Greenway Audio Magazine

Greenway Audio Magazine welcomes industry veteran Tammy Puyear, founder of TPP Services, for an in-depth look at the evolving landscape of the retail and service sectors within the regulated industry.

Tammy explains the concept of secret shopping as an intelligence-gathering tool for both compliance and customer experience measurement, stressing how nuanced, industry-specific details set regulated markets apart from others.

The episode also highlights Puyear’s advocacy work, including her roles at MoCann Trade, the women-focused JAINE organization, and the Veterinary Cannabis Society. She discusses the pivotal roles these organizations play in shaping industry standards, normalizing medical alternatives, and supporting professionals and patients...including pets.

For operators and ancillary providers, Puyear offers guidance on finding the right partners, vendor relationships, and the “Sherpa” role consultants play in helping companies adapt, remain compliant, and grow sustainably.

Keywords/Tags:industry, dispensary, operations, retail, secret shopping, advocacy, compliance, loyalty program, customer retention, ancillary services, pets, veterinary, regulations, stakeholder, operator, service provider, consulting, leadership, women in business, retail marketing

Sponsors & Guests

• WEED

• Flowerpot NYC

• VIBE

• Greenway Magazine

Greenway Audio Magazine Live at MJ Unpacked

B.E. Dunn sits down with Kevin Jednachowski, CVO of Mindtrix Accounting, to discuss essential financial management strategies for dispensaries and small operators.

Jednachowski explains why early engagement with specialized accounting services can prevent catastrophic tax, AR, and inventory mistakes.

He also details how failing to monitor accounts receivable cycles, tax compliance, and inventory costs can quickly erode a company's financial health.

Sponsors and Guests

• WEED:⁠ https://thisisweed.com/⁠
• Mindtrix: ⁠https://mindtrixaccounting.com/⁠

• Flowerpot NYC:⁠ https://www.flowerpot.nyc/⁠

• VIBE:⁠ https://vibecanna.com/⁠

• Greenway Magazine:⁠ https://greenwaymagazine.com/

Greenway Audio Magazine Live at MJ Unpacked

Samantha Blum, the driving force behind Bud Wizard and chairwoman of the Missouri Micro Business Association, joins the podcast for a candid conversation about the ups and downs of the cannabis industry.

Blum recounts her personal and professional journey, detailing how early adversity informed her approach to leadership and resilience within Missouri’s unique microbusiness space.

The discussion highlights the importance of community over competition, the operational constraints faced by micro operators, and innovative approaches to managing plant counts, product selection, and limited resources.

Blum emphasizes the role of mentorship, peer support, and regulatory expertise in sustaining new businesses, offering actionable advice for entrepreneurs in Missouri and beyond.

Sponsors and Guests

• WEED: https://thisisweed.com/
• Bud Wizard: https://budwizard.net/

• Flowerpot NYC: https://www.flowerpot.nyc/

• VIBE: https://vibecanna.com/

• Greenway Magazine: https://greenwaymagazine.com/

Sponsors and Guest Links:

• Azuca: https://azuca.co/

• WEED: https://thisisweed.com/

• MJ Unpacked: www.mjunpacked.com

• Flowerpot NYC: https://www.flowerpot.nyc/

• VIBE: https://vibecanna.com/

• Greenway Magazine: https://greenwaymagazine.com/

In this episode of the Greenway Audio Magazine, Corinne Butler, SVP of Growth at Azuca, joins for a revealing discussion on the innovation and challenges shaping the edibles and infused products landscape.

Butler offers a deep dive into the realities of product formulation, the misconceptions around the term “nano,” and the critical importance of label transparency and scientific validation.

The conversation touches on how consumer expectations, regulatory uncertainty, and advances in food science are driving market evolution. Butler shares Azuca’s research-driven approach, the lasting impact of societal events such as the COVID pandemic, and actionable insights for brands seeking success in a compliance-forward market.

The conversation emphasizes evidence-based product claims, repeat purchase drivers, and the rising demand for predictability, transparency, and higher quality in edible products.

Guest:

Brianna Draksler

Ivy Hall: ⁠https://ivyhalldispensary.com/⁠

Sponsors and partners:

WEED: ⁠https://thisisweed.com/⁠

MJ Unpacked: ⁠https://www.mjunpacked.com/⁠

Flowerpot NYC: ⁠https://www.flowerpot.nyc/⁠

VIBE: ⁠https://vibecanna.com/⁠

Curio Wellness: ⁠https://curiowellness.com/⁠

Greenway Magazine: ⁠https://greenwaymagazine.com/⁠

Ivy Hall is expanding medical access across Illinois, giving patients more choices and reducing the need for long trips to designated medical dispensaries.

Brianna Draksler, Regional Director at Ivy Hall dispensaries, joins the podcast to talk about the company’s expansion from adult-use retail to serving medical patients.

Draksler explains how Ivy Hall is preparing its employees, menus, stores, and operating procedures to meet the needs of both patients and adult-use consumers.

