Welcome to another episode of AROYA Office Hours Special Edition, where we sit down with the movers and shakers who shape the industry from behind the scenes. 

In today’s episode, hosts Greg Dunaway and Bryan Passman—co-founder and CEO of Hunter Esquire, one of the leading talent acquisition firms in cannabis—pull back the curtain on the real state of hiring, leadership, and culture in the cannabis space.

Bryan shares his unique perspective as an industry insider trusted with sensitive executive decisions, discussing everything from the turbulence of hiring MSOs (Multi-State Operators) to why turnover is such an expensive—and yet common—problem. The conversation covers shifting trends, like the rise in demand for finance and operations leaders, and explores what positions are fading into the background, especially in HR. 

Bryan also delivers candid advice for job seekers, breaks down common hiring mistakes cannabis CEOs make, and shares his hopes for a smoother path forward in this challenging business.

00:00 Effective Executive Search Strategies

04:41 Advisement Challenges: Energizing and Unorthodox

08:13 Rapid Hiring and Turnover Norms

13:12 Finance and Operations Leadership Focus

14:57 HR Cuts Impact Company Culture

19:56 Cultural Shift in Corporate Hiring

23:08 Transparent Recruiting Practices

26:52 Misfit Talent from Top Corporations

29:37 Industry Caution: Choose Stability

31:57 Acquisition Challenges and Leadership Uncertainty

37:47 Accountability and Perseverance

39:57 A Compassionate World for All

41:56 Diversifying Beyond Industry

45:23 Grateful and Enjoyed Our Time

Links:
Bryan Passman
Hunter-Esquire

Greg Dunaway
Maple Creek Consulting

AROYA by Addium

On Office Hours Live Special Edition this week, host Greg Dunaway sits down with trailblazing executive Jamie Pearson. In this candid and wide-ranging conversation, Jamie shares her unique journey from a childhood surrounded by cannabis culture to leading industry mainstays like Bang and shaping cross-border expansion strategies at New Holland Group.

00:00 Generosity and  Entrepreneurship

06:23 Forging Cross-Border Business Success

09:23 Market and Price Compression

10:49  Market Challenges

15:21 Investing in Niche Success

17:57 Pre-Revenue Investment Strategy

23:27 Talman Group Pitch Training Partnership

24:38 Companies Enter European Market

29:39 Germany's Pharma-Focused Regulations

34:04 Social Clubs and Hemp Debate

36:07 Montana Licensing Dispute: Liquor vs. Craft Beer

39:17 Join Forces for Legal THC

42:37 Networking in Markets

45:00 Appreciation for Greg

Get ready for a powerful story of resilience, innovation, and entrepreneurship in the industry. In this special edition of AROYA Office Hours LIVE, host Greg Dunaway sits down with multifaceted cannabis leader Jason Washington for a candid conversation about triumph over adversity and the relentless drive it takes to succeed in this fast-evolving space.

From his early days as a college football quarterback in Montana to building an empire—and later facing down federal prosecution—Jason shares his incredible journey into the heart of cannabis cultivation, business, and advocacy. You'll hear about the highs of rapid business growth, the lows of legal battles and incarceration, and the lessons he learned bouncing back to become a respected industry consultant and founder of Kulture Global.

Packed with raw insight and first-hand accounts, this episode isn’t just about surviving tough times—it’s about coming out the other side stronger than ever. Whether you’re a grower, entrepreneur, or just passionate about cannabis, Jason’s story will inspire you to hustle harder, think bigger, and never count yourself out.

00:00 "From Football to Cannabis Career"
04:16 Car Customization Shop Success Story
07:30 Retail and Cultivation Challenges
09:42 Logistical Challenges of Retail Hub Model
13:58 "Montanan Jury Confidence"
19:23 Betrayal and Fortune
23:18 Vandalism and Legal Battle Unfold
25:47 Judge to Decide Sentencing Outcome
28:21 "Defending Against Misjudged Accusations"
32:18 Venture's Misaligned Evolution
34:13 Kulture's Evolution: From Retail to Agency
39:06 Hands-On Approach to Business
40:49 Thriving Amid Industry Shakeout

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Host Links:
📲Greg Dunaway, https://www.instagram.com/gregdunaway/
https://maplecreek.consulting

About: Greg Dunaway brings a unique blend of corporate savvy and cannabis industry grit to the mic. After 10 years in PR, marketing, and account management, he took a leap of faith into the cannabis space, leading a startup in Arizona through rapid growth and a successful exit. He then joined Grow Glide as employee #5, helping scale the company 20x, expand internationally, and navigate a high-profile acquisition.

Today, Greg is the founder of Cult Cannabis Co., a premium cultivation company based in Arizona. With clients on three continents and a deep network across the industry, he brings an insider perspective, real-world experience, and a passion for meaningful conversations that move the cannabis space forward.

Guest Links:
📲Jason Washington, https://www.instagram.com/jasondwashington/
📲 Kulture Global https://www.instagram.com/kulture.global

‘Office Hours’ is an AROYA by Addium Inc. Podcast //
📲 Produced by Chris Ripley, https://www.instagram.com/_mrripleyc_