CBD for Women, by Women: The Story Behind CBD Genesis

CBD for Women, by Women: The Story Behind CBD Genesis

The wellness industry has always been shaped by women. From herbal remedies and aromatherapy to massage therapy and integrative care, women have historically led the charge when it comes to exploring natural approaches to everyday wellbeing. It should come as no surprise, then, that CBD for women has become one of the fastest-growing conversations in the hemp space.

Hemp-derived CBD has quietly found its way into the daily routines of women across the country - tucked into skincare rituals, used as part of post-workout recovery, or simply taken as a consistent wellness supplement. But finding products that are trustworthy, well-made, and backed by real expertise? That part can still feel like a challenge.

That’s where CBD Genesis comes in. With founders Julie Bevel and Erica Farrell at the helm, CBD Genesis is a hemp wellness brand built from the ground up by two licensed professionals who have spent years at the intersection of wellness, education, and cannabis advocacy. Their story is one of expertise, resilience, and a genuine commitment to making hemp wellness accessible and trustworthy for everyone.

Two Women, One Shared Vision

Julie and Erica’s partnership began in the treatment room. Julie Bevel is a Licensed Massage Therapist with over 25 years of professional experience, a career that has taken her from serving as Lead Therapist at the five-star Bellagio Spa in Las Vegas to founding the award-winning Fox River MedSpa outside Chicago, Illinois. Her depth of knowledge in therapeutic wellness, combined with a long-standing advocacy for cannabis in professional settings, has made her one of the most respected voices in the field.

Erica Farrell, a Licensed Cosmetologist, joined Julie at Fox River MedSpa in 2017 as General Manager, overseeing operations across both locations. Together, they built a reputation for quality client care, hands-on expertise, and a wellness-forward philosophy that resonated deeply with their clientele. Both women came to the hemp space not by chance, but by conviction; cannabis advocates and enthusiasts long before CBD became a household name, who understood the plant’s potential and were determined to see it embraced in professional wellness environments.

From the Treatment Room to Hemp: The Birth of Spa Pro

When the 2018 Farm Bill federally legalized hemp-derived CBD, Julie and Erica saw a clear and immediate opportunity. Drawing on their combined professional backgrounds and deep roots in the wellness community, they launched Spa Pro, a line of CBD topicals, tinctures, and gummies developed for clinical and spa environments.

Rather than targeting the retail consumer market right away, Spa Pro took a deliberate wholesale and healthcare-focused approach. The goal was to bring hemp-derived CBD into the hands of licensed professionals who could use it intentionally and communicate its benefits responsibly to their clients. It was a model built on credibility from day one.

Education was central to everything Spa Pro did. Julie and Erica developed Hemp 101 programming for retail teammates, created immersive CBD and essential oil blending events for spa clientele, and built out continuing education resources for licensed professionals. Julie became a sought-after voice in the hemp community, hosting collaborative education events at consumption lounges, dispensaries, physical therapy clinics, and industry conventions. Her reach extended well beyond their spa walls, laying the groundwork for a brand with real depth and staying power.

A National First: NCBTMB-Approved Cannabis Education

Perhaps nothing speaks to Julie’s standing in the professional wellness community more clearly than a milestone achieved in 2025: Spa Pro became the first company in the nation to receive approval from the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) for cannabis-related continuing education courses.

That achievement carried real weight. For years, cannabis-related submissions for Licensed Massage Therapist continuing education had been denied by the NCBTMB. As demand from both practitioners and their clients continued to grow, the board recognized the need for rigorous, science-based standards in this area, and Spa Pro was ready to meet that bar. The two approved courses - an Endocannabinoid System science class (2 CE credits) and a CBD Massage curriculum (6 CE credits) - opened the door for massage therapists across the country to formally incorporate hemp wellness into their practices.

For Julie, the approval was a validation of everything she had been building toward. As she put it; the recognition reflects the growing demand for professional education in this space, and a genuine opportunity to shape how cannabis and massage are integrated in wellness for the future. It’s a milestone that belongs not just to Spa Pro, but to the entire massage and hemp wellness industry.

Why CBD for Women? A Wellness-First Philosophy


CBD for women isn’t a niche, but a natural alignment. Women have long driven the conversation around integrative wellness, and hemp-derived CBD fits comfortably into that tradition. Whether incorporated into a skincare routine, used to support physical recovery after an active day, or taken as a daily supplement for general balance, CBD offers a versatile format that works for a wide range of lifestyles.

Topicals (salves, creams, balms, etc.) are often the easiest entry point for women exploring CBD for the first time, thanks to their targeted application and seamless fit into existing routines. Tinctures offer flexibility and ease of use for those who want to build consistent daily habits. Gummies remain a go-to option for anyone looking for simplicity, discretion, and a more familiar supplement format.

What Julie and Erica understood early, first with Spa Pro, and now with CBD Genesis, is that women looking for CBD products deserve more than just a well-designed label. They deserve transparency about ingredients and sourcing, a brand that speaks to them honestly, and the kind of education that empowers them to make informed choices. That education-first philosophy is something they’ve carried throughout their entire careers, and it remains the foundation of everything CBD Genesis stands for today.

