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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.
Kali and Cannabis
Our Muses
Color Up was founded by friends who met in Colorado, on a mission to offer education and clean products to their communities around the country. Since 2015 we have honored the animals who gave us the experiences that proved to us, without a shadow of a doubt, that cannabis – hemp and marijuana alike – have a place in the wellness journey.
Shauna Blanch
Co-founder and Co-owner (2015 to Present)
Marrana James
Co-founder and Co-owner (2025 to present)
Amber White-Benzel
Co-founder and Co-owner (2025 to present)
Will Parker
Co-founder and Co-owner (2015 to 2023)
Bryce Conley
Co-founder and Co-owner (2015 to 2023)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
We Honor All Those Who Have Colored Up Alongside Us!