The conversation explores patient access, employee education, customer experience, medical consultations, loyalty programs, curbside service, drive-through operations, and the regulatory challenges that accompany major changes in Illinois’ medical program.

Draksler also discusses why Ivy Hall believes hospitality and community engagement are essential differentiators in a competitive retail market.

Subscribe to Greenway Audio Magazine for more conversations with the people shaping the regulated industry.

Sponsor & Guest Links:

• Gold Standard Solutions: ⁠https://goldstandrd.com/⁠

• MJ Unpacked: ⁠https://www.mjunpacked.com⁠

• Flowerpot NYC: ⁠https://www.flowerpot.nyc/⁠

• VIBE: ⁠https://vibecanna.com/⁠

• Curio Wellness: ⁠https://curiowellness.com/⁠

• Greenway Magazine: ⁠https://greenwaymagazine.com/

On this episode of Greenway Audio Magazine, host B.E. Dunn sits down with Stephen Gold, founder of The Gold Standard, for a deep dive on shaping retail and marketing strategies for dispensaries in emerging markets.

Gold shares actionable insights on data-driven sales, customer loyalty, and how to stand out in saturated markets and offers practical tips on maximizing holiday sales, understanding shifting consumer demographics, and leveraging both “grit” and digital strategy to stay competitive.

Jage Media CEO George Jage returns to Greenway Audio Magazine for a wide-ranging conversation about MJ Unpacked, industry education, artificial intelligence, responsible regulation, community advocacy, and the enduring value of face-to-face business relationships.

Jage explains how feedback from retailers, brands, cultivators, and scientists shapes MJ Unpacked programming and the free MJU On Point educational series. He also discusses why service, value, ethics, and hospitality remain central to Jage Media’s approach.

The conversation examines the effect of AI on media and live events, the potential business implications of federal rescheduling, and the need to support families affected by prohibition.

Jage also previews MJ Unpacked’s October 14-15 event in Kansas City and explains how the MJU MoCann Cup was designed around independent judging, standardized evaluation, transparency, and repeatable results.

Greenway Audio Magazine will record live from the MJ Unpacked show floor in Kansas City on October 14 and 15.

Guest and sponsor links:

MJ Unpacked: https://www.mjunpacked.com/
Flowerpot NYC: https://www.flowerpot.nyc/
VIBE: https://vibecanna.com/
Curio Wellness: https://curiowellness.com/
Greenway Magazine: https://greenwaymagazine.com/

How did Nuthera grow from an early-stage Missouri manufacturer into a vertically integrated cannabis company with a diverse house of brands?

Alex Paulakovich, Executive Vice President of Nuthera, joins B.E. Dunn and Tim Pickett to discuss her professional journey from Colorado cultivation facilities to overseeing nearly every facet of Nuthera’s business.

Paulakovich explains how Nuthera built its operations and workplace culture, unified its edible products under the Panda brand, and revitalized Indi Vape through new hardware and colorful packaging. She also discusses the development of Infinity concentrates, the opportunities and limitations of vertical integration, the importance of supporting Missouri businesses, and why adaptability remains essential for industry professionals.

The conversation also explores Paulakovich’s approach to hiring, developing leaders, and assembling teams with complementary skills, experiences, and perspectives.

Links:

Nuthera: https://nuthera.com/
Flowerpot NYC: https://www.flowerpot.nyc/
VIBE: https://vibecanna.com/
Curio Wellness: https://curiowellness.com/
Greenway Magazine: https://greenwaymagazine.com/

Join hosts B.E. Dunn and Tim Pickett on Greenway Audio Magazine as they sit down with Chef Dave Owens, Director of Culinary at Proper, to unpack the journey of building one of the most celebrated edible brands in the industry in Honeybee.

Chef Owens shares how decades of experience in gourmet confections translated to award-winning products, and describes his approach to consistency and flavor innovation.

Get an inside look at R&D, ingredient sourcing, and the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of cannabis confection.

Sponsors & Guest Links:

• Honeybee

• Flowerpot NYC

• VIBE

• Curio Wellness

• Greenway Magazine

This episode of Greenway Audio Magazine features a wide-ranging conversation between host B.E. Dunn and John Manlove, CEO of Apex Trading.

The discussion centers on thoughtful business strategies, and key themes include the value of product-led growth, the necessity of actionable (rather than voluminous) data, and the importance of building for sustainable success.

Manlove discusses Apex Trading’s philosophy of growing through quality and service, focusing on building the right product, listening to client needs, and expanding only as growth necessitates. The team’s approach to hiring and capital was contrasted with the high-burn methods often seen in the industry.

A key theme that emerged was the integration of data among partners and platforms. The conversation explored the difference between self-serving and client-serving tech companies, highlighting the advantage of breaking down data silos and enabling actionable insights rather than hoarding data or overselling services to meet investor pressure.The episode also spotlights the persistent challenges around AR (accounts receivable), with a detailed examination on how delayed payments disproportionately harm growers and small businesses, and the lack of industry-standard credit checks or regulatory enforcement.