Advocate for safe medical cannabis

Meet Angela Ardolino, a pet and parenting expert, an advocate for safe, natural, ethically grown hemp and medical cannabis in the U.S, she is the founder of CBD Dog Health, an enterprise that provides all-natural relief for pets of all kinds, a kid-loving human being. 

Who is Angela Ardolino?

I am an animal-lover, nature-lover, and kid-loving human being—who is also a successful female entrepreneur.

Tell us more about your family, How were you as a kid? 

As a child, my happy place was outside with my animals, who were housed in my mother’s greenhouse. When I was just a shy 10-year-old, I met my first female entrepreneur, Sandy Faye. She recruited and trained girls ages 10 to 14 to be a part of the Mini Magicians, who would perform magic for children’s parties and huge events. Being a part of this group shaped me into the person I am today. The Mini Magicians were completely booked with a waiting list, and that’s when Sandy asked me if I would start doing shows on my own. So, at the age of 14, I started my first business! I hired my mother to drive me to the shows, and my little sister to assist me with the performances. I charged $100 for an hour-long event, which included a magic show, animal balloons, and face painting.

By the time I was 17 I had saved enough money to move out of my parents’ house, buy a car, and attend Miami Dade College under a community service scholarship I earned by (you guessed it!) teaching magic to underserved children.

You grew up in Miami, Florida and attended The University of Colorado at Boulder, you have a Bachelor of Arts. Why did you study that?

I studied Broadcast Journalism because I wanted to be an anchorwoman.

You have been Executive Producing Director in Miami Children's Theater for 23 years to date, and also you are Founder and Editorial Director in Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine for a long time too, tell us more about those jobs, how did you start them?

 I started the Miami Children's Theater 23 years ago because I wanted to make a difference in children’s lives -- much like my experience with the magic group changed me. So I started it with $5,000 in my pocket and worked hard to grow it into the institution it is today. Then, 12 years later I moved to Tampa and started Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine because I couldn’t find a local resource to tell me what to do with my kids in Central Florida. I saw a niche and I decided to fill it.

How did you jump (and combine) those jobs, to study medical cannabis and to found House of Alchemy, LLC, CBD Dog Health?

I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and was suffering terrible stress and anxiety while I was at Tampa Bay Parenting, so I went searching for natural ways to treat it when I discovered Cannabidiol (***CBD). CBD got rid of my joint pain and improved my mood, and it was saving peoples’ lives, and I knew I wanted to be a part of this revolution! So I sold my business and started House of Alchemy, and two years later I launched our CBD Dog Health product line. I have taken everything I learned from my other business and applied them to this business. One of the biggest compliments we get is for our marketing, branding, and content. This is because we did it for other huge companies when they were clients of the magazine, so we know what we are doing and we are passionate about what we do.

For the people who don´t know about your company CBD Dog Health, can you explain in simple words, what is about? and how did your company and you, changed the lives of many pets of all kinds? 

CBD Dog Health is a line of full spectrum hemp CBD products with a high number of milligrams of CBD to help dogs with everything from anxiety and stress to seizures and cancer. We have a line of tinctures, salves, and treats for dogs, cats, and horses. We have seen pets with grand mal seizures completely stop having seizures, we have seen dogs with tumors and cancers completely heal, and we have seen dogs who could barely walk get up and run like a puppy again. 

You are a successful entrepreneur and a leading parenting expert in Florida.  Founder of House of Alchemy, LLC, CBD Dog Health, Miami Children’s Theater, and Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine. You earned a professional certification in Medical Cannabis for therapeutic use from the University of Vermont College of Medicine, You are also a co-owner of Beautify the Beast, grooming, and pet-boarding shop, what ´s the recipe of your success?

 I only do things that I’m passionate about, which people can sense. My intentions have always been to help, to share the knowledge that will help children and animals live a happy and healthy life. I’m very goal oriented and I know that I have to put a 100 percent in to get 100 percent out of anything.  Most people give up too easily, but I don’t stop until I reach my goals.

For what you have done it is obvious you love animals, did you get the passion for your family or you just were born with it?  Do you have any pet living with you at your home? what do animals mean for you?

When I was growing up, I was allowed to have pets outside so that is where I spent most of my time. I had lots of bunnies, birds, and ducks that I would care for by myself at a very young age. I remember when I was 7-years-old and my sisters and I each got a bunny for a pet, and I ended up taking care of all three of them. It was always in my nature. Animals are so important to us and they provide so much including love. I’ve met thousands of pet parents who love their pets unconditionally; I know I do. I can see what a difference pets make in people’s lives. Currently, I have four dogs and anywhere from four to 10 dogs boarding or being fostered at a time. I also have ducks, chickens, geese, bunnies, and a pig on my rescue farm.

