Women In Wellness: Libiss Skinner Of Charleston Hemp Collective On The Five Lifestyle Tweaks That Will Help Support People’s Journey Towards Better Wellbeing

Be confident in your decisions.

Today, more than ever, wellness is at the forefront of societal discussions. From mental health to physical well-being, women are making significant strides in bringing about change, introducing innovative solutions, and setting new standards. Despite facing unique challenges, they break barriers, inspire communities, and are reshaping the very definition of health and wellness. In this series called women in wellness we are talking to women doctors, nurses, nutritionists, therapists, fitness trainers, researchers, health experts, coaches, and other wellness professionals to share their stories and insights. As a part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Libiss Skinner.

Libiss Skinner first noticed the effects of CBD a few years ago with her uncontrolled ulcerative colitis diagnosis. With CBD, for the first time in her life, she was living without pain and discomfort. The Skinners wanted to merge their love of relationships and their value of CBD to create the Charleston Hemp Collective. They take pride in working with local farmers and business owners to create a one-of-a-kind experience. Their goal is to grow and support the local economy while helping people deal with the aches and pains of life with CBD.

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Our readers would love to “get to know you” better. Can you share your “backstory” with us?

Myjourney began with my ulcerative colitis diagnosis. When I was diagnosed, my doctor presented me with a grim future: take multiple pills every day for the rest of my life OR take one pill for the rest of my life that costs $2,000 and is not covered by insurance. Not only were both options far from ideal but growing up I was my parent’s caretaker and saw firsthand the effects pharmaceuticals have on people over time. Those being my options, I made peace with the thought of not doing either and just living with the pain.

Not long after this, I had a friend introduce me to CBD & for the first time I was living pain-free. After the realization that I could feel relief by using these hemp-infused products, my husband Matt and I knew we had something big. Not only were we passionate about the product but also this new venture would allow us to get into the field of helping others — something near and dear to my heart. While the beginning was challenging being vulnerable, honest, and brave about my diagnosis, it has allowed me to connect with people and help improve their lives as well.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career? What were the main lessons or takeaways from that story?

I think one thing that will never get old is the customers calling in to talk about how beneficial the Charleston Hemp Collective products are. These calls show us just how much of a difference we are making in people’s lives. Whether it is a mother calling to tell us how our pre-rolls help her mentally ill son from hearing voices or a terminally ill cancer patient using our gummies to aid with her appetite and quality of life, you can see that our products are instrumental in their lives.

It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about a mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

For the first five or so months of beginning the business, I worked every single day in the store because I thought I had to do it all. I remember it being an incredible feeling once I learned that I could lean on my team, and they would come through for me. They wanted to support not only me personally but also the company and most importantly, they wanted to support all our loyal customers.

Let’s jump to our main focus. When it comes to health and wellness, how is the work you are doing helping to make a bigger impact in the world?

We are removing the stigma surrounding the cannabis plant and showing people just how much it can help you. We are changing the narrative that cannabis is a ‘gateway drug’ or just a ‘plant to get you high’ when in reality the plant allows people to function more comfortably and live fuller lives.

Can you share your top five “lifestyle tweaks” that you believe will help support people’s journey towards better wellbeing?

1. What you put in your body is important.

2. Surround yourself with people you want to be around and make you feel your best.

3. Don’t be afraid to be uncomfortable and be brave. Often times, the best things come from it.

4. Listen to other people’s journeys. You can often learn a lot from what other people’s experiences.

5. Be okay with your feelings. They are valid because they are yours and don’t apologize for them.

If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of wellness to the most amount of people, what would that be?

I feel like my purpose and passion surrounding Charleston Hemp Collective and its sister brand, High Rise Beverage Company, is bringing the most wellness to the most amount of people. Being consistent in the quality of our products while also improving when we can will allow the brand to reach more people and in turn, help more people. We want to keep the intention there and the space safe for those who use our products for a multitude of reasons.