Hi guys!
Just as a quick bit of info, I wanted to share with you something that is a component of one of my personal values as an aspect of my company ethos.
It is a deep and aggressive belief of mine that fantastic health and powerful holistic nutrition is not reserved for the highest of our society's economic eschalon, in fact I believe you have the right to have fantastic health your entire life, free from inflammation, preventable disease, etc. in a price range that is affordable for everyone as much as possible.
When producing products of superior nutrition, and cutting edge holistic medicine, cost definitely becomes a factor. Rather than hop to the high road of insane quick profit margins, and have it on my head that I gouged someone right out of the ability to have excellent health, just to make more on a single point of purchase, I have intentionally designed the price points for each and every product to be as middle class friendly as possible so that everyone and anyone who wants to use them can do so as a load bearing item and staple they can rely on for their family and themselves to use regularly and not have to worry about it being junky, while also receiving wide ranging health benefits, AND have an ability to have a financially stable and fiscally strong life to improve their quality of life even more.
If it didn't meet that criteria, I wouldn't make the product, or I would just say forget it and charge more for everything which I would never be ok with doing.
I designed virtually all my products the same way I approach music in the sense that I play what I want to hear, and I make what I want to see available in the marketplace that is not. Better products, at better prices, with higher nutritional power than something half as holistically powerful. Things that I want for myself, and that of course will be appreciated by people who are similar to me in their beliefs and health goals and lifestyles.
The only thing that allows this to really crank in and work for everyone is volume and reciprocity. Next time you're in the marketplace, look around and ask yourself some tough questions about the products you purchase, where the money goes, the beliefs of the company that makes them, materials used to package them, nutrient density, environmental impact, sustainability, health benefits, price point, cruelty free and vegan, the whole nine yards.
It's Important that people vote with their dollars not only for grass roots companies like mine to rock and be awesome, but to discourage larger less holistic or nutritionally focused companies to quit making junky products, or overcharging for good ones, or for stores and distributors to stop carrying anything that fits this description either way.
It's always about customers, staff, education, and quality of products. Second best is never best when it comes to your health, it's just second. And it doesn't deserve your vote.
I believe mine do :)
Jeffrey Von Stetten
Founder and Owner of Jeff's Best Hemp!
Love Mercy Compassion
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Friday, March 5, 2010
Full Circle-Feeling Good
Hi!
I was just taking a minute to reflect and think and thank for how awesome things can be sometimes when they come full circle.
Less than a year ago, in a region of the United States, I had sent some items to a regional buyer for Vitamins and Bodycare at one of the slightly larger chains in their respective part of the U.S.
I had done so at the request of some of the independent managers to see if it could be brought in at a regional level, even though I had specifically stated, I'd prefer to just go one by one so I knew they really wanted our flagship items in their stores and would be excited that they were there.
Waiting with happiness and anticipation after I sent the items, and filled out about 12 pages of paperwork, I received an email that not only was addressed to me, but to all the store managers of the given region.
Stating that it was regionally declined because, and I roughly quote "this whole issue of BPA is back and forth and rages on, and there's nothing wrong with plastic containers"
that my labels were "misleading to state that it was BPA and MTBE free because they all are..."(even the one's in dark shale plastic containers, which clearly is not true) even though I assured this individual it was simply a purity statement assuring customers that it was not even a factor to consider that it was to assure them it was extra healthy and safe, and reiterating that I don't take the issue of BPA, MTBE, and XenoEstrogens Lightly. It's right on the label for goodness sakes.
and that they "see no difference between my items and anything else on the market other than it's in glass"
It really threw me for a loop, and to say those things to a Cancer survivor trying to avoid things that can cause you ill health? Yick. that's awful.
So, I stood my ground and defended my line and position on plastic.
Mind you:
I was never met with in person
I was never spoken with on the phone
No meeting was ever arranged.
Just e theatre at it's distant finest, spammed out to total strangers.
The response from the buyer was so theatrical and over the top that it left managers intimidated to order the items for fear of retaliatory actions. This is still stated to me on occasion today, that it will affect their promotions, vacation time, etc. It's totally insane, and I thought immediately it smacked of shenanigans and flailing that only could mean one thing, that it jeopardized the potential success of something very huge that they had committed to. Unfortunately sometimes, people don't think that largely or that it could be something so low ball.
It also came at a time that their shares were down to 9 dollars a share, from 30, and sure enough less than 3 weeks later a different company mysteriously showed up nationally with a new version of their hemp protein that is showed great favoritism by this chain. Which bummed me out because I totally dig the way that particular company does business, even if it's in plastic, and the founders, etc. always seem really nice.
Anyway, at least it all made sense. At my companies expense, albeit, but it at least added up financially for a struggling department in a chain who's shares were sinking. I would have respected it so much more if they just said "I'm sorry but we've committed to a large buy in nationally for XYZ company and this will jeopardize it's success at our stores right now, try in about a year." Simple and honest. Whatever. It's forgiven, I bless them, and I pray for them daily, and am thankful for the learning lesson and consider it valuable and beautiful to have learned. I also respect the decision of defending their investments. I understand and respect that. I am also thankful that I stood my ground.
Well, now less than a year later, of wild success, and fantastic growth, customer response, and beautiful testimonies, we stand at a point of total and utter happiness.
Better than that, 4 entire STATES have completely BANNED all BPA and MTBE lined and packaged food products from the shelves of their stores. As in gathered citizens, legislation, signed and voted in straight up BANNED! Washington, Wisconsin (the land of dairy! Amazing!), Connecticut, and Minnesota! Dude! 4 ENTIRE STATES! YES!
It gets even better, in a move unprecedented by the FDA, they have issued not one but TWO formal statements on the dangers of foods and bodycare items packaged in BPA plastic.
One Article is here
Another BPA related article, not from the FDA but still extremely important is here
I'll leave the other for you to find, I don't want to spoil your fun of looking.
