Kaya Cast

Welcome to another episode of the Kaya Cast Podcast! On today's episode, we continue our conversation with Jazz Samra, founder of the VIP Media Group. Jazz dives deep into the state of the independent cannabis retail sector, sharing his observations on the perils of running a cannabis shop on a shoestring budget, learning from the fate of Alberta's independent stores, and the importance of diversification.

Throughout the episode, Jazz underlines the need for cannabis retailers to be well-capitalized and also the value of giving their budtenders a sense of ownership. He contrasts the passion and connection of independent stores with the detached, boardroom approach of big corporates.

We also talk about scaling at a minimum of three locations, the significance of training and educating business owners, managing a diverse menu for clients, and the importance of strategic alignment with LP's, and of course, the passion for the product that greets happy customers every day.

This episode is packed with actionable insights for anyone running or aspiring to start a cannabis business, with an emphasis on best practices, sales strategies, and solid business skills. Join us for the journey as Jazz Samra unravels what it takes to launch, scale and grow in the cannabis industry, making it a business like no other. You won't want to miss it!
 
Jazz Samra is the founder of VIP Media Group, a collaborative cannabis retailer network aimed at empowering the industry to strive for excellence and equity by creating opportunities for all cannabis operators. Jazz is passionate about helping independent cannabis businesses succeed. 

Jazz is also the President of Sativa Bliss Cannabis Boutique. A chain of licensed cannabis stores with locations throughout Ontario, Canada. Sativa Bliss is an independent, Canadian owned & operated Cannabis Retail Company committed to providing a unique shopping experience that delights the senses and provides customers with the right products they need. 
 
Find out more about VIP Media Group at:

• https://vipmediagroup.ca/
• https://sativabliss.ca/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/jazz-samra-8b23ba242/
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/vip-media-group-to/
• https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy4xDbb6LX2MfMNteBqKTBQ
• https://instagram.com/vipmediagroup101/
• https://twitter.com/VIPMediaGroup1
• https://www.facebook.com/VIP-Media-Group-104931365515034

Join us for an eye-opening discussion with industry expert, Jazz Samra President of Sativa Bliss. 

Discover a trove of insights on the crucial role of location in the success and expansion of enterprises in the cannabis industry. Jazz dissects the importance of geo-specific demographics and the value of retaining a robust belt of regular clientele in your path to sustainable growth. Cannabis is much like a convenience store model where maximum traffic is steered from the two-kilometer-radius surrounding your store.

Jazz recounts his experiences and emphasizes on having proper business systems that ensure smooth operation, even in the owner's absence. Learn from Jazz as he shares insights on effective time management strategies for dispensary owners. He staunchly believes in the owners focusing more on managing the business rather than doing a budtender's job. This episode teems with discussions on strategies to upscale your business, network with fellow store owners, engage in community activities, understand customer behaviour and much more.
 
Jazz Samra is the founder of VIP Media Group, a collaborative cannabis retailer network aimed at empowering the industry to strive for excellence and equity by creating opportunities for all cannabis operators. Jazz is passionate about helping independent cannabis businesses succeed. 

Jazz is also the President of Sativa Bliss Cannabis Boutique. A chain of licensed cannabis stores with locations throughout Ontario, Canada. Sativa Bliss is an independent, Canadian owned & operated Cannabis Retail Company committed to providing a unique shopping experience that delights the senses and provides customers with the right products they need. 
 
Find out more about Sativa Bliss at:

• https://vipmediagroup.ca/
• https://sativabliss.ca/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/jazz-samra-8b23ba242/
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/vip-media-group-to/
• https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy4xDbb6LX2MfMNteBqKTBQ
• https://instagram.com/vipmediagroup101/
• https://twitter.com/VIPMediaGroup1
• https://www.facebook.com/VIP-Media-Group-104931365515034

In this enlightening episode of Kaya Cast, we delve deep into the cannabis business with renowned cannabis attorney, Alana Hans Cohen. From the importance of building a strong team to navigating the tricky legal terrain, Alana shares invaluable insights and tips for budding cannabis entrepreneurs. 

Listen as Alana discusses the hurdles faced by cannabis businesses, the anticipated impact of federal legalization, and the do's and don'ts of going into business with friends and family. Whether you are an entrepreneur exploring the cannabis space or a cannabis enthusiast curious about the behind-the-scenes workings, this episode is a must-listen packed with lots of value and advice.
 
Alana Hans-Cohen is a passionate cannabis attorney licensed in six states across the US. As part of the cannabis group at Pashman Stein Walder Hayden, Alana is a self-proclaimed "cannabis nerd," who specializes in navigating the complex world of cannabis law and policy. As an expert in the field, Alana has built an impressive career helping businesses navigate the complex world of cannabis law and regulations. She's not only a strong advocate for her clients but also a champion for greater diversity within the industry.

