What does it take to build a premium wellness brand in one of the world's most regulated, misunderstood, and competitive industries?
In this episode, I sit down with David Hartigan, Founder and CEO of Hemp Heros, to talk about the real story behind his mission-driven CBD and functional mushroom company. From managing MMA fighters to becoming one of the few B Corp-certified hemp brands, David shares how a single moment of belief changed his life and how he's paying it forward through his business.
David takes us behind the scenes of launching into the U.S. market, setting up U.S.-based manufacturing, creating pet products that win hearts (and tails), and building multiple brands with integrity. He's also inspired by his mother’s health journey with a new mushroom line. He’s proof that success follows when you lead with quality and purpose.
🔑 Key Moments in This Episode:
💡 The surprising story of how an MMA sponsorship sparked a business idea
🧪 Why cold-pressed hemp is the game-changer in CBD products
🐾 How pets became their biggest product category and why they’re focusing on it in the U.S.
🌱 From B Corp to seed-to-shelf: how Hemp Heros stands out in a crowded market
🇺🇸 The bold move to manufacture in the U.S. and launch with purpose-built packaging
Join me, Ramon Vela, in listening to this inspiring and informative conversation with David Hartigan about passion, perseverance, and premium wellness done right.
For more on Hemp Heros, visit https://hempheros.com/
For more on Blynk, visit https://www.blynkdrinks.com/
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Today’s Sponsors:
Compass Rose Ventures - Advisor for CPG Brands: https://compassroseventures.com/contact/
Compass Rose Ventures can help your CPG brand increase customer lifetime value, expand into the US market, create an omnipresent omnichannel footprint, optimize customer journeys, build brand communities, and more. Visit the link above to learn more.
Augmentum Media - Influencer Marketing for Consumer Brands: https://www.augmentum-media.com/story
What secret do fast-growing Health and Wellness brands like Xtendlife, Nourished, and Hunter & Gather share? They all outsource their influencer marketing to the experts at Augmentum. Augmentum is offering "The Story of a Brand Show" listeners a 30-minute consulting session AND a personalized influencer strategy plan built by their experts for you to implement either with them or in-house. Visit the link above to learn more.
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Therapy Gecko
An unlicensed lizard psychologist travels the universe talking to strangers about absolutely nothing. TO CALL THE GECKO: follow me on https://www.twitch.tv/lyleforever to get a notification for when I am taking calls. I am usually live Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays but lately a lot of other times too. I am a gecko.