I can't tell you how awesome it is to have 4 entire states, and the FDA basically stating and echoing the exact same thing I said and took such heated flack for over a year ago, with high potential that Oregon and California will be the next to follow.
I've never been so happy to have labels and packaging that can assure consumers and customers that it is "Bisphenol A Free, MTBE Free" all in amber glass, and all Organic.
This isn't meant to gloat, or meant in vengeance, nothing like that at all. That is not Love, that is not Mercy, and that is not Compassion.
What it is however, is just me taking a moment to feel good that I stood my ground, and took the initiative to be the change that I wished to see in the world. All that negativity can't eclipse or outshine the truth of all the good vibes that I'm trying to share, or that are a part of my company.
I treat people the way they want to be treated.
I am a Cancer Survivor, and I believe it is God who spared and saved my life. My Mother, is also a Cancer Survivor.
I don't take the issues of Bisphenol A, MTBE, or Xeno-Estrogens Lightly, and YOU SHOULDN'T EITHER! :)
I consider your family, to be my family, and my family to be your family. I mean that in the greatest of Love Mercy and Compassion.
I'm just taking a moment to reflect, to be thankful, and feel really really good. Because right now, I really really do.
I will truly pray that each and every one of you God blesses with the greatest blessings of Love, Mercy and Compassion.
JVS
I was just taking a minute to reflect and think and thank for how awesome things can be sometimes when they come full circle.
Less than a year ago, in a region of the United States, I had sent some items to a regional buyer for Vitamins and Bodycare at one of the slightly larger chains in their respective part of the U.S.
I had done so at the request of some of the independent managers to see if it could be brought in at a regional level, even though I had specifically stated, I'd prefer to just go one by one so I knew they really wanted our flagship items in their stores and would be excited that they were there.
Waiting with happiness and anticipation after I sent the items, and filled out about 12 pages of paperwork, I received an email that not only was addressed to me, but to all the store managers of the given region.
Stating that it was regionally declined because, and I roughly quote "this whole issue of BPA is back and forth and rages on, and there's nothing wrong with plastic containers"
that my labels were "misleading to state that it was BPA and MTBE free because they all are..."(even the one's in dark shale plastic containers, which clearly is not true) even though I assured this individual it was simply a purity statement assuring customers that it was not even a factor to consider that it was to assure them it was extra healthy and safe, and reiterating that I don't take the issue of BPA, MTBE, and XenoEstrogens Lightly. It's right on the label for goodness sakes.
and that they "see no difference between my items and anything else on the market other than it's in glass"
- making no mention and completely missing the finer grind offering more protein per serving,
- making no mention of and completely missing the cold filtration on the Hemp seed oil, offering a higher level of purity than anyone else,
- making no mention of any of the bodycare items like the massage oil in glass, or the soothing shave oil also in glass, or the soaps that detoxify and support your skin....
It really threw me for a loop, and to say those things to a Cancer survivor trying to avoid things that can cause you ill health? Yick. that's awful.
So, I stood my ground and defended my line and position on plastic.
Mind you:
I was never met with in person
I was never spoken with on the phone
No meeting was ever arranged.
Just e theatre at it's distant finest, spammed out to total strangers.
The response from the buyer was so theatrical and over the top that it left managers intimidated to order the items for fear of retaliatory actions. This is still stated to me on occasion today, that it will affect their promotions, vacation time, etc. It's totally insane, and I thought immediately it smacked of shenanigans and flailing that only could mean one thing, that it jeopardized the potential success of something very huge that they had committed to. Unfortunately sometimes, people don't think that largely or that it could be something so low ball.
It also came at a time that their shares were down to 9 dollars a share, from 30, and sure enough less than 3 weeks later a different company mysteriously showed up nationally with a new version of their hemp protein that is showed great favoritism by this chain. Which bummed me out because I totally dig the way that particular company does business, even if it's in plastic, and the founders, etc. always seem really nice.
Anyway, at least it all made sense. At my companies expense, albeit, but it at least added up financially for a struggling department in a chain who's shares were sinking. I would have respected it so much more if they just said "I'm sorry but we've committed to a large buy in nationally for XYZ company and this will jeopardize it's success at our stores right now, try in about a year." Simple and honest. Whatever. It's forgiven, I bless them, and I pray for them daily, and am thankful for the learning lesson and consider it valuable and beautiful to have learned. I also respect the decision of defending their investments. I understand and respect that. I am also thankful that I stood my ground.
Well, now less than a year later, of wild success, and fantastic growth, customer response, and beautiful testimonies, we stand at a point of total and utter happiness.
Better than that, 4 entire STATES have completely BANNED all BPA and MTBE lined and packaged food products from the shelves of their stores. As in gathered citizens, legislation, signed and voted in straight up BANNED! Washington, Wisconsin (the land of dairy! Amazing!), Connecticut, and Minnesota! Dude! 4 ENTIRE STATES! YES!
It gets even better, in a move unprecedented by the FDA, they have issued not one but TWO formal statements on the dangers of foods and bodycare items packaged in BPA plastic.
One Article is here
Another BPA related article, not from the FDA but still extremely important is here
I'll leave the other for you to find, I don't want to spoil your fun of looking.
I can't tell you how awesome it is to have 4 entire states, and the FDA basically stating and echoing the exact same thing I said and took such heated flack for over a year ago, with high potential that Oregon and California will be the next to follow.
I've never been so happy to have labels and packaging that can assure consumers and customers that it is "Bisphenol A Free, MTBE Free" all in amber glass, and all Organic.
This isn't meant to gloat, or meant in vengeance, nothing like that at all. That is not Love, that is not Mercy, and that is not Compassion.
What it is however, is just me taking a moment to feel good that I stood my ground, and took the initiative to be the change that I wished to see in the world. All that negativity can't eclipse or outshine the truth of all the good vibes that I'm trying to share, or that are a part of my company.
I treat people the way they want to be treated.
And I will start fresh by saying:
I am a Cancer Survivor, and I believe it is God who spared and saved my life. My Mother, is also a Cancer Survivor.
