Empower Bodycare

Trista Okel embarked on her CBD journey back in 2004, creating CBD oil in her kitchen using a Crock-Pot as a DIY solution to help her mother manage pain. This was long before CBD or hemp became popular topics, but Trista was already convinced of the plant’s potential to alleviate discomfort and improve lives.

Her homemade oil proved to be a hit with her mother, and soon, word spread rapidly. Trista began sharing her blend with friends and family, receiving enthusiastic feedback. After refining her formulation, Trista founded Empower Oil in 2013 in Portland, Oregon, starting with a single product—Empower® topical relief oil. This blend featured organic CBD, organic lavender, bergamot, wintergreen, and organic jojoba oil.

As a longstanding advocate for cannabis, deeply involved in both medical and recreational cannabis movements, Trista saw Empower CBD products as a way to raise awareness about the benefits of cannabis and hemp. As mainstream acceptance grew, Empower became a prominent voice in promoting shared goals, knowledge, and values.

In 2014, Trista renamed the business Empower BodyCare to reflect its broader range of wellness products. She expanded the line to include soaking salts, lotions, and later, the Luxe Collection—a high-CBD line designed specifically for Nordstrom.

The brand’s presence expanded rapidly, with Empower products appearing on shelves at New Seasons Markets across the Pacific Northwest in 2017, as well as in natural grocery stores nationwide. This growth resulted in a large following.

Trista also gained recognition as a pioneer and thought leader in the CBD and cannabis industries. She is regularly sought out by industry associations and media to share her expertise on natural remedies, the potential of hemp and cannabis, and the importance of testing standards and transparency.

The passage of the 2018 Farm Bill opened the door for many CBD companies to enter the rapidly growing national market. However, this influx brought challenges, including a lack of oversight, credibility, and an abundance of misleading or false claims.

Empower took a different approach by: Building close relationships with small, family-owned organic hemp farms throughout Oregon, ensuring ethically and organically grown CBD that undergoes rigorous testing for cannabinoid content and contaminants. Partnering with Columbia Labs, a respected testing laboratory with nearly 30 years of experience in testing food, cosmetics, and topicals. They provide batch-specific certificates of analysis, ensuring consumers know exactly what they are getting.

While Empower products are no longer made in a Crock-Pot and the brand is now recognized well beyond Portland, their commitment to delivering the highest quality remains steadfast. Today, Empower is an award-winning brand and a leader in the CBD topicals market, setting the standard for transparency and quality.

Building a national CBD brand has been challenging, but Empower has cultivated a supportive environment that leverages the strengths of its team and its mission, all rooted in a shared desire to make a positive impact. Empower your experience with their award-winning, plant-based products designed to enhance wellness routines and quality of life—for everyone, but inspired by a mother’s love.

Michele White joined the team as Chief Operations Officer in 2016, playing a crucial role in the company’s growth. With her background in managing and advising nonprofits, she implemented a stronger organizational structure and expanded Empower’s corporate social responsibility initiatives, drawing on her advocacy and community organizing experience.

Empower donates a portion of every sale to community organizations, focusing on LGBTQ+ rights, women’s rights, and addressing the impacts of cannabis laws.

https://empowerbodycare.com

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