Meet Sheila Dedenbach | Founder and owner of Heavenly Sweet

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

Hi Sheila, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
In 2008, California was faced with the highest pre-covid unemployment rates the state had ever experienced. I was a single mom with three children to support. Although I had a college degree and plenty of experience, I was having a difficult time finding a job that would support my family. Simultaneously, I had the opportunity to enter a cannabis dispensary with a friend who was making a delivery of product. Having a background of confectionary business experience, I decided to see what types of infused food products were available. I found only plain rice cereal treats, of various sizes, in plain clear sandwich bags; no labels at all. I was thoroughly appalled and told my friend, upon departure, that I could do this so much better.

It was then, that I began doing the research on best ways to infuse cannabis edibles. I played around with CO2-extracted crude, then, ultimately landing on cannabutter, as the best vehicle to infuse with consistency.
Heavenly Sweet has manufactured hundreds of different products over its 14-year life. Every product is made with the consumer in mind. It must pass multiple quality-control inspections before ever making it in a package.
I was motivated to make products with integrity. Heavenly Sweet products were the first cannabis edibles in California to be lab tested, first to put full nutrition panels on our packages and stands as the oldest, continuously-operated edible brand in California.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Heavenly Sweet was founded March 2008 inspired by the complete absence of quality, reliable edibles in the cannabis market. Edibles were notoriously inconsistent and poor quality. I wanted to change that. Heavenly Sweet was the first edibles brand in California to begin lab testing our products (early 2010). We created a dosing schedule a decade before the state of California mandated it. We were the first to put full nutrition panels on our products so consumers could make an informed choice. We use the finest quality ingredients in our products; brand name ingredients, organic ingredients, etc. Each product must pass multiple quality-control inspections before making it to a package. Products are made in small batches, hand finished and hand packaged with care. Heavenly Sweet offers the fastest edible on the California market; our Fast-Acting Gummies. They have a 5-7 minute onset of effect, with a long 4-6 hour plateau. We offer 3 tart flavors (lemon, berry and new watermelon) and 2 sweet options (mango-passion and violet).

As far as business experiences, I have been self-employed most of my adulthood. I love being my own boss. Starting a business is difficult, even more-so if it is a cannabis business, but I cannot imagine doing anything else at this point. I love my company and am incredibly proud of the products we make and how the business has grown and continues to do so.

Challenges are a guarantee when you are the owner of a business. It is the only constant. The best way I have found to address them is to be prepared to pivot whenever needed and think outside the box. The solution may not be the most obvious option, it may be an adaptation. One never knows what is coming at you next. Be flexible and keep rolling. That is the only way I know to put a challenge behind you; keep moving.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Some favorite places I would be sure to visit with a friend would be: Hiking in Tahoe, Auburn or Folsom
See a live musical produced by California Musical Theater; Broadway Series or Music Circus
A live concert at The Golden One Center, Harvey’s Lake Tahoe or the Toyota Amphitheater in Wheatland

Dining;
105 Noshery in Roseville for live music and elevated pub fare, great drinks
The Chef’s Table in Roseville for creative food and drinks-sit at the bar to watch the chefs
Aiolis in Sacramento for small plates-sit on the patio
Zocalo’s in midtown Sacramento for the best margaritas and ceviche’
My house for the best wine selection and charcuterie anywhere!

I have lots a fun friends who enjoy an afternoon or evening celebrating for any reason or for no reason!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My staff for being truly the most dedicated, creative and all-around fantastic crew of wonderful human beings a boss could ever ask for.

My daughter for designing every version of our logos and packaging. Thank you for your beautiful creativity.

My three children for stoking the fire to take risks and jump in with both feet, first out of necessity then ultimately with your encouragement.
My support people for all the encouragement and kudos over the years. Your kind words added, and continue to add, fuel to the fire of progress.

Website: www.heavenlysweet.com

Instagram: @heavenlysweet.california

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heavenly-sweet-sheila-dedenbach

Twitter: heavenlysweet_1

Facebook: @heavenlysweet.california

Other: TikTok HeavenlySweet.California