Join us as we dive into Alana's wealth of knowledge and experience, discussing her work with businesses and individuals across all levels of the cannabis supply chain, as well as her involvement in government and private sector conversations on cannabis legislation and regulation. With her unique blend of expertise and charisma, Alana proves that lawyers can be anything but boring.
 
Find out more about Pashman Stein Walder Hayden at:

• https://alanahanscohen.com/
• https://www.pashmanstein.com/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanamhans/
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/pashman-stein-pc/
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/cannabis-advisory-group/about/

In the latest episode of the Kaya Cast Podcast, we have a conversation with Betsy Morem and Mark Waller,  co-founders and managing partners of Morem & Waller, CPAs, PLLC. They'll be unlocking valuable insights on the dynamic relationships between accounting and other crucial business departments within your cannabis business. 

Covering an array of practical topics from understanding key financial statements to effectively maneuvering the challenges 280e presents. Dive into the importance of solid bookkeeping and documentation and discover strategies to audit-proof your business. An accountant's role extends beyond number crunching, they are foundational to your business operations. Learn how having the right accountant can facilitate proactive financial management and create synergies towards your business growth. 

The episode ends on a high note with the absolute 'must-do's' for every business owner prepping to launch, scale or grow their business. Don't miss out, the world of finance isn't as daunting as it seems with Kaya Cast Podcast!
 
Mark R. Waller, CPA, co-founder and managing partner of Morem & Waller, CPAs, PLLC, has 15+ years of experience working as a public accountant as well as a controller in the private sector. He partners with CEOs, founders, and interested parties in the cannabis industry to help them stay compliant, achieve world-class financial records and financial reporting, and provide tax planning, preparation, and filing. 

Betsy Morem, CPA, co-founder and managing partner of Morem & Waller, CPAs, PLLC, enjoys helping small businesses and start-ups create, maintain, and improve their accounting systems. She partners with CEOs, founders, and interested parties in the cannabis industry to help them stay compliant, achieve world-class financial records and financial reporting, and provide tax planning, preparation, and filing. 

 
Find out more about Morem & Waller, CPAs at:

• https://moremwaller.cpa/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/markrwaller/
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/moremwallercpa/
• https://moremwaller.hubspotpagebuilder.com/operational-checklist

Join us in this exciting episode of the Kaya Cast podcast as we speak with Irfan Bhola, the CEO and founder of The Flower Agency. 

Irfan shares his extensive knowledge and experience in digital marketing and breaking traditional norms to build a brand presence, especially in the ever-growing cannabis industry. We delve into what makes a brand stand out, the importance of personalization, and how omnichannel marketing strategies can be used effectively. 

Whether you're a mom and pop dispensary, a social equity licensee and even a huge brand like Kiva Gummies, Irfan offers practical tips and insights on how to grow your brand in this increasingly competitive market. Tune in to learn more and get inspired on your own cannabis business journey. 
 
Irfan Bhola has over 15 years of experience as a digital marketer, making him an exceptionally qualified and skilled professional. In order to develop tactics that continuously produce outstanding results, he has continually honed his skills across a range of marketing channels, including search, social media, influencer marketing, programmatic advertising, digital out-of-home, SMS, email, audio, TV, and affiliate marketing. 

Irfan has built complete growth and performance marketing campaigns for a wide range of customers throughout his career, including like Spotify, Uber, Grubhub, Expedia, Netflix, P&G, Apple, and eBay. Irfan entered the cannabis market in 2019 by starting The Flower Agency, a custom omni-channel marketing firm that focuses on working with cannabis and psychedelic brands, retailers, advocacy organizations, and ancillary services like MJ Unpacked, Cann, Houseplant, FundCanna, Kiva, Caliva, Grassdoor, and Harborside. In the cannabis market, it has been demonstrated that focusing on client acquisition, engagement, retention, and awareness is quite effective.
 
Find out more about The Flower Agency at:

• https://www.theflower.agency
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/irfanbhola
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-flower-agency

Join us as we continue our conversation with Jessica Cranney, Managing Partner at GRN Mile High. Jessica reveals the four pillars of employee retention that are critical in creating a successful and harmonious work environment, and provides actionable advice on how to implement them. Jessica meticulously breaks down:

• Onboarding: Ensuring new recruits feel valued from day one, with gestures from personalized letters to initiation kits.
• Consistent Engagement and Communication: Cultivating a sense of community and collective goals. Jessica shares a unique "spirit-week" idea designed to heighten engagement and foster a fun workforce environment.
• Performance Management: Establishing strategies that prioritize employee recognition before accountability, with an emphasis on setting and maintaining consistent standards.
• Offboarding: Treating the end of an employee's tenure with as much importance as their arrival, through implementable strategies such as exit interviews and farewell thank you messages.

