Balanced Hustle is launching a monthly panel series for bad-ass entrepreneurial woman who want to connect and meet like-minded people. We’re digging deeper than traditional networking events and connecting a strong community of Boston women. Each week, we will be featuring Boston Bosses in the community and asking the hard questions and getting insights that will help you succeed. This week we’re interviewing Angela Arena, Founder of KindLab.

Angela Arena is a wife, mother, and recovering F50 executive. She pivoted from technology to cannabis after discovering hemp solutions as a remedy to the stressors of corporate life. It took a bout of severe insomnia to convince her that cannabis – both hemp & marijuana – aren’t what we’ve been taught. After doing her own research and self-education, she is dedicated to sharing what she has learned to help other women discover better living through nature.

How many years have you been in business?

Two.

What is the problem you’re solving?

Caregivers, entrepreneurs, athletes, mothers, leaders – women are all these and more. But often, we are guilty of letting our own wellness slip down the priority list. What we’re looking to do at Kind Lab is remind women that you can’t fill from an empty cup. Prioritizing your own wellness is critical.

Kind Lab plant-based solutions are designed to provide relief from demands of modern life. We encourage women to discover better living through nature, and a set higher bar for their own wellness.

Who’s your customer?

Our customers are primarily women who prioritize natural wellness and are looking for solutions to help them feel healthy, calm, energetic, balanced, and beautiful.

Why are you different?

Hemp products are booming, and it seems like you can get them everywhere. We differentiate ourselves through quality, service, and being a purpose-drive brand.

Quality is the care we put into the creation of our products, including third party testing so you can be confident the label reflects the contents.

Service is everything from naming the product lines so they convey the intended effects of the products, to providing guidance and education both in store and on our website so people can be confident in their product decisions.

Purpose is how we deliver on our mission, with non-profit partnerships, promoting other women-owned businesses, and hosting events in store to share the spotlight with other amazing wellness brands & practitioners.

What is your biggest challenge and how did you overcome it?

The cannabis industry is hard. From stigma to tough and ever-changing regulations, every day seems to bring news that requires us to shift or pivot. From being dropped by credit card processors mid-day to shadow bans on Instagram, there’s always an issue requiring response. Persistence and the willingness to adapt are our survival skills.

What is the best piece of business advice you’ve ever received?

If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.

There’s such truth to this. I am a solopreneur, and while I’ve covered a lot of ground on my own, sometimes I think I would have covered it “better” if I’d had a partner to share the journey.

What advice would you give to an inspiring entrepreneur?

Even when you’re doing what you love, being an entrepreneur is hard. Having a support system personally & professionally is key. Learn quickly what you’re good at/like to do and what are high value activities that only you can do, and get help on everything else.

Interested in hearing more from other Boston Bosses? Come to our next Balanced Hustle Event .