Get Happie: Feel Good About Feeling Good
I had the pleasure of interviewing Meet Pete Olander, the innovator and driving force behind Happie, a wellness cannabis brand that’s changing lives from its base in Wheaton, IL, and operations in Santa Rosa, California. With a rich background in nutrition design for performance athletes, Pete has always been passionate about health and wellness. His journey with Happie began in 2015 when his research into a greens product led him to discover CBD and its potent anti-inflammatory properties.
Despite the stigma surrounding CBD and cannabis at the time, Pete was undeterred. He saw the potential of these natural resources and created Natural Recovery Greens, a revolutionary Greens Powder that resonated positively with customers. But Pete didn’t stop there. Recognizing the need for an accessible way for non-cannabis consumers to try CBD, he set out on a mission to create the best-tasting CBD Seltzer made with all-natural ingredients. And thus, Happie was born.
Happie is more than just a product; it’s a testament to Pete’s commitment to promoting physical and mental happiness. His products have not only improved the well-being of countless individuals but have also provided a healthier alternative for those looking to limit their alcohol consumption.
What motivated you to launch your startup?
The launch of Happie was motivated by my deep desire to make a positive impact on people’s health and well-being. I was drawn to the potential of Hemp CBD as a potent natural remedy that could offer numerous health benefits. My background in the nutrition industry, specifically designing supplements for performance athletes, equipped me with the insights and skills necessary to create an effective and natural product.
The first product I introduced was Natural Recovery Greens — a unique blend of natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant ingredients paired with CBD. Witnessing the positive health effects it had on my customers was truly rewarding and reinforced my motivation to continue developing products that could further enhance their health. This led me to explore solutions aimed at improving mental health because I firmly believe that healthy people are happy people. My ultimate goal is to spread happiness, and Happie is my way of doing that!
What is it that excites you about what you’re building?
What fuels my excitement is the idea of offering a product that transcends the typical cannabis brand narrative. Happie is all about creating a healthier, happier life for our customers through clean, natural remedies. The key element that sets Happie apart is our unwavering attention to detail in everything we do.
Our Happie drinks, for instance, are low in sugar and calories, and they’re crafted with organic and environmentally friendly sourced ingredients that are proven beneficial for health. We source our ingredients from a California farm that utilizes living soil farming techniques, ensuring the purest flower possible. This commitment to quality allows us to deliver on our promise to provide a consistently enjoyable experience to our customers.
But the excitement doesn’t stop at our products. One of the most rewarding aspects of building Happie is the opportunities I’ve been able to provide for my team. Seeing them grow and evolve as we navigate the challenges of startup life together is truly gratifying.
What has been your biggest challenge when growing your startup?
Every founder’s journey is paved with obstacles, and mine has been no different. At Happie, we’ve faced our fair share of challenges, each one teaching us invaluable lessons and pushing us to innovate and adapt.
Our first major hurdle came when the COVID-19 pandemic hit just as we had launched our initial production line. We were on the verge of securing a deal with a national distributor when the world came to a standstill. It felt like the universe had pulled the rug from under our feet. Instead of letting this setback halt our momentum, we pivoted our strategy toward e-commerce, partnering with Amazon to reach our customers. In just four months, we received over 150 glowing reviews from happy customers — an affirmation that we were on the right path.
However, the ever-changing landscape of e-commerce presented us with another challenge — the ambiguity surrounding hemp cannabinoids on Amazon’s platform. Despite operating within their guidelines, the grey area led us to exit the platform temporarily. This roadblock pushed us to explore the fully regulated California market, an arena fraught with its own challenges such as compliance, taxation, and intense competition.
Undeterred, we decided to build our brand through the community of legacy farmers and operators, expanding our product line into a full range of cannabis offerings. We leveraged events like Hall of Flowers to spread the word about Happie and supported retailers through events and partnerships, driving customer traffic to their stores.
Yet, the most significant challenge — and perhaps the most rewarding — has been building the right team. Finding individuals who not only understand Happie’s vision but are also motivated to execute our growth plan has been a journey in itself. I’m incredibly grateful for the team we’ve built and the partnerships we’ve cultivated. They’re the lifeblood of Happie, and it’s their dedication that propels us forward.
At Happie, we believe in turning challenges into opportunities. Each hurdle we’ve faced has only strengthened our resolve and deepened our commitment to creating a healthier, happier world.
What are your future plans for your startup?
As we continue to grow, my vision for Happie is to create an ecosystem of wellness that goes far beyond our current offerings. I want to continue developing products that fuse plant medicine and nutritional additives, helping our customers unlock their full potential and feel their best every day. But Happie’s mission isn’t limited to product development. I’ve always dreamed of making a tangible impact on our community, and we’re doing just that by actively supporting military veterans through the Weed for Warriors organization.
Looking ahead, I envision Happie evolving into a comprehensive wellness retreat — a sanctuary where individuals can benefit from a multitude of services like nutritional consulting, yoga, meditation, body work, and counseling.
Achieving these ambitious goals won’t be easy, but I believe in the power of collaboration. We plan to leverage our existing partnerships and forge new ones, harnessing collective expertise and resources to bring our vision to life.
Moreover, we’re ramping up our marketing initiatives to broaden our reach and communicate our unique approach to health and wellness. We want to educate our customers about the possibilities of plant-based wellness and provide them with healthier alternatives to achieve optimal health. Happie is a journey — a journey toward feeling good about feeling good. And we invite you to embark on this journey with us.
If you had to share, “words of wisdom,” with a Founder who’s about to start their own startup, what would they be?
You will have sleepless nights, times when you question yourself, and it will change your perspective on everything. But if you can handle the challenge, it can be very rewarding to bring your idea to life.
For those that are ready to start the Entrepreneurial Journey;
- Always remember why you started. For me, it was a passion for health and wellness and a deep desire to help people feel good about feeling good. There will be tough times, but keeping your motivation front and center can help you navigate the stormiest seas.
- Understand that it will likely take more capital than you plan. Starting a business is a financial commitment. Be prepared for unexpected costs and plan your finances carefully.
- Expect that it will take more time than you anticipate. Building a successful company doesn’t happen overnight. It requires patience, persistence, and resilience.
- Don’t rush the process — trust in it. Don’t hesitate to ask for help. However, remember to depend on what you can control. You’ll encounter challenges that you can’t solve alone, and that’s okay. Reach out to your network, seek advice, but ultimately, the decision-making power and ability to make it happen lies with you.
- Stay true to your vision. Your brand should reflect your values and mission. Happie was born out of the belief that happy people are healthy people, and everything we do aligns with this guiding principle.
Lastly, focus on building genuine relationships, not just networks. The partnerships we’ve cultivated at Happie have been instrumental in our growth and success.
Remember, starting a business is a journey, not a destination. Cherish the process, learn from your experiences & failures, and keep pushing forward. And most importantly, never forget to take care of your physical and mental health; this journey will test you daily.
How can our readers follow you on social media?
To learn more about Pete Olander, Happie, and our commitment to promoting wellness, visit our website at https://www.drinkhappie.com/ or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Join us in our mission to feel good about feeling good!
This was very insightful. Thank you so much for joining us!