From effective onboarding processes and engaging communications to performance management strategies and respectful offboarding tactics, Jessica shares the key ingredients for creating an inclusive, enjoyable, and motivating company culture. Tune in to learn the strategies and initiatives you need to succeed in creating a cohesive and engaged workforce.
 
Nominate Kaya Cast for EMJAYS: https://web.kayapush.com/3ItNfK9
 
Jessica Cranney is the Managing Partner & Chief Connection Officer at GRN Mile High, a prestigious cannabis consulting and recruiting firm. With an impressive background spanning over two decades, Jessica possesses extensive expertise in leadership, organizational development, and retail management.

Jessica spent more than 15 years honing her skills at a Fortune 500 TeleCom company. Her innate passion for people development enabled her to cultivate highly motivated and engaged teams that consistently achieved success. Jessica's remarkable career trajectory led her to the position of Vice President, where she was responsible for managing over 200+ stores and leading a diverse cross-functional team of more than 500+ professionals across five states.

Eventually, Jessica's professional pursuits and personal interests converged, leading her to the thriving cannabis industry. Leveraging her proven track record in organizational and talent development, labor management, exceptional sales performance, and innovative marketing strategies, Jessica has found the perfect synergy that allows her to excel in the cannabis sector.
 
Find out more about GRN Mile High at:

• https://grnmilehigh.com/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicacranney/
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/grnmilehigh/
• https://www.youtube.com/@grnmilehighletsbebuds
• https://www.instagram.com/grn_milehigh/
• https://www.facebook.com/grnmilehigh

In this episode of Kaya Cast, we have an engaging conversation with Jessica Cranney, a seasoned leader in talent recruitment and consulting in the cannabis industry. Jessica, who transitions from a successful telecom career to cannabis, shares her strategy of recruit, train, and retain, which has been the cornerstone of her success.

Jessica sheds light on how to attract high-performing leaders and how to train them to be productive, all while maintaining a conducive environment that motivates them to stay. Moreover, Jessica dives into the realm of consulting, explaining how her organization provides services from organizational development to getting the “right butts in the right seats.”

Jessica also shares valuable insights on how to get started in the cannabis industry, the importance of doing one’s homework before jumping into the field, and understanding the industry’s cultural and financial nuances.

Lastly, Jessica delves deeper into her strategy with practical examples and tips, shares the three levels of hierarchy that her training encompasses, and talks about the impressive ROI for retention and the importance of optimizing schedules based on consumers' needs. She wraps up the conversation with a powerful tip for business owners on hiring and recruiting talent: the need for transparency and authenticity.
 
Jessica Cranney is the Managing Partner & Chief Connection Officer at GRN Mile High, a prestigious cannabis consulting and recruiting firm. With an impressive background spanning over two decades, Jessica possesses extensive expertise in leadership, organizational development, and retail management.

Jessica spent more than 15 years honing her skills at a Fortune 500 TeleCom company. Her innate passion for people development enabled her to cultivate highly motivated and engaged teams that consistently achieved success. Jessica's remarkable career trajectory led her to the position of Vice President, where she was responsible for managing over 200+ stores and leading a diverse cross-functional team of more than 500+ professionals across five states.

Eventually, Jessica's professional pursuits and personal interests converged, leading her to the thriving cannabis industry. Leveraging her proven track record in organizational and talent development, labor management, exceptional sales performance, and innovative marketing strategies, Jessica has found the perfect synergy that allows her to excel in the cannabis sector.
 
Find out more about GRN Mile High at:

• https://grnmilehigh.com/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicacranney/
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/grnmilehigh/
• https://www.youtube.com/@grnmilehighletsbebuds
• https://www.instagram.com/grn_milehigh/
• https://www.facebook.com/grnmilehigh

Nominate Kaya Cast for EMJAYS: https://web.kayapush.com/3ItNfK9

On this engaging episode of the Kaya Cast Podcast, we talk with Felicia Hunter from Euphoric Accounting. Felicia shares critical financial insights on thriving within the cannabis industry. She underlines the importance of staying vigilant with your financials and engaging in constant dialogue with your CFO. Felicia explains how to better comprehend techniques for reducing taxes, cutting costs, curbing expenses, and potential growth avenues. 

She also provides a fascinating history of the 280e tax code and its prevalent impact on the cannabis industry. Felicia highlights the significance of correctly configuring your POS systems, the role of having an accurate inventory, and the importance of an all-inclusive overview of your taxes.

Indispensable advice is given on managing excise tax confusion, and the hopes and potential changes in tax regulations going forward. Felicia also discusses the evolving role of technology in ensuring compliance and tax management within the industry. This episode is a rich reservoir of information for current or aspiring cannabis business owners. Tune in for an enlightening conversation filled with essential guidance.
 
