Joy Hollingsworth and her brother started growing cannabis in a closet. That closet grew into a farm. The farm, in turn, launched a family legacy.

Joy established Hollingsworth Cannabis Company in 2013 when recreational marijuana was legalized in Washington state.

Joy’s brother and father know all too well the sweat, tears, and bone-crushing labor required to develop and operate a farm. The pair planted the symbolic seed for Hollingsworth Hemp and created the company vision. As the farm started producing cannabis, Joy’s uncle Melvin suffered a serious injury. Aunt Jackie’s began experimenting with hemp-based treatments to replace harsh prescription drugs with soothing and effective natural remedies. Aunt Jackie’s salve was born from the effort.

Hemp seed oil comes from hemp, a cannabis plant similar to marijuana. It contains almost no THC, the compound that creates the euphoric high of marijuana. Hemp contains CBD rather than THC. CDB is prevalent in treating anxiety and epilepsy. Joy says the oil is a natural moisturizer- making it ideal for nourishing salves, soaps, and lotions. Joy also feels good about cultivating hemp for oil because it is more sustainable than avocado or olive oil.

From humble beginnings on a farm, the Hollingsworth Hemp Company was born. We love the result – a flagship lotion infused with CBD, and Aunt Jackie’s wonderful salve. High-quality hemp products we truly love

Joy obtained funding through a BBEF grant and developed her PCC grocery store line. The catalog quickly expanded to many other hemp-based offerings – candles, bath bombs, soap, conditioner, daily moisturizer, hand hand sanitizer, all made from hemp seed oil along with other natural plant-based products. Find your Hollingsworth Farms t-shirt and hoodie there too.

Hollingsworth Hemp products are available in all 16 PCC grocery stores in Washington including PCC’s new store in Downtown Seattle.

My family has a lot of wisdom and love. This place will be rocking and rolling with four or five black women, says Joy. I get a lot of energy from them. I know sometimes it feels funny to say, oh, this product’s made with love, but it is. If there is a thread for Joy that connects her family and the growth of the two businesses, it’s perseverance and resilience.

Tabor’s Black Business Equity Fund has helped Joy’s business thrive. She appreciates Tabor’s support of local black business ownership. Owners can network, learn, connect, and share opportunities with Tabor’s help.

“Black and brown communities have been underfunded, and resources have been deprived so significantly that five, ten, fifteen thousand dollars can mean the world to someone”, she says

Joy’s passion doesn’t end with hemp. She plans to give back to the black community through scholarships and access to sports opportunities. Joy is a role model for black girl empowerment. A true mentor who will lead and inspire young black girls to business ownership.

“I think representation matters”, she says. When you see someone who looks like you, it gives you strength and hope and inspires you. Whether it’s a female, someone’s black skin, or someone who comes from the same neighborhood.

“I’m hoping that just by being in a space that other black women aren’t in, I can inspire someone, in the same way, I was inspired.”

Connect with Joy at www.hollingsworthhemp.com/ and your journey of discovery with these high-quality hemp products.