Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Eduardo Granados, Founder and CEO of Herbal Society, located in North Miami, FL, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Herbal Society is an American Hemp Company that strives to be inclusive! We know how expensive Medical Marijuana and other Hemp Companies can be, so we aim to get these natural therapeutics into the hands of anyone who needs them! We go as far as to help those who are struggling financially - and offer them Compassionate Programs that make our products even more affordable. We also have programs to help First Responders, Teachers, and Military Personnel. Our customers are from all walks of life, but we mainly serve older folks (and younger people who are ill) who suffer from various ailments. Even if you are not struggling financially or don't qualify for a compassionate program on our site, we run daily flash sales and promotions that make our products affordable and inclusive to all.

Tell us about yourself

I have spent 6+ years working for different Medical Marijuana companies in Florida... my experiences have included: working at a lab, working at a marijuana farm, and being a Patient Care Consultant (helping patients make the right purchasing decisions for their Medical Marijuana). Cannabis and all the science behind it have grabbed my interest for nearly a decade. Deep down, I am a nerd who loves helping people, and with Cannabis, I found a way to use all my cultivated knowledge to educate people on this natural therapeutic. I discovered my love of helping people when I was guiding them as a Patient Care Consultant -- people came to me and expressed all sorts of ailments ranging from physical pain to depression... many times, they came to me because conventional medicine failed them, and they were on their last hope... and many times I was able to help them and give them back hope. Whenever I got a call back from them, or they came back to the store and would tell me their ailments were diminishing -- it would make me feel so happy and accomplished.

To this day, now that I own Herbal Society -- my customers email me (new and old) and rely on my knowledge to help them make the right decisions. I spend a few hours every day answering questions, and I absolutely love it. I view every inquiry as an Urgent Matter and do my best to educate. And each time that I do, and I get told that my recommendations helped them, it's another reminder of why I Founded Herbal Society. I am motivated by being of service to others and learning more about cannabinoid medicine, and formulating new and unique products.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner was overcoming my biggest enemy - MYSELF! I came from an impoverished background and had a troubled past, especially as a teenager. Long story short, I dropped out of high school and struggled for a bit afterward. Looking back at things, I probably could've started a company way earlier, but sometimes that little voice in your head tells you that you're not good enough or fills you with doubt.

This is no longer the case, and I've eliminated those negative influences within me, but it took a lot of time and self-observation. But once I realized this and changed my thinking to be more positive and truly believed in myself - it was as if the world opened up like a pearl inside a clamshell.

The Medical Marijuana Industry helped me see where my true talents were being held, and finding this passion is what motivated me to learn more, ask more questions, and take the risk of starting a Herbal Society.
I went from working for someone else to working for myself. My company is now busy days, and this very simple form of success is my biggest accomplishment since it's a reminder every day that I succeeded in lifting this company from the ground and into the sky. Sometimes I still can't believe it, and I am always grateful for what I have and have accomplished.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

Being patient. I see far too many fellow business owners around my age (I am a millennial) prematurely quit because they weren't profiting the big bucks - even though the company was only like 1 or 2 years old. In this age of convenience and instant gratification, everyone wants it NOW! Including in business, but that's not realistic. The reality is that it will take you many years, blood, and sweat to achieve success, and you have to be ready to be calm, cool, and patient during those hardships. Otherwise, you will fail, not because your business sucks, but because you weren't patient.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Believe in yourself! Don't look for validation outside of you because most people won't understand your vision and might put you down. This is toxic. Only YOU know YOU, and only YOU truly know what you are capable of. Shut out the naysayers and just start your business!
  2. Be patient. Rome wasn't built in a day. You will likely spend a few years losing money and eating ramen, but if you stay the course, you will one day be rewarded.
  3. Take your online presence seriously. Don't just put up any cheap website; work on quality, and begin researching SEO strategies for your site < --- this will help you build organic traffic to your site based on keywords people search for. 96% of Herbal Society sales come directly from Google Keyword traffic.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.herbalsociety.shop/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/herbalsociety305
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herbalsociety.305/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HerbalSociety_
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eduardo-herbalsociety/

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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