Weed Queen: Antoinette Wade Chase, Founder of Gratitude Blossom
Antoinette Wade is originally from Bluefield, West Virginia and grew up in Winston Salem, NC. She’s a medically retired Navy veteran and mother to a beautiful daughter. Antoinette is a remarkable individual and her achievements have made her a pacesetter with amazing contributions. Antoinette has an MS in Health Sciences with a major in Public Health from Trident University, a BS in Business and Leadership also from Trident University, and an Associate of Arts in Supervision and Management from Coastline Community College.
A true trailblazer, Antoinette learned leadership, teamwork, and organizational skills unique to the armed forces and brings them to bear in Gratitude Blossom to serve veterans, disabled and terminally ill patients and clients. Antoinette is a game changer in the cannabis industry. Her unique ability to build and maintain incredible working relationships sets her apart
from the rest.
Company overview:
Gratitude Blossom is a Premium Doctor Recommended CBD line that allows its user to create a foundation for growth. Growth in the body by the CBD activating various receptors throughout the body. Growth in the mind by allowing yourself to create positive self-talk and create in your mind a temple of complete bliss. Once you’ve achieved balance in those two areas, know that in the same way magnets attract, your soul will follow; prepare to be amazed as the creations that started in your mind lay right in front of you.
How would you describe yourself and what you do?
I am a Divine being present to raise the vibration with unconditional love to all. It is my goal to educate, communicate and propagate my knowing and understandings of the importance of a healthy mind, body and soul as one.
What is your company about? What do you guys do?
Gratitude Blossom is a Premium Physician Recommended CBD line that allows its user to create a foundation for growth. Growth in the body by the CBD activating various receptors within the body. Growth in the mind by allowing yourself to create positive self talk utilizing the positive affirmations on each label. Once the mind and body become more acquainted in a more positive self-environment, the soul will follow and your very own gratitude blossom begins to bloom.
Gratitude Blossom provides Premium CBD, complementary weekly sound healing sessions using singing bowls via FB Live, in the process of opening a Non-profit Collective also known as Compassion Centers for Veterans, terminally ill and those affected by the war on drugs and we provide education on various inner healing methods to include meditating, Reiki healing and affirming manifestations.
What makes Gratitude Blossom unique?
Gratitude Blossom is focused on inner health. We understand that the physical health of the mind and body is important in order to master the spiritual health of the mind and body. We understand that not many truly understand whole body health and we are here to ease the understanding and the journey into completeness. On our website we offer information that discusses your chakras and other systems, which may not be as mainstream within various communities. Our mission is to invite our associates to dive deep within knowing, loving and accepting our whole-selves.
What’s your favorite part about your job? Least favorite?
My favorite part about what I do is having the opportunity to raise the vibration globally and know that my unconditional love will be felt by all who seek what is already within themselves.
Least Favorite: I accept my journey with pure light and love, I have no least favorite part 🙂
What inspired you to start your company and how did you get started?
My desire to share happiness and guide others into their very own Greatness inspired me to do this, I experienced a near death accident while serving in the Navy which led to a diagnosis of multiple disabilities, I was able to grow time and time again. After my accident I continued in the Navy for 9 years and was continuously thrown down and I just kept picking myself back up. At my lowest point, I found myself with suicidal ideations, I realized the medications that were prescribed to me were not helping at all, so I turned to alternative methods. All of these methods I have incorporated into Gratitude Blossom, CBD, meditation, sound healing and LEARNING to LOVE MYSELF.
After a whirlwind of life’s obstacles professional and personal, I found myself being internally pushed to complete certain tasks. Its an urge inside I cannot describe in words but in a moments notice I immediately escaped from a very toxic environment, sold my multi-unit property in Los Angeles, travelled for months praying, reading, listening to Maya Angelou, Oprah and Rumi, meditating, pleading for answers and then the Divineness in myself realized the answer was right in front of me the entire time. I decided my purpose in life is to serve others by sharing what I know.
What is your vision and mission for Gratitude Blossom?
My vision for Gratitude Blossom has already bloomed in my eyes, I see beauty and truth. My mission is to continue on my own journey of enlightenment so that I can share what I know with All.
I would like to one day create a healing complex that offers all plant medicine and alternative healing methods in a safe, legal and donation-based environment.
What were you doing before you started Gratitude Blossom?
Before Gratitude Blossom I was completing my Masters in Public Health with a goal to begin my PhD and I enjoyed being a fulltime Mom to my precious 2 year old Zoe.
How did that influence what you do?
After completing my Masters I was told I had to locate a sponsor company or non-profit not complete my dissertation research. After not being able to find a non profit locally that dealt with plant medicine and veterans and after submitting resume after resume and not being hired for positions (even entry level answering phones) I realized I am the answer. So created Gratitude Blossom.
How did you learn the skills to start and run a successful business?
I researched ways to start and run a successful business and realized that I have to get comfortable asking for help. As I looked around the Black Wall Street website I came across a company that offered the assistance I needed. It is called C.E. Hutton.
What factors have contributed towards your path of success?
So many factors and so little time lol… The main factor is to be able to gain enough stillness in the mind that you can be guided as I was and still am. I listened to myself and the word being spoken into me and I trusted myself and God that as long as my heart remained true the way would be made.
