From Instagram content to consumer products, it’s no secret that wellness is trending. Whether it’s temporarily disconnecting from your cell phone or practicing mindful meditation, the self-care revolution is real and is one that inspired Rachelle Slotnick to launch &Sunny, a CBD beauty and wellness brand for women by women.

Slotnick launched the subscription-based company in January 2020 with the mission of becoming a brand consumers trust and believe in. We caught up with her to learn more about how she’s helping to make women happier and more uplifted and present within their communities as well as the &Sunny community she and her team are building.

Read on to learn more about &Sunny.

ForceBrands: Tell us about your background and how you became involved in the CBD beauty industry.
Rachelle Slotnick: I’ve been an entrepreneur for 12 years. In that time, I’ve started several companies, primarily with a focus on packaged foods. I attended culinary school in addition to business school, so this has been a fun way to meld two different passions of mine. I’m always looking for something new and exciting. Hemp is without a doubt a growing business, and I knew I wanted to get involved in it.

FB: What inspired you to launch &Sunny?
RS: I like to be high energy during the day, so I was really intrigued that CBD had relaxation benefits. I like to unwind in more traditional ways — like by taking a bath or putting on an eye mask. I think there are many women out there who can relate to this — the desire to recharge with things that both feel good and do the body good. I went on Amazon to conduct some research on the topical products currently available and saw a lot of CBD products that lacked ingredient transparency and had misleading labeling or branding that just didn’t hit the mark.

Overall, I felt like there was a huge void in the industry, specifically when it came to women. This is when I saw an opportunity to provide safe, identifiable, and approachable products that deliver on their promise.

FB: Who is your target audience and how are you reaching them?
RS: Right now, our target audience is women. All of our blends are pamper-inspired, aiming to be a sunny moment within the often hectic routines we all have. Since &Sunny products are lightly infused, they’re intended for all-day, every-day use. They’re priced that way, too! For example, you can start out with our Intense Moisturizing Crème in the morning, pucker up with our Creamsicle Lip Pot in the afternoon, and wind down in the evening with our Calming Bath Fizz. We’re reaching women through social media and by connecting ourselves with the thriving community of skincare lovers. The products truly sell themselves, so we’re very grateful to see brand awareness being built organically simply by word of mouth.

FB: What excites you most about the future of the company?
RS: I’m super excited that we’re an early adapter in the industry. We’re offering a great product at a time when consumers are asking for more and for better. CBD is available everywhere now. While stakes are becoming friendlier, regulations are becoming more specific. I see this as a positive, rather than a negative, as this will help take those companies just looking to make a quick buck out of the playing field. On another note, we’re in the process of building out a 12,000-sq.-ft. facility in the next couple of months. So, big things are happening on our end as well. And in addition to being sold online, &Sunny products will soon be available in store.

FB: How is &Sunny standing apart in a sea of other CBD offerings?
RS: A few different ways! We’re offering a variety of premium CBD beauty products at a reasonable price and in subscription form. Our subscription boxes are carefully curated and change in theme from month to month, allowing women to reap the amazing benefits of CBD with ease, convenience, and the fun of trying new products every 30 days. As for ingredients, we focus on function-driven ingredients that are non-toxic and cruelty-free. We hand select botanicals that we know will work together to enhance the feel-good effect. Broad-Spectrum Cannabinoids paired with moisturizing shea butter and soothing lavender essential oil, for example. And while we’re really focused on personal wellness and self-care, we’re also focused on environmental wellness. Everything from our bottles and boxes to labels and lining are all reusable or recyclable. In general, we’re hoping to become a CBD brand that consumers can trust and believe in.

Interested in working at an emerging CBD beauty brand? Explore our specialized HerbForce division.