I don't take the issues of Bisphenol A, MTBE, or Xeno-Estrogens Lightly, and YOU SHOULDN'T EITHER! :)
I consider your family, to be my family, and my family to be your family. I mean that in the greatest of Love Mercy and Compassion.
I'm just taking a moment to reflect, to be thankful, and feel really really good. Because right now, I really really do.
I will truly pray that each and every one of you God blesses with the greatest blessings of Love, Mercy and Compassion.
JVS
Friday, February 5, 2010
BPA, my company and the economy
I just wanted to cover a little info that I think is important.
At a time when some peoples companies are shrinking, and people are cutting back, due to such great customer, doctor, and practitioner response, my company is growing at a rate that I can barely keep up with, and I am so humbled and thankful that it is. That is not a problem, it is a humbled exultation of pure joy.
I don't sweat the small stuff, and I don't put up with nonsense, but I do try to really make a difference and it feels good when people share their enthusiasm.
At a time when some businesses are struggling, I'm trying to find staff and people I can count on to keep things smoothly rolling. I am actually CREATING JOBS. Albeit, most are very minimal part time, but none the less, great jobs working with what is as far as I'm concerned the absolute best on the market. How awesome is that?
Recently we as a collective consumer society have now experienced what I believe to be great victories, really reaffirming great starts to the beginning of the year.
In an unforseen and unprecedented ethical move by the FDA, they have issued not one but TWO formal statements on the potential hazards of plastics and BPA in foods, nutritional and bodycare products.
Two new states have banned the use of any and all BPA packaging. Washington and Wisconsin. And I think if Washington did it, Oregon, and then California will soon follow suit. How stoked am I? Very.
Jeff's Best Hemp! currently represents the ONLY Hemp company on the market, in the states and internationally producing premium quality Raw Food, Vitamin, and Bodycare products completely and totally free of BPA plastics.
Sometimes it's stressful, frustrating, and disappointing when you try to provide something that's a healthier choice, and come from a purely holistic nutritional or holistic medical point of view and be honest regarding the dangers of BPA, and say something you feel is helpful from the heart and get flack for it, but it's hard not to rub someone the wrong way if they insist on using items that are not the best. Some off set it by offering bulk refills which is awesome. Some companies don't they are not so awesome.
It is so fantastic to see actual progress in this area and to be poised for such wildly positive choices to offer people for their health. It's excellent.
How neat it is to see people vote with their dollars for the smarter healthier choices.
Just think of how great it could be if nutritional and industrial hemp was grown here. We'd have full time positions for people in less than a month of our first harvest!
I am so stoked for all the great responses I continue to receive from customers and stores. People are so fantastic. Kudos to you
God bless each and every person out there who has said and says such nice things. Just one of your testimonies makes a potentially stressful day, so much better. Your health and well being are the name of the game. For you, and your family, with much love I say, healthy choices await you.
Enjoy the rain! :)
Kind Regards,
Jeffrey Von Stetten
Jeff's Best Hemp!
At a time when some peoples companies are shrinking, and people are cutting back, due to such great customer, doctor, and practitioner response, my company is growing at a rate that I can barely keep up with, and I am so humbled and thankful that it is. That is not a problem, it is a humbled exultation of pure joy.
I don't sweat the small stuff, and I don't put up with nonsense, but I do try to really make a difference and it feels good when people share their enthusiasm.
At a time when some businesses are struggling, I'm trying to find staff and people I can count on to keep things smoothly rolling. I am actually CREATING JOBS. Albeit, most are very minimal part time, but none the less, great jobs working with what is as far as I'm concerned the absolute best on the market. How awesome is that?
Recently we as a collective consumer society have now experienced what I believe to be great victories, really reaffirming great starts to the beginning of the year.
In an unforseen and unprecedented ethical move by the FDA, they have issued not one but TWO formal statements on the potential hazards of plastics and BPA in foods, nutritional and bodycare products.
Two new states have banned the use of any and all BPA packaging. Washington and Wisconsin. And I think if Washington did it, Oregon, and then California will soon follow suit. How stoked am I? Very.
Jeff's Best Hemp! currently represents the ONLY Hemp company on the market, in the states and internationally producing premium quality Raw Food, Vitamin, and Bodycare products completely and totally free of BPA plastics.
Sometimes it's stressful, frustrating, and disappointing when you try to provide something that's a healthier choice, and come from a purely holistic nutritional or holistic medical point of view and be honest regarding the dangers of BPA, and say something you feel is helpful from the heart and get flack for it, but it's hard not to rub someone the wrong way if they insist on using items that are not the best. Some off set it by offering bulk refills which is awesome. Some companies don't they are not so awesome.
It is so fantastic to see actual progress in this area and to be poised for such wildly positive choices to offer people for their health. It's excellent.
How neat it is to see people vote with their dollars for the smarter healthier choices.
Just think of how great it could be if nutritional and industrial hemp was grown here. We'd have full time positions for people in less than a month of our first harvest!
I am so stoked for all the great responses I continue to receive from customers and stores. People are so fantastic. Kudos to you
God bless each and every person out there who has said and says such nice things. Just one of your testimonies makes a potentially stressful day, so much better. Your health and well being are the name of the game. For you, and your family, with much love I say, healthy choices await you.
Enjoy the rain! :)
Kind Regards,
Jeffrey Von Stetten
Jeff's Best Hemp!
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Customers!
Thank You!
Customer's have spoken loud and clear that Jeff's Best Hemp! products and quality are appreciated and celebrated in many different ways.
I strive to offer, create innovative, and unprecedented levels of purity and quality unrivaled in the industry. Safer, cleaner, more responsible, and simple.
It is my hope that as time progresses that you not only are excited to find the things that you may already know about everything that is offered with Jeff's Best Hemp!, but have the excitement of continually finding more and more to appreciate in our loving and compassion filled inventory.
