What happens when a biologist turned CPG brand manager decides to fight his way through the world of SEO and botanical wellness? I recently joined Jeremy Rivera on the Unscripted Small Business Podcast to pull back the curtain on Kyoto Botanicals. We dove deep into the complex science of dual-extraction mushrooms and hemp oil production, why I refuse to compromise, and the obsession with momentum that transformed my business and my life.
Last updated: August 6, 2026 • Author: Mark Gillilan | Founder, Kyoto Botanicals
Memorable Moments
“Since it isn't regulated as a dietary supplement by the FDA, it's really important that individual consumers just do the research on the product and the brand they're buying. Make sure it's trustworthy.” — Mark Gillilan
“I've spent the last six months, at least 10 hours a day, seven days a week, teaching myself SEO and just breaking things fast on my site and fixing them and learning.” — Mark Gillilan
“I started just like I had momentum not to do anything for decades. I suddenly built like this momentum machine where I was kind of obsessed with changing things.” — Mark Gillilan
Exploring Functional Mushrooms
Jeremy: Tell me more about mushrooms. I'm familiar colloquially, but that's more on a psychedelic perspective. Tell me about that.
Mark: We use lion's mane, reishi, chaga, and cordyceps — the four really main functional mushrooms. We do a dual extraction process to break down the tough cell walls of mushrooms. They're called chitin and you can't digest the cell walls of mushrooms, so you don't get any benefit if they're not done the way that we do them. We mix it with raw cacao powder and those four different mushroom extracts. You can mix it in your coffee, put it in your smoothie, or make hot chocolate. It's fantastic.
I actually just published an educational piece on whether functional mushrooms get you high. These are non-psychoactive. They are not in the family of mushrooms that have psilocybin. There's no high and no psychoactive impact—I'm here for wellness, not for altered states. They help support focus and daily immune function.
Hemp works via the endocannabinoid system, while functional mushrooms work to support neurological and immunological wellness. Check out our mushroom education guide if you want to go deeper.
The Science Behind Hemp Extraction
Jeremy: I'm always surprised at the depth and scientific process behind the scenes. Can you give us some of your expertise in bringing these products to market?
Mark: A lot of people don't understand how complex it is to get to a final, safe-for-consumption extract. If you're smoking a joint, the heat converts the cannabinoids via decarboxylation. With hemp ingestibles for wellness, you have to do that heating step during a complex CO2 extraction process under high pressure. Then we do another step to remove all THC, ending up with a full cannabinoid and phyto-compound profile — minus the THC. You can read more about this process in our CBD education guide.
That is why high-quality CBD products cost more than cheap gas-station alternatives, which are typically made with isolated CBD molecules that lose the entourage effect of the entire plant. Our CBD product comparison guide breaks these differences down in detail.
Navigating the Regulatory Patchwork
Mark: After the 2018 Farm Bill passed, there was an explosion of Delta-8 THC and high-potency synthetic alternatives. My decision from day one to formulate 100% THC-free products keeps our line compliant across state lines.
Until the FDA regulates CBD as a dietary supplement, consumers need to demand total transparency. Look for clear lab results and verified batch data. Our lab results and testing page provides that exact open-book approach.
Developing the Mushroom Product Line
Mark: Over six years, I connected with a specialist in mushroom cultivation. I took the formulation rigor we built on the hemp side and combined it with his mycological expertise. Every extract batch goes through rigorous safety testing for residual solvents, heavy metals, pesticides, and biological contaminants.
Marketing in a Restricted Category
Mark: My approach is naturally conservative. I don't make wild medical claims—I focus strictly on education. Being THC-free allows us to invite customers to test our broad-spectrum formulas for daily calm and nighttime support. Our CBD price gap audit helps customers understand where quality manufacturing dollars actually go.
The DIY SEO Journey
Mark: Brand management is very different from technical SEO. In restricted ad categories, organic search is the primary way to build trust at scale. I spent six months digging into technical site architecture, testing schema, and fixing site structure hands-on.
Jeremy: The best way to learn SEO is to implement consistently. Treat it like repetitive mechanics—eventually, small technical improvements compound into major site authority.
SEO as a Customer Ecosystem
Jeremy: When you design search content around answering real customer questions, your site naturally addresses new search queries while simultaneously educating current customers.
Focused Product Development
Mark: I keep our product line simple and focused on purpose. We focus on core CBD wellness products and our core functional mushroom blend. Rather than launching dozens of redundant SKUs, we prioritize high-potency, clean formulations.
Building Daily Momentum
Mark: Success comes down to compounding daily habits—whether that's refining a routine with our broad-spectrum CBD gummies, committing to regular physical activity, or taking time off screens before bed.
Where to Connect
Explore our full line at KyotoBotanicals.com or connect with us on social media @KyotoBotanicals. You can also explore our FAQ page or send direct questions through our contact team.
Key Takeaways
- Extraction Quality Matters: Proper CO2 extraction, decarboxylation, and non-detectable THC processing separate high-tier wellness formulas from cheap isolates.
- THC-Free Compliance: Zero-THC formulations provide peace of mind and broad accessibility for customers across different state guidelines.
- Verifiable Testing: Third-party lab testing should always be easily accessible to consumers.
- Education-Led Search: Transparent content helps customers navigate complex botanical categories without hype.
- Product Focus: Methodical formulation beats excessive SKU expansion every time.
Mark Gillilan is the founder of Kyoto Botanicals. He spent a decade in CPG brand and product management, including FTC/FDA claims compliance and product development at Nestlé, Atkins, and Charlotte's Web, before designing, building, and personally operating Kyoto Botanicals' first FDA and Colorado Department of Health registered production facility as the company scaled. Read Mark's full bio →
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