The duo behind Itgel, Gurpreet and Daniel, found CBD not only helped them to cope with their hectic and active work and family lives but also offered both of them a number of health benefits. The only problem was there wasn’t a lot of clarity in the market over what to take and the ingredients brands were using. Not satisfied with the brands out there, they decided to create their own that would be honest to its customer and jargon-free. Here’s their story of why they launched Itgel in a pandemic…
How did you first discover CBD?
“Both of us have trained regularly in martial arts over a number of years – it’s how we met and became the best of friends. Recovery from this type of training does get harder the older you get, so we started researching alternative methods to aid this and found CBD. When we started using it, we found our recovery rates (and sleep) were much better.”
Who is Itgel for?
“We appeal to a variety of customers but are primarily focused on those who care about their health, both physical and mental, and their wellbeing in general. We want to give the facts based on information on our products and not any false claims, while trying to demystify the world of CBD.”
For someone interested in trying CBD, what would you recommend?
“Research thoroughly beforehand. Go online and look at reviews. Check various supplier websites and see what ingredient information is given, and organisational sites such as the Cannabis Trades Association (who we’re members of) for advice. Seek medical advice beforehand if you have any concerns or pre-existing conditions and be completely comfortable with taking CBD before purchasing. There are various ways of taking it (for example, we have oils, gummies and other edibles) and each have their benefits, so find something that is suited to your lifestyle. There are a number of different blogs on our site that people can read for research or just drop us a message and ask.”
Do you think the CBD market needs to be better regulated?
“It’s one of the reasons why we have positioned ourselves the way we have. There is a lack of clarity in the market around labelling and ingredients and a number of false claims over the benefits. Someone new to the market would quickly get confused over what is right for them (we did!). That is why we work very closely with the Cannabis Trades Association in order that our product labelling and website are as transparent as possible.”
Did the coronavirus pandemic have an impact on your launch?
“We officially launched in September 2020, so right in the middle of it! However, we’ve gradually built up our customer base and social media following, plus word is spreading about our products and what we stand for. We’ve also been featured in publications such as The Cannavist magazine, Evening Standard and The Guardian and are getting some great national coverage.”
What advice would you give to someone launching their own CBD brand?
“Like a new customer to the market, do your research. There are a lot of suppliers already in the market for the UK alone, and traditional methods of marketing online such as Facebook and Google are extremely limited – so it is very tough. Also, always think of the customer and what they want. Be in it for the long haul and don’t see it as a way to make a quick buck. The industry needs honest companies that will put CBD in a positive light for the mass population. Our credibility will only diminish if people have negative experiences using CBD.”
What are your plans for Itgel for 2021 and beyond?
“For this year, we just want to increase our brand awareness and get the Itgel name out there to anyone who is interested in taking CBD. We’re also gradually expanding our range and we will be introducing topicals and skincare products later in the year. As part of our strategy, we plan to build and become a leading force in the UK CBD market. Our oils are organically grown, vegan-friendly and customers have given some really great feedback. We’re very transparent over what we are offering and plan to work very closely with industry bodies to ensure the market is fully regulated.”