This is a company based in Love Mercy and Compassion, and treating others as you would wish to be treated.
Pay attention to the products. Pay attention to the items distinctions. You will not be disappointed.
Jeff's Best Hemp!
Delicious and Nutritious with Nothing Suspicious!
Love Mercy Compassion
Customer's have spoken loud and clear that Jeff's Best Hemp! products and quality are appreciated and celebrated in many different ways.
I strive to offer, create innovative, and unprecedented levels of purity and quality unrivaled in the industry. Safer, cleaner, more responsible, and simple.
It is my hope that as time progresses that you not only are excited to find the things that you may already know about everything that is offered with Jeff's Best Hemp!, but have the excitement of continually finding more and more to appreciate in our loving and compassion filled inventory.
This is a company based in Love Mercy and Compassion, and treating others as you would wish to be treated.
Pay attention to the products. Pay attention to the items distinctions. You will not be disappointed.
Jeff's Best Hemp!
Delicious and Nutritious with Nothing Suspicious!
Love Mercy Compassion
Monday, January 11, 2010
Jeff's Best Hemp! and Natural Healing Institute Team Up!
Hi Guys!
We are starting off the year with a bang!
In addition to a positive review and writeup on Jeff's Best Hemp! for Successful companies and Alumni, Jeff's Best Hemp! has teamed up with the Natural Healing Institute of Naturopathic Medicine in Encinitas, CA. to help provide incentive and support for all staff members of the main local health foods chains to try and achieve formal training and degree's for those who wish to continue in their development and practice of the healing arts.
All staff members who work at the 4 central Health Food chains in the area for Southern California, specifically, Mother's Market and Kitchen, Henry's, WholeFoods, and Jimbo's will all receive 10% their entire tuition for any and all disciplines they wish to pursue indefinitely.
It was my wish to try and find a way to reciprocate people's interest in helping and healing others through different powerful modalities of healing that expressed an interest to do so. Hopefully this will provide a means to make a good heart and a good mind and good intentions grow and develop into a powerful arsenal of practitioners out in the world, helping people to have a better quality of life. For those of you wishing to pursue the HHP and NP degrees, this is seriously a saving of thousands of dollars.
All you have to do is tell them you were referred by Jeff's Best Hemp! and you'll get the pricebreak. It's as easy as that. Simple and Awesome.
I hope this helps you feel supported in your interest to share your goodwill with your human and animal family members that share this Earth with you! You guys rock!
Love Mercy Compassion
Jeffrey Von Stetten
Jeff's Best Hemp!
We are starting off the year with a bang!
In addition to a positive review and writeup on Jeff's Best Hemp! for Successful companies and Alumni, Jeff's Best Hemp! has teamed up with the Natural Healing Institute of Naturopathic Medicine in Encinitas, CA. to help provide incentive and support for all staff members of the main local health foods chains to try and achieve formal training and degree's for those who wish to continue in their development and practice of the healing arts.
All staff members who work at the 4 central Health Food chains in the area for Southern California, specifically, Mother's Market and Kitchen, Henry's, WholeFoods, and Jimbo's will all receive 10% their entire tuition for any and all disciplines they wish to pursue indefinitely.
It was my wish to try and find a way to reciprocate people's interest in helping and healing others through different powerful modalities of healing that expressed an interest to do so. Hopefully this will provide a means to make a good heart and a good mind and good intentions grow and develop into a powerful arsenal of practitioners out in the world, helping people to have a better quality of life. For those of you wishing to pursue the HHP and NP degrees, this is seriously a saving of thousands of dollars.
All you have to do is tell them you were referred by Jeff's Best Hemp! and you'll get the pricebreak. It's as easy as that. Simple and Awesome.
I hope this helps you feel supported in your interest to share your goodwill with your human and animal family members that share this Earth with you! You guys rock!
Love Mercy Compassion
Jeffrey Von Stetten
Jeff's Best Hemp!
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Christmas and New Years
Well, this Christmas was an interesting one for me, really nice but really odd and with an even more oddness lingering in the background.
In Short, on my mom's side of the family, my aunt, who has never smoked, lived across the street from the beach for 25 years, goes to all her checkups regularly and plays tennis once a week, was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. We're all so startled and shocked and thought this was so odd, it made for a Christmas that had that looming as a part of it, and we're all just staring off into space thinking how's that possible?
On top of this, my uncle her brother, has had his parkinsons, which was brought on almost 100% due to the pesticides and herbicides he used in his orchard for over 20+ years, get significantly worse and spent the weeks prior to Christmas and Thanksgiving, falling and bruising his face, lip, etc. to the point where he had to go to intensive care. He's better but that was the precursor to Christmas.
In addition to this, my Cousin's husband Bob, last year was not doing good at all. He had pulmonary fibrosis and his lungs were not doing good at all. He couldn't finish sentences, he couldn't breath, it sucked. Out of the blue earlier this year, he actually got called in with a donor for a Lung transplant. He got the lungs, and is doing fantastic. So, I was there at Christmas talking with him in good health, playing with my nephew, hugging my cousin (his wife), and that was so great to see, with my Aunt who still feels awesome, and all of us thinking wow, this is alot of stuff going on and everyone is still awesome but concerned.
As I returned I thought to myself about all this stuff and how much I love my family, and what amazing things can be done to help people be healthy.
I had met with Aunt, upon receiving her diagnosis, and gave her a DVD on Gerson Therapy to watch. The next week she bought a Vitamix. At Christmas, I made a list with my other cousin(who is severely Gluten intolerant and trying to get more gluten savvy) of Nutritional suggestions and strategies, to help my aunt get the ideal nutrition as she starts her first week of Chemo.
Upon return, although I don't think I needed a reminder, about the fact that all these foods that come into contact with healthy fats and plastics, non organic veggies, preservatives are totally a life and death matter. And for my uncle, whose condition is very estrogen related, Xeno-Estrogens toxins of any type, are all things which SIGNIFICANTLY contribute to his condition being worse.
