The Future Is Green: David Landis of Wenjulan Whole Body C.A.R.E. On Their Top Strategies for a Cleaner Planet
An Interview With Martita Mestey
We make sure to tell our customers exactly what’s in our products and why. Education inspires better choices — and empowered customers make a difference.
As we face an unprecedented environmental crisis, the need for sustainable solutions has never been more urgent. This series seeks to spotlight the innovative minds and passionate advocates who are leading the charge in environmental conservation and sustainable practices. We aim to explore the most effective strategies, breakthrough technologies, and transformative policies that are shaping a more sustainable future for our planet. As a part of this series, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing David Landis.
Dave Landis is the Co-Founder and CEO of Wenjulan Whole Body C.A.R.E., a premium wellness-driven body care brand launched under Clean Body Care, LLC. Inspired by his family’s personal journey through cancer and the physical and emotional impact of treatment — including hair loss — Dave helped establish Wenjulan to support others navigating similar paths. The brand’s name is rooted in purpose, with C.A.R.E. standing for Cancer and Alopecia Research Endeavor — an initiative Dave created to fund research and uplift affected communities. Wenjulan products are Leaping Bunny certified, vegan, and free of gluten, parabens, sulfates, phthalates, and artificial fragrances, and a portion of every sale is donated to cancer and alopecia research. In addition to Wenjulan, Dave is the founder and CEO of Rebel Luxe Management, LLC, which operates Rocker Rags — an e-commerce destination for music-inspired contemporary fashion. A 1995 graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, Dave helped pioneer online radio with Ultimate-80s.com, one of the first and most popular internet radio stations of its time, and has been featured in several media outlets, including The History Channel’s Modern Marvels. He lives in New Mexico with his wife and enjoys an active lifestyle that includes Kenpo Karate (he’s working toward his 2nd-degree black belt), pickleball, and skiing in the Southwest’s scenic mountains.
Can you share with us the most interesting story from your career? Can you tell us what lessons or ‘takeaways’ you learned from that?
If you were to look at the span of my career, I started in the film business, migrated to the music business, and then transitioned into e-commerce which led me to starting my own brand. In each facet of my career, there have been interesting stories, individuals and experiences from dealing with some of the biggest stars in Hollywood, to intimate performances and conversations with some of my favorite musicians to dealing with vendors on the best and most recyclable types of packaging for my new body care brand. Each of these experiences has created their own lasting memories and if I was to say “takeaway,” it would be to appreciate each of those unique and individual moments and, to always be open to the possibilities of where your career can take you.
You are a successful leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?
- Emotional Intelligence — no matter what stage of your career or type of career you choose, there are going to be obstacles which can cause a great deal of stress and being able to counter those obstacles in a calm and clear minded manner, helps to find a secure path to successfully navigating those obstacles.
- Prioritization — in today’s extremely fast paced society, where alerts from phones and e-mails and texts are both a fact of modern life while also a distraction (and dare I say nuisance at times), it’s important to remember that prioritization is key in order to navigate successfully through it all. Sometimes, you need to sit back (or take a walk), inhale some deep breaths and think for a moment — what really is the most important, and attend to that first. And while that might seem obvious and simple, it often requires some deep thought for a few moments. And another thing I’d add, is to avoid letting prioritization and/or the interruptions overwhelm you. More often than not, you’ll find that you can split up what seems like large tasks into small steps rather than one big project, allowing you to be able to confidently and more importantly, comfortably, complete the task/achieve the goal. For example, if you need to put together a report, and you have some time before it needs to be submitted, work on a little bit everyday and avoid procrastination at all costs so that when time is wrapping up to submit the report, you’re not worried and stressed causing you to potentially submit less than your best work.
- Respect of Your Individual Team Member’s Unique Skills — there’s a saying that the sign of a true expert is to know when to hire one. And if you believe the people you’re working with are truly experts in their own field, you need to rely on them and their best judgement. As a brand owner, I have to wear a lot of hats, but there are certain elements in today’s business climate that I’m not nearly as familiar with and/or comfortable even trying to attempt. A couple of these are public relations and social media marketing, for the brand. I have no PR experience nor strong relationships with individuals in the media. Furthermore, I’m in my early 50s, and while I’m very familiar with social media as a consumer, understanding the algorthims and the backend systems and intricate rules to successfully promote the brand is something I truly don’t understand. So, even with educating myself a little bit in the art of PR or social media marketing, instead of me trying to reach out to press or to handle social media marketing, I rely on others who are far more versed in these fields both through experience and contacts. I’ll also add, and especially if you’re working with those who run their own agency or are freelance team members, it’s very important to be respectful of their time. They most likely have other clients and responsibilities, and you’re not their only priority. It’s important to understand that while it may not occur “on your schedule,” that these people are there to help you.
