Today we’d like to introduce you to Jamie Croyle.
Jamie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
In 2017 I and my husband Jude relocated temporarily to Missouri to help care for my grandmother who had recently suffered several strokes. My mother also received a cancer diagnosis very close to the same time. While in Missouri, I was looking for a natural solution to the extreme stress that was brought on with these diagnoses, and CBD was a topic that continuously came up as an alternative to pharmaceuticals.
With a background in Massage and Energy Therapy, I have always strived to maintain a balanced lifestyle using holistic medicine and alternatives to pharmaceutical healing, so I dove headfirst into trying a CBD product for the first time ever. The results were immediate, it was like a veil of calm had enveloped me, allowing me to deal with the daily struggles that were being thrown at me consistently. Since 2018, I have not taken any pharmaceutical medications for anxiety.
Equipped with a new powerful tool in my toolbox, I felt the pull of delivering CBD to others. With a background in not only holistic medicine but Mental Health and Substance Abuse, I knew I could offer this alternative to those in the community. Immersing myself in the study of Cannabis I was ready to deliver that knowledge in late 2018.
September 2018 – the House of Oilworx website went live offering 3 different CBD products.
January 2019 – House of Oilworx started a kiosk in Northtown Mall located in Blaine, Minnesota, offering up to 10 CBD products.
March 2019 – House of Oilworx moved into a storefront within the Northtown Mall, expanded up to 40 different products, to include essential oils.
During the next year, I focused on education and expansion by attending virtual classes and enrolling in multiple certification programs to help bridge the gap between cannabis and other holistic modalities and products.
December 2019 – The thought of expansion starts to flow and a storefront in downtown Anoka becomes available for rent in the first quarter of 2020. The Downtown Anoka area was where the store was originally planned to open but finding a storefront during that time was difficult and the mall presented itself nicely in the meantime. House of Oilworx was finally slated to open a second location in March of 2020!
May 2020 – House of Oilworx opens second location in the historic downtown Anoka and now offers over 400 different products that include cannabis, wellness, vitamins, minerals, adaptogens, plant-based products, hemp-blend apparel, essential oils, books, candles, and many gifting options.
July 2020 – House of Oilworx mall location opens back up.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Bringing cannabis to the mainstream has been a super exciting experience, and at times very challenging. On any given day the rules can change, and you must be prepared to make that change swiftly and efficiently.
Most of the nation is trying to find their footing when it comes to cannabis and some states are farther than others. National, State, and local laws are our biggest challenge, followed closely by transaction processing and banking.
In May of 2019 (just two short months after opening our first brick-and-mortar store), CBD payment processing crashed nationwide. Nearly all the small CBD businesses lost the capability to process credit cards forcing businesses to swiftly and seamlessly pivot to a cash-only transaction processing model. This was difficult and debilitating to say the least. Although payment card processing was re-established in August, the next three months would be survival of the fittest while the industry tried to right itself and figure out how to process credit cards.
In July 2019 Minnesota changed CBD labeling laws to bring consumers more transparency in an unregulated industry. This meant labels had to be completely changed on all products to reflect third-party testing and FDA disclosures. This was a large undertaking for many companies and offered more protection and transparency for the consumer.
The state of Minnesota is appealing that the current hemp laws only apply to whole hemp flower. That means that the 0.3% THC content is relevant only to hemp flower and not any of the extracts produced from the plant. The way the law is written is that CBD products must be extracted from Industrial hemp that tests with less than 0.3% THC in the plant. Once it is extracted, lawmakers are stating that THC can be too concentrated thereby making it illegal to contain liquid products with any amount of THC in them. If this law passes, it would ultimately debilitate the CBD industry in Minnesota and only allow retailers to sell Hemp flower.
In March of 2020, Covid-19 became a worldwide pandemic forcing us to close the mall location and pushed the opening of our new downtown Anoka location out to an indefinite date. House of Oilworx promptly pivoted yet again, offering delivery to its local community and ramping up online orders during this uncertain time. Since the store was slated to open this month and was unable to, due to CBD being a non-essential business, I took the time to get the new Anoka shop ready to open at first availability. During this shutdown period, I immersed myself into making sure we would never have to shut down again and started researching vitamins which were deemed essential and just trying to stay as happy and healthy as possible.
Today’s struggle is finding employees for my two retail locations.