And it was a great reminder that I am so done with being PC about how I feel regarding these types of items and their packaging.
At the early part of the year a buyer for a chain in the U.S. not only declined my items at a regional level for an area (which would have been fine if it was stated as, thank you for your submission, not interested at this time) and left at that.
Instead this individual took it upon themself to state that it's "misleading" to state on my labels that my oils and food items are "xeno-estrogen free bisphenol A free, gluten free and MTBE free" which they are, and also in glass, made no mention of the cold filtration for oil, no mention of the finer grind on the protein, no mention of the Dioxin Free aspect of the soaps, no mention of the herbicide and pesticide free wildcrafted ingredients , and spammed it out to all the managers in the chain in an effort to intimidate them from ordering individually at a store level. Needless to say to have a statement like that made was baffling, since everything else available was all in plastic, and could not safely make those claims, or that it was not ok to be stoked that we were offering a purer, better choice, for each item available in contrast to anything else available on the market. It made no sense. What's wrong with being excited to provide an unprecedented level of purity and nutritional purity? Or with educating customers as a part of the process? there just seemed to be no depth involved in the statements.
I tried to clarify that I was highlighting all the strengths and distinct purity of the contents and line, and that especially as a Cancer survivor myself, these strengths were very important to me and things I want others to know so they feel comfortable buying it. Upside, they were then given the ok to do so, but with that as a precedent, they were outspokenly concerned for any retaliatory actions they may incur, and it completely eclipsed all the positivity and uniqueness and good vibes of my line before they even saw or learned about the items.
I had thought well, maybe it was one of those things where it's supposed to be a brief, kind of keep the momentum going, point counter point type of thing, similar to a debate class, having not interacted with this individual before, and addressed the totally false statements that were made, how it didn't fit with their public store ethos, tried to put it all back on a positive, and hopefully clarify any concerns that there may be. Mind you I was never met with in person, never phoned or talked with, never offered a chance to help ease any concerns, or maybe just make a brief personal connection clear where I was coming from in a positive way and show how odd that it was that they said one thing publicly, and yet practiced this behaviour behind closed doors.
My efforts to help clarify and ease any concerns were not welcomed or met with gratitude. I received a very volatile tantrum esque email, which included all the names of all the managers in the region for that department, berating my efforts to clarify any misgivings and demonizing my company (that I worked on for over two years, and launched out of my own savings) and myself, harping that I dared to question this persons statements. My thought were hey you came out swinging and making massively and aggressive false statements about someones company, while simultaneously missing all the unique strengths of each item in the whole line, and spammed it to all your managers in the region. Seriously, you had to know that was going be addressed. You don't just get to say whatever you want, and insinuate sin in someone's company where there is none, and walk away thinking no one will do anything or defend themselves, that's crazy. The fact that you even said it and spammed it clearly highlights your mental and emotional instability, or malicious intent at the very least..
A simple "thank you,not interested" would have been fine, but to spam a berated statement to potential buyers, no, that is not normal, or ok to do. No buyer in any chain across the nation(that would be from washington to florida, texas to the dakotas, new york to la) I've ever worked with took it upon them self to do so and it was a loveless hostile act indeed. What really sucked is that I only wanted to see the items in about a selected 7 stores for that area, and had only made the effort to speak with this person, because the staff I had met had all asked if I could speak with the regional buyer first so it was easier to bring in if it was regionally approved. I didn't want to because it was quite a process with lots of paperwork, but I did that to possibly make their lives easier. I guess no good deed goes unpunished.
To this day when speaking with any staff if they ask something about my company it never has anything to do with a specific product strength or is a product related question, or any of the positivity of the compassionate contribution, or cancer research and survivors, it all goes right back to this ridiculous theatrical nonsense that was first spammed out and dragged my company name through the mud. They still express reluctance and concern that if they bring a product of mine into the store in that region, they are concerned for retaliatory actions against them from this person. It's so sad. I've long forgiven it, and try to be loving, and even sent this person a gift later on in the year in an effort to be as much at peace with everyone as I can possibly be, just human to human, in the eyes of God.
Individually the staff has independently also decided that was not cool, and ventured to try and bring things in despite that. They have all had fantastic sales every where they did. And they are mostly the stores that were my selected hopes to begin with so I guess it all works out fine.
After this Christmas, I also was reminded that not only am I so over it, this issue, and my energy to try and be even remotely PC, but that this is about people's fucking lives. It is about their life and death health, and it is about having a better choice than toxic crap with pesticides in standard BPA plastic. Xeno Estrogens, MTBE, BPA and pesticides and Herbicides are all very real threats to peoples health. And for Cancer survivors? Holy shit, it's a huge huge thing to avoid at all costs in all forms.
If you go around defending companies that poison people and can make their health worse, give them cancer, make their parkinsons worse, make their cancer recurr, make their hormones all unbalanced, then you're just a monster, it's disgraceful. Quit being such a wuss and tell them "No thank you, it's in standard plastic, I don't want it. The jury's in and that stuff is bad". Or at least say "Yay, it's totally organic and in amber glass, Sweet!" and make it available as a healthier choice among the one's in plastic. Customers deserve healthier choices if it's available.
Thankfully customers are much smarter. Not only was that the only person to react that way, but everything within my line has had fantastic success everywhere it's carried, in a huge huge huge way. Customers are resoundingly voting with their dollars for my efforts, my company, and to have things that are cleaner and healthier than things with Healthy Fats in standard plastics, and soaps and bodycare with fucking dioxin. The ocean thank's you, the birds thank you, the landfills thank you, generations to come thank you, Surfrider Foundation thanks you, Race for the Cure thanks you, and customers in spades thank you.
I didn't start in this industry to make friends, I worked my ass off and continue to work my ass off to provide better, safer, cleaner healthier choices than were currently available, for people like my aunt, my uncle, myself a lymphoma survivor, my cousin, my other cousin, my mother who is a breast cancer survivor, and anyone who just wants to have an ounce of prevention be a pound of cure.
