Today we’d like to introduce you to Janessa Garcia.
Janessa, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today.
In 2015, I began working in the medical marijuana industry, where I was introduced to CBD. I was so intrigued with all the healing properties CBD contains, especially because my mom has Multiple Sclerosis and my dad has awful psoriatic arthritis. I was always trying to find a way to treat their symptoms as naturally as possible because they were starting to suffer from their medications side effects. That’s when I created Gypsy Magic in 2016.
Gypsy Magic was created for so many different reasons. The biggest motivation was my parents and other motivations included my need to have something that was mine. I had been waiting on tables since I was 14 years old and I knew that I needed something more in my life, something more fulfilling and something that would actually help make a difference in peoples lives.
We’d love to hear more about your work. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I hand make CBD infused bath bombs, body butters, oils, and other bath and body products. There are no chemicals, preservatives or artificial ingredients in any of Gypsy Magic’s offerings.
I’m definitely inspired by nature, all forms of magic and it’s rituals, but mostly I’m inspired by the needs of my customers. Our art here at Gypsy Magic is to heal, so with that being said, every product that is made here in our store is made with intent and love.
Have things improved for artists? What should cities do to empower artists?
I feel that some things have become easier and some things have become harder in recent years for artists. For artists and small business owners like myself, I feel that the support is there from local communities and the appreciation for handmade goods has grown, however, it’s always going to be an uphill battle when you’re going against large corporations.
Personally, I’ve gone through situations where my shelf space has been bought out at retail locations by multi-million dollar companies in the medical marijuana industry. Money definitely talks, and it’s hard to compete when larger companies are slipping $500 in buying managers pockets to encourage them to buy their products. It’s hard and very discouraging to go through these types of things, especially when you work SO hard and put everything you have into your art and your business. I never had any investors or business partners, so I often face these things alone. At the end of the day, I just have to keep my head up and keep moving forward because the universe always has a way of working everything out.
Cities can help artists and small business owners thrive by promoting Small Business Saturdays more than just once a year and by featuring small businesses and artists on local news channels. I think also developing and organizing monthly markets in small neighborhoods where residents can shop locally and support up and coming artists is very important as well.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work?
Gypsy Magic products are available worldwide, and people can shop with us directly either online or visit our retail location in San Diego.
Contact Info:
- Address: 4962 El Cajon Blvd San Diego Ca 92115
- Website: www.gypsymagiccbd.com
- Phone: 619-992-5058
- Email: orders@gypsymagiccbd.com
- Instagram: gypsymagic_bathandbody
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gypsymagiccbd
Image Credit:
Gypsy Magic
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