Meet Carrie Mapes | Co Founder, Hello Again, Artist

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

Hi Carrie, what habits do you feel helped you succeed?
I’ve never been a procrastinator, which has always been helpful from productivity standpoint. I’ve found that starting a project or task, however, is different from completing it efficiently. In both my business and creative lives, I often define time blocks for uninterrupted work. When in my studio, I play an album or playlist with the intention of not leaving my work until the music has finished. As time passes, I find my impulses to check my email, get a snack, interrupt my work decrease and the last half of the work session seems to fly. At work, use my iPhone timer to define work periods free from email and text interruptions.

I recently heard that the human brain is only capable of 4 hours of solid productivity per day. I believe this is true and try to identify when my mind is no longer efficient and take the cue to redirect thought-intensive tasks to the next day.

I often take a short nap after an intensive work day. It really helps my brain distill the information of the day and more readily find the answers to challenges.

What should our readers know about your business?
Hello Again is the only line of cannabis-based vaginal suppositories formulated exclusively for women’s wellness. We made our first products, Hello Again Everyday and Hello Again Sleep for ourselves as women in menopause struggling with hot flashes, mood swings, brain fog, pain, anxiety and sleeplessness. Our suppositories utilize THC and CBD, as well as other carefully chosen botanicals, to bring relief without the typical head high. We are very proud of our pure, plant-based suppositories for women in all stages of adult life. Hello Again Period is formulated to combat pain, anxiety and brain fog. Hello Again Hangover is for post-party relief.

The most rewarding part of our business is hearing from women who were able to feel like themselves again after using our products. Hello Again has been a particular game changer for women with endometriosis and chronic sleep issues.

The cannabis business in California is tough. Each growing pain for this young industry reverberates new challenges for brands and the solutions are often expensive. Patty and I have learned to be nimble and non-reactive. We move on from mistakes and apply lessons learned. As new entrepreneurs, it has been important for us to resist imposter syndrome and trust our instincts.

I am grateful to Hello Again for many reasons. First, I feel good. Hello Again Everyday quieted my hot flashes and lifted my brain fog. Hello Again Sleep allowed me to stay asleep, or go back to sound sleep after having to get up in the night. The creation of Hello Again also ushered in an unexpected chapter of life and redefined how I thought about my midlife. My respect for this product inspires me to push myself and grow every day in order to grow the brand.

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.
I will organize my thoughts around geography.

I love seeing a game at Dodger Stadium. My son taught us to Uber to El Compadre for some tacos and flaming margaritas, then walk up to the stadium. That walk seems short after a couple flaming margaritas and the walk back to El Compadre to catch an Uber home avoids a lot of traffic. The Broad Museum was a real gift to Los Angeles. The museum is small and the art is so accessible, which is a nice point of difference from other museums. I’d get a macaroon from Bottega Louis, have brunch at Redbird (in a historic rectory), and check out the Arts District.

The Platform in Culver City is a fun spot to browse after eating at Roberta’s. I’d show my friend the first dispensary Patty and I walked into, where we were inspired to create our product: The Pottery on Venice Blvd. I love a walk through H.D. Buttercup at the Helms Bakery complex and would have an afternoon glass of wine at Father’s Office.

Breakfast at John O’Groats and a little shopping at Children’s Book World would put a spring in my step while in the Rancho Park area. Maybe we are on our way to the Westfield Mall to browse Eataly, order Peking Duck at Meizhou Dongpo, or soup dumplings at Din Tai Fung.

As a Bruin, I’d have to show off UCLA with a walking tour through campus, a men’s or woman’s basketball game, a beach volleyball match or gymnastics meet followed by dinner at Violet in Westwood Village and some cookies from Diddy Reese for old-times-sake.

On Montana, I’d stop at Cafe Luxe and pop next door to Casa Cu for a little something different for summer. Next stop Lost and Found on Main Street in Santa Monica, a burger at The Window on Rose, and a drink at Belle’s Beach House.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My friend and Co Founder, Patty Pappas, has walked with me through the founding of our company, Hello Again, and through the personal growth this venture has provided. Our skills and talents are at once complimentary and cohesive.

Ken Bracken was my instructor at Brentwood Art Center for many years and I rarely sit down to paint without thinking of Ken and his instruction. When I’d discuss with him my grand vision for a next piece he’d listen intently, then tell me to “follow your heart… but do the math.” High praise was “all killer, no filler”. Ken was patient and encouraging while being honest and constructive.

Website: helloagainproducts.com, carriemapes.com

Instagram: @helloagainproducts, @carriemapesart

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carrie-mapes-4549891a0/