Next someone wants to try and give me shit about putting Xeno-Estrogen free on the label, MTBE Free on the label, Bisphenol A free on the label, or gluten free on the label, entertain this idea, giving a cancer survivor shit, about having kick ass products that provide people with hypoallergenic healthier choices and packaging that doesn't put them at risk again for a life threatening illness, makes you a monster, and a yucky human being. It's that simple. People on Chemo don't have time for your posturing. They need better choices NOW.
My urge for PC is gone, and in light of my aunt and uncle all you've done is succeed in awaking an angry giant. Giants have big feet so don't be surprised if your toes get stepped on standing in the way of healthier choices and the customers that want them available for their families friends and loved ones.
I do however forgive this person, wish them love, good vibes, give them the benefit of the doubt that there may have been business factors (say, a huge inventory of plastic encased EFA's, etc.) and think that they are probably a very nice person that just didn't pay attention to the details under a very rushed stressed week, and may have made a mistake. It happens, and there's always room to grow.
Any product specific nutritionally related questions or inquiries, regarding the integrity and efficacy of any item desired are always welcomed. Childish personal attacks however, there's just no time for, and no point in responding to, that's not a good way to live.
LOVE MERCY COMPASSION. Treat others as you would want to be treated.
A decision out of love, is a decision for love. And a life of love is the way it's going to be.
LOVE WINS.
I wish you all a Happy New Year filled with Love Mercy and Compassion. :)
In Short, on my mom's side of the family, my aunt, who has never smoked, lived across the street from the beach for 25 years, goes to all her checkups regularly and plays tennis once a week, was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. We're all so startled and shocked and thought this was so odd, it made for a Christmas that had that looming as a part of it, and we're all just staring off into space thinking how's that possible?
On top of this, my uncle her brother, has had his parkinsons, which was brought on almost 100% due to the pesticides and herbicides he used in his orchard for over 20+ years, get significantly worse and spent the weeks prior to Christmas and Thanksgiving, falling and bruising his face, lip, etc. to the point where he had to go to intensive care. He's better but that was the precursor to Christmas.
In addition to this, my Cousin's husband Bob, last year was not doing good at all. He had pulmonary fibrosis and his lungs were not doing good at all. He couldn't finish sentences, he couldn't breath, it sucked. Out of the blue earlier this year, he actually got called in with a donor for a Lung transplant. He got the lungs, and is doing fantastic. So, I was there at Christmas talking with him in good health, playing with my nephew, hugging my cousin (his wife), and that was so great to see, with my Aunt who still feels awesome, and all of us thinking wow, this is alot of stuff going on and everyone is still awesome but concerned.
As I returned I thought to myself about all this stuff and how much I love my family, and what amazing things can be done to help people be healthy.
I had met with Aunt, upon receiving her diagnosis, and gave her a DVD on Gerson Therapy to watch. The next week she bought a Vitamix. At Christmas, I made a list with my other cousin(who is severely Gluten intolerant and trying to get more gluten savvy) of Nutritional suggestions and strategies, to help my aunt get the ideal nutrition as she starts her first week of Chemo.
Upon return, although I don't think I needed a reminder, about the fact that all these foods that come into contact with healthy fats and plastics, non organic veggies, preservatives are totally a life and death matter. And for my uncle, whose condition is very estrogen related, Xeno-Estrogens toxins of any type, are all things which SIGNIFICANTLY contribute to his condition being worse.
And it was a great reminder that I am so done with being PC about how I feel regarding these types of items and their packaging.
At the early part of the year a buyer for a chain in the U.S. not only declined my items at a regional level for an area (which would have been fine if it was stated as, thank you for your submission, not interested at this time) and left at that.
Instead this individual took it upon themself to state that it's "misleading" to state on my labels that my oils and food items are "xeno-estrogen free bisphenol A free, gluten free and MTBE free" which they are, and also in glass, made no mention of the cold filtration for oil, no mention of the finer grind on the protein, no mention of the Dioxin Free aspect of the soaps, no mention of the herbicide and pesticide free wildcrafted ingredients , and spammed it out to all the managers in the chain in an effort to intimidate them from ordering individually at a store level. Needless to say to have a statement like that made was baffling, since everything else available was all in plastic, and could not safely make those claims, or that it was not ok to be stoked that we were offering a purer, better choice, for each item available in contrast to anything else available on the market. It made no sense. What's wrong with being excited to provide an unprecedented level of purity and nutritional purity? Or with educating customers as a part of the process? there just seemed to be no depth involved in the statements.
I tried to clarify that I was highlighting all the strengths and distinct purity of the contents and line, and that especially as a Cancer survivor myself, these strengths were very important to me and things I want others to know so they feel comfortable buying it. Upside, they were then given the ok to do so, but with that as a precedent, they were outspokenly concerned for any retaliatory actions they may incur, and it completely eclipsed all the positivity and uniqueness and good vibes of my line before they even saw or learned about the items.
I had thought well, maybe it was one of those things where it's supposed to be a brief, kind of keep the momentum going, point counter point type of thing, similar to a debate class, having not interacted with this individual before, and addressed the totally false statements that were made, how it didn't fit with their public store ethos, tried to put it all back on a positive, and hopefully clarify any concerns that there may be. Mind you I was never met with in person, never phoned or talked with, never offered a chance to help ease any concerns, or maybe just make a brief personal connection clear where I was coming from in a positive way and show how odd that it was that they said one thing publicly, and yet practiced this behaviour behind closed doors.
My efforts to help clarify and ease any concerns were not welcomed or met with gratitude. I received a very volatile tantrum esque email, which included all the names of all the managers in the region for that department, berating my efforts to clarify any misgivings and demonizing my company (that I worked on for over two years, and launched out of my own savings) and myself, harping that I dared to question this persons statements. My thought were hey you came out swinging and making massively and aggressive false statements about someones company, while simultaneously missing all the unique strengths of each item in the whole line, and spammed it to all your managers in the region. Seriously, you had to know that was going be addressed. You don't just get to say whatever you want, and insinuate sin in someone's company where there is none, and walk away thinking no one will do anything or defend themselves, that's crazy. The fact that you even said it and spammed it clearly highlights your mental and emotional instability, or malicious intent at the very least..
