Tony Calamita

Founder @Love Hemp

🔥 Startup Founder💼 C-level ExecutiveCEO✨ Business Owner

With over 20 years of experience in the startup world, I’ve founded, built, scaled, and sold a number of businesses in the FMCG and eCommerce sectors. During this time I’ve learnt a lot. And It’s these learnings that I aim to share with entrepreneurs looking to follow a similar path. Dubbed “The Doctor” by my friends growing up, I have always been driven by a passion for peak performance, biohacking, and holistic well-being. I firmly believe that true health encompasses not just physical fitness but also mental and emotional balance. This personal passion naturally found its way into my business life and, in turn, my focus has always been spearheading innovative projects in the health and wellness market. This entrepreneurial journey is marked by founding Love Hemp with an initial investment of £3,000, organically building it to an annual turnover of £3m and then selling it for £9m within 4 years. Following the sale, I was appointed as CEO of the new acquiring group and grew Love Hemp's revenue to over £4m annually with a public company market value of more than £30m. A venture that was a significant milestone in an emerging UK CBD industry. As a former CEO and public company board member, I've steered an organisation with 50+ employees, executing global partnerships with entities like the UFC and Anthony Joshua. My hands-on experience in developing and bringing innovative products to market – including the first CBD-infused beverage listed in a major retailer – is what informs my understanding of brand growth and the mechanisms at play. The qualities that I try to emphasise to ambitious entrepreneurs are the same ones that fuelled my own personal success. In particular, the importance of… → A deep understanding of consumer needs → Innovative product development → Effective marketing and brand positioning My central aim is to empower emerging entrepreneurs and startups with insights and strategies for brand growth and personal development. It’s a philosophy that combines practical business acumen with a