Felicia Hunter, CPA is an experienced accounting and finance professional with over 13 years in corporate manufacturing/asset management. She has extensive experience in all controllership functions including transactional accounting, GAAP accounting, cost accounting, entire month end-close, and reporting and analysis. In addition to her controllership experience, she has worked in process design and improvements, system implementation and automations, and management of financial controls and internal controls. She uses this experience when working with growing companies to build scalable processes and derive value from the accounting and reporting function. 

Felicia decided to build an outsourced CFO and full-service accounting firm that focuses on the cannabis and psychedelics industry, because she wanted to help businesses thrive and understand their numbers in this highly regulated space. Her belief is that in order to properly and effectively provide results in an industry, the service provider has to be passionate and enjoy the industry they are servicing. Felicia has obtained specialized cannabis accounting training from National Association of Cannabis Accounting and Tax Professional and DopeCFO. 
 
Find out more about Euphoric Accounting  at:

• www.euphoricaccounting.com
• www.linkedin.com/in/feliciahunter
• www.facebook.com/Euphoric.Accounting
• www.instagram.com/euphoric.accounting
• www.linkedin.com/company/euphoric-accounting

In this episode of Kaya Cast Podcast, we dive deep into the world of cannabis cultivation with Jesús Burrola, CEO of the POSIBL Project. Jesús shares the unique approach that sets the POSIBL Project apart from other cannabis businesses, focusing on sustainable and cost-effective methods to deliver high-quality products. 

We discuss the challenges of balancing indoor and outdoor cultivation, how their methodology leads to more sustainable cultivation, and the collaboration with legacy breeders to create unique strains. 

Jesús also opens up about the current state of the cannabis market, the need for regulatory changes, and his vision for the future of the POSIBL Project. So, join us as we explore this booming industry and learn how the POSIBL Project aims to revolutionize cannabis cultivation for the better.
 
Jesus Burrola is Chief Executive Officer of POSIBL, the cannabis farm of the future and engine for several of California’s leading brands. With over 2,000,000 units of packaged product to date, POSIBL is redefining what it means to produce the highest quality cannabis. Jesus is a proven leader who believes in his teams as the primary driver of growth. He leads the organization’s growth strategy in sales and operations and the best team at POSIBL to position the company as a global market leader. Prior to POSIBL, Jesus worked for 15 years at Beacon Building Products, the largest publicly traded building materials distributor in North America. Jesus was at the company during growth from $1 Billion to $8 Billion — through a combination of 30+ acquisitions and launches into new markets. Jesus worked his way up from a trainee to a National Vice President, managing a $700M  business segment. During Jesus’ time there, he held roles in both Sales Management and Operations, and was tasked with integrating several large acquisitions. Jesus holds a Bachelor of Science in Supply Chain Management from Arizona State University. He enjoys quality time with his family, playing golf, and exploring great cuisine.
 
Find out more about POSIBL at:

• http://www.posiblproject.com/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesus-burrola-2b1b2070/
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/posibl
• https://www.instagram.com/posiblproject/

In this episode of Kaya Cast, we sit down with Ed Linetskiy, Chief Compliance Officer for GreenSpacePro, to discuss the importance of inventory accountability, the impact of regulations on businesses in the cannabis industry, and the need for collaboration throughout the supply chain.

Ed emphasizes the assets of a licensee, including employees, raw materials, inventory, and the need for proper accounting. He also shares insights on how regulations can be interpreted and navigated, and how businesses can work with regulators to ensure compliance while considering the needs of customers.

Ed stresses that compliance programs and checks and balances are essential for the success of any business in the cannabis industry, and encourages open communication between employers and employees to address issues and improve processes.
 
‍Unlock Your Success in the Cannabis Industry! Download the ultimate guide to writing a winning cannabis license application here: https://web.kayapush.com/43UVtE1

Eduard Linetskiy is the Chief Compliance Officer for GreenSpacePro, a cannabis business consulting firm. He has over 10 years of experience in the field, and has consulted with some of the biggest players in the industry. He is a sought-after speaker and thought leader, and has been featured on many cannabis business podcasts. 

Eduard is a passionate advocate for cannabis, and is dedicated to helping entrepreneurs succeed in this rapidly growing industry. He is an expert on topics such as business strategies, financial planning, marketing, and product development. He is passionate about helping businesses optimize their operations to maximize their success.
 
Find out more about GreenSpacePro at:

• greenspacepro.com
• anamitech.com
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/eduard-linetskiy/
• linkedin.com/company/greenspacepro
• youtube.com/@greenspacepro2854
• instagram.com/greenspace_pro
• twitter.com/GreenSpacePro1
• facebook.com/GreenSpacePro