Starting a business itself is hard, not to mention starting a cannabis business. Finding funding, hiring your first few employees, and navigating regulations is difficult. But then if you’re trying to scale your cannabis business, you’ll face an entirely new set of challenges that nobody ever warned you about. Until today.

In this episode, I’m interviewing Anna Willey, founder of California Artisanal Medicine (CAM), and someone I really admire. Anna shares why you should nurture your business team, how she scaled her business and overcame the associated challenges, and what it’s like to be a woman in the cannabis industry, especially as a grower.

In this episode, you’ll learn…

[02:05] An introduction to Anna, her exit from her Colorado business, and how she came to be where she is in the California cannabis space currently

[07:54] How cannabis has become a part of our personal identity, and why you should invest in growing and nurturing your team

[16:05] Anna walks us through how she scaled her business

[23:22] What it’s like being a woman in the cannabis industry, specifically as a grower, plus her advice for someone just starting out

[26:52] Anna explains the art of scaling and the challenges you face while doing so

[34:32] Where Anna sees her brand going and what it’s like to be a female leader

[41:59] The state of policy and the cannabis industry in California

Get full notes and a transcript at: https://highsalwa.com/2023/08/02/how-to-cultivate-grow-and-scale-your-cannabis-business-with-anna-willey/

Let me help you save time and money in the industry with my templates on winning licenses in multiple cannabis markets. Visit my website for all the pre-rolled downloads you’ll need to get started: https://highsalwa.com/

Event planning is a beast. There are so many moving parts to consider, but they are wonderful for bringing people together, especially in the cannabis industry. You just have to be prepared, be knowledgeable, and most of all, be flexible. 

In this episode, I do a live coaching call with my friend, Raeven Duckett, a cannabis equity activist and co-founder of Community Gardens in Oakland, California. I answer her questions about the logistics of planning a cannabis event and share my advice from past event experiences. We chat about promoters, vendors, security, sponsorships, and most importantly, event budgets.

In this episode, you’ll learn…

[03:28] I catch up with my friend, Raeven, on what she’s been up to

[05:35] Raeven asks for my advice about events for 2024, what makes a good cannabis event, and the logistics behind setting it all up

[14:44] The ins and outs of promoters for cannabis events

[18:23] Finding food trucks for your event, and the importance of having an event map

[22:36] We chat about security, booking local talent, corporate sponsorship, and event budgets

Get full notes and a transcript at: https://highsalwa.com/2023/07/19/cannabis-events-101-the-logistics-behind-a-successful-cannabis-event-with-raeven-duckett/

Let me help you save time and money in the industry with my templates on winning licenses in multiple cannabis markets. Visit my website for all the pre-rolled downloads you’ll need to get started: https://highsalwa.com/

The entrepreneurship life can seem really easy and glamorous online, but how do you know if you’re really ready to make the jump from employee to cannabis entrepreneur? It can definitely be done, I’m proof of that, but I have some things you should consider first. 

In this episode, I’m putting my cannabis auntie hat on and talking all about what it takes to become a cannabis entrepreneur (or really any kind of entrepreneur, the basics apply). I share what to consider, my list of signs to know if you’re ready for entrepreneurship or not, and final pointers on what your next steps should be if you do think you’re ready.

In this episode, you’ll learn…

[01:12] Two things to consider first about being an entrepreneur: sacrifice and payoff

[04:25] My list of how to know when it’s time to leave your job and pursue the entrepreneurial life, like taking risks, gaining industry experience, building credibility, and more

[21:34] Reminder: entrepreneurship is not just about starting a business it’s so much more than that

[22:05] If after listening, you feel ready to start your business, here are a few last minute pointers on finances, market research, mentors, adaptability, and legal considerations 

Get full notes and a transcript at: 

https://highsalwa.com/2023/06/28/how-to-know-if-youre-ready-to-become-a-cannabis-entrepreneur/

Let me help you save time and money in the industry with my templates on winning licenses in multiple cannabis markets. Visit my website for all the pre-rolled downloads you’ll need to get started: https://highsalwa.com/

If you’re new to the cannabis world, you might assume that the scene in every city is basically the same from how you sell to how you network to how you grow your business. But there are definitely differences between what’s happening on the east and west coasts. 

In this episode, I’m interviewing Lulu Tsui, co-founder of On the Revel and president of the Cannabis Media Council. Lulu shares about the diversity of the NY cannabis culture, what’s happening with legislation in her state, and what she’s doing to help educate consumers on the benefits of cannabis.

