Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Dee Dee Taylor, Owner of 502 Hemp Wellness Center, located in Louisville, KY, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
502 Hemp Wellness Center is the name of my business. We are hemp educators. My customers are people who want relief with a natural product. All walks of life, and the age range is wide. There are people with cancer, people suffering from Parkinson's, anxiety, seizures, and so much more. We are in business to help them find the best product for their needs.
Tell us about yourself
My husband suffers from Grand Mal seizures, and the only thing that helped him was cannabis oil. After a near-fatal seizure, I urged him to try something and mentioned marijuana. KY is not a legal state, nor was CBD available in 2010. He went out west and learned about full-spectrum CBD oil and how to make it. We started making it in our garage, and he got off 28 pills a day and went five years seizure-free. He opened his company in 2014 and became one of the first licensed processors in the state. I started using his products in 2016 for my debilitating anxiety and depression, and it worked without any side effects. Then I had to learn how and why and started studying and learning as much as I could. I started offering his products at fairs and festivals around town, and my business grew from there. I opened the brick-and-mortar location in 2018. Every day I am motivated by the success stories that my customers share with me. From hearing how they are in remission from their cancer, how they are sleeping better, and how they aren't shaking as much with their Parkinson's. So many success stories. My wall in my office is literally plastered with thank you cards from customers. I absolutely love what I do. It is the most rewarding job that I have ever had.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I made it past the three-year mark! I have won multiple awards for various reasons, but I would say that the number one biggest accomplishment so far was winning the lawsuit that was filed against the Kentucky Department of Agriculture about Delta 8 THC products. I was part of the Association that brought the lawsuit, and I worked behind the scenes to raise funds and even help with the legal side of the case.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
In the hemp industry, it is still very difficult to get banking, credit card processing, and even advertising. I am completely blacklisted on Facebook and have had my personal account on restriction because of photos of the product I sell. For a while, I was also worried about being raided by law enforcement for selling legal products.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Be diligent. Don't listen to the naysayers. Do something that you find rewarding. If the "job" is rewarding, it doesn't feel like a job.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://502hemp.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/502wellnesscenter
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/502hemp/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/502hemp
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deedeetaylor-502hemp/
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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