Some stories are written in ink, others are written in scars.

The story of Color Up has been written in both, and we're deeply grateful to still be here today to tell it. By going back to our roots, we are turning a pivotal page in our journey. We are reclaiming what has always been ours, we're speaking up, and we're fighting for what we believe in.

Group of people posing in front of a building with 'Nurture' branding.

It Takes a Village to Pioneer a Revolution

Whether you’ve known us as Color Up Therapeutics, Color Up CBD, VXN LAB, VXN Wellness or VXN Den—it’s still us. Still the same mission. Still the same heart, soul, and products you've known and loved.

Our brand is made up of the pioneers, leaders, and innovators of the cannabis reform movement–who are also spa and wellness professionals–our niche in the broader cannabis revolution. And every step of the way, we are inspired and shaped by these legendary leaders.

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  • Rooted in Science

    Color Up’s award-winning CBD products are formulated with the finest botanical extracts, plant oils, and clinically proven active ingredients.
  • Created with Intention

    We intend to cultivate balance, harmony, and ease by evoking the power of self-healing for each of our customers and clients.
  • Made with Love

    Our CBD products have been approved to be used on Oncology patients during recovery, and on those with compromised immune systems.
shauna, co-founder and co-owner of color up at house of vxn smiling with a turquoise concrete wall in the background

Co-founder and co-owner

Shauna Blanch, LMT, RYT

Shauna Blanch's life is defined by the grit and integrity she learned growing up in a family business, and the relentless drive to fight for better medicine and mental health care in America. Leaving the pharmaceutical industry after witnessing the height of the opioid crisis, she moved to the cannabis frontlines in 2013 with a conviction that healing gets lost in systems built purely for profit.

Since founding Color Up in 2015, Shauna has been the visionary force, turning a philosophy of plant-based wellness and community support into a trusted, national brand. Her journey is etched in years of standing up for her beliefs and she carries forward her parents' lesson: Do the hard work, stand by your people, and fight for what you believe in.

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Black and white photo of a person wearing a patterned hat and braided hair.

Co-Owner

Marrana James, LMT, LE, RYT

Marrana’s life has always been shaped by circles of strong women, soulful conversations, and a belief that healing is found in connection. A licensed massage therapist for nearly 30 years, esthetician, and longtime yoga teacher, she blends touch, movement, and ritual as ways to remind people of their worth. Her journey has taken her from playing in the Tennessee dirt to German classrooms, from 17 years in a Denver spa to co-creating House of VXN, where her love of herbalism, body movement, skincare, CBD, and education now meet.

Those who know her say she is both grounding and vibrant, unafraid to laugh or cry with you, and always led by her heart. Whether through her hands, her words, or her work with VXN, Marrana’s purpose is clear: to create spaces where people feel safe, seen, and empowered to live fully in their own skin.

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Woman wearing a wide-brimmed hat with a scenic background of mountains and sunset.

Co-Owner

Amber Lanzaderas White-Benzel, B.Sc.

Amber White-Benzel is a first-generation Filipino American from Denver, Colorado with a lifelong passion for wellness, plants, and spirituality. Her journey began in 2018 as a lab assistant at Color Up while completing her B.S. in Biology and Philosophy at Metropolitan State University of Denver. Over the years, she grew into leadership roles and, in 2025, became one of the co-owners of House of VXN.

Living with an anxiety disorder inspired Amber’s mission to create intentional, plant-based skincare and to mentor women—especially those who have experienced trauma or debilitating anxiety—showing that healing and leadership are possible. She continues to bring compassion, creativity, and care into every part of her work, blending scientific precision with a holistic approach to wellness.

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A woman, Amanda, educator for Color Up CBD Skincare, with her three boys around her sitting on the grass with fruit trees in the background.

Color Up Skincare Advisor, Mom of 3 Boys

Amanda Whisnant, LE

Hi, I'm Amanda, and I'm the owner and licensed esthetician at Ruhe 756 in Fond du Lac, WI. My approach to skincare is deeply rooted in transparency, medical insight, and personal experience—and my goal is always to create a safe space for every client.I graduated from the Aveda Institute of Beauty & Wellness in 2021, but my journey into skin health began much earlier. Prior to becoming an esthetician, I worked in the medical field for 10 years. This background is crucial to how I view skin health, grounding my practice in anatomy, physiology, and clinical understanding.My personal life heavily informs my advocacy.

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Founding Family Legacy Owner

Brigitte Ownsby

Brigitte's belief in plant-medicine is not just a profession but a way of life. A devout believer in plant-medicine throughout her life, she infuses her passion into everything she does. Her positivity and contributions in the lab make her an invaluable and beloved member of our team. She has a green thumb, growing her own cannabis, mushrooms and other herbs to share with the community, and her homemade bread and baked treats are more than just food; they're expressions of the care and love she offers to our team every day. She is the embodiment of the nurturing spirit we stand for, and she never misses an opportunity to remind us all how fortunate we are to be doing this work. She’s Marrana’s mom, house momma to all of us, and a motherly reminder of how mother earth should be honored and cared for every day.

Two people embracing on a beach with a sunset in the background

Founding Family Legacy Owner

Ellen Blanch

Though she lives across the country and doesn’t work with us day-to-day, Ellen has been a guiding force behind our journey since the earliest days of Color Up. Her quiet strength, unwavering belief in us, and deep well of wisdom have grounded us through every transition—from startup chaos to our evolution into VXN, and back to Color Up. For over a decade, she’s been a trusted advisor to Shauna, offering care, counsel, and perspective that has shaped this house more than most will ever know. She now answers our Color Up line, helping our customers and making sure everyone feels loved.

Color Up Lab Ladies!