Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Chris Whelan, founder of nama, located in Clifton, NJ, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
nama crafts small-batch hemp-infused edibles with a surgical focus on ingredients, flavor, and, most importantly - effectiveness. We have four foundational real fruit-infused vegan edibles designed for different times of the day. More recently, we expanded our edibles offering by launching our "experience" product line. Each month we launch a new limited edition low dose THC edibles designed for a particular experience. In November, we launched Sundays - handcrafted infused caramels designed to elevate your Sunday afternoon. More recently, in December, we launched our Microdose Honeydew Chews to help our customers get through dry January with a low-calorie fruit-filled gummy.
Tell us about yourself
Just over a year ago, I was a bankruptcy litigator practicing on Wall Street, and now I own and operate my own edibles company. There are quite a number of factors as to why I made this huge career jump, to name a few - my experience battling cancer in college, my eagerness to be an entrepreneur, my realization of the immense potential of hemp-infused products, and my extreme dissatisfaction with current industry product offerings.
I have been involved in the cannabis industry for over a decade, learning, networking, crafting products as a hobby, and so much more. It's always been an industry I have been passionate about, but more importantly, a plant that I believe in and one that has helped me achieve wellness in more ways than one. Being in this industry just makes sense for me and my career.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Just over a year ago, I had little tech experience rudimentary creative skills. I knew little about running and launching an e-commerce business. I taught myself every aspect, outsourced nothing, and built nama from the ground up.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Knowing what and when to prioritize things. There is always a lot to do, but knowing what to do and when is an important skill to have.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Start early, start small, and make sure it's something you're passionate about. First, start early - this means building your audience before you ever try to sell them anything. Having the best product means nothing if you don't have an audience, especially one that trusts you. Start small with technology these days - all you need is a computer and some free applications to create something great. Make sure you're passionate about what you do, work is work, and it's not meant to be easy, but when it is something you genuinely enjoy, then it certainly makes it much easier.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Put just as much time and thought into your self wellness as you do in your business. It took me a full year before I started really caring about exercise again after launching my business (but I did eat healthy the whole time because there is no excuse not to eat healthily and feed your brain and body with the fuel it needs!).
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.namacbd.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/namaCBD/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nama_cbd/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nama-cbd/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.