As a leading parenting expert and holistic dog expert, could you briefly mention the do's and don'ts in the relations with our kids and also the do´s and don'ts in the care of our dogs.

Raising a dog is a lot like raising a child, so a lot of the do’s and don’ts of raising them are the same. The time you put in early teaching them and exposing them to the world the better they will end up as they grow up. Dogs and children are here to teach us about ourselves, so enjoy the process because it only happens once.     As their caretaker and protector, remember that no one, no doctor, no teacher is going to care for your child or dog like you do. You are their best, and often only, advocate. It is your responsibility to find the answer you need to solve any issues you, your children, or your pets may be having. I believe in the honest and most natural way of fixing and healing things.

What is the reality of your day-to-day?

I get up about 7:30 am, let the dogs out to play, make dogs a meal, make coffee for myself, let my farm animals out for the day, work from home most days, play with the dogs some more, put farm animals away for the evening, love on some dogs, go to sleep and repeat. Unless I’m traveling, then my fiancé takes care of the dogs and farm and I teach the masses about the holistic pet health and CBD.

Do you have any particular philosophy that guides your career decisions? 

My philosophy is to do what I’m passionate about and fill a need.

If you could, would you change any steps you took in your career, and if so, what would you change?

Honestly, I would have skipped college. I went because I thought I had to, not because I wanted to. I was an entrepreneur at age 14 so I would have liked to continue to build my business ideas.

What do you love most about your job as CEO of CBD Dog Health's & what is the most difficult part? 

I love being the leader and making a difference. The most difficult part is finding the time to answer the hundreds of emails and messages I get every day from people asking for advice for their pet. 

As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?

Play as hard as you work!

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?

Go all in and know your business inside and out. Find ways to set yourself apart from everyone else.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I love organic gardening, and of course, playing with my animals.

Many authors say women can and must strive to have everything – a shining career, blossoming family life, and a perfectly balanced lifestyle all at once,  others point out that– then women are placing unrealistic expectations on themselves if they believe they can have it all, I don´t know if you are married and have kids, so according to your experience, what do you think about these statements?

I think if you’re lucky enough to find a true partner in life you can have it all. I wasn’t lucky enough to find a true partner until just recently. I remember making the choice to concentrate on my career, and the difference I wanted to make, over concentrating on finding a mate for life. Besides, I was much better at creating and helping kids and animals then I was with relationships. That and the fact that when I was 27, I adopted my son, so all my time and energy was put into raising him and building my business. I think having it all is different for every woman.

What are your plans for this 2019? 

Launching my first podcast with Cannabis Radio about holistic pet health, called It’s A Dog’s Life. I am also writing my first book about Cannabis and pets. And I’m hoping to partner with someone HUGE to help get CBD DOG Health products to the masses.

There is still the glass ceiling for women in the world: Fewer opportunities, jobs underpaid just for that fact of being a woman, etc. Have you experimented the glass ceiling? if yes, what are the biggest challenges you have faced and how have you overcome them? 

Heck yes, I experienced it all the time, which is why I became an entrepreneur. No one would pay me what I was worth, except for me!

What tips can you give to young girls who want to work in Animal Health like you?  

Do it! Go, volunteer, take a part-time job, do whatever it takes to gain experience and prove that you’re a valuable team member. I’ve loved animals my whole life, I understand them, know how to handle them and most of this was a natural talent. I had no idea how many opportunities there are out there for someone who loves to work with animals!

I think in your position, many people may have the wrong idea of who you really are (personally), and what do you (professionally), with this idea in mind, what is being Angela and what's not? 

Because of the theater and parenting magazine, many people thought I was a conservative “Martha Stewart” type. What I am is a regular cannabis user who loves being outdoors with her animals, digging in the dirt or mowing the lawn on my tractor!

Who is the woman you admire the most and why? 

Oprah Winfrey. Because she came from nothing and built an empire that does good in the world!

***Cannabidiol (CBD) is the most common cannabinoid in cannabis, and although it can have an effect on both mind and body, it has little to no intoxicating effect. It’s found in the trichomes on the flower of many cannabis strains, including hemp.

Name: Angela Ardolino

Sector:  Animal Health

Company: CBD Dog Health

Designation: Founder & CEO

Country: The USA

Social media:

Facebook.com/AngelaArdolino

Facebook.com/CBDDogNaturals

Instagram: @AngieArdolino and @CBDDogHealth