Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Hernando Umana, Owner of CBD Dog Health, located in Lutz, FL, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
At CBD Dog Health, we trust the science. That’s why our founder and medical cannabis expert, Angela Ardolino, designed CBD Dog Health products specifically for pets by working closely with chemists and veterinarians to ensure that our products are both safe and effective and that they’re based on the most up-to-date information, including clinical research and expert medical opinion.
Our growing line of Full Spectrum Hemp CBD oil-infused products for pets is carefully formulated with all-natural, 100% human-grade ingredients, including essential oils and high potency, full spectrum cannabinoid blends. The essential oils used in CBD Dog Health products are pure, sourced organically in the U.S., and our CBD-rich products are derived from high-resin cannabis grown sustainably in Colorado, in accordance with the certified regenerative organic standards.
In addition, we guarantee potency and purity through third-party lab testing and Certificates of Analysis. With our growing line of CBD oil and topical salves for dogs, cats, and horses, there’s something here to benefit every pet. Our customers are pet parents who are looking for all-natural products to help their pets thrive!
Tell us about yourself
Hello! My name is Hernando Umana. I'm 34 years old, currently live in New York City, and have two dogs, Blanche (11-year-old shitzu) and Linda (7-year-old chihuahua mix). I moved to New York to pursue acting and was lucky enough to perform on Broadway and First National Tours. Being an actor comes with a lot of anxiety and uncertainty, so I turned to different forms of cannabis to help relieve my anxiety.
It was life-changing. While I was on tour with Kinky Boots, my dog Blanche started to have extreme separation anxiety, even getting me kicked out of hotels for her barking. I tried everything, and nothing ever helped. After getting kicked out of another hotel, I called one of my mentors, Angela Ardolino, and she told me she was studying medical cannabis and using it to help all of her dogs on her rescue farm.
She sent me a bottle of a CBD tincture she created, I gave it to Blanche before the show, and for the first time in months, I didn't get a phone call from the hotel about her barking! It changed her life, and I was able to go to work knowing she was peacefully sleeping on her bed. I became obsessed with learning about how cannabis can help animals and humans, and eventually, I left my tour and invested my life savings into creating CBD Dog Health with my mentor Angela Ardolino.
Since then, I've witnessed the incredible power of cannabis to stop dogs from having seizures, relieve joint pain and arthritis in senior dogs who would start to run like puppies, relieve all levels of anxiety, and so much more. Being a business owner can be tough... but if I ever need something to keep me going, I simply read all the incredible reviews and testimonials coming from thousands of pet parents every day. I love helping animals. I love cannabis. It's a match made in heaven!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Building an incredible team. We would be nothing without my team at CBD Dog Health, and I'm so proud to lead them.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Shutting off! I'm a workaholic. But I've learned how to work smarter, not harder, so I can (most of the time) finish my work and enjoy the rest of my life knowing everything is running smoothly.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Don't wait until it is "perfect" to get started. Work hard building it, launch the business when you have enough to do so, and then learn and adjust.
- Do work that you are proficient in and love to do and build a team of people who excel and love the things you don't. Learn the art of delegation and trust your team.
- Write everything down and make sure any verbal agreements made are followed up with an email stating what you've agreed on.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://cbddoghealth.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cbddognaturals/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cbddoghealth/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cbddoghealth/
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.
Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.