Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Weiwei Fellman, Founder of Kota Botanics, located in Fargo, ND, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Kota Botanics™ is a premium hemp CBD wellness brand. Our customers are moms in their late 20s and senior citizens who deal with stress, anxiety, pain, and insomnia issues on a daily basis.

Tell us about yourself

I'm an immigrant who moved to the United States after I turned 30. I was born and raised in China. I met my then-boyfriend, now husband, in Beijing, China 2004, when we both worked and lived there. I left Beijing and moved to Fargo, ND, which is his hometown, in 2009 after we got engaged. I've lived here since then for about 12 years. I became a US citizen in May 2019. It was a hard decision because China doesn't recognize dual citizenship. I eventually made the decision because I wanted to be treated equally with my husband and my children as a family. After my second son, Patrick, was born in 2016, I suffered panic attacks and PTSD. When I was looking for a natural remedy, CBD came into my life, and I was blown away by how impactful it was on my mental health. After I experienced the amazing results, I knew in my deep heart that CBD could bring many good health benefits to many people with physical and mental struggles. Finding good quality, organic, safe, and effective CBD products is not easy for many customers, including me.

That's why I decided to leave my stable corporate job in 2019 and founded Kota Botanics™. We are less than 3 years old but have been growing tremendously with a double-digit growth rate each year. We now have one brick-and-mortar in Fargo, one in Shakopee, MN will soon be open in October, and one e-commerce shop. Our brand is now in NYC, New Jersey, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, California, Florida, and more states. I am super proud of what we do here at Kota Botanics ™ every day. It keeps me, and my team motivated to work hard daily when we see our customers return for more because our products have worked well for them. Nothing makes me happier than seeing a customer returns with a smile on his/her face.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I bootstrapped myself without using any outside funding and built my business from the ground up throughout the global pandemic. We not only didn't fail but kept thriving and growing.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

Trying to take care of everything. As business founders, we have to wear many hats. I have to keep reminding myself that it's OK to pause and ask for help. I don't have to be good at everything, and I don't have to take care of everything. Work smarter, not harder.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Find your passion. I've started other businesses before, and they failed. One of the big reasons was those businesses weren't my true passion. If your business is your true passion, you won't feel like working but creating. Working and creating are two different things.
  2. Be fearless. As a business founder or owner, you have to have thick skin, and you need to be fearless. You will face a lot of obstacles, a lot of nos, and doubts. You need to stay fearless, which isn't an easy task. You will need to put yourself out there and do whatever you can to make your business successful. Be ready to hustle.
  3. Always trust your guts. You will hear a lot of noises from people around you. And you will experience a lot of situations that you need to make a decision for. Learn to trust your guts. If your gut feeling isn't good, then it's probably 99% not going to be good.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Allow yourself to make mistakes but don't be drawn into it. We are all human beings, and we will make mistakes. Running a business is a journey. Mistakes happen. Be honest and genuine. Own your mistakes, apologize and provide solutions right away. Focus on the journey instead of the end results. Remember, it's not when you will get there. It's how you will get there.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://kotabotanics.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064134181161
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kotabotanics/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kotabotanics
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kota-botanics/

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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