Meet Kelsey Kennedy, an Entreprenista passionate about incorporating CBD-based wellness into your daily routine with Blossom & Stone

When Kelsey Kennedy wanted to treat her anxiety, she decided to try CBD instead of going down the pharmaceutical route and never looked back. Now former fitness instructor Kelsey is passionate about incorporating CBD as well as the power of crystals into your everyday routine to help improve mental and physical health through her company Blossom and Stone.

Describe your business in a few words?

Blossom & Stone is a small batch CBD line that combines the time tested powers of flowers and crystals to bring relief to your daily routine.

What made you take the leap to start your own business?

I opened a boutique barre studio in LA  back in 2012 with my best friend. The first few years we did very very well. Then in 2017 we took a bit of a hit with the rise in online fitness. At that time I started to develop some anxiety. Instead of going the pharmaceutical route, I wanted to work with an all natural product. A friend introduced me to CBD and I was immediately hooked. Pretty soon after I started learning about crystal healing and just thought the 2 were so compatible. I’ve always loved helping people feel their best and wanted to create a product to help others feel at ease and grounded in their daily lives...

What was your background prior to starting your own business?

I came to LA to be an actress (shocker), but after a few years I fell out of love with the industry. I continued to work in other areas of the industry until a friend of mine introduced me to the Bar Method. Not only was the workout great, but the community was amazingly supportive and kind. I fell in love and became an instructor in 2009. Then I got my best friend hooked and we eventually opened our own studio in the Silver Lake neighborhood in 2012. Just this January we decided to rebrand and reopen as a more holistic space, called Chrysalis Fitness + Wellness.

Did you always know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?

Oh god no! I thought I was going to be a famous actress! Owning a business was never on my radar. But something I’ve always loved is connecting people and creating community, and that is what a small business owner is. A community creator.

Take us back to when you first launched your business, what was your marketing strategy to get the word out and did it go as planned?

With our small budget, it’s always been about word of mouth and getting the product into people’s hand.

We always learn the most from our mistakes, share a time with us that you made a mistake or had a challenging time in business and what you learned from it?

If someone were to tell me back at the beginning of last year that we’d still be in a pandemic, I would have probably decided not to launch in April 2020. Looking back the timing was not ideal. But working through this crazy time has built up so much resilience and pride in my product and myself. I’m not sure I would feel so passionately about Blossom & Stone if it had been easy.

What is the accomplishment you are the most proud of to date?

Without a doubt our Content Creator program. In Fall 2020 we started a 6-month program designed to support & amplify the voices of BIPOC and LGBTQ+ writers, photographers, and content creators with under 20k followers.

When hiring for your team, what is your go-to interview question? Please share any hiring tips you can share from your experience?

I like to ask people to tell me about their favorite trip. I have no idea why I started doing this, but it’s stuck with me.

How has your business or industry been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic?

Since we launched in April of last year, all we know is being in the pandemic. It’s been a struggle to get our footing but I’m beginning to see the light at the end of this crazy tunnel. I’d love to expand the line to other self care products and hopefully by next year we will be working on  a skincare line

What's next for your business? What can we expect to see over the next few years?

I’d love to expand the line to other self care products and hopefully by next year we will be working on  a skincare line

What is the biggest lesson you have learned in 2020?

I learned so much from last year, but I’d say that the biggest lesson is to trust the process and the journey. Surrender to the possibility that it will all work out vs forcing it.

What do you know now that you wish you knew when you were first starting your business?

That the CBD business is a lot more complicated than it may seem. There are a lot of rules and red tape that I had no idea about. 

How have you managed to stay grounded this year?

I do my best to take some time outside in nature every day. Whether it’s on a hike, a trip to the beach, or just sitting outside on my deck. Even putting my feet in the grass for 5 minutes makes a world of difference to bring me back the present.

Do you believe in work/life balance? What are some of your best tips?

Absolutely! I think my biggest tip to create work/life balance is to put yourself first everyday. Each morning before I look at my emails or even the gram I do a morning ritual for my well being. It always includes meditation, gratitude journaling and some sort of stretch. Then depending on the day and if I have time, I add other elements. But no matter what, I always give myself at least 15 minutes. It sets the tone for the rest of the day and creates less resistance or resentment towards the work that needs to be done.

What's something our audience would be surprised to learn about you?

I love raccoons almost as much as murder documentaries ;)

What are your top 3 tips to stay productive each day?

Get organized. I personally like to do different aspects of running my business on different days - Meetings on one day, content creating another, etc. Then I break each day down into 2-3 hour work blocks to make it more digestible.

Take breaks! It’s so important to give yourself some grace and get away from work a few times during your work day. Stretch. Get outside in nature. Watch an episode of mindless tv. Whatever allows you a break so you can reset.

HYDRATE :)

What does being an Entreprenista mean to you?

To me being an Enterprenista means honoring your feminine power and instinct to lead in business with passion, intention and integrity.