Meet Martel Matthews | Cannabis Hemp and Tech Entrepreneur
We had the good fortune of connecting with Martel Matthews and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Martel, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
The Good Feeling Hemp’s team of professionals are the most important factor behind the success of our brand. Each person in our team brings their own unique and qualified expertise. Finding and cultivating the right team atmosphere has allowed us to create operational systems and SOPs that promote open door policy, open communication, and a collaborative environment.
Our team includes Ian Terry (COO), Ronald Denmon (Chief Strategy Officer), Diamond Hopkins (Co-owner), Destiny Love (Creative Director), Stephen Wilson (Graphic Designer), Scott Escobar (Business Operations Manager), Rula Safarrini (Marketing Specialist) and myself, Martel Matthews (CEO).
We are committed to delivering miraculous customer service, trusted 3rd party tested hemp products, and engaging social media content. During the initial launch of Good Feeling Hemp, we created a strategic plan of how to build our brand, how to represent our company’s message, and how to execute the goal behind our mission. We believe that organization and planning is an exercise and standard operating procedure that many start-up brands overlook, however, this can become a costly mistake. Proper planning and preparation prevents poor performance. It is our goal to convey a positive company message regarding the correct way to use cannabis products. We value each new customer that becomes a part of the Good Feeling Hemp family and we are proud that our customers speak highly of the experience they receive.
In 2021, we believe it is important to fuse brand messaging with technology. Customers have become increasingly more tech savvy as millennials and Generation Z customers have entered the consumer market. At Good Feeling Hemp, we are creating a brand that speaks to these needs. We have QR codes on our flyers, labels, and business cards to help streamline customers’ interactions.
Customers want to receive information swiftly and with the least amount of effort, therefore, we focus on communicating our branding message in that manner. Good Feeling Hemp didn’t start as a company, we started as a feeling. That feeling became an inspirational idea. We are an all black owned business here to increase the world’s consciousness about plant-based medicine and the power of the hemp plant. Our goal is to continue creating CBD products that our customers can feel good about!
Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Good Feeling Hemp is a Hemp/CBD company that offers products online, in our office, and at various pop-up shops. We are a phenomenal company and I love everything about the quality of our products and customer service. Now of course I may be biased, because I am the CEO and co-founder. However, our customers love the same things I do!
We offer a wide array of hemp, CBD, & Delta-8 products such as tincture oils, recovery creams, salves, body butter, pre-rolls, loose flowers, gummies, vapes, and bath bombs. We have not only survived, but thrived as a cannabis hemp start-up in Houston, TX. Even with the impact of the Coronavirus and the recent 2021 Texas winter storm, we have been able to continue serving our communities. The success of our growing company is due to our loyal customer base! I love our customers more than they could ever imagine. Many of our customers suffer from anxiety, depression, insomnia, epilepsy, arthritis, joint pain, PTSD, cancer, chronic pain and migraines. Our company has created access for our customers to receive all natural non-GMO plant-based hemp CBD products that work.
Good Feeling Hemp is not your average hemp company. We are an all black owned business, led by millennials, while targeting millennial customers. We created our products for all people, while dedicating our primary target market to a group we call M&M (Millennials & Minorities). This makes our company one of the most unique hemp brands in America, because our internal team directly identifies with our target customers. We know the music they listen to, the social media accounts they follow, and the type of brand that speaks to them. I always say we have learned from the famous business mogul, Daymond John, by taking the FUBU business strategy approach of “For Us by Us!”
Good Feeling Hemp was conceived by millennials and minorities with a mission to bring high quality trusted products to our communities. Our team has created a “One Million Hemp Families” campaign. Our mission for this campaign is to help one million families live a happier and healthier life by providing the highest quality hemp & CBD products.
We are a new company, but we have *BIG DREAMS*. They are starting to come true. Good Feeling Hemp is rapidly becoming the go-to for those who want reliable and trustworthy CBD products that are affordable. Good Feeling Hemp is aiming for the stars and we want to take you along with us (yes, we’re pointing at you E.T.) We want everyone to live a happier and healthier life. After all, doesn’t everyone deserve to enjoy a better quality of life?