(This is the source and while this article focuses on Vape liquid, CBD sublingual oils and topicals are also liquid forms. https://hempindustrydaily.com/minnesota-legal-loophole-could-stir-up-thc-trouble-for-hemp-vapes/ )
While Cannabis continues to be a struggle in the everyday business world, I am continuing to focus on education, building a foundation of overall wellness with a focus of using cannabis as alternatives to pharmaceuticals.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Being a retail pioneer in the Minnesota cannabis industry has been a challenge since day one and being a woman in the cannabis space brings challenges as well. I am one of a few women in Minnesota paving the way – paying the pioneers tax so to speak – for the next iteration of cannabis retailers. While Cannabis continues to be a struggle in the everyday business world, I am continuing to focus on education, building a foundation of overall wellness, and using plants and cannabis as alternatives to pharmaceuticals.
It is essential to provide quality, consistency, and complete transparency to help each client create balance with all products I offer.
I bring 20 plus years of Massage Therapy, energy modalities, and mental health to back up the wellness boutique called House of Oilworx. I have always strived to maintain a balanced lifestyle using holistic medicine and alternatives to pharmaceutical healing. I will choose the natural solution whenever possible and have always helped guide my family, friends, and clients on the most organic path. I believe that using the highest quality wellness and plant-based products will guide you to a happier and more holistic and natural lifestyle. Founded in 2018 with only 3 CBD products, House of Oilworx has expanded into more than 400 generalized health, wellness, and immune-boosting products with an emphasis on plant-based healing and Cannabis. House of Oilworx is open Wednesday – Sunday in historic downtown Anoka located on 2nd Avenue.
Every product that is brought into House of Oilworx is carefully curated by my team and I and must fit into one or more of the following categories:
1. Locally Owned
2. Minority-Owned
3. Woman-Owned
4. Family Owned
5. LGBTQ+ Friendly
6. Organic Practices
7. Cruelty-Free
8. Gluten-Free
9. Vegan
10. Holistic
All House of Oilworx branded CBD products are made from seed to seal right here in Minnesota. We have aligned with a small group of Minnesota Hemp farmers whose farming and manufacturing practices meet our high standards. All wellness and plant-based products have the same standards applied to them before hitting the shelves.
Education and continued training are essential and sets me apart from others. “I want to make sure that my clients achieve the desired results they are seeking, that takes guidance, knowledge, and a little bit of experimenting to find the best-desired results when it comes to being healthy or achieving a more balanced and healthy lifestyle. I always encourage my clients to reach out during their journey if they are not getting the desired results they are looking for. Not every place will offer the continued guidance for free.”
A shortlist of products you will find upon entering House of Oilworx are the House brand CBD oils and topicals of every variety. There is currently a focus on immune-boosting products and cold remedies as we move into the fall and winter season. “Wearing a mask has taken a toll on each and every person’s respiratory system. We need to not only focus on your immune system but keeping that respiratory system healthy as well.” You will find products that boost lung health as well as immune system health. Cold busting, elderberry, Apple Cider vinegars, adaptogens, and mushrooms. There are many gifting options to include hemp candles, apparel, and crystals for the energy lovers in the world.
Education:
Massage Therapy Training Institute ~ Kansas City, Missouri
Certified Massage Therapist
Energy Healing
Reiki Healing
9 years in the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Industry ~ Kansas City, Missouri
2019 – The CBD Certification – Physiology and Health ~ Alternate Medical Media
2020 – Medical Cannabis: The Health Effects of THC and CBD Specialization Certification
1. History of Medical Cannabis
2. Cannabis, Chronic Pain, and Related Disorders
3. Cannabis, Mental Health, and Brain Disorders
4. Healthy Aging and the Future of Cannabis Research
Current educational enrollment:
Genesis School of Natural Healing – American Association of Drugless Practitioners
1. Master Herbalist
2. Natural Health Consultant
3. Endocannabinoid Professional
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Getting involved in your local communities is the best way to find a mentor or generalized connectedness within the community. Looking up local nonprofits and visiting them is always a wonderful way to connect with the needs of the community.
I am active in the Anoka Area Chamber of Commerce, Discover Anoka, Minnesota Industrial Hemp Farmers Association, MN NORML, and Women’s Venture. I have made connections within the wellness industry with local Chiropractors, Body Workers, Yoga Instructors, and energy workers.
Contact Info:
- Email: admin@houseofoilworx.com
- Website: https://www.houseofoilworx.com
- Instagram: @houseofoilworx
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HouseOfOilworx
Image Credits
Honey marketing LLC