In this episode, you’ll learn…

[06:59] The importance of community in the cannabis space and bringing people together

[12:05] Lulu describes what the NY cannabis scene is like, especially the diversity found within the culture

[16:34] What’s shaping the legislation in NY and the dynamics between outsiders, locals, politics and legacy

[26:06] What’s going on with the unregulated market in NY, and how the Cannabis Media Council helps educate consumers

[32:25] Why your cannabis network and attending events is so important, plus Lulu’s advice to someone who is just starting out

[39:11] Lulu’s vision for the future of cannabis in NY

Get full notes and a transcript at: https://highsalwa.com/2023/06/21/east-coast-vs-west-coast-and-new-yorks-unique-cannabis-culture-with-lulu-tsui/

Let me help you save time and money in the industry with my templates on winning licenses in multiple cannabis markets. Visit my website for all the pre-rolled downloads you’ll need to get started: https://highsalwa.com/

We’ve talked a lot about the legal, retail, and marketing sides of cannabis on the show, but today we’re putting our science hats on and getting into the formulation side of things.  

In this episode, I’m interviewing Maya Elisabeth, founder of OM, a female owned and operated legacy Cannabis company in The Bay Area. Maya shares her vast knowledge on the formulation of things like edibles and topicals and how cannabis can make people feel better in their everyday lives. 

A quick disclaimer before you listen: Maya and I are not doctors and our discussion should not be construed as medical advice. Please do your own research!

In this episode, you’ll learn…

[07:10] How Maya started her brand, OM, and the bridge that took her from formulator to entrepreneur

[10:25] Maya breaks down the science of formulation for things like edibles and topicals

[23:17] Maya’s advice on how to find a really good formulator 

[29:41] Why cannabis bath salts are so amazing for your mind and body

[34:11] How someone can find relief with a cannabis suppository and the magic of the womb space

[41:34] What’s going on in the CBD market, what Maya thinks the future of cannabis looks like, and her tips for a 19 year old just starting out in this business

Get full notes and a transcript at: https://highsalwa.com/2023/06/14/formulation-edibles-and-the-magic-of-cannabis-with-maya-elisabeth-of-om/

Let me help you save time and money in the industry with my templates on winning licenses in multiple cannabis markets. Visit my website for all the pre-rolled downloads you’ll need to get started: https://highsalwa.com/

If you’ve been listening to the podcast so far, you know my story of how I got into the cannabis industry. You could certainly say it was more of a traditional route into the business. 

In this episode, I’m interviewing Sarah El-Sayed and Natasha Przedborski, co-hosts of the Not 4 Nothing Podcast. These ladies share their nontraditional route of breaking into the industry via branding and content and breathing new life into the cannabis space.

Their podcast is so funny and relatable and we chat about how they started it, plus their experiences so far with the New York and L.A. weed scenes, how they feel about gatekeepers in this industry, and their goals for the future. 

In this episode, you’ll learn…

[00:56] An introduction to Sarah and Natasha of the Not 4 Nothing Podcast and a story about how I found them online

[09:42] How Sarah and Natasha are using their skillsets of PR and branding from their previous work for themselves and their podcast

[12:04] The importance of YouTube for podcasters in terms of SEO and freedom

[14:14] Sarah and Natasha discuss whether L.A. or New York has better weed

[19:34] Their aspirations and goals for the future

[27:02] How men in the industry are still trying to gatekeep women

Get full notes and a transcript at https://highsalwa.com/2023/06/07/not-4-nothing-two-women-taking-up-space-in-the-cannabis-industry-with-sarah-elsayed-and-natasha-przedborski/

Let me help you save time and money in the industry with my templates on winning licenses in multiple cannabis markets. Visit my website for all the pre-rolled downloads you’ll need to get started: https://highsalwa.com/

Let’s say you have a business plan and you’re ready to make your cannabis business official. What are your next steps? How do you make it happen? Who do you talk to? 

In this episode, I’m interviewing Sarah Yoell, the manager of local government affairs for the Bay area for PG&E. Sarah shares her knowledge and advice on how to navigate the local government departments in order to start the paperwork for your cannabis business. 

While each city or county government can vary slightly, you’ll be able to use this advice and take actionable steps to get your business started. 

