Speak and take action into existence.
Adelina Sanchez is a licensed massage therapist and is certified in CBD & the Endocannabinoid System. She is an entrepreneur who started her own business, Leafly Therapy, after her difficult upbringing showed her firsthand the power of medicinal marijuana. She was raised in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, where she took care of her sister who faced disabling medical conditions. They would take her to this “Curandera”, or the Healer, who would use natural remedies to help her sister’s discomfort, and now many years later, Adelina understands that this was cannabis. She has been a licensed massage therapist before even realizing that she could incorporate the relaxing elements of CBD into her business to help her patients who face chronic illness, muscle and nerve ailments, even mental health conditions. Now, Leafly Therapy is the pioneer medical massage spa that specializes in CBD & Cannabis treatment. The hand-made CBD products are created by Adelina herself, and used in each customized session. For more information, you can go to leaflytherapy.com
Leafly Therapy is Chicago’s first Medical Massage Spa to specialize in CBD and Cannabis therapy. Their customized massage techniques, knowledge and hand-made CBD products enhance each session by activating the endocannabinoid system. The CBD in the homemade body butter used in each massage enables maximum relaxation, complete muscle manipulation, and better blood circulation. Leafly Therapy’s treatments alleviate tense and stressed muscles like no other, and are more effective than a traditional massage. For more information, you can go to LeaflyTherapy.com
Where did the idea for Leafly Therapy come from?
I’ve been massaging since the age of 7, my mother never paid me for it though. Being hispanic and growing up in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, I was unknowingly exposed to cannabis at the age of 12. Being the eldest daughter of eight, I inherited the responsibility of caring for my premature baby sister, Jazmin. As part of her therapies we took her to what we call a “curandera”. This holistic healer used these special oils mixed with all types of “flowers” and alcohol to rub my sister. Come to find out, it was alcohol and cannabis leaves she infused just for my Jazmin. So about a year and a half ago, when a client of mine (with extreme Rheumatoid Arthritis) insisted on me using her CBD ointment, every possible light bulb in my mind, LIT! I’ve been licensed for 13 years now. The marijuana prohibition is coming to an end. It only made sense to combine the two!
What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?
Research and networking. As a start-up in the cannabis industry, the restrictions on advertising and the stigma attached to marijuana, I find myself spending a majority of my time researching into the many clinical trials/studies and how I can address these ailments. Emails and Social media marketing is definitely an everyday task. Along with, introducing Leafly Therapy to local businesses and as many people I can reach. In other words, a lot of free work! lol!
How do you bring ideas to life?
I dive into research. I figure out how has it been done, what was done wrong and how can I take it to another level.
What’s one trend that excites you?
Self-awareness. It excites me to see so many more (especially women) of us being aware of our own health and wealth and rights!
What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?
I’m resourceful and comfortable with change.. A survival instinct. Growing up in a one bedroom apartment with 9 other family members, in the slums of Nuevo Laredo, Mexico will make you resourceful and force you to many changes. Which has prepared me for the Cannabis industry.
What advice would you give your younger self?
SPEAK UP… Give because your heart tells you to and expect nothing from no one.
Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.
I can break a few generational cycles of poverty!
As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?
Look in the mirror and introduce yourself, to yourself!
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?
Because my mission is to merge both the massage and cannabis industries to push to the medical forefront, educating has been key for our growth. I LOVE WHAT I DO and what I am learning. Sharing this has been priceless!
What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?
I have, I am having and I am looking forward to many failures. From marketing strategies to approaching other businesses, it has been failure after failure. What has helped overcome many of these failures, is asking what other options did I have. Learning from those mistakes I have been able to take Leafly Therapy to the pioneer level that I have.
What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?
A non for profit Uber for single parents to get to and from home, work and/or school!
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
The best $100 I’ve spent recently was on my first order of CBD oil!
What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive?
Aside from google’s amazing skill to read my mind, I could not do without Canva and PosterMyWall! With social media trending as it does, these two help my posts and marketing much easier, faster and professional!
What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?
Any biography on whoever you look up to or idealize or etc… Read books that will give you example of how these people got successful; but most importantly read books on their upbring, struggles and what kept them going!
What is your favorite quote?
“Find you a girl that reads!” -me
Key Learnings:
- Be actively resourceful
- Invest in you
- Speak and take action into existence
Connect:
Steve (Stefan) Junge hails from Germany and helps with the day-to-day publishing of interviews on IdeaMensch. While he and Mario don’t share a favorite soccer club, their enthusiasm to help entrepreneurs is a shared passion.