Meet Dawn Simon: Owner & Handcrafter at Hempie Girl Organics

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dawn Simon and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dawn, what do you attribute your success to?
In my opinion the most important factor behind my success is perseverance and learning that there is a lesson in everything. I like to say put your head down and do the work. I believe that when you love what you do and you are happy it makes you more successful. Success doesn’t always equate to monetary value. Success can mean different things to everyone. I measure my success by how I feel. I’m going to tell you I feel pretty darn good and I am happy. My products are successful because I pour my love into them. I never make products when I am in a funky mood or feel “off”. Making body care and wellness products is like cooking. If you are happy when you are cooking you can taste it in the food. Same with my products. Making Hempie Girl products has truly been a dream come true. I love the way I feel while making them and the best part is seeing customers come back because they love them too. Happy people make happy things.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I make locally sourced and Organic Body care, Wellness and I specialize in CBD products. I make everything in small batches here in Valley Center and I truly love what I do. Making things makes me happy and happy people make great things! After quitting my crazy stressful job and not having a job I went to school to be an herbalist (forever student). I use the knowledge I have gained from that in my products. Plants are so freaking cool and we are lucky to have them. The products that make me the proudest are my CBD Pain Balm and CBD Pain Rollerballs. I get so excited when I get a phone call, email or text telling me how much my products have helped someone. This is the why for me. I love it. The whole reason I started making products was to ensure that I knew everything that was going onto and into my body as well as my families. Being able to make products that help someone with pain to get relief makes my heart happy. It simply makes me feel good and what drives me. I always knew what I wanted to do, I just had to make it happen. I have gotten to where I am today by pushing along and never quitting. I realized that in life we can live day to day and be happy or we can live day to day and be unhappy. Making all of my products bring me joy so it’s not like a job. I feel blessed that I have found something that I love and others love as well. Lots of trial and error for sure which only leads to better products and growth. Embrace everything and take lessons from it all. If YOU don’t make YOUR dreams happen you will be making someone else’s happen. I would like people to know that pursuing your dreams whatever they might be is doable. There comes a time in life where you can continue on a path that is comfortable and you know what the end result will be OR you can blaze your own trail, make mistakes and truly enjoy and embrace the wins. Hempie Girl Organics is growing and this past year has been one of the best years of growth for us. Being locked down due to the pandemic really switched our focus and allowed us to take this “break” as a time to expand and grow. Try to take what good you can from the bad.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If I had friends coming into town I would take them to Josie’s Hideout by Lake Henshaw to grab a couple drinks, listen to some music and hang out. We would go up to Julian to eat at Romano’s Italian Restaurant- they literally have the BEST salads and Italian food around. I would of course take them to La Jolla to see the cove and eat at Sushi on the Rocks- so good! GO to the tide pools in Cardiff and have Mexican food and drinks at Los Olas. We would definitely make our way around all of the local beaches and also hit downtown San Diego. We would go to Brick n Barn in Valley Center, it is the old Betty Crocker Estate. They have antiques and collectables as well as local Artisans with their crafts- Hempie Girl Organics being one of the very first. They host a show once a month for 3 days. I would take them to Rock n Jenny’s Italian subs in Escondido to get an Italian sub and then we would make our way back to Valley Center to have Ribs at Fat Ivor’s Rib Rack, stop by CJ’s GIft shop (they have the cutests gifts from all over) followed up by a trip down to Lazy H to see where the Rat Pack used to hang out and have one of Henry’s Famous Margaritas-they make their sour fresh from the trees on the property. Lazy H also has a bar with a tree inside and about 10 hummingbird feeders outside the giant windows that attract the most beautiful birds. California is beautiful. From the mountains to the desert to the ocean. So much beauty to be seen and good food to eat!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would have to say that the movie The Secret has to be one of the best things that I ever watched in terms of motivating me. When I was in my last job I would listen to the movie on my way to work and also watch it at home at least once or twice a month, for years! Growing up my favorite movie was (and still is) Baby Boom with Diane Keeton. She was a high power lawyer, inherits a baby and ends up moving to another state into a home that has apple trees and a never ending list of repairs. During the movie she makes baby food from the over abundance of apples and it ends up taking off. That movie has always spoken to me. Making the best of a bad situation. I have also been blessed with amazing encouragement from my family and friends. I am truly lucky to have married a man that goes along with my “crazy” ideas and supports and lifts me up even when I feel like things are stacked against me. My daughters help me with the business in any way they can and sometimes at crazy hours! I have an incredible family who are always rooting for me and the support from my community. I live in the best town, Valley Center.

Website: www.hempiegirl.com
Instagram: @hempiegirl
Facebook: Hempie Girl