Leilani Cannon
“Innovation is often sparked through diverse thinking, and being different is something that should be celebrated and not shunned,” says Leilani Cannon, Co-Founder of The Vital Plant LLC, which offers clinically-based natural solutions and alternatives to chronic illness. This isn’t Cannon’s first venture into natural medicine; she is also a founding partner of a medically-focused cannabidiol start-up. Regardless of what project Cannon helms, what’s important to her is changing the way people consider treating illness and the gaps that may currently exist in the standard procedures. “The whole premise of our work is to develop organic solutions to chronic illnesses where traditional pharmaceutical drugs are not an ideal option,” she says. “Some medications can be too costly or come with unwanted side effects, or conversely pharmaceuticals might be the only option until a natural alternative is created. There are still many gaps in conventional treatments and being able to fill them naturally is our mission.” And while she’s enjoyed the work she’s been able to do, Cannon often hid her sexuality early in her career in an effort to not draw attention to herself. Once she became less concerned about fitting in, she was able to truly flourish as a person and as a professional. “What I realized was that if you only color within comfortable lines, you will never truly actualize your creative potential,” Cannon says. “Being able to overcome the fear of rejection for being different (whether legitimate or imagined) provided me the courage to express new ideas and innovations openly.” —GP
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