Our first-ever Digital Mama Market is taking place on Friday, April 17 through Sunday, April 19! When selecting a partner for this game-changing event, we wanted to work with a brand that is passionate about supporting the many stage of womanhood. Enter Equilibria — a Chicago-based CBD company offering premium, farm-fresh, full-spectrum CBD products that some of today’s most influential women and mothers can’t get enough of. Learn more from Equilibria co-founder Coco Meers below, and use code FashionMamas to get 15% off your EQ orders now through Sunday!

What was the “lightbulb moment” that inspired you to launch Equilibria?

I was extremely under-educated about cannabis when Marcy Marcy Capron Vermillion (co-founder) and I reconnected to ideate in summer of 2018 after selling our respective tech companies. A francophile from Alabama, white burgundy and bourbon pretty much had me covered on the recreational side of things. Marcy was the first data-driven, engineering mind to emphatically share her personal CBD success story with me, opening up my mind to the idea of cannabis as medicine, versus recreation. Upon hearing Marcy’s authentic stories of nerve pain management and mental health relief, as well as the countless (anonymized) stories of the women she had counseled on dosage and delivery techniques, I began taking a high quality, full-spectrum CBD daily. After a few days, I felt more rested and generally more balanced. After a few weeks, I described my overall temperament as decidedly more “even.” I had a longer fuse with my young children and was less fixated on elements beyond my control at work. After a month or so, I realized I could take my biologic injectable drug for an autoimmune disease less and less, eventually leveling off at ⅓ the frequency. CBD has brought me balance, and I knew women everywhere deserved similar access.

Throughout my professional career, I’ve always been inspired to create beauty and wellness innovations that benefit women. I am an active angel investor in female-founded, consumer companies, and got my entrepreneurial start as founder & CEO of PrettyQuick (acquired by Groupon in 2015), a booking marketplace offering seamless reservations at salons and spas nationwide. PrettyQuick is where I met Marcy, collaborating on our very first public launch. Before PrettyQuick, I was a Brand Manager at L’Oreal in New York & Paris. When Marcy inspired me to take a look at CBD’s balancing properties, I knew this was an extraordinary opportunity to take best-in-class science and wrap it in a consumer brand that women would love.

Why is CBD essential for women and mothers right now, more than ever?

Beyond the inflammation and pain benefits, CBD is renowned for helping improve anxiety and sleep conditions. We juggle so much as mothers and multi-faceted women, CBD brings calm to the many overwhelming moments. CBD helps me be a more present and even-tempered mom. I find I have a longer fuse when responding to tough conversations and stressful moments (bathtime, toddler tantrums, stressful drop-off!!). Instead of escalating when they’re pushing boundaries, I’m able to more calmly react and not get rattled.

Many mothers struggle with sleep, especially when getting back into a “normal” routine once infants are sleeping on their own. For many, CBD improves sleep quality and duration so mom can be her best self tomorrow. With all that we balance as moms, CBD can be a great secret weapon to help us manage our full plates with a little more calm. Our bodies naturally produce cannabinoids, including when we breastfeed! Meers says that is what helps CBD work so effectively within our bodies. We produce our own ‘endo’ (as in endogenous) cannabinoids that are depleted over time and during stressful periods – as in early motherhood. CBD includes “phytocannabinoids” (made from plants) and is effective because it mimics our endo-cannabinoids.

What sets your CBD brand a part from the rest?

As per FDA guidelines, CBD is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or ailment. However, Equilibria offers the most premium organic, full-spectrum CBD from their exclusive bioscience partner in Colorado. CBD is not yet regulated by the FDA, but Equilibria is pushing for federal regulation of industrial hemp for consumer safety.

Because CBD is not yet regulated, some suppliers and brands are cutting corners and offering less expensive, less efficient, and potentially dangerous products to consumers. If CBD becomes regulated, others who are putting profit before results will be required to improve their practices.” So, it’s important to keep these things in mind as you’re considering CBD.

In a sea of CBD brands, Equilibria proudly offers personalized dosage support led by veteran cannabis educators and unparalleled quality from their exclusive bioscience partner- all to advance the mission of balance for women. The curated product line including daily softgels, daily drops and relief cream, which can be purchased a la carte or via monthly subscription boxes. With an expanded suite of results-focused products planned throughout 2020, the brand is committed to using its platform to help women across the globe achieve balance — or equilibria — and live their fullest lives.

What are your current favorite Equilibria products, and which are your all-time bestsellers?

Our best seller is the subscription Balance box and, in our opinion, the best place to start. The Daily Drops are fast acting, so members love them for helping manage moments of high stress. It's also great for microdosing in small amounts, as well as titrating up slowly until you find your sweet spot. Low and slow is key!

What are your tips for anyone interested in trying CBD, but aren't sure what to expect?

Everyone's body chemistry is different, so it can take time and experimentation to find the best dose and regimen (but we promise the juice is worth the squeeze!) For newbies, we recommend starting with daily doses of both our 10 mg Softgels (longer lasting) and 10mg/mL Drops (quicker release) - usually around 20 mg a day in total.

After consistent use for about a week, we invite our members to check in with themselves and assess whether their goals are being met. If so, great! If not, it may be time to tweak either their product, dosage, frequency - or come combination!

The effects of CBD can be subtle while also creating a long-term impact. Ultimately, it's about your body's system functioning the way it was built to function in the first place. So, if you're taking CBD to help you sleep, then you may notice an improvement in the depth and quality of your sleep. If you're taking CBD to help lessen your anxiety, then you may notice feeling more even-keeled and able to handle the day-to-day stresses better. Everyone's experience is unique. That’s why we have a team of dosage consultants to help you dial into the best dose for you!

Do you have any upcoming projects or plans coming up for the brand that you're excited to share?

Yes! We are launching some incredible new bath and body products for Mothers Day and more in mid May.

Shop Equilibria and set up a personal consult here, and don’t forget to use code FashionMamas to score 15% off now through Sunday, April 19!

Meet Equilibria, Premium CBD for the Modern Mama