Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Nurit Raphael, owner, and founder of ONA.Life, located in Marin County, CA, USA.

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

ONA is a boutique cannabis concierge established to deliver the highest grade quality strains, edibles + cannabis methods to suit your needs. ONA customers are everyone! Anyone who needs help sleeping, relaxing, unwinding, pain management, or may need to just giggle a little more.

Tell us about yourself

In 2014, I took a leap of faith and left a career in VFX Post Production to enter the cannabis industry. I've never looked back and couldn't be more proud of what I've created. My vision for ONA started similar to how Sarah Blakey started Spanx. I created ONA around my own personal needs. I wanted a cannabis experience that wasn't available, so I created it. The ONA experience is filled with education on each product available, and the products available are fashion-forward in branding, which complements my lifestyle. The mission was to bring cannabis to the mainstream and to eliminate the "stoner" stereotype. I can proudly say we are accomplishing that today!

My motivation comes from my love + passion for cannabis but mainly from helping all of our clients and hearing everyone's success stories. The industry can be so tricky, but when you believe in something so deeply, it comes naturally.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment was receiving our state + local licenses in order to operate legally. The application process to receive a license is very competitive and tiresome. I worked on getting approved for over three years, ONA was approved in 2018. Today ONA has won multiple awards from local newspapers and magazines.

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

Being a business owner means you never clock out, the job never ends. Being a legal cannabis company,  learning the never-ending shifting regulations make every day a new roller coaster.

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

  1. Just rip the band aid off and start. There will always be 100 reasons why not to start or if something doesn't look "perfect," but starting is the best part, and you can edit as you go.
  2. Remember - One day at a time.
  3. Check in's with your staff + team meetings, having everyone on the same page pays dividends when unforeseen obstacles appear.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

I believe our superpower is our intuition - listen to yourself. Your inner voice and intuitions will help guide you.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.ona.life/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onalife.medical/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ona.life/

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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