We talk with Kate Manson, founder of Tarot CBD about how she's applied creative marketing and negotiation techniques to get the first cannabis advertisement in the sky and to get her own products on the shelves of Saks 5th Avenue.   

Kate Manson has had cannabis in her cards for many years. As the founder of Capsule and Tarot CBD, her 11-year journey in the cannabis industry has allowed her to share her passion for cannabis and CBD with a myriad of audiences. Before pursuing her own brand, Kate served as the VP of Experiential Marketing at Wikileaf where she learned the intricacies of effective cannabis marketing – her work has been featured in AD Age, Merry Jane, Herb.co, Seattle Met & Bloom Farms.

 

What is the best thing that is going on in your career right now? 

I launched a new company, Tarot CBD and am fully emerged in building the brand and driving sales.  

  Why are you part of the cannabis industry? 

I always have been. My parents are cannabis users and I started using and selling cannabis at a young age. I've always taken a less-traveled path and enjoy the challenges I face both personally and professionally working in a heavily regulated and stigmatized industry.  

 

What is one entrepreneurial story or experience you'd like to share?

I shared the Facebook landing page workaround with the CEO of a CBD brand and a week later Facebook was announcing that they would allow CBD topical companies to run ads. At this moment, I am not able to run ads for Tarot CBD and believe Facebook is approaching and denying based on ad budget and audience. I'd love to connect with businesses in similar situations to see how we can approach Facebook as a united front and get results. 

  What is one piece of insight you'd like to share with the listeners 

In cannabis marketing we often get told no more than yes. I believe that no is negotiable and that with enough education and persistence we have the power to shape the cannabis conversation. 

  What's the biggest challenge you've faced as a business owner that you can share with our audience? 

The biggest challenge I face currently is driving B2C sales in a saturated market and creating a unique and consistent brand story.

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