Over Mother’s Day, we sat down with Nature’s Grace and Wellness CEO Kelley O’Hern. During our interview, Kelley opened up about running a family-operated cannabis farm, working with teams of women, and being a mom to 4 kids. Read more below about her approach to balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship in the cannabis industry.

Read the interview below

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Kelley, thank you for taking the time to speak with us today. In honor of Mother's Day, Grasshopper Club is honoring moms everywhere. As a mother of four, a Canna-preneur, and an inspiration to people from all walks of life, we're delighted to have you join us.

Now, some would say that being a mom is one of the most rewarding yet most challenging things in life. What is your favorite and least favorite part of being a mom?

Kelley: My favorite part about being a mom has been watching my children grow, mature, and build themselves into adulthood. The joy of seeing them achieve personal successes early in life and throughout adulthood is unmatched. The single greatest reward at my age is that despite their busy lives, my sons still want to spend time together as a family. Nothing is better for a mom than seeing all her children together, sharing life and memories.

The least favorite part of motherhood ties back to the most rewarding part. The most challenging aspect for me was knowing when to help and when not to enable when issues arose in their lives. As a mom, you always want to catch them when they fall and make everything better, but in reality, the fall itself can be a good life lesson.

You're the owner and CEO of Nature's Grace and Wellness, a family-owned and operated cannabis farm in West Central Illinois, founded in 2014. How do you balance being an entrepreneur with family life?

Kelley: I’m very fortunate to have people in my life who are able to support me in achieving that balance. When I can include my family and my business into any given day, that’s what fulfills me. I’ve fostered good support systems on both the business side and the family side to make sure I can balance both.

What's your fondest Mother's Day memory?

Kelley: Mother’s Day 1989 - we held a large celebration on our farm. At that time, all four of my young children, ranging from 6 months to 7 years old, were with me. One of the best parts of that particular Mother’s Day was that my mother was visiting from Chicago, as well as my mother-in-law. They are the matriarchs of the family, and it was amazing to be together on a beautiful spring day for the start of the farming season.

 Do you have any advice for mothers with young children?

Kelley: My advice is simple - talk to your children, listen to them, and always remember that you are the most important part of their life at this stage. I was also very big on creative storytelling - finding ways to tell small stories but with positive life messages like being kind, being generous, etc.

What's your advice for mothers with teens?

Kelley: It’s similar to when they’re younger - simply talk and listen to them. They’re trying to find themselves and be independent but they’re still looking to you for advice and seeing how you’re living a positive life.

You have a partnership with Grammy-nominated country singer-songwriter Margo Price, who is also from Illinois, and a partnership with Jane West, founder of the cannabis networking organization Women Grow. In your opinion, how important is it for women to establish business relationships with one another?

Kelley: I believe it’s super important to build business relationships with other women. When you bring women together, you’re able to build on each other’s strengths and creativity.

Can you give some tips for women working in teams with other women?

Kelley: Of course. In a team atmosphere, you have to be very respectful and cognizant of everyone’s roles on that team. Oftentimes with teams, it can get a bit serious or stressful because of all the different work styles coming together. For that reason, I encourage you to remember to have fun with it and not take it so seriously.

What's your favorite NGW product at the moment?

Kelley: At my age, it’s very important to get a good night’s sleep! My favorite product is our Grapezzz Funnies Gummies. They’re a 2:1:1 THC:CBN: CBG product, so they’re perfect for getting a good night’s rest with their sedative properties. I also want to mention the Margo Price Herbal Mints! They’re the perfect microdose that I always carry in my purse.

What is your message to all the moms out there?

Kelley: Enjoy every moment that you can experience with your children. To those still lucky enough to have their moms and grandmothers with them, it’s so important to spend time with them. You don’t want to regret not doing so later on. Also, take time for yourself. While we often put all our energy into our families, it’s important to take care of your body and mind as well. We can’t be our best self for our families if we don’t take care of ourselves first!