a specialist in fermented foods and plant-based diets.

I founded Nourished by Nature in 2015. I wanted it to be a space to share unbiased nutrition and health information, empowering people to make better and more informed choices for their own health.

I run focused workshops, informed talks, and events on all aspects of fermenting and gut health; I also have a YouTube Channel, plus active Instagram (50,000+), TikTok (20,000+), and Facebook (100,000+) accounts, communities, and followers – and growing on a daily basis.

I launched my membership website, The Wellness Hub, in 2022 and have an active and growing online community of around 300 empowered, engaged, informed, and inspired people who are on a personal journey to their own best health. The transformations within the group have been life-changing.

What inspired you to start your wellness journey and build this brand?

Nourished by Nature was established to address the fast food, convenience, throw-away society that has resulted in today’s chronic health issues by running workshops, events, talks, demos on all aspects of fermenting and health, whilst sharing recipes and information on my blog. With a unique, scientific, holistic, and impartial approach, it cuts through the crap, telling it how it is with no vested interest in the food industry or its products.

My goal and my passion is to inform, support, and enable people of all ages and backgrounds to enjoy better health and great food that reflects the best of nature, the best of choices, the best of health, the best of us! To create a Health and Fermentation Revolution, and to turn “my” community into a dedicated cluster of fermenters, kombucha brewers, sourdough bakers, and foragers!!

What inspired you to create your ebook in the first place?

We live in such a difficult world these days, with so much loneliness, financial hardship, and comparison on social media, ultra-processed junk food, addiction, so many people have simply lost their way, and poor mental health impacts so many of us. Which is why I wanted to do something to help.

All the profits from this book are going to support Scottish Action for Mental Health (SAMH), with a new charity drop-in centre in Glasgow, and plans to open many more, providing access to professional help and a calming place to spend time without judgement in beautiful surroundings.

What were your biggest challenges while creating or launching it?

I wanted to create a structure that was interesting and engaging while reflecting my own values and beliefs. Deciding how many recipes to include and balancing it with quality images and information took a few drafts to get right, but I was happy with the end result.

How has your audience responded to your store and ebook?

This ebook was created to follow the seasons, letting them guide us naturally to the food that will nourish and support our bodies throughout the year. Each season features a poem, a recipe, a fermented recipe, and a foraged recipe. It’s truly a delightful little book that can help you gently connect with nature and yourself. Something that many of us will greatly benefit from. The audience globally has responded so positively, raising over £3,000 in a difficult time economically for so many in just a matter of weeks.

What has surprised you most about selling an ebook online?

As I have launched charity ebooks several times, it’s always a delight to see how easy the process is and how strong and immediate the audience engagement is.

What inspired you to connect your ebook launch with fundraising for a charity organization?

Mental Health issues have such a debilitating and overwhelming impact on so many people, their families, and their loved ones. It’s a privilege to play a part, no matter how small, in providing resources to support them through the excellent work and counselling of SAMH.

My business has the word “Nurture” in it for a purpose; in this challenging world, being nurtured/nurturing ourselves is critical to our society’s wellbeing.

What has it been like seeing your community support something bigger than a product?

This makes my heart sing! People, generally, are great. Too often, it’s only the bad news that gets the oxygen of the press and publicity; there are so many great people out there with kind hearts and real generosity – my humble charity ebook promotions highlight the best in our society!

Why did you decide to sell your ebook through Payhip?

Payhip is easy to use and allows me to reach a global audience. Payhip’s fees were minimal (there were no upfront costs and no monthly fees), and creating my store was very simple.

What stood out to you when you first discovered the platform?

The fees were very reasonable, and I liked knowing that payments were all processed securely. Other eCommerce platforms seemed more complicated, and I knew I wanted to keep everything as accessible and easy to use as possible.

How easy was it to set everything up and launch your product?

It was super quick and easy! Once I’d uploaded the book, written a description, and added a few preview pages, everything else was streamlined and very simple.

Were there any Payhip features that made the process smoother than you expected?

I used the upload sections as a checklist, which I found useful. The integrated payment system really took the stress out of that process.

What did you enjoy most about using Payhip as a digital seller?

What I really enjoyed was how clear and easy the Payhip dashboard is to use. All the customer and sales information is laid out in a way that’s simple to understand and actually pleasant to look at. It makes it easy to track your digital sales success in real time, pull reports when you need them, and clearly see how your work is performing.

If someone (new aspiring entrepreneurs) is thinking about using Payhip, what would you tell them?

I’d say it’s a great and supportive platform. It’s quick and easy to use, which makes it much less intimidating if you’re just starting out and want to sell digital products. The low fees also mean you can focus on creating and growing, without worrying about high upfront or monthly costs.

What has this experience taught you about yourself as a creator or entrepreneur?

It’s shown me that Nourished by Nature has a real connection with real people. People genuinely value the quality of my expertise, my work, my advice, and the care that goes into everything I create, including my ebooks.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to launch their first digital product?

Make sure your product truly reflects you and your values. Pay close attention to the quality of your copy, design, and images, and do the best you possibly can with what you have. Choosing the right eCommerce platform matters too. Using a platform like Payhip helps ensure your product is presented clearly and professionally, and that it accurately reflects the message you want to share.

What’s next for Nourished by Nature?

In 2026, Nourished by Nature will be launching 10 new ebooks across a wide range of topics, including fermented favourites, sourdough, menopause, osteoporosis, foraging, gluten-free living, and family favourites. And of course, in December, there will be another ebook release dedicated to raising funds for Nourished by Nature’s nominated 2026 charity!

Janice Clyne’s Story

Janice Clyne’s journey shows how a purpose-led idea can grow into something genuinely powerful. By turning her knowledge and values into a thoughtfully created ebook, she did more than sell a digital product. She mobilised a global community, raised vital funds for mental health, and created real-world impact.

Janice’s story shows what’s possible when authentic expertise meets an eCommerce platform built for selling digital products. Ready to turn your knowledge into something meaningful? With Payhip, you can keep more of what you earn, reach a global audience, and sell ebooks and other digital products without upfront costs or technical complexity. Start where you are, share what you know, and build something that lasts with Payhip.