A simple "thank you,not interested" would have been fine, but to spam a berated statement to potential buyers, no, that is not normal, or ok to do. No buyer in any chain across the nation(that would be from washington to florida, texas to the dakotas, new york to la) I've ever worked with took it upon them self to do so and it was a loveless hostile act indeed. What really sucked is that I only wanted to see the items in about a selected 7 stores for that area, and had only made the effort to speak with this person, because the staff I had met had all asked if I could speak with the regional buyer first so it was easier to bring in if it was regionally approved. I didn't want to because it was quite a process with lots of paperwork, but I did that to possibly make their lives easier. I guess no good deed goes unpunished.
To this day when speaking with any staff if they ask something about my company it never has anything to do with a specific product strength or is a product related question, or any of the positivity of the compassionate contribution, or cancer research and survivors, it all goes right back to this ridiculous theatrical nonsense that was first spammed out and dragged my company name through the mud. They still express reluctance and concern that if they bring a product of mine into the store in that region, they are concerned for retaliatory actions against them from this person. It's so sad. I've long forgiven it, and try to be loving, and even sent this person a gift later on in the year in an effort to be as much at peace with everyone as I can possibly be, just human to human, in the eyes of God.
Individually the staff has independently also decided that was not cool, and ventured to try and bring things in despite that. They have all had fantastic sales every where they did. And they are mostly the stores that were my selected hopes to begin with so I guess it all works out fine.
After this Christmas, I also was reminded that not only am I so over it, this issue, and my energy to try and be even remotely PC, but that this is about people's fucking lives. It is about their life and death health, and it is about having a better choice than toxic crap with pesticides in standard BPA plastic. Xeno Estrogens, MTBE, BPA and pesticides and Herbicides are all very real threats to peoples health. And for Cancer survivors? Holy shit, it's a huge huge thing to avoid at all costs in all forms.
If you go around defending companies that poison people and can make their health worse, give them cancer, make their parkinsons worse, make their cancer recurr, make their hormones all unbalanced, then you're just a monster, it's disgraceful. Quit being such a wuss and tell them "No thank you, it's in standard plastic, I don't want it. The jury's in and that stuff is bad". Or at least say "Yay, it's totally organic and in amber glass, Sweet!" and make it available as a healthier choice among the one's in plastic. Customers deserve healthier choices if it's available.
Thankfully customers are much smarter. Not only was that the only person to react that way, but everything within my line has had fantastic success everywhere it's carried, in a huge huge huge way. Customers are resoundingly voting with their dollars for my efforts, my company, and to have things that are cleaner and healthier than things with Healthy Fats in standard plastics, and soaps and bodycare with fucking dioxin. The ocean thank's you, the birds thank you, the landfills thank you, generations to come thank you, Surfrider Foundation thanks you, Race for the Cure thanks you, and customers in spades thank you.
I didn't start in this industry to make friends, I worked my ass off and continue to work my ass off to provide better, safer, cleaner healthier choices than were currently available, for people like my aunt, my uncle, myself a lymphoma survivor, my cousin, my other cousin, my mother who is a breast cancer survivor, and anyone who just wants to have an ounce of prevention be a pound of cure.
Next someone wants to try and give me shit about putting Xeno-Estrogen free on the label, MTBE Free on the label, Bisphenol A free on the label, or gluten free on the label, entertain this idea, giving a cancer survivor shit, about having kick ass products that provide people with hypoallergenic healthier choices and packaging that doesn't put them at risk again for a life threatening illness, makes you a monster, and a yucky human being. It's that simple. People on Chemo don't have time for your posturing. They need better choices NOW.
My urge for PC is gone, and in light of my aunt and uncle all you've done is succeed in awaking an angry giant. Giants have big feet so don't be surprised if your toes get stepped on standing in the way of healthier choices and the customers that want them available for their families friends and loved ones.
I do however forgive this person, wish them love, good vibes, give them the benefit of the doubt that there may have been business factors (say, a huge inventory of plastic encased EFA's, etc.) and think that they are probably a very nice person that just didn't pay attention to the details under a very rushed stressed week, and may have made a mistake. It happens, and there's always room to grow.
Any product specific nutritionally related questions or inquiries, regarding the integrity and efficacy of any item desired are always welcomed. Childish personal attacks however, there's just no time for, and no point in responding to, that's not a good way to live.
LOVE MERCY COMPASSION. Treat others as you would want to be treated.
A decision out of love, is a decision for love. And a life of love is the way it's going to be.
LOVE WINS.
I wish you all a Happy New Year filled with Love Mercy and Compassion. :)
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
HIV/AIDS
I was thinking today about all the clients I used to work with that had HIV/AIDS when I worked at a clinic in Southern CA.
If you've never watched or witnessed someone's condition with this disease, it is difficult.
They develop lypodystrophy, become progressively emaciated, their general overall functioning decreases in pretty much every way, and toward the end can develop significant neuropathy and very painful non healing skin lesions from skin breaking down, and cuts and cracks that won't heal.
One of the things that remained consistent out of all the people I came in contact with was health and nutrition.
In the sense that, for those clients that used to try to eat healthy, exercised, and those that especially made an effort to stay on fresh juices, the usually did very well, and kept thriving, with more often than not, low viral counts, if not completely undetectable.
For those who did not, and relied on just their every revolving combination of meds, standard foods, I usually saw them start to waste away, they would visit less regularly, and eventually not at all.
This was a powerful example and lesson again for me that those who incorporated healthy foods and fresh juices into their diet, always did very well, and the wide range of power that these represented in peoples lives, and also their significant challenges.
