TESS+ TAYLOR: NON-BINARY CBD

Believe it or not in most ‘developed’ nations the legalization of cannabis+hemp is still a heavily politicized issue; an issue that the hemp community is all too familiar with. Fortunately however, plant politics are jumping on a hobbled leg and has now met its match with science, empirical studies and a public awakening of antiquated & divisive narratives. Narratives created by, you guessed it , old white Henry Anslinger types. Luckily we have Gen-Z. If cannabis and hemp is to be accepted by the masses, education and usage methods will have to constantly evolve. As cannabis entrepreneurs we overstand that the method of introduction inevitably sets the pace for the experience so when we heard about the plant-based BIPOC CBD skincare line Tess+ Taylor we immediately wanted to learn more. Despite the efforts of so many progressive companies addressing skin care , there is only a marginal group addressing the skincare needs of BIPOC communities. Its an need that entrepreneur Tess Melody has sought ought to mitigate with her familuy owned brand. Tess+ Taylor is making products that champion BIPOC skin. No matter the gig creating products for all skin types of color remains a big opportunity. An opportunity that we caught up with Tess this week to learn more about:

Can you tell us about what you were doing before you created this brand and what inspired you to create it?

TAYLOR + tess was inspired by my military veteran parents and a desire to build an inclusive brand for marginalized folks, specifically BIPOC and LGBTQIA+. Cannabis and hemp has helped my family heal in so many ways, so we want to do our part in educating others, positively affecting social and economic change, and destigmatizing and normalizing the plant. Intersecting the hemp and beauty industries allows us to reach a more mainstream audience, and we can educate consumers on a benefit of the plant that they may be unfamiliar with. Your skin is the largest organ of the human body, and it needs nutrients and natural, plant-based care like all of your other essential organs. 

What piqued your interest in cannabis + hemp?

My interest was piqued because the plant is so fascinating: it is a bioaccumulator that improves the soil; it is nature’s strongest anti-inflammatory when inflammation is the root of many ailments; its all-encompassing purpose and benefit is returning the body to homeostasis; it can be turned into literally anything (plastic, clothing, building material for homes), and the list goes on and on.

What role has cannabis + hemp played in your life ?

Tess Cecyl’s quote, “Cannabis taught me self-care,” really resonated with me and replays in my head often because it is so, so real. Cannabis taught me how to tap into my higher/more authentic self. Cannabis has the ability to get people off of opioids faster and prevent addiction. Cannabis gives BIPOC communities a healing tool that makes them more active rather than passive participants in their health care. BIPOC are disproportionately incarcerated for cannabis, while white men making millions of dollars in a legal market that only 4 percent of Black people own despite usage patterns being the same. This industry and plant has given my life purpose, and I am seeking reparations for and liberation of our communities. 

Here at GOODPEEPLE we are infrastructured on doing things purposefully and consciously. Can you describe to us what a conscious consumer is to you? 

A conscious beauty consumer is mindful of the ingredients that they are putting on their skin, opting for healthy skin achieved with nourishing botanical formulations that are ethically sourced and manufactured. A lot of affordable skincare products are full of harmful chemical ingredients, water, and fillers. Our hope is that consumers will find value, healing, and confidence in their natural skin and authentic selves. Conscious capitalism encourages us to get to know who we are giving our money to and shopping with our dollar. If your personal values do not align with the actions of the business owners and shareholders making money off of your purchase, you should not support them with your hard-earned cash.

We love your messaging, " for men, women, neither and both -- what is the ethos behind that?

We believe that skin is skin, and we aim to treat all skin equally. A lot of marketing in the beauty and personal care industry is extremely heteronormative—always overly feminine or overly masculine. This leaves a huge gap in the market for non-binary and non-gender-conforming folks. Further, legalized cannabis was made possible by LGBTQIA+ heroes—and our brand was made possible because of talented queer professionals—so we keep representation and inclusivity at the forefront and core of our messaging. Branding is impactful, so it must be meaningful and mindful of its positioning. I knew the purpose and mission behind our brand before I knew what our product offerings were going to be: inclusivity, plant-focused, sustainability, and the destigmitization of the plant. We focused on representation and interconnectedness, and everything flowed organically from there.

What resources did you use to become more knowledgeable about hemp? 

Do your research and vet your sources. It is 2020, so there is no topic that you can’t find ample information on—including cannabis and hemp. When I say “do your research” that means look for data from scientific studies from reputable institutions. There are also numerous industry-specific publications that work tirelessly to provide accurate, reliable, and recent information about the plant, the industry, and social equity.