In this heartfelt and eye-opening episode, Ishqa sits down with Rachel Xin and Jean Tran at Hall of Flowers to explore the origins and mission of Juāna, a women-focused wellness brand rooted in Chinese heritage. From the thoughtful design and healing intent behind every product to the integration of Chinese medicinal herbs and adaptogens, Juāna offers more than cannabis—it offers a multi-sensory experience of balance, healing, and beauty.
Rachel and Jean speak on representation, intentionality, and inclusivity in the industry, all while building a brand that speaks directly to women from all backgrounds, especially those often left out of the cannabis conversation.

What We Talk About:

• The meaning behind the name Juāna and how it connects cannabis with Chinese culture 🌸

• How Rachel’s personal wellness journey and professional background led to Juāna’s creation

• Jean’s creative vision and how fashion, beauty, and wellness intersect in their brand identity

• The importance of offering women-focused products in a male-dominated industry

• The role of Chinese medicinal herbs and adaptogens in their formulations

• Their non-cannabis lifestyle line, including scented candles and hemp clothing

• Why creating a professional, inclusive brand space is essential for women and AAPI communities

• How motherhood, entrepreneurship, and balance fuel Rachel’s drive

• The launch of Juāna’s new pre-rolls and their plans for growth in both cannabis and lifestyle markets

Mentioned Products:

• Six signature effects: Sleep, Calm, Recover, Uplift, Focus, Arouse

• Juāna’s pre-rolls, vapes, and edibles

• Non-cannabis lifestyle items like candles and hemp loungewear

Follow Juāna:
🌐 juana.org
📸 Instagram: @juanasociety

Transforming Cannabis Retail: An Interview with Lauren Fontein of The Artist TreeIn this episode, we meet Lauren Fontein, co-founder of The Artist Tree, at the Hall of Flowers event. Lauren discusses the mission behind The Artist Tree to create a warm and welcoming community space for cannabis consumers. The conversation explores the evolution of the cannabis retail experience, highlighting The Artist Tree's approach to break stereotypes and offer an inviting, gallery-like shopping environment. Lauren also shares her journey from a corporate lawyer to a cannabis entrepreneur, her expansion plans, and her focus on female-friendly cannabis events. The episode concludes with exciting developments and potential new locations for The Artist Tree.00:00 Introduction to Hall of Flowers00:36 Creating a Welcoming Cannabis Space03:00 Lauren's Journey into Cannabis05:16 Expansion Plans for The Artist Tree07:10 Challenges and Community in the Cannabis Industry09:02 Future Collaborations and Events11:01 Conclusion and Future Visits

In this episode, I sit down with PR specialist and author Tara Coomans from Avaans Media to discuss the power of earned PR and storytelling in the cannabis industry. We dive into the challenges of cannabis marketing, how brands can navigate stigma, and the importance of building trust with consumers—especially women, who are often overlooked in dispensary buying decisions.

Tara shares insights on how brands can position themselves for media coverage, what it really takes to attract investors, and why cannabis PR is about serving the journalist and the audience, not just promoting yourself. We also explore the lack of research and education around women’s health, how perimenopause and menopause impact entrepreneurs, and the need for more transparency in cannabis products.

Along the way, we get personal—talking about dating, female empowerment, and even my new app idea, "First Dates Only" (because low-stakes, high-fun dating should be a thing!).

If you're a cannabis entrepreneur, brand, or just someone who wants to understand the art of PR and authentic storytelling, this episode is a must-listen.