Mar 26, 2025
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.