“My mission is to give women a safe platform to share their knowledge and experiences with our ever-growing curious and loyal community.“
— Jennifer Skog, MJ Lifestyle
How would you describe yourself and what you do?
I am a woman in progress determined to break the negative stigmas of cannabis, empower with knowledge, and liberate women to pursue their passions. I’m also a mama bear and amazed at the strength motherhood has given me, there are no lengths as to what I would do to protect and advocate for my children.
I communicate through my photography and am proud to be creating one of the most beautiful cannabis publications, MJ Lifestyle, amplifying the voices of inspiring women and elevating the standard for social responsibility.
When did you get started working with cannabis? What is your vision and mission for your professional cannabis endeavors?
I began photographing cannabis in 2016, which led to the realization that women like myself were not being represented in the cannabis space, and if they were, it was in an overly sexualized or stigmatized way. My mission is to give women a safe platform to share their knowledge and experiences with our ever-growing curious and loyal community.
What is your personal cannabis origin journey?
That’s a big question! My journey with cannabis started many moons ago before I was even of legal age. I smoked weed for fun, but the plant was quickly something I chose over alcohol as it calmed my stomach and didn’t make me blackout or hungover. Throughout the years, I’ve been a daily consumer but as I grew and evolved my career, I kept my “dirty little habit” in the shadows. I got married, became a mother, moved halfway across the country to an illegal state, and suffered depression and anxiety.
During my move back home to California, a close friend had met someone in cannabis, and she persisted that I get into shooting cannabis photos. For fear of being outed, I was like “no way!” But like I said, she persisted.
I created a logo, started an anonymous Instagram account – @MJLifestyle – and took off on a mission. I had no idea how far it would take me. I created magazine-like fliers that my partner would hand out at festivals. She was asked several times if we were a magazine, and she would say “No,” to which they would reply, “Well, it should be!”
At the exact same time, I had been approached by a fellow boudoir photographer wanting to start an intimate magazine together.
I considered that to be a huge sign from the universe that MJ Lifestyle was about to become a tangible piece of cannabis herstory.
What is your Superpower?
My photography has always been my superpower. As my career has evolved, I understand now that through my art, I share a unique connection with women; empowering them in spite of their vulnerabilities.
What has been your greatest obstacle in business to date – and how have you overcome it – or are you still working on tackling it?
My biggest obstacle continues to be trust. Early into the creation of the magazine, my business partner – and closest confidant – and I parted ways. Nothing could have ever prepared me for what was next ,and I was completely blindsided. Through this experience, I learned to trust my gut and stand up for myself. If something doesn’t feel right, I walk away. I get so discouraged by companies hiding behind a veil of integrity and social responsibility when in reality all they care about is making the highest dollar regardless of the sacrifice.
What would you like women to know about entering the Cannabis industry or exploring Cannabis?
Cannabis, for me, seems to find it’s way into just about every other industry. It’s about bringing people together, mastering wellness, and turning your aspirations into reality.
I love to see communities of women joining forces for something much greater than us as individuals. I know there is so much more we can do.
Ideally, I want to create a space where we can empower women to overcome their hardships and open the door to creative entrepreneurship. I believe it is the unity of women who will save this planet and humankind.
Connect with Jennifer Skog:
Website: www.mjlifestyle.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MJLifestyleMagazine/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjlifestyle/
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