This was not theory, this was not conjecture, this was true, undeniable, LIFE AND DEATH PROOF that with powerful nutrition and again, the misery and compromises for a good quality of life that can be averted. The ones who did the best avoided fried food, animals products, and non organic compounds.
Not that I needed anymore encouragement, but that it was just reaffirming about the power of Nutrition and the true force for healing that is in the plants God provided, and that have been in play at the time man was introduced to this world. We could have been placed on a world that had no medicinal plants, in a hostile desert, as a twisted joke, been told good luck, and left to pass away in a matter of days.
Instead, for all the years that rolled by and all the development in the fauna and flora that took place before man was placed here, we had the array that would finally take form as the plants that we are most common to have as our pantheon of potential healing selections, and the list is always growing as we find more awesome things everyday.
I've never understood people who are so weird about adaptation within the species and God. It makes no sense to me. In fact they are very complimentary notions from what I can tell, in the very best way possible. How awesome is it that God gave us , deep in us, and in all the creatures, plants, and animals around us, the ability to keep progressing, developing, and most importantly for those who try, to grow and adapt to the ever changing challenges and world around us. To literally INFUSE US, with the ability to KEEP THE EDGE for the potential to have the most pleasant and decent chance at a good life as possible. For weather, or adversity, shelter, all of it.
When I think of or hear people discuss a loving God, this ability and aspect of life I find to be a wonderful gift to creation as a whole. It's totally awesome and fascinating. We could, and other plants or creatures could, have been withheld this ability and under a myriad of conditions be just incapable of handling even a weather shift, and completely be wiped out without a fair chance for survival. to me, that seems the most loveless thing possible.
For those who TRY TO DO THEIR BEST, they continue to move forward, and thrive. They amass an arsenal of ongoing drive, and rise up to conquer.
I think this is fantastic.
For people with significant challenges, REAL HEALTH CHALLENGES, items that are a cut above, packaged cleanly, nutrient dense, absorbed easily, and well rounded, are absolutely some of the most powerfully allies in peoples ability to thrive and excel. To do any less is not a point of reference, and a grotesque utterance or contemplation.
It is my hope, in my products of Jeff's Best Hemp!, and in my efforts as a Nutritionist that in good integrity and Love, Mercy, Compassion and as a Human Service that I have and will continue to provide you with these powerful tools along with accurate information for your success at thriving and keeping your edge, your highest quality of life possible, to show respect for my fellow man by being what I wish to see in the world by example, and treat others as I would wish to be treated.
Love Mercy Compassion
Jeffrey Von Stetten
If you've never watched or witnessed someone's condition with this disease, it is difficult.
They develop lypodystrophy, become progressively emaciated, their general overall functioning decreases in pretty much every way, and toward the end can develop significant neuropathy and very painful non healing skin lesions from skin breaking down, and cuts and cracks that won't heal.
One of the things that remained consistent out of all the people I came in contact with was health and nutrition.
In the sense that, for those clients that used to try to eat healthy, exercised, and those that especially made an effort to stay on fresh juices, the usually did very well, and kept thriving, with more often than not, low viral counts, if not completely undetectable.
For those who did not, and relied on just their every revolving combination of meds, standard foods, I usually saw them start to waste away, they would visit less regularly, and eventually not at all.
This was a powerful example and lesson again for me that those who incorporated healthy foods and fresh juices into their diet, always did very well, and the wide range of power that these represented in peoples lives, and also their significant challenges.
This was not theory, this was not conjecture, this was true, undeniable, LIFE AND DEATH PROOF that with powerful nutrition and again, the misery and compromises for a good quality of life that can be averted. The ones who did the best avoided fried food, animals products, and non organic compounds.
Not that I needed anymore encouragement, but that it was just reaffirming about the power of Nutrition and the true force for healing that is in the plants God provided, and that have been in play at the time man was introduced to this world. We could have been placed on a world that had no medicinal plants, in a hostile desert, as a twisted joke, been told good luck, and left to pass away in a matter of days.
Instead, for all the years that rolled by and all the development in the fauna and flora that took place before man was placed here, we had the array that would finally take form as the plants that we are most common to have as our pantheon of potential healing selections, and the list is always growing as we find more awesome things everyday.
I've never understood people who are so weird about adaptation within the species and God. It makes no sense to me. In fact they are very complimentary notions from what I can tell, in the very best way possible. How awesome is it that God gave us , deep in us, and in all the creatures, plants, and animals around us, the ability to keep progressing, developing, and most importantly for those who try, to grow and adapt to the ever changing challenges and world around us. To literally INFUSE US, with the ability to KEEP THE EDGE for the potential to have the most pleasant and decent chance at a good life as possible. For weather, or adversity, shelter, all of it.
When I think of or hear people discuss a loving God, this ability and aspect of life I find to be a wonderful gift to creation as a whole. It's totally awesome and fascinating. We could, and other plants or creatures could, have been withheld this ability and under a myriad of conditions be just incapable of handling even a weather shift, and completely be wiped out without a fair chance for survival. to me, that seems the most loveless thing possible.
For those who TRY TO DO THEIR BEST, they continue to move forward, and thrive. They amass an arsenal of ongoing drive, and rise up to conquer.
I think this is fantastic.
For people with significant challenges, REAL HEALTH CHALLENGES, items that are a cut above, packaged cleanly, nutrient dense, absorbed easily, and well rounded, are absolutely some of the most powerfully allies in peoples ability to thrive and excel. To do any less is not a point of reference, and a grotesque utterance or contemplation.
It is my hope, in my products of Jeff's Best Hemp!, and in my efforts as a Nutritionist that in good integrity and Love, Mercy, Compassion and as a Human Service that I have and will continue to provide you with these powerful tools along with accurate information for your success at thriving and keeping your edge, your highest quality of life possible, to show respect for my fellow man by being what I wish to see in the world by example, and treat others as I would wish to be treated.
Love Mercy Compassion
Jeffrey Von Stetten
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)