Spotlight Series: Liz Rudner Co-Founder of MoonMan's Mistress
Imagine if you could get an edible cookie that was actually good for you beyond the addition of medical cannabis? Something that was hand crafted with high-quality ingredients and was paleo, gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free and low-glycemic - but still tasty. Enter MoonMan's Mistress, the California based company that is re-defining infused snacking. The company's brand promise is to provide the healthiest, most taste worthy edibles made with authenticity through quality ingredients that nourish the body and spirit, and education that strengthens the mind. This week, we chat with Liz Rudner, co-founder and half of the MM team about healthy living and eating well.
What inspired MoonMan’s Mistress?
“We are healers, not dealers.”
It was born out of necessity since there was a lack of healthy products in the cannabis space. Without Cannabis and a change in my diet, who knows where my health journey would have gone? I feel so fortunate I didn’t listen to the doctors since I have always used Cannabis to manage my pain and depression. As an educator of real food and movement, our company (of two) also practices what we preach. Jamel and I believe in the paleo lifestyle and are very active. We defy the “lazy stoner” stigma and want to change this stigma people have about the space. We are healers, not dealers.
You mentioned that you can speak to the experience of autoimmune disease, does that inform your messaging with MM?
Creating a product for people with dietary restrictions was one of our main reasons for creating the product. Having an auto-immune disease comes with many challenges, especially around food. One of our mission values was to create a wellness brand that really catered to dietary restrictions. To live well you must eat well and move well.
Image via Liz Rudner
The products are gluten, soy, and dairy free as well as being paleo and low-glycemic, can you tell us why these characteristics are so important to a healthy lifestyle?
It all starts with food. We really believe you can heal your body with food. We carefully source ingredients that do not cause inflammation in the body. Inflammation is a huge issue for a lot of people, whether it's caused by a wide range of auto-immune diseases, PTSD, cancer, dementia - all types of inflammation.
Image via Liz Rudner
Your packaging is really incredible. Not only are the boxes recycled, the bags biodegradable but you also include a QR code that takes the consumer to a web page sharing lab results. Why did you include this feature?
As a wellness brand, you need to be 100% transparent. We really care about our end users. We want them to feel confident they are getting the highest quality product available to them. Also, we do our best to be environmentally sustainable and responsible. Just like we only have one body to live in, we only have one planet to live on.
MM products are both healthy and environmentally friendly, and as a company, you are socially conscious and community minded. Who or what are some of the community groups that you work with?
Operation EVAC is a non-profit that is a support group for veterans. Because Jamel is a veteran, we wanted to give back and have been involved with them since their fruition. We work with Parkinson's patients and Alzheimer’s caregivers. Within the Cannabis Community, we've been involved with Ganja Yoga, 420 Games, and Spark the Conversation, which are all great advocacy/community-based groups that are helping educate and empower the benefits of Cannabis.
You’ve worked with the same cultivators for years, tell us about the cannabis that you use in your baking.
We are very fortunate to have a strong partnership with Dirt Ninja Farm. Both of our company’s values align on so many levels. We truly care about the earth AND the end user. Respect for the process, consideration around sustainability and best growing practices are all in sync to create our products. It truly is a labor of love within both companies and it shows in our synergies.
What is your vision for the company going forward?
Keep growing and educating people on the benefits of healing your body with food and movement. It all starts with food. We want to continue to grow in the wellness space. Cannabis is such an amazing superfood that has such extraordinary healing properties. It would be amazing to see our company's brand take a larger foothold within the wellness space on a global level.
Image via liz Rudner
How can people get their hands on your products?
You can visit our website www.moonmansmistress.com Our dispensary and delivery locations continue to grow on a daily basis.
Which treat is your favorite?
Image via Liz Rudner
I would say the Solar Flare Chocolate Chip is my favorite cookie when it comes to flavor, plus I love CBD products all day long. If I’m looking for a little bit more pep in my step, I go for the Cosmic Cacao. I love the combination of heirloom sweet potato flour and raw cacao.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced with MM?
People are miseducated when it comes to food and nutrition. Dispensary buyers feel our price point is on the high end, especially since the current market is about THC to the dollar. Most buyers look at 50mg box as low value, even though 50mg is a lot for the average cannabis user. They don’t understand the true benefits and quality behind our product. You really do get what you pay for.
What advice would you give a woman who is looking to get involved in the cannabis industry?
Never be afraid to go against the grain... Trust your gut.
Stay in Touch with MoonMan's Mistress
Follow MoonMan's Mistress on Instagram here and Twitter here and Facebook here.
You can check out their website here to learn more about their products, values and community involvement not to mention how to get your hands on some of the amazing looking treats they serve up: www.moonmansmistress.com
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