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Paola Fernandez is the 30-year-old Founder & CEO of High Hemp, an all organic herbal wrap company. While working at her father’s cigar company, Paola came up with the idea ‘natural’ alternative to tobacco-based rolling paper and wraps. In 2016, the company created a revolutionary product, hemp wraps: an all-organic sheet of hemp paper made to roll your own herbs. Sales skyrocketed right from the get-go and, as a result, she has turned her idea into a $10 million company in under five years – and all before the age of 30 (which she just turned back in October).

Being first to market definitely has its advantages, but that doesn’t mean Paola did not/does not experience challenges along the way. “As a brown female in the LGBTQ community, my business and legitimacy in the hemp/cannabis industry is at times questioned – but that only makes me work harder and more determined to prove people wrong.” Paola’s goal is to take the cannabis market, which has been heavily dominated by males and make it more approachable to the female consumer.

 

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• What is your full birth name?

• Paola Fernandez

• What is your title at the company?

• CEO

• What is your company name?

• High Hemp (a part of JPG Herbals LLC)

• How many years have you been at your current company?

• I have been part of the company since it started four years ago.

• What is your education profile?

• I received a GED and some college for graphic design.

• What is your most successful professional accomplishment before cannabis/your company?

• High Hemp is my most successful professional accomplishment. It has allowed me to become an entrepreneur with just a high school diploma and minimal college education.

• What is your company mission?

• To create a new normal in hemp products. Challenging existing tobacco products and creating a 100% hemp version.

• What is the company’s most successful achievement(s)?

• How quickly our product started gaining traction across the US with 500,000 units/pouches per week.

• Has the company raised any capital (yes or no)?

• Fortunately, since the initial investment, we have been able to continue expanding without raising any capital.

• Any plans on raising capital in the future? Why or why not?

• As our goals continue to grow we see it in the future we will need to seek capital investment

• What is the most important 5-year goal(s) for the company?

• Our biggest 5-year goal is to continue increasing production, in order to sustain the global demand for our products.

• Anything else you’d like to add?

• High Hemp is a great passion of mine, and I’m excited to take on the challenges to move a world dependent on tobacco to an all-around better alternative hemp.

Executive Spotlight: Paola Fernandez on Green Market Report.