Are you working on any exciting new projects now? How do you think that might help people?
I am. My body care brand, Wenjulan Whole Body C.A.R.E. which was created following my wife’s struggle with cancer. It’s an all-natural body/skin care brand that helps support healthy lifestyle journeys and sensitive skin conditions while benefiting those who have been touched by cancer and/or alopecia. Through the C.A.R.E. initiative, which stands for Cancer and Alopecia Research Endeavor, a percentage of every product sold, regardless if it’s sold retail or purchased wholesale, is donated to cancer and alopecia foundations researching cures for both diseases.
Ok, thank you for all that. Now let’s shift to the main focus of our interview. What pivotal moment led you to dedicate your career to sustainability, and how has that shaped your approach to environmental challenges?
It was really my wife’s cancer journey that led me to create and focus on building a body and skincare brand that is devoted to the health and comfort of our customers and the betterment of our planet.
Could you describe a groundbreaking project or initiative you’ve been involved in that significantly contributed to sustainability?
Wenjulan Whole Body C.A.R.E. — every aspect of the brand is focused on healthy lifestyles and sustainability. The individual products are made from all natural ingredients that, when they are rinsed down the drain of a shower or bath, do not add harmful chemicals to the water system. Furthermore, not only do we use recyclable packaging, but every component of our packaging was chosen for its unique sustainable characteristics. For example, the kraft paper boxes we use for our soap bars are made of 100% PCR (Post-Consumer Recycled), FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified material that is compostable, recyclable and biodegradable. The labels we adhere to the boxes are made from 100% PCR (Post-Consumer Recycled) Vellum paper with the following certifications:
- FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) Certified
- Green Seal Certified
- Green — E Certified
How do you navigate the balance between economic growth and environmental preservation in your sustainability strategies?
With the health and wellness of both our customers and the planet being at the core of the Wenjulan Whole Body C.A.R.E. ethos, we don’t see economic growth and environmental preservation as a balancing act that we need to navigate. Environmental preservation will always be a priority to ensure that we are fulfilling all of our self-created requirements of providing the most purposeful and eco-friendly products that we possibly can. In fact, we have found that some of the most environmentally sustainable products are also the most cost efficient.
What emerging technologies or innovations do you believe hold the most promise for advancing sustainability and why?
Regenerative agriculture is incredibly promising. It doesn’t just reduce harm, it actively heals the land. Also, innovations in zero-waste packaging — like compostable bioplastics — are game-changers. These allow brands like Wenjulan to continue aligning beauty and wellness with planetary stewardship.
Here is our main question. Based on your research or experience, can you please share your “5 Top Strategies for a Cleaner Planet”? (Please share a story or an example for each)
Support Regenerative Supply Chains
- Rather than extractive sourcing, work with farms that heal the earth. For example, our lavandin supplier enriches the soil each season, allowing our ingredients to nourish people and the planet.
Use Toxin-Free, Biodegradable Formulas
- Ingredients like Sodium Lauryl Sulfate do more than irritate skin — they pollute waterways. The formulations in the Wenjulan products don’t use any toxic ingredients like Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, which further allows all of the Wenjulan products to, simultaneously, be both pure on the body and gentle on the Earth.
Design with Intentional Minimalism
- Less waste. Fewer, better products. The Wenjulan Whole Body C.A.R.E. line replaces multiple harsh products with one gentle, multipurpose ritual.
Educate Through Transparency
- We make sure to tell our customers exactly what’s in our products and why. Education inspires better choices — and empowered customers make a difference.
Give Back to Planet-Positive Causes
- A portion of every Wenjulan purchase supports cancer and alopecia research, and organizations focused on reforestation. Our business is our activism.
In your view, what are the key steps individuals, communities, and governments need to take to achieve a more sustainable future?
Individuals need to vote with their wallets & support brands aligned with their values. Communities need to start and/or continue to create circular economies and localize production. And governments need to stop subsidizing harmful industries while penalizing the small businesses trying to support the health and well-being of their voting constituencies. There needs to be policies that reflect the urgency we all feel.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
I’d launch the “Wellness With Integrity” movement which I define as a true global push for full transparency in skincare and wellness. No more vague labels. No more greenwashing. If we demand truth and ethics in what touches our skin and enters our homes, we can drive massive change, both personally and environmentally.
This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for the time you spent on this. We wish you only continued success.
The Future Is Green: David Landis of Wenjulan Whole Body CARE On Their Top Strategies for a Clea was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.