Today we’d like to introduce you to Joey Jennings.
Hi Joey, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Eight and a half years ago, Voyage Magazine shared my story at a time when I was just beginning my journey into health and wellness. Looking back, it’s amazing to see how much has changed.
My path wasn’t one I planned. In 2003, I suffered a serious snowboarding injury that changed my life. Years of sitting behind a desk in the financial industry, combined with not taking physical therapy seriously and relying on conventional medicine that never seemed to solve the problem, left me in constant physical discomfort and mentally exhausted. Eventually, I reached a point where I knew I had to make a choice. I walked away from everything I had built professionally and dedicated myself to understanding how the body heals and how I could regain my health naturally.
That journey introduced me to CBD, hemp, and a more holistic approach to wellness. It wasn’t just about one product—it was about changing my entire lifestyle. I began spending more time outdoors, moving my body again, eating better, reducing stress, and using plant-based supplements as part of a much bigger picture. Over time, I began to feel like myself again. The physical improvement gave me hope, and the mental clarity gave me the confidence to start over.
That experience inspired me to open Mother Holistic, where I could help others discover products and approaches that had made such a difference in my own life. Every conversation with a customer reminded me why I had started this journey in the first place.
Today, that mission has grown far beyond what I ever imagined. I’m now the co-owner of Brand Formulas, a hemp manufacturing company where we formulate and manufacture products for retailers, entrepreneurs, and brand owners across the United States. Instead of building just my own brand, I now have the opportunity to help others build theirs. Whether someone is launching their very first wellness company or expanding an established business, we help bring their vision to life.
One of the biggest blessings has been realizing that my greatest setback became my greatest opportunity. The injury that once felt like it had taken everything from me ultimately led me to a career that I’m passionate about. I get to wake up every day helping people improve their lives while also helping entrepreneurs pursue their own dreams.
I’m incredibly grateful for where this journey has taken me. Looking back, I can honestly say that the first Voyage Magazine article played a role in that growth. Even today, people still mention that interview when they walk into my store or contact our manufacturing company. It’s a reminder that sharing your story can inspire someone else to take the first step toward changing their own life.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but I wouldn’t change it.
The hemp and CBD industry has presented challenges that most businesses never have to think about. We’ve dealt with banks and lenders that wouldn’t finance us, advertising restrictions that made it difficult to reach customers, merchant processors that didn’t want to work with hemp companies, constantly changing regulations, and even limitations on the words we can use when describing our products.
There were times when it felt like the odds were stacked against us. Building a business in an industry that’s still misunderstood requires a lot of patience, persistence, and faith.
What kept me going was remembering why I started. I wasn’t chasing a trend—I was trying to solve a problem that I personally experienced. I know what it’s like to struggle physically and mentally, and I know how much discovering hemp and adopting a more holistic lifestyle changed my life.
Those obstacles tested my passion, but they also strengthened it. They taught me that if you truly believe in your product, believe in your mission, and genuinely want to help people, you don’t quit when things get difficult. You adapt, you learn, and you keep moving forward.
Today, seeing customers improve their quality of life and helping entrepreneurs launch their own wellness brands reminds me that every obstacle was worth overcoming.
We’ve been impressed with Mother Holistic , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Mother Holistic began as a very personal mission. I wasn’t trying to create another CBD company—I was trying to create the products I wish I had years earlier when I was searching for answers. Every formula we developed was inspired by my own journey toward better physical and mental wellness.
What makes Mother Holistic different is that we don’t chase trends. We focus on simple, natural formulations using quality ingredients that people can trust. Our goal has always been to educate first and sell second. We want customers to understand what they’re putting into their bodies and why.
Since my first Voyage interview, the business has evolved in ways I never imagined. I’m now also the co-owner of Brand Formulas, a hemp manufacturing company that formulates and manufactures products for retailers, health stores, practitioners, and entrepreneurs across the country.
One of the things I’m most proud of is that we’re no longer just building our own brand—we’re helping other people build theirs. Whether someone has an idea for a CBD tincture, gummies, topicals, capsules, pet products, or an entirely new wellness brand, we help turn that vision into reality. Watching other entrepreneurs launch successful businesses is just as rewarding as growing my own.
At the end of the day, my mission hasn’t changed. I want to help people live healthier, happier lives. Sometimes that means helping a customer find the right product at Mother Holistic. Other times it means helping an entrepreneur create a brand that reaches thousands of people. Either way, it’s about making a positive impact, and I feel incredibly blessed that I get to do what I love every day.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Don’t start a business simply because you think it will make money. Start one because you genuinely believe in what you’re doing. Passion is what carries you through the difficult days when nothing seems to be going your way.
Don’t let fear of failure stop you from taking the first step. I spent years wondering if I was making the right decision by leaving a successful career to pursue something completely different. Looking back, taking that risk was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
Surround yourself with people who challenge you, continue learning every day, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. There is no substitute for experience, but there is also no reason to make every mistake yourself.
If you’re entering the hemp or wellness industry, focus on education, transparency, and quality. Build products that you would confidently give to your own family. If you earn people’s trust, they’ll keep coming back.
Most importantly, don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s success. Every entrepreneur has a different timeline. Stay patient, stay consistent, and keep showing up.
One thing I’ve learned over the years is that success isn’t just measured by revenue or the number of products you sell. It’s measured by the lives you impact. If you can help someone feel better, inspire someone to start a business, or give someone hope when they need it most, you’ve already succeeded.
That’s what continues to motivate me every day.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.motherholistic.com/
- Instagram: @motherholistic
- Facebook: @motherholistic
