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Yesenia Garcia, cofounder of the holistic wellness startup Feelz, is a lifelong believer in the benefits of plant-based medicine for holistic health. “Growing up, I was surrounded by cosimientos—traditional home remedies my mother would prepare for every ailment,” she recalls.
Her knowledge and passion for natural treatments brought her to the medical cannabis space while her entrepreneurial spirit taught her to thrive in professional situations where she could build businesses from the ground up. After a while, she was ready to bring a wellness product of her own to market. “It was a now-or-never type of feeling,” she says of the decision.
Feelz offers a selection of gummies designed to boost moods, improve sleep, or enhance mental clarity. The gummies are made from natural ingredients like kanna, functional mushrooms, botanicals, and fruits.
Garcia spoke with Hispanic Executive about Feelz’s mission, the benefits of kanna, and her transparent approach to educating and engaging customers.
How did your experiences in the medical cannabis space inspire you to cofound Feelz?
The cannabis industry taught me that plant medicine transcends demographics. The industry highlights a shared desire for natural wellness solutions. With Feelz, I wanted to expand access to plant-based remedies beyond the restrictions around cannabis. Our products—Focused Energy, Serene Slumber, and Pure Bliss—provide the benefits of functional mushrooms and kanna in a travel-friendly, worry-free format. The goal was to create something versatile, effective, and approachable for anyone seeking holistic wellness.
As a Latina in the wellness industry, are have your cultural identity and values influenced your leadership style and how you approach challenges?
Rather than seeing challenges as barriers, I’ve embraced my identity as a Latina as a strength. It allows me to stand confidently behind a quality product that I’m proud of as well as highlighting Feelz as a female-founded company with diversity from conception.
My leadership style is deeply rooted in community, as success is never a solo journey. I believe in uplifting others, fostering collaboration, and building a supportive environment that mirrors the collective strength of my cultural background.
“The goal was to create something versatile, effective, and approachable for anyone seeking holistic wellness.”
Yesenia Garcia
Wellness means different things to different people. How does Feelz define and approach it in a way that resonates with today’s diverse consumer base?
At Feelz, wellness is all about the “Feel Good” journey. Our products are designed to fit seamlessly into diverse lifestyles, transcending age, gender, and background. By harnessing the power of kanna across all our products, we provide a natural, approachable way to support individuals in living their best lives—whether that means boosting focus, finding calm, or getting a restful night’s sleep.
Tell me about kanna, your foundational ingredient. What strategies have been most effective when introducing something so unfamiliar to many people and building trust around your products?
Kanna is rich in mesembrine, a compound with mood-enhancing and cognitive benefits. Mesembrine boosts serotonin, improving mood, and inhibits PDE4 (which is linked to memory, mood stability, and inflammation). Our kanna extracts are meticulously crafted, with an alkaloid level of 5 percent extract verses the industry standard of .4 percent.
Introducing kanna has been an exciting challenge. Some consumers initially think it’s a playful twist on the word “cannabis,” which opens the door for education. We focus on transparency, emphasizing the potency and purity of our extracts, rather than just dosage in milligrams. As interest in novel plant-based ingredients grows, we’re excited to be pioneers in this space, sharing the benefits of kanna with a curious and health-conscious audience.
“We focus on transparency, emphasizing the potency and purity of our extracts, rather than just dosage in milligrams.”
Yesenia Garcia
What’s your long-term vision for Feelz?
Our vision for Feelz is to become an accessible, go-to brand for mood-enhancing products across multiple categories. While we’re still in the early stages, we’re grateful for the support of our customers and retail partners. Exciting expansions are on the horizon. Cheers to a bright future!
And finally, what advice would you give to other Latinas or aspiring entrepreneurs looking to break into the wellness space or start their own business?
Do your research, seek out mentors, and connect with others in the industry. If you believe in your idea, take the leap and bet on yourself and your vision. The journey is worth it.
