Liz Merritt
President Healthy Roots Hemp
What inspired you to start your business?
In 2015, I lost my mom to liver disease and the extreme pain management program the doctors had her on. She had no pain management alternative, fearing that if she used cannabis she would lose her insurance and medication. Losing my mom was a life-changing experience for me, and it became my life's purpose to help others not suffer the same pain as my mom. That's how Healthy Roots Hemp was born.
What challenges have you faced as a woman entrepreneur and how did you overcome them?
Being a woman in a male dominated industry is a big hurdle for me. Underestimated and un-valued is a challenge for me. I continue to have a positive outlook on my career and knowing that God put me here for a reason is simply enough reason to keep pushing through.
What advice would you give to other women entrepreneurs?
Stay true to yourself. Don't pretend to be something you’re not. At the end of the day we all want to be successful. Don’t chase money, fortune or fame.
What three traits define you?
Hard working is an understatement for me. Ever since I was a teenager, I always had a job and provided for my family. Grind is my middle name. Honesty is something I value in all aspects of life. You can't go through life expecting to be told the truth if you don't speak it. I have a HUGE HEART for people! Compassion is something our world lacks. My heart is to give every customer the same attention as I would my children. My consumers are either riddled in pain or have some kind of life changing condition. Nothing is more satisfying knowing that I am changing lives one at a time.
What women inspire you?
Women that value themselves, speak life into each other, raise their sisters up not break them down. I don’t have a lot of women in my life, my mother was my everything.
How has being a WBENC-Certified WBE helped your business?
It is a huge accomplishment to be certified women-owned. I was nominated for the growth in excellence award. I want to keep digging into the great perks of being certified.
What do you see as the coolest or most important trend in your industry?
CBD is the hottest trend on the market! It is estimated to grow over 20 billion by 2024. Western medicine has failed us Americans and families are starting to look into natural alternatives. I am honored to be apart of this industry, Healthy Roots will still be standing strong when all the dust settles.
As a business owner, what keeps you up at night?
Operating in an unregulated industry is so stressful. There is no clear path on where the regulations are going. If you don’t have the capitol to grow your company, it can leave you behind or out of business. Healthy Roots has grown by word of mouth and testimony. I am just waiting for that one contract or invoice to take us to the next level. Been waiting for three years now!
What are the biggest obstacles you see for young female entrepreneurs?
Being a female and running a business is very stressful, but my biggest obstacles come from the industry that I am in. Sometimes I wonder what I was thinking, until I hear stories of how my products have impacted someone or a pet in a positive way.
What do you love about being a business owner?
The stories are what keeps me going!! Grandma had tremors so bad she couldn't wear makeup. Since she is on our product, she can apply mascara again. Family got 15 more months out of their cancerous dog, his quality of life was improved by 100%. My aunt is hepatitis C free, now explain that!!! Father in law had stage 4 cancer and is completely cancer free!
What’s the hardest part about being a business owner?
As an entrepreneur, especially in this demanding industry, I have many opportunities. Marketing and advertising is a huge part of growing your company. The hardest part of being a business owner is not having the funds to grow my business.
How do you define success?
When you can wake up everyday and love what you do, and you’re helping your community in a positive way, you are SUCCESSFUL! Money doesn't last forever.
What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever received?
Put God first in everything you do, give him the glory and the rest will come.
What’s your favorite career moment?
Finding a building that would allow us the manufacture our hemp products. Since a lot of folks are still uneducated about the difference between cannabis and hemp, it's onward battle to find a building to lease. Auditioning for Shark Tank was a rush.
If you didn’t have to sleep, what would you do with the extra time?
Spend time with my two beautiful boys.
What’s the best way to start your day?
Yoga, devotional and coffee with my bunny.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a waitress. That is just what I did! 16 years of serving people. You never know where your customer is mentally. They could just come from funeral or anniversary. I enjoyed serving people from all walks of life.
Fill in the blank:
When I face a challenge, I... call my best friend Chelsea.
If I could go back in time, I would tell myself… you are meant for so much more than this.
The one thing I couldn’t live without is… my family.
By this time next year, I will be… president of a million dollar company.
The best thing that happened to me last week was… out of over 1,000 different CBD brands KEHE picked us to come and pitch our company to a panel of judges.
To get my creative juices flowing, I… listen to my Jesus music and cook some dinner. The ideas just come to me!
Healthy Roots Hemp
Healthy Roots Hemp provides hemp-derived CBD infused products that are made to improve health, assist in pain management, and enhance day to day life.