Adapting Through Adversity

Like countless small businesses, Julie and Erica’s journey wasn’t without turbulence. When the COVID-19 pandemic forced their spa locations to temporarily close, the physical foundation they’d spent years building came to an abrupt halt. Rather than wait it out passively, they pivoted. The shutdown became a catalyst, pushing them to lean into online sales and invest seriously in the direct-to-consumer side of the business.

That period of forced reinvention proved to be a turning point. Building and nurturing an online customer base required a different kind of effort, one that demanded clarity of voice, consistency of product quality, and a deep commitment to the community they were cultivating. Julie and Erica met that challenge head-on, and the experience would directly inform the business instincts they’d bring to their next chapter.

A New Chapter: Rebranding CBD Genesis

In 2024, Julie and Erica discovered CBD Genesis, a loved and respected hemp brand with an established product line and a remarkably loyal customer base. The original founders were ready to step back from the business, and Julie and Erica were ready to take on their next entrepreneurial adventure. The acquisition made perfect sense. Here was a brand with the reputation and community they admired, ready to be carried forward by two founders who had the expertise and vision to take it somewhere great.

The rebrand has been a thoughtful, comprehensive evolution. Upgraded packaging gives the brand a polished, modern look that reflects its quality. Refined formulas bring improved consistency and potency. Expanded product options give customers more ways to incorporate CBD into their routines - from sleep support gummies and CBD capsules to pain relief topicals and relaxation blends - and streamlined operations ensure that the experience of ordering from CBD Genesis is as smooth as possible.

The result is a brand that honors its heritage while stepping boldly into the future, one built on the combined strengths of an established loyal community and two founders who have made hemp wellness their life’s work. Julie and Erica continue to make strides in the hemp industry by bringing together exceptional customer care, genuine education, and the best of both their professional worlds.

What Sets CBD Genesis Apart for Women Today

The CBD market has never been short on options. But finding a brand that combines licensed wellness expertise, a genuine education-first approach, and products developed with real care - that’s a different story.

CBD Genesis stands apart because the women running it have spent their careers in wellness settings, working directly with clients, learning what works, and building the kind of product knowledge that only comes from hands-on experience. Julie’s 25-year background as a Licensed Massage Therapist, her tenure at world-class spa facilities, and her groundbreaking work in NCBTMB-approved cannabis education all inform how products are developed and communicated. Erica’s expertise as a Licensed Cosmetologist and her operational leadership bring precision and professionalism to every aspect of the brand.

For women exploring CBD, whether for the first time or looking for a brand that better reflects their values, CBD Genesis offers something that’s genuinely hard to find: products crafted by people who truly know the space, backed by a community that has trusted the brand for years, and guided by founders who care deeply about the customer experience. Browse the CBD Only collection or shop by wellness goal – whether that’s pain relief, better sleep, or everyday relaxation.

Explore the Full CBD Genesis Collection

Ready to make CBD a part of your wellness routine? CBD Genesis offers a thoughtfully curated range of hemp-derived CBD products, from topicals and tinctures to gummies and beyond, all developed with quality, transparency, and the modern wellness-minded woman in mind. Explore their wholesale program if you’re a licensed professional looking to carry CBD Genesis products.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes CBD Genesis a women-owned CBD brand worth trusting?

CBD Genesis is led by Julie Bevel, a Licensed Massage Therapist with over 25 years of experience, and Erica Farrell, a Licensed Cosmetologist and operations expert. Unlike many CBD brands built purely around marketing, CBD Genesis was founded by women who came from professional wellness careers - giving the brand a level of product knowledge, hands-on expertise, and credibility that's genuinely rare in the hemp space.

What CBD products does CBD Genesis offer for women?

CBD Genesis offers a thoughtfully curated range of hemp-derived products designed to fit into a variety of wellness routines. The collection includes CBD topicals (salves, creams, and balms), tinctures, gummies, softgel capsules, sleep support blends, pain relief formulas, and relaxation products - all developed with quality, transparency, and the wellness-minded woman in mind.

Is CBD Genesis only for women?

Not at all. While CBD Genesis was built with women's wellness in mind and is proudly women-owned, their products are suitable for anyone looking for high-quality, hemp-derived CBD. The brand's education-first approach and commitment to transparency make it a trusted choice across a wide range of customers.

How is CBD Genesis different from other CBD brands on the market?

Most CBD brands are built by marketers. CBD Genesis was built by licensed wellness professionals who spent years working directly with clients in spa and therapeutic settings before ever launching a product. That hands-on background shapes everything - from how formulas are developed to how the brand communicates with its customers. Add to that a loyal existing community, upgraded packaging, refined formulas, and NCBTMB-approved cannabis education credentials, and the difference becomes clear.

Does CBD Genesis offer options for licensed wellness professionals?

Yes. CBD Genesis has a wholesale program available for licensed professionals looking to carry their products. This reflects the brand's roots - Julie and Erica originally built Spa Pro specifically for the professional wellness market, and that commitment to supporting licensed practitioners remains a core part of the CBD Genesis mission today.

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