Learn more about our exciting brand online at www.goodfeelinghemp.com and follow us on all social media platforms @goodfeelinghemp.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend is visiting for a week, we would hit some of the best restaurants, breweries, and clubs in Houston. Any respectable ambassador of this city would need to balance all Houston has to offer to ensure they can appreciate the rich diversity of Houston’s food and fun (food scene, club scene, etc). On a week long trip, any given day could look something like…
Our Airbnb rental overlooks the Toyota Center where the Rockets play. On a Friday or Saturday morning, we would wake up early like champions to beat the morning rush, arriving just early enough to grab a table at the famous Breakfast Club. The food is so delicious here that long lines are spilling out the door, wrapping around the corner, and stretching down the block. The early bird truly gets the worm when visiting the Breakfast Club, and in a week of partying and memorable experiences with my friend, these early/sunrise moments are seldom guaranteed (or few and far between).
Next, we would hop on the I-10 freeway and head to Top Golf for brunch cocktails and rounds of golf. After our fun golfing entertainment, the Uber takes us to the Marriott Marquis Houston for a dip in their infinity pool and float their Texas shaped lazy river- the largest such rooftop attraction in the world. Casual vibes and tropical drinks occupy our afternoon, all while enjoying sweeping views of Houston.
Once rested, dressed, and reset, we would naturally need to get some well seasoned, finger licking food to fuel the night’s fun. After weighing our options, we may settle on spots like Soul Food Vegan, Spivey’s Famous Bistro, or the Turkey Leg Hut. After all, anyone who lives a Good Feeling lifestyle knows that great food is the start to a legendary night. Houston has some incredible bars, far too many to list, but going with the flow, we explore casual conversation and craft brews, perhaps making a circuit through some favorites such as, 8th Wonder Brewery, Saint Arnold Brewing Company, Walking Stick Brewing Company, and Buffalo Bayou Brewing Company.
After our H-town pub crawl, someone will be hungry again. On some nights we may hit one of my favorite spots such as Day 6 Coffee Co. All of which could match the energy and provide the right mood and setting for our dynamic group. If we are moving fast, then we skip the elegance and ambiance, in favor of quick bites and local flavors, most likely passing through tacos or halal food, to gorge ourselves on food trucks.
For our night time fun, I frequent spaces that have great music, drinks and an overall comfortable vibe. A few of my top picks are Cidercade Houston, Grooves Houston, Space NightClub, Z On23 Rooftop Bar, Amahle Bar & Lounge and Axelrad.
Our dinner before the night club would probably take place at Maggiono’s Little Italy, Steak 48 or Fogo de Chao Brazilian Steakhouse. Full disclosure: all three restaurants’ food is phenomenal, however, they lean towards the expensive price range so we would have a budget set ahead of time to enjoy these lavish meals.
As our epic week comes to a conclusion, we take a drive down I-45 to enjoy beach vibes and the smell of the ocean. On the way to the beach, we make an off road stop at Kemah Boardwalk. While here, we enjoy the fun feeling of being a kid again as we ride roller coasters and eat cotton candy. This would be the perfect cherry on top to cap off our week of exploration and fellowship in the city of Houston.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to spotlight my Co-founder and COO Ian Terry for all of his hard work and dedication to greatness. Ian has gone above and beyond to support Good Feeling Hemp in growing into the company we are today. Starting a new business can be one of the most difficult, yet rewarding endeavors an entrepreneur chooses. From all night work sessions, flying to different states for company events, and structuring organizational systems, Ian has proven himself as an industry professional and great partner.
We have overcome many obstacles, trials and tribulations. We launched our business right before the 2020 Covid-19 Coronavirus outbreak, which completely altered our business model and plans.
One of my favorite quotes that resonates with this past year of our business life states:
“Resilience is accepting your new reality, even if it’s less good than the one you had before. You can fight it, you can do nothing but scream about what you’ve lost, or you can accept that and try to put together something that’s good.” ― Elizabeth Edwards
I respect and value my business partner and friend Ian Terry, because through all of the hurdles, he stayed in the mindset of accepting our sometimes unfavorable reality and putting our minds together to create the best possible outcome. Thank you for all of your hard work and energy, Ian, you are appreciated!
Furthermore, I would like to place a special spotlight on my father, Stanley Matthews. I grew up watching a man work a full time job, run multiple businesses, and take care of our family. As a child, we tend to learn from our role model’s actions or words. My dad has taught me valuable lessons from both. I would not be the man I am today without his honorable values and the righteous leadership he has displayed. Thanks pops for always pushing me to become the greatest version of myself. I love you!
Website: www.goodfeelinghemp.com
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