In this episode, you’ll learn…

[03:52] What constituents are (P.S. it’s you!) and the power they hold in local affairs

[08:16] Sarah walks us through the process of fundraising for an elected official and how someone who may not have the resources can get their foot in the door

[09:19] Sarah breaks down what the city manager/city administrator’s office does

[16:34] Why you should check the city’s redevelopment plan to make sure it doesn’t conflict with your business plan

[20:40] What you need to know about the business license and finance department 

[22:49] A quick rundown on the public safety department, and a story about how Sarah’s husband wrote Salwa’s safety plan

[29:53] Sarah’s tips on how a small business going through the process can compete with larger competitors

Get full notes and a transcript at https://highsalwa.com/2023/05/31/how-to-work-with-your-local-government-as-a-cannabis-business-owner-with-sarah-chavez-yoell/

Let me help you save time and money in the industry with my templates on winning licenses in multiple cannabis markets. Visit my website for all the pre-rolled downloads you’ll need to get started: https://highsalwa.com/

Are you a newbie to the cannabis industry? Ever wonder where you should even start? Never fear, your favorite cannabis Auntie is here. 

In this episode, I do a live coaching call with Layla Gomes, a biochemistry major and future edibles business owner, and answer her questions about breaking into the industry, networking at cannabis events, marketing herself on social media, education requirements, and more. 

There’s room for all of us in this business, you just have to find your own niche and what lights you up.

In this episode, you’ll learn…

[01:45] How Layla’s journey with cannabis started in high school at the recommendation of her father

[04:01] Salwa’s advice for networking and getting your foot in the door of the cannabis industry

[08:45] How to break into the edibles market and why consistency is so important

[12:03] How to start branding yourself and growing your platform on Instagram and why you should always infuse your own personality into everything

[19:20] Advice on degrees for the cannabis field from a college dropout 

[24:44] How to gain experience in the industry, do your own research, and start your cannabis business

[29:04] Why mentorship has been hard to come by in the industry up until this point

[37:41] There’s no such thing as mistakes when it comes to business, everything is an experiment and a process of elimination 

Get full notes and a transcript at https://highsalwa.com/2023/05/24/in-the-hot-seat-with-layla-gomes-how-to-break-into-the-cannabis-industry/

Let me help you save time and money in the industry with my templates on winning licenses in multiple cannabis markets. Visit my website for all the pre-rolled downloads you’ll need to get started: https://highsalwa.com/

Wondering how brands get selected for dispensary shelves?

In this episode, I speak with Daniel Chung, owner of a cannabis dispensary and lounge. We dive deep into his background and how he went from budtender to buyer to dispensary owner. Daniel shares his values and approach to running a dispensary, and we discuss the process of how brands get on dispensary shelves.

 

We also discuss the challenges that new cannabis brands face when trying to get their products on dispensary shelves.

 

We also talk about the challenges and opportunities of owning a cannabis dispensary in Oakland, and the importance of perseverance and resilience in the face of challenges.

 

So, if you’re ready to learn from a successful dispensary owner and get an inside look at the cannabis industry, this episode is for you!

 

Tune in now!

 

Salwa

Winning licenses just got easier. Download my application materials and experience success like I did in multiple markets. Cultivation, production, and retail, all at your fingertips! https://highsalwa.com 

Let’s connect!

Instagram: @highsalwa       

High Class Podcast Community

 

Transcript

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This episode was produced by Juliana Barbati

Do you want to overcome challenges that cannabis startups face when it comes to raising capital? Have you ever wanted someone to shed light on the REAL challenges an entrepreneur faces in investing in the cannabis industry? 

 

You have come to the right place! 

 

If you're like most entrepreneurs wanting to start investing in all-things cannabis, you’ve probably thought about cbd wellness; worried about the challenges in entering a relatively new market and its costs; and looked for references everywhere. 

 

This episode has stories of passion and dedication, with great advice from a cannabis entrepreneur for growth of a cannabis startup. Devin Aracena delves into the decision to focus on the CBD industry growth instead of the THC industry specifically due to the lower barrier to entry and costs of doing business. 

 

Get ready to be inspired to pursue a journey in the cannabis industry as an entrepreneur.

 

Salwa

 

Winning licenses just got easier. Download my application materials and experience success like I did in multiple markets. Cultivation, production, and retail, all at your fingertips! https://highsalwa.com 

Let’s connect!

Instagram: @highsalwa       

High Class Podcast Community

 

Transcript

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This episode was produced by Juliana Barbati