The Tenacious Seed

Nestled in the historic farmlands along the Nansemond River of Coastal Virginia, two lifelong friends have turned their shared passion of health+wellness into a thriving hemp enterprise.

Peter Mantz, a retired Navy Captain and pilot, and Travis Chick, a general contractor and real estate developer, grew up together and shared many of life's milestones. After spending decades in their professions, the duo embarked on a new journey. Passionate about the amazing therapeutic wellness CBD offers consumers, they founded The Tenacious Seed as a means for their customers to live their very best lives and inspiring their motto to “Live Tenaciously!”

The Tenacious Seed is a licensed grower and manufacturer of hemp products regulated by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS). It is one of only five CBD companies in the state with dietary supplement certification. All its cannabidiol (CBD) products, labeling and packaging are approved through VDACS. Additionally, it is the first CBD manufacturing facility to be approved in the City of Chesapeake, VA.

“Starting this company was a leap of faith, but we knew our tenacity and attention to detail would see us through,” says Travis Chick, managing member. “We hope to create better standards for Virginia’s CBD industry working alongside VDACS.”

The duo faced numerous challenges with the initial 6,000 plants cultivated in a five-acre garden—from underestimating labor needs to battling hurricanes and pests. Yet, their perseverance paid off. The hand-harvested and cured plants in its 5,000 square foot facility produced oil of exceptional quality, garnering praise for its excellent CBD profile.

The Tenacious Seed got its name from this episode of resilience. Originally known as SEVA Farms, the rebranding CBD SOLUTIONS PROVIDERS - 2024 TOP 10 reflects the perseverance that saw it through nature’s trials and city and state regulatory hurdles. Its current trade name SEVA Farms dba The Tenacious Seed tells the story of its beginnings in the hemp industry and the crucial turning point that led to its rebranding.

The Tenacious Seed offers a diverse array of cannabinoid products, including CBD softgels, balm, oil tincture, and nanoemulsified, liquid soluble CBD. It also provides CBD-infused blood orange & black cherry seltzer and lemonade beverages. With an increasing demand for non-alcoholic, CBD-infused drinks, it is seeking distribution channels to expand its market presence.

Its CBD products have provided relief and support to individuals facing various challenges—from coping with trauma to combating alcoholism. Users report enhanced stress management, better sleep and improved daily functioning. CBD has proven beneficial for pain management, with users experiencing more relief compared to traditional anti-inflammatory drugs. Healthcare professionals also endorse the products, further validating their effectiveness.

The founders themselves are staunch proponents of the products’ benefits. Avid athletes, they incorporate cannabinoids into their daily routines to support their active lifestyles. Chick relies on CBD, exercise and a balanced diet to manage his arthritic hip. Mantz has used the water-soluble CBD product during training and completion of a 100-mile ultra-marathon, attesting to its efficacy.

Products are marketed through healthcare facilities. Emphasis on compliance and regulatory adherence has garnered a niche market primarily through direct sales to consumers and medical professionals. The Tenacious Seed has worked closely with the Virginia Department of Agriculture to find the right balance of state regulation over a budding new industry while affording small businesses the ability to effectively operate within realistic constraints that always value safety of the consumer and the highest quality and standards of CBD products.

Its CBD-based beverages are also gaining popularity. Following a highly successful launch of their lemonade at the Invited Celebrity Classic, a PGA Tour Champions event in Dallas, Texas, the company is set to sponsor the Professional Pickleball Association and capitalize on other promising growth prospects.

Delivering premium-quality CBD products across Virginia, The Tenacious Seed epitomizes resilience and dedication that solidifies its position as the preferred choice in the state's CBD industry.