Also, just like the saying when it comes to raising a child…. It takes a village. Well I believe in business…. It takes a Team. I am blessed with an amazing Team of individuals who all desire to succeed. Like Minded individuals who have experience where I am lacking. Collectively as a Team, we are whole.
Did you ever expect a career in the cannabis space?
Throughout life I have learned not to have expectations and just ride the wave.
Were your family and friends supportive of your venture?
There are some family and friends who will always be against you, and that had nothing to do with the industry. I was able to remove those individuals from view so that I could move forward.
The family and friends that support my venture, would support anything I do, as it should be. Even if they are a bit skeptical, they understand that all my life, I have only wanted to help others.
What has your personal experience with cannabis been?
I’ve tried cannabis, I’ve had some hilarious experiences but I don’t focus well with it lol, so continue to learn more about it and the various methods that others use when it comes to the type of usage/consumption. I’ve seen it save lives by creating a decrease in stress, anxiety and depression and relieve pain in cancer patients.
Did you ever feel like you weren’t taken seriously because you are a woman of color?
Absolutely! Not taken seriously and taken for granted. But this situation is so much bigger than we think. Dating back so much further than most comprehend. The suppression of the greatness inside and outside of Us has created a sickness in the mind that I intend to break all black women free of. More importantly, when our greatness is realized most of the time, the ones that realize it want to contain it and make you feel as though you are “wrong”, follow your intuition, “aggressive”, that’s passion, “crazy”, actually Knowledgeable, “ugly”, beings with the most beautiful shades of color in existence.
At a young age I realized I could show people better than I could tell them and this still rains true today. I don’t mind being underestimated because please believe I’ll show you one better.
How/do you think your involvement in this industry is going to positively impact your community?
Absolutely! I am an example that 1. You don’t need experience and 2. Anything is possible, like Oprah says “there is no such thing as luck, it’s a moment when opportunity meets preparation”.
What has been your greatest obstacle in this industry to date – and how have you overcome it?
As of now my greatest obstacle is the avenues I have to travel to get my Non-Profit up and running. No one said this would be easy so I embrace the journey. To overcome these obstacles, I remain persistent, patient, focused and determined.
What’s the biggest change you want to see in the cannabis industry?
I want all states to provide more opportunities for those affected most by the war on drugs. Equal opportunities, not charging millions for these licenses while our brothers and sisters have spent decades in prison for dime bags and less! They work for pennies in these private prisons while the owners of these prisons sit around creating dispensaries. I want to see a change in the world! I want to see love lead the way and I promise only harmony will follow.
Now that cannabis is legal, what excites you most and what worries you the most?
Its exciting to see a positive change but the change still needs Hope.
As a woman of color, what challenges did you encounter (if any) building your business in a male-dominated industry and how do you plan to create change and inclusiveness for future WOC joining the industry?
All I know is the male dominated world, so in my experience with that lol, I embrace the underestimation, I allow it to drive me. I stay focused in ways men cannot and what they don’t see is that women have already become dominant.
What would be your best piece of advice for fellow women looking to pursue the cannabis industry?
Do your research and have a plan. If you don’t have a plan, have the resources to hire those who can help you understand your vision from various perspectives.
What would you consider to be the most effective way or initial steps of breaking down barriers and ceilings to pave this path for women in the industry?
We have to keep moving forward collectively, we have to remain united and understand that we are stronger together. And whatever you do, never give up.
There’s still a perception or stigma attached to the people involved in the cannabis industry or just consumers that partake in recreational or medical use, as being stoners- if you have encountered this kind of close minded perspective, what would your argument be to shift the conversation to one of the importance of the weed market and why it should be celebrated/normalized?
I would advise those that may be close minded to do their research, understand why it became legal in the first place, the term close minded fits some so well. Open your mind and heart, then the truth will be seen.
Do you have any suggestions on how we can help normalize cannabis?
As we continue to educate the masses, we are helping.
Where can we reach you? (IG/ Twitter handle and or email)
Gratitudeblossomcbd (instagram)
Gratitude Blossom (facebook)
Gratitudeblossom (twitter)
Name 4 of your favorite women in weed that you’d like to give a shout out too. What do they do and where can we reach them?
Khadijah Adams– Friend, Business coach, Author, Speaker, Investor
Cynthia Salarizadeh– Friend, Publicist, Entrepreneur,
Ophelia Chong– Friend, Professor, Photographer, Pioneer
Rihanna– always staying true and promoting her freedom
Key Takeaways from Antoinette Wade Chase:
- Remain persistent, patient, focused and determined.
- You don’t need experience.
- Anything is possible, like Oprah says “there is no such thing as luck, it’s a moment when opportunity meets preparation”
- It takes a Team.
- Research ways to start and run a successful business and realize that you have to get comfortable asking for help.
Huge shout out and big thank you to Antoinette Wade Chase and Gratitude Blossom for your service and for taking the time to chat about her experiences as a female entrepreneur and executive in a male dominated industry, for giving us great advice and tips on how to be successful in the weed world and for shouting out other dope Weed Queens!
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