Angela Arena

Angela Arena is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Kind Lab, a plant-based radical

Wellness company with a mission to empower Women by putting their wellness first so that they can cultivate the

lives they deserve. Stressed out to the point of insomnia and crumbling under the demands of being a business executive,

mother, wife, and caregiver, Angela spent her nights imagining horrific things that may or may not happen with no respite. Angela

tried everything from NyQuil to wine, all leaving her with a headache and fuzzy head in the morning at best.

Angela wouldn't ask for help because she felt like she was complaining and knew her doctor would

just prescribe pills that she didn't want to take. A friend finally convinced Angela to try cannabis. Angela had the best

night's sleep-in months and was clear-headed and focused the next day. That experience was a huge life turn for Angela.

She's since educated herself on the science behind cannabis and worked to create solutions for other

problems – from pain to anxiety – with hemp extract and other plant-based ingredients. Those creations are

what Angela offers through Kind Lab. Angela hopes they enhance your wellness as they

have for her and her family. 

A Q&A with Angela Arena the Founder and CEO of Kind Lab

BD Mag - Can you tell us about Kind Lab, what it's all about and what makes it stand out?

Kind Lab is a plant-based radical wellness company.

We have developed potent and powerful natural solutions that work with and for a woman’s body.

Our products are formulated with quality, ethically sourced, CBD-rich hemp extract and plant-based ingredients that balance her mind and body amidst the chaos of life and enable her to take control of her health.

Developed over two years with & from direct customer feedback, our products are intentionally designed to provide women the energy, rest, recovery, nourishment, and comfort she needs to feel her best.

Our for women, by women solutions, are created to support the health & wellness of the 45+-year-old woman, and we empower her to prioritize her wellness first.

BD Mag - Why did you start your own business, and what hurdles have you faced?

The hemp industry is not easy. Confusion between hemp & marijuana, the heavy stigma, the scheduling of marijuana & THC, and ongoing prohibition in the US means many gray areas. I’ve run into issues — web hosting, opening a bank account, credit card processing, use of accounting applications, access to loans & funding — that never come on the radar of industry businesses.

BD Mag - What goals do you have, and where do you see yourself in the future?

My goal is to keep working to break the stigma behind cannabis so it’s wellness benefits can be accessible to more women. In the future, I hope to be seen as a woman who brought useful & practical cannabis products to the market that elevated the quality of life for women.

BD Mag - Which business professionals do you look up to in business and why?

The people who’ve been fighting the good fight against prohibition & the failed war on drugs enabled me to be working & thriving in this industry. It was them, the “those people” — people like Mary Jane Rathbun & Jack Herer — who we were taught to look down on when we were instructed to say “no” to drugs. But they persevered, and now so many people have access to cannabis for health & wellness, and we’re on our way to federal legalization.

BD Mag - If you were to die one year from now, what would you want to be remembered for?

Helping to end stigmas around cannabis and women’s health. These topics are taboo, and there’s a lack of correct information and healthcare focus. I’d like women to remember me as someone who opened the door to them as cannabis for wellness and made them know they are not alone in their 40+ age wellness struggles.

BD Mag - Have you ever faced difficult times, and what did you do to overcome them?

Right when the PPP loans opened up in 2020, I got a call from my bank that they had to shut down my account. Somehow, a transaction was flagged as being directly marijuana-related, and I had seven days to find a hemp-friendly bank & open a new account in the height of the pandemic. My first choice was to implode completely, but I helped it together long enough to create a plan of action, reach out to my network, and solve the problem. Just keep swimming.

BD Mag - Which Successful entrepreneurs do you look up to most in business?

I am just wrapping up the BeyondSKU accelerator program and had the opportunity to work with some incredible women trailblazers in cannabis & consumer packaged goods — like Margie Adelman from NutraCea/RiceBran Technologies and Autumn Bree from Manitoba Harvest. They went into industries with no apologies & incredible creativity and made significant impacts on how we view & consume those products today.

BD Mag - Which business, marketing, or self-help books do you recommend and why?

Derek Sivers’ “Anything You Want” is a quick read & available on Audible and does a great job describing how to create a company that employees & customers love. Then watch his TED Talk “How to Start a Movement” for a 3-minute crash course on how to generate customer engagement.

BD Mag - Did your upbringing play a part in your success, and how so?

I grew up in a family of 5 girls and am fortunate that all the sisters are still very close today. My mother always imparted to us that we could do and be whatever we wanted. And sharing experiences across all of us makes me so aware of the challenges women face — social, legal/regulatory, healthcare — and motivates me to imagine & create a better future for girls & women.

BD Mag - What's the best advice you could give to any aspiring entrepreneur?

There’s a saying in tech: if you wait until you’re happy with your product to launch, you waited too long. My advice is — go for it. You can always start making progress towards that dream product or service in small ways: starting a blog, getting social spooled up, doing R&D in your kitchen. Every step, even small ones, will do more to get you towards your goal than waiting for the elusive perfect moment.

BD Mag - What legacy will you leave to the world?

That women over 45+ feel seen and heard, understand the importance of prioritizing their health & happiness first, and that natural solutions are both practical and accessible to elevate their quality of life.

Keep up to date with Angela and Kind Lab on social media;
Website -  https://kindlab.co/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kindlab_co/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/KindLab/
Pinterest -  https://www.pinterest.com/kindlab