The firm was founded in 2019 selling CBD products ranging from coffee, supplements to skincare for general health and wellness. Currently, it imports products from US and Europe and sells them in on its e-commerce platform, as well as pop-up stores and selected retail outlets.
The majority of its products are aimed at reducing anxiety according to Denise Tam, co-founder of Heavens Please.
She told NutraIngredients-Asia it was after a personal encounter with CBD products that motivated her to establish the company, along with her partner Terry. “We agreed that CBD will greatly benefit people in Hong Kong since we are already facing extremely high levels of stress and we wanted to offer something to help people relax and some form of relief.
“These days, people are more aware of what they are consuming and along with a higher level of eco-consciousness, they are turning to natural, plant-based alternatives, which is why we are providing this option.”
The firm is now looking to bring in three to six more brands of CBD supplements this year, working with both local and overseas (Europe, US) manufacturers as it hopes to retail more made-in-Hong Kong products. Tam said the products will focus on balancing the immune system.
Foods and supplements containing immunity properties have been surging in recent months, attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tam added: “We will be bringing more options to suit different needs, and further explore benefits of other cannabinoids.”
According to Tam, common uses of CBD include reducing anxiety, insomnia, depression, and in some cases, epilepsy and cancer. In terms of skincare, problematic skin such as eczema, acne, sclerosis were reasons for using CBD.
In addition to bringing new brands in, the firm is also working on its first-branded product. It is a CBD oil that is said to help with mood-lifting. The firm is currently working on the concept and formulation, and expect it to be released next year.
Heavens Please is also planning to open its own retail store later this year.
No stigma
The firm currently has three supplements on its platform, Basics Tonic (pure CBD oil), AM Formula and PM Formula.
The supplements are all manufactured in US, and claim to reduce stress and anxiety, boosting overall health and wellness.
For AM and PM Formulas, it contains herbal components including peppermint, lemon and Ashwagandha which Tam said help to also promote focus.
Heavens Please also retails a CBD coffee product, which has been infused with CBD during the roasting process. Tam said it could help individuals focus better, as CBD could relieve the negative effects of caffeine such as heart palpitations and shaky hands.
CBD regulations in Hong Kong are quite loose, CBD can be incorporated into foods, beverages and supplements, as long as it does not contain tetrahydro-cannabinol (THC).
In Hong Kong, cannabis and any products containing THC are prohibited.
Another Hong Kong start-up, OH5 Company which produces CBD beer, sources its CBD extracts from Heavens Please.
Destigmatise
Tam said the stigma on cannabis in Asia was still relatively strong, and at the beginning of its business, consumers were concerned on its usage.
“People were confused with the active compounds in cannabis such as THC, and if it was going to make them addicted.”
Tam saw the need to educate the public and has conducted workshops to increase its awareness. Now one year later, Tam said people are becoming more receptive to CBD, especially the older generation.
“This is still a long way to go before people will fully understand how CBD interacts with the human body, but as long as the regulations are clear, I think people will feel more confident in using CBD and other cannabinoids.”
The company currently has three staff and is focused on raising the awareness of CBD in Hong Kong. Tam said they use social media, workshops, events, and collaborating with other businesses to stock its products.
