Today we’d like to introduce you to Kalee Hooghkirk.
Kalee, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I grew up in a family of educators. My grandma was a teacher and my grandpa was a high school principal. I was enrolled in a teaching prep program in high school and had always imagined that I would follow a similar path. I NEVER thought that I would go from teaching to cannabis. I quickly realized that teaching in today’s school system was not something that was sustainable. I had seen many of my older classmates graduate and struggle to find things like job placement, classroom supplies, and a living wage.
I shifted my studies and began to look into ways that I could teach things that I was passionate about. I ended up becoming a licensed esthetician and traveling skincare educator for a national spa franchise. I fell for the wellness aspect, for me, it was much more than skin it was always full body medicine. I did everything I could to immerse myself into the industry including continuing my holistic education and helping to manage a full-service wellness center.
Meanwhile, I was really struggling personally… my grandfather was diagnosed with cancer again and I was also starting to become rapidly ill. (Eventually, I would be diagnosed with an IBD) My grandfather ended up passing away in August 2013 from treatment complications. After his passing, I became determined to help families and prevent some of the hurdles we had gone through. I saw an immense need for supportive cancer therapies that are natural and non-invasive.
It wasn’t until 2014 when it all connected for me. I had more experience in the health and wellness industry and had just read an article about the Illinois Medical Cannabis Pilot Program. I knew immediately that I had to be involved with helping families to navigate this new program and holistic product. I started from the ground up volunteering with the very first advocacy groups and showing up to hearings in Springfield and Chicago. It was HARD work and mostly unpaid. To my surprise, all of the long hours, travel and volunteering did pay off. I was scouted and eventually brought on board as the Director of Patient Care for one of largest vertically integrated cultivation/dispensary groups in Illinois. I had the opportunity to be one of the first few people to sell medical cannabis the day the program launched November 2015. I served as their Agent-In-Charge for a little over a year before branching out and partnering to create my current business Entourage Clinical Services.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Nothing in this industry is easy! We have already overcome so many major hurdles but it’s important to remember we still have a long way to go. Things were very rocky at the beginning of the program. There were a lot of patients seeking assistance and not many doctors or advocacy groups around to help which is why Entourage Clinical Services was initially born as a resource and service center.
We still face many challenges when it comes to the legalities and educating our communities. The lack of consistent reliable information is another uphill battle but we feel our storefronts help to open the conversation and make this something that’s truly accessible to all.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Entourage Clinical Services & Midwest Medicinals – what should we know?
Entourage Clinical Services is a traditional full-service wellness center with a special twist. We consider ourselves a “Cannabis Conscious Wellness Center”. At ECS, you will still find all of your favorite services like massage, cupping, reiki, counseling, yoga but we also have medical cannabis doctors on site and provide continuing cannabis education for patients. We integrate cannabis knowledge into everything we do and aim to provide a more mindful registration experience.
We are known for our infused services, retail and honest approach to registry. We provide free registry seminars every Friday from 1-2pm that teaches patients how to navigate the application process independently. While other groups prefer to do the work for the patients we enjoy educating people and their health care providers and offering them the option. (We do provide full application assistance for those who request.)
We also know that not everyone qualifies for medical cannabis so we do have hemp-based CBD retail for consumers to purchase without a medical card. We are different from other retailers and groups because we are experienced health care providers and can guide you through a variety of holistic options.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I have to say all of the credit goes to my business partner Melanie and to our community. I couldn’t imagine doing any of this without her support and word of mouth. We have been extremely fortunate to have such loyal followers and patients. The stories that they share speak louder than any marketing campaign that can be constructed. We are just so thankful for the people who are out there talking about our products and services with their family, friends, and co-workers. I wish everyone knew how important sharing their first-hand experience can be but that’s the foundation of advocacy and you really can save lives by opening the conversation.
Contact Info:
- Address: West Dundee
737 South 8th Street
West Dundee, Il 60110
Mundelein
697 South Lake Street
Mundelein, Il 60060 - Website: entourageclinicalservices.com
- Phone: 8474060789
- Email: kalee@entourageclinicalservices.com
- Instagram: cannabiscliniciankalee
- Facebook: //www.facebook.com/khooghkirk
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
