SIMPLY BETTER
In 2020, as many as one-third of American adults reported using CBD products. A relatively new industry and wIth several factors clouding the endless positive aspects of hemp derived wellness products, we wanted an update from a reliable source as some feel it’s going up in smoke. For instance, if you’ve been to any city big or small, marijuana perfumes the air and kids seem to be going from the pacifier to the vape stick. Knowing so many people rely on this natural remedy to treat chronic pain, sleep disorders and more, we sat down with Simply CBD’s Aaron VanHauter to discuss how his world of natural remedies is evolving daily to help those facing medical issues and wondering if hemp is right for them. Holding himself to the highest standard, Aaron considers himself an advocate for this industry and shares how he stays above the fray.
By Hayley Hill
Most can recall when CBD burst onto the health and wellness scene a few years ago. Having heard of its beneficial qualities, Aaron VanHauter sought to learn everything he could about this new industry. Now in business for five years, Simply CBD has become Daphne’s go-to holistic wellness shop and Aaron has certainly witnessed the good, the bad, and the ugly when a new product promises such great earning potential.
As the owner and operator, Aaron is a continuous learner and has become an expert in all things hemp and beyond that works closely with his clients to find a natural solution for a long list of ailments that can be challenging to treat. Considering the sheer magnitude of the nation’s prescription pill addiction issues, countless people are seeking less frightening options. And having helped countless people manage a range of symptoms from chronic pain and inflammation to insomnia and anxiety, the hemp industry has grown to an annual $6.4 billion business in the U.S. alone.
On the flip side, the industry is being tarnished as we find ourselves in a youth vaping crisis that makes billions of dollars annually with products boasting flavors like Fruit Loops and bubble gum and cartridges filled with harmful chemicals such as formaldehyde, pesticides, and worse. Throw in the fact that countless shops have popped up to make a quick buck without any real care or knowledge about the products they sell or how they should be taken and it certainly clouds the air. If you’re of a certain age, you can easily recall those shops that sold everything from tobacco products to drug paraphernalia as well as slews of t-shirts with party life meets slang dujour sayings. Still around, many sell subpar hemp-based products today. However, CBD is not quite as simple as popping a pill and taking a stab at getting it right on a website has led to many people calling it snakeoil, too.
Boil all this down and you start to realize it’s the wild, wild west out there. Striving to be the best, Aaron is dedicated to sourcing the most thoroughly tested and purest products available and he goes to great lengths to get them. “When we opened, our mission was to set ourselves apart from other stores by having superior knowledge and products. All of our products come from FDA compliant labs and are independently tested. What makes us different is most stores will sell things they don’t understand and that come from China or Europe where they have absolutely no regulations,” he tells us.
As to what’s happening, Aaron shares, “People are right to be concerned about trying CBD and hemp derived products. It’s very important to go to a store that understands their products, knows how they should be used, and only sells the highest quality. Without understanding the products, people may inadvertently get something that is not right for them and that doesn’t help them. From there, they believe that all the products won’t help when in actuality the right product paired with the right symptom works wonderfully!”
Addressing the vaping crisis, Aaron explains, “There’s been a lot of information coming out about the sales of vape and edibles to minors. At Simply CBD we only sell to those 21 and up. Also, everyone that purchases anything in the store gets a lesson on how to use it, what to expect, and what not to expect. Through learning about what ails our customers and then educating them about what can help enables us to ensure results. This also allows the customer to have a granular understanding of what they’re using and why they’re using it.”
From the start, Aaron wanted Simply CBD to feel like a spa to appeal to a high end clientele, especially women since they are often the caretaker of multiple generations. With cool greens, white and natural wood surfaces, guests enjoy the space and feel relaxed. “Our store offers a spa-like boutique experience. It’s super clean and void of products that don’t relate to wellness. Also, we attend industry conferences and each staff member is vigorously trained and well-informed on not only the products we offer, but the large range of symptoms hemp can help. We understand its new territory for many and we pride ourselves on being welcoming and informative. Unfortunately, not all stores provide the same experience,” Aaron adds.
Getting to the symptoms, Aaron continues, “We offer a variety of products that help people with sleep, anxiety, chronic pain, inflammation, sports recovery, mood, memory, and many other cognitive functions in addition to various medical conditions. Our clients include cancer survivors to those struggling with muscular dystrophy and everything in between. We can even provide customized products. The results we’ve witnessed have been tremendous. We receive countless referrals from physicians, chiropractors, veterinarians, physician assistants, and the list goes on.” Clearly a “buyer beware” situation, this is why it’s so important to choose a reputable and caring provider such as Aaron and his team.
As the industry works to sort out the good from the bad, it’s Aaron’s hope that the negative elements don’t erase all the positives. “If you know someone with Parkinson’s disease or perhaps have a loved one living with chronic pain or anxiety, you more than likely understand the many challenges that come with finding natural treatments that work and are not addictive. For these reasons, we can’t underestimate the importance of educating the population as a whole so everyone comes to understand the many positive aspects of hemp. Interestingly, as we learn more about the lack of oversight there is regarding the food, medicine and vitamins we ingest, it’s vital to get to know local providers and find trusted sources for everything. And as a trusted source in this community that knows everything about each ingredient and where it’s from and also ensures all products are tested for purity and safety, I sleep well at night. It’s truly that simple.”
Simply CBD
2005 US-98, Daphne, AL 36526
251.586.8890
