Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Phil James, Chairman of Hemp Well, located in York, North Yorkshire, UK.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
HempWell is a seed-to-shelf CBD business based in Yorkshire. We manufacture our wonderful CBD products at our laboratory in York Science Park. Our hemp comes from our lovely farm in the EU, and we can trace our products back to the field they were grown. Our customers typically have concerns about sleep, anxiety, or pain and are looking to CBD as a non-addictive, natural remedy.
Tell us about yourself
After first getting involved with CBD in 2015, where I was involved in the funding of US medical marijuana businesses, I started taking CBD to help with chronic arthritis in my knees. HempWell grew from my own great experience with such a brilliant, natural product. The feedback from our customers, hearing about how CBD has improved their quality of life or reenabled them to live in such a way they haven't for so long, is truly rewarding. This is what motivates everyone here at HempWell each day.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
There have been many great milestones in the life of HempWell, such as opening our retail stores, so it's difficult to say! Our CBD supplements recently received full approval from the UK's Food Standards Agency (FSA), showing they hold up to the highest standards of quality and traceability. A lot of work has gone into getting here - the FSA had not approved any brands until now. As a small family-owned Yorkshire business, we feel great accomplishment to be among the first to stand on this stage.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Being a part of such an innovative, rapidly changing industry comes with many unique challenges and difficulties. For example, changing legislation (both domestically and overseas!) or being unable to advertise through traditional means. I am thankful to my family for helping me through the harder parts of running a CBD business.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Firstly, focus on building a great team of individuals who are passionate about driving the business forward. This is invaluable, especially as a small business and in those early days when you can't afford to work in half-measures!
Secondly, understand the needs of your customers and put them first. This is why we opened our physical retail stores, to give our customers a human interface for the many questions they had about this new and unique product.
Finally, make sure you have a strong support network. I am so grateful to my family for making it all worth it, and working alongside my wife, Lisa, is a pleasure. The motivation I receive from my family empowers me to navigate the choppy waters of such a unique industry - so consider what's going to get you through the difficult days because no doubt there will be some!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://hempwell.co.uk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hempwellcbd/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hempwellcbd/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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