Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Meredith Barnett. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Meredith thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.
Our company’s journey began with a pivot. For years, we ran a hydroponic farm growing lettuce, but in 2019, we made the strategic decision to transition into hemp. This shift was sparked by a unique opportunity to collaborate with Purdue University, becoming part of Indiana’s pilot hemp program. Through this partnership, we had the privilege of helping to shape the state’s hemp laws and were honored to become one of the first licenses in the state.
In our first year, we split our focus—growing both lettuce and hemp. However, when the pandemic hit in 2020, our wholesale accounts in the restaurant industry abruptly shut down, leaving us with an overwhelming surplus of lettuce. As spring approached, we faced a critical choice. With no steady market for our lettuce and the looming uncertainty, we decided to fully pivot to hemp cultivation.
At the same time, because of the pandemic I found myself no longer working my full-time photography job and had access to our first hemp harvest. It was the perfect moment to dive into experimenting with the crop and explore its potential. I’ve long had an interest in natural wellness, so I began creating our initial products—strain-specific oil tinctures and bath bombs. As I learned more about cannabis and its therapeutic benefits, my fascination grew. I was drawn to how quality hemp products could address stress and anxiety, especially during such turbulent times.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Mellow Mood Hemp Co is a craft hemp wellness brand dedicated to helping you find balance and relaxation through natural, high-quality products. We offer a range of items including soothing topicals, calming oil tinctures, and self-care essentials, all designed to promote well-being. Our newest addition, Mellow Mood Elixirs, are strain specific, full spectrum, non-alcoholic drink enhancers that provide a calming, uplifting experience without the alcohol, making it easier than ever to unwind.
What sets us apart in the hemp industry is our approach to production. We are proudly vertically integrated, meaning we control every aspect of our operations—from seed to sale. Unlike many companies that outsource parts of their process, we handle everything in-house. From cultivating the hemp on our farm to processing it and manufacturing the final products, this hands-on approach gives us unparalleled control over quality at every stage. By maintaining full oversight, we ensure consistency and precision across every batch—something often compromised when production is split among multiple suppliers.
We take great pride in growing the best possible organic flower. Our farming practices are rooted in sustainability and a commitment to cultivating high-quality hemp. We prioritize quality over quantity, focusing on creating the healthiest plants with the most potent profiles, rather than maximizing yield. This attention to detail ensures that every flower we grow is rich in cannabinoids, terpenes, and other beneficial compounds, providing the most effective wellness benefits in each product we create.
At the core of our brand is an unwavering commitment to quality. We use a gentle, solventless extraction method to preserve the full integrity of each hemp strain, allowing us to capture and maintain the unique characteristics of every cultivar. This meticulous process ensures that our products are true-to-strain, delivering the most potent, effective wellness benefits. For us, it’s not just about creating products; it’s about creating products that work—products that help our customers feel their best.
We don’t believe in mass production; we believe in crafting thoughtfully designed, premium products that reflect our values of sustainability, transparency, and purity. Our vertical integration and hands-on approach to manufacturing give us the flexibility to innovate, ensuring that we stay true to our mission while continually pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in hemp wellness. It’s this passion that drives us, and it’s why we’re dedicated to elevating the hemp experience for every customer.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
For us, growth has been driven by education. We believe that to truly connect with our customers, it’s essential to not only showcase what sets us apart from other companies but also to inform them about the incredible potential of the hemp plant. By educating consumers on the science behind how hemp works, its diverse benefits, and why quality matters, we empower them to make informed decisions. This educational approach builds trust, fosters deeper engagement, and ultimately drives long-term loyalty to our brand.
How’d you meet your business partner?
At the heart of our company is my husband, who is not just my business partner, but also our farmer, innovator, and resident “mad scientist.” He is the embodiment of versatility and determination—there’s truly nothing he sets his mind to that he can’t accomplish. Whether it’s cultivating the perfect strain of hemp, troubleshooting complex machinery, or experimenting with new extraction methods, he is the one who makes it all possible.
His passion for learning and problem-solving is boundless, and his ability to think outside the box has been crucial in every stage of our journey. From building our farm infrastructure to developing new products, his hands-on expertise and relentless drive have been the foundation of everything we do. I often say I couldn’t have built this business without him—and I mean it. His dedication to quality, innovation, and sustainability has shaped our brand into what it is today. He’s not just a partner in business; he’s the visionary who pushes us forward and inspires me every day.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mellowmoodhemp.com
- Instagram: mellowmoodhempco
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/mellowmoodhemp
