Today we’d like to introduce you to Haley.
Hi Haley, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My name is Haley Knaub—soon to be Haley Sterling—and I was born and raised in Portland, Maine. Wellness has always played a big role in my life. I was an active kid, training in sports throughout childhood and into college, which instilled a strong work ethic early on.
I earned my bachelor’s degree in business management and marketing and was drawn to startups right out of school. I thrived in the fast-paced environment and appreciated the opportunity to grow quickly through hard work. It also showed me that I had what it took to build something of my own.
That realization led me to entrepreneurship, and over the years, I’ve launched multiple brands in the plant medicine space, including Earth Air Cannabis, Maine Women’s Connection, Driftwood Leaf, and Elevate Mushrooms. Each of these brands reflects my belief in the power of natural medicine and my passion for creating high-quality products. Hard work has always been my edge—it’s what sets me apart and keeps me pushing forward.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Nothing in life—especially business—is a smooth road. One of the biggest challenges is building a company culture that works for everyone. People have different ways of achieving the same goal, and navigating those differences can be tricky. Across all my brands, I focus on creating an open environment where everyone feels heard. That trust helps teams work through challenges together.
Everyone faces bumps in the road, both professionally and personally—the key is to acknowledge them, adapt, and keep moving forward.
We’ve been impressed with I’ve built multiple wellness brands in the plant medicine space, including Elevate Mushrooms, Maine Women’s Connection, Earth Air Cannabis, and Driftwood Leaf., but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Elevate Mushrooms specializes in high-quality functional mushroom products. I like to think of functional mushrooms as nature’s multivitamin—providing simple, effective support for overall wellness. What sets us apart is our commitment to quality. We use 100% fruiting body mushrooms, ensuring the highest potency and best possible benefits.
Beyond Elevate, my other ventures all tie back to plant medicine and wellness. Earth Air Cannabis offers premium cannabis products, Maine Women’s Connection is a community-driven organization supporting female entrepreneurs, and Driftwood Leaf specializes in natural tobacco leaves.
At the core of everything I build is a commitment to quality, innovation, and creating products that genuinely benefit people.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
The Asana app has been a game-changer for organization and project management, helping streamline tasks and keep everything running smoothly. Skool is another great platform for learning from other entrepreneurs, networking, and staying inspired. More broadly, technology has made it easier than ever for small businesses to automate, scale, and compete in ways that weren’t possible before. Leveraging the right tools makes all the difference when growing a brand.
That said, no tool can replace the value of a strong personal support network. Having people in my corner—family, friends, and mentors—keeps me grounded and helps me navigate the inevitable ups and downs of entrepreneurship.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.shopelevatemushrooms.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elevatemushrooms?igsh=bTd2enYxZWkwMXlh
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561444177284
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/haleyknaub
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NebWE3hcFVw
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/haley_knaub/
Image Credits
Headshot by: Vivid Design Studios: Hallie Mitchell
Product photos by: Bon Vivants Creative: Julianna Deschenes