No longer just a buzzword, CBD has become a firm well-known fixture in the wellness world. These days the wonder ingredient is widely used for everything from sleep to stress, with exciting new brands and launches popping up left right and center – each adding something new to the cannabidiol canon.

Amongst these brands is KLORIS, a premium CBD brand founded by Kim Smith. The uber busy Kim Smith spent the last two decades working in high-stress jobs in the arts and music- and then moved on to founding KLORIS in 2018 with co-founders Pedram Mehrshahi and Matt McNeill. Each of the founding members had discovered CBD for different health reasons, dealing with challenges from anxiety and insomnia to menstrual cramps and backache. They were frustrated at the lack of ethical, reliable, science-backed products which offered plausible aid.

Kim’s approach to skincare has always been showcased with transparency, clinically vetted formulas, and through her commitment to sustainability. Rather than hopping onto beauty trends or buzzwords, Kim wants to empower their audience & customers to get educated about the claims made in the skincare space.

How did you get into the world of CBD?

I was living in the countryside and deeply immersed in nature and at a point in my life of huge change. I had just become a mother and was interested in natural, effective solutions to my ailments like anxiety and terrible sleep. My in-laws are incredibly well respected plant scientists and KLORIS co-founder Pedram introduced me to CBD. I was stunned at how effective it was, I was converted but disappointed by what was often readily available on the market at that time. I noticed huge gaps for high quality, ethical CBD products.

Why did you want to have your own business?

I have worked for myself for the last 12 years, I have always worked in industries I was passionate about (music, art, natural wellbeing). Aside from all my Saturday jobs during school, I’ve never had just a ‘job’. Actually I did once when I was 18 (front of house receptionist for an advertising agency) but I was so horrendously bad at the role they paid me to quietly leave, which suited me just fine. I like creating and I like seeing ideas come to life.
What are the upsides & downsides of being a woman in this industry?

The upside to being a woman in general is just that - getting the experience of being a woman! Chosen as the ultimate creators. And everything about the cannabis plant is nurturing - it's not called The Mother plant for nothing. I take these synergies into my business practice like a superpower. I have been very fortunate to not experience sexism (at least not to my face) within the cannabis industry. Not even once. Music & Art were very different however where at times I was 100% judged by my appearance. I also had work that I had put incredible effort into reduced to what I looked like and my age at the time and gender.

What time do you set your alarm?

I have a child and a dog, we don’t need an alarm. Our whole house is up by 6am whether we like it or not.

What is your morning beauty routine?

Use my bamboo electric toothbrush, splash my face with warm water, mix a few drops of our Superboost Face Oil with our FACE CREAM (I should use our Eye cream too but I tend to only use that in the evening due to time). Massage it all over my face & neck whilst my skin is damp, throw on some clothes and step outside into the back garden for a few breaths of fresh air in natural daylight before starting breakfast for the family. I’ll have shilajit in hot water & coffee and lots of fresh seasonal fruit. I may or may not brush my hair!

What does a typical day look like?

Up by 6am, do the breakfast and school run, start work by 9am. Start with emails and calls and then out in the afternoon for meetings etc. The other KLORIS co-founders (Matt & Pedram) and I try to get together once a week for an in-depth catch-up in person as we are always all over the place. We speak about 1000 times every single day on whats app. Everyday is slightly different, some days it can be training new team members, giving talks on CBD, working on new product development and not forgetting good old admin which any business owner can’t escape fully! Afternoon is the school run and time with my son, after he is asleep I’ll do a final work check in and then have some chill time which could be exercise or a hot bath.

What was your most memorable working day?

There have been a few! Once I got to be part of an initiative with the David Lynch Foundation to raise funds to teach children in underserved schools in London transcendental meditation. I will always remember the day we got to do that fondly.

Which moment makes you feel most proud?

Knowing that we can help in some small way with things that really matter, like the humanitarian efforts that our charity partner Choose Love does. And to be a part of the movement of raising awareness of our wellbeing both mental and physical. I also like to keep a nerd-like tally on how much plastic we’ve saved going to landfill by using our earth friendly packaging (it's in the 10s of thousands now!).

What do you do after work?

Some gentle exercise, reading a book and SLEEP! I’m a real homebody. Always have been, and I used to fight it but now I revel in it and love every minute of it.

What is your bedtime beauty routine?

This is really MY time! I am an early riser, thus I go to sleep early and like to have a nice restorative evening routine on the nights that allow it. Starting with a bath using one of our bath blocks, my favourite one is our magnesium block, a thorough face cleanse and quick facial massage using our oil. I’ll pick my book of choice and hop into bed with the windows wide open regardless of how cold it is (I LOVE constant fresh air and find it the best thing for skin especially in winter).

What would you recommend for those starting on their CBD journey?

The most common way to start with CBD is as oil drops, taken under the tongue. Simply place 4-5 drops under the tongue and allow it to absorb for 90 seconds before swallowing.

It's really important to seek out high quality product, from a reputable brand where you can be assured that you're getting what's on the label. KLORIS are one of the most awarded brands, with stringent quality control and are one of the only CBD brands approved for sale on Amazon. We created the CBD Starter Kit as an easy way to get started with CBD products, and find the best method for you. There is so much information on our website that explains pretty much everything there is to know about CBD.

What’s next for you and KLORIS?

We have so many exciting things coming! Including our first store in London which is now open on 13 Newburgh St, Carnaby, London W1F 7RS! We’ve been blessed to have an inspiring community of customers and supporters develop around us online since we started three years ago and being able to now connect with them in a physical space is a dream come true.

Meet founder Kim Smith and find out how the 'power of nature' helped her create successful CBD brand KLORIS