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Mary’s journey in the cannabis industry began with her involvement in the medical marijuana movement, where she witnessed the power of this plant to positively impact people’s lives. This sparked her passion for educating others and advocating for responsible and sustainable business practices in the cannabis space.
As the founder of GreenLeaf Solutions, Mary works closely with cannabis businesses of all sizes, from startups to established companies, to help them navigate the complex regulatory landscape and achieve long-term success. Her expertise in compliance, licensing, and operations has earned her a reputation as a go-to resource for cannabis entrepreneurs and investors.
Mary is also a highly sought-after speaker and has been featured on numerous panels and podcasts, sharing her insights on the latest industry trends and best practices. She is a firm believer in the power of networking and collaboration and is always eager to connect with other professionals in the cannabis space.
With her extensive knowledge and experience, Mary is a valuable asset to any cannabis business looking to thrive
Find out more about Alibi at:
https://alibi.co/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mcursetjee/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/alibi-co/
00:00 Introduction to Kaya Cast
00:42 From E-commerce to Cannabis Cultivation
01:30 Starting the Cultivation Journey
02:05 Building the Right Team
03:20 Challenges and Learning Curves
08:03 First Harvest and Early Struggles
09:59 Navigating Market Changes
13:46 Expanding to New York
19:13 Oregon Market Challenges
22:03 Navigating Business Challenges
25:08 The Importance of Yield
25:43 Quality vs. Quantity
27:11 Market Trends and Consumer Preferences
28:18 Different Approaches in Oregon and New York
33:39 The Story Behind the Brand 'Alibi'
40:04 Seasonal Products and Future Plans
41:17 Where to Find Alibi
#kayacast #cannabis #tips #dispensaries #business #podcast
In this episode of Kaya Cast, host Tommy Truong sits down with George Breiwa, founder of DynaVap, the pioneering mechanical vaporizer that bakes rather than burns. George recounts the origin story—from a 2012 realization that electronics add cost and complexity, to a simple, battery-free device designed for mass affordability. Learn why it's called DynaVap (no electronics, no batteries) and how a basement prototype evolved into a global product with a devoted community.
George walks us through the rollercoaster startup journey: a $16,000 tooling hurdle, crowdfund setbacks, PayPal freezes, and high‑risk merchant accounts. He shares how he pivoted to direct-to-consumer pre-orders, built an early adopter fan base, and used forums and video content to educate a curious market about baking over burning.
A pivotal shift came with modular components and open collaboration. A notable partnership with Ed’s TT yielded titanium ovens and wood stems, creating a plug‑and‑play ecosystem—the DynaVapVerse—that invites makers to contribute their own flavor and accessories, expanding the brand far beyond its core product.
From scaling manufacturing in‑house to ensuring consistent quality, George reveals how international sales became a cornerstone of resilience (40–45% of production exported) and how a culture of gratitude and persistence keeps the team moving forward.
If you’re building a cannabis brand or evaluating product strategy, this episode is a masterclass in invention, community-building, and scalable entrepreneurship—with practical takeaways you can apply to growth and operations. Stay tuned for part two as we dive deeper into the DynaVap journey.
Find out more about DynaVap at:
https://www.dynavap.com/en-ca?srsltid=AfmBOorUjTQH9JnBSvrmepq96r-eC8rTgoD_wSr4bxSiIDv8E-oeFbdK
https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-breiwa-19443114/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/dynavap/
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
00:11 The Origin of DynaVap
02:09 The Mission to Create an Affordable Vaporizer
03:12 The Technology Behind DynaVap
06:12 Personal Background and Passion for Engineering
08:36 Early Prototypes and Challenges
14:21 Crowdfunding Journey and Setbacks
21:22 Navigating Payment Processing Issues
23:58 Building a Community and Marketing Strategy
28:31 Engaging Early Adopters
29:24 The Value of First Customers
30:25 Product Evolution and Feedback
32:25 Collaborations and Innovations
35:04 Pursuing Passion and Creativity
36:54 Overcoming Business Challenges
44:38 Building an International Market
49:23 Distribution and Manufacturing Decisions
52:35 Concluding Thoughts and Future Plans
#kayacast #cannabis #tips #dispensaries #business #podcast
DynaVap, mechanical vaporizer, battery-free vaporizer, cannabis hardware innovation, George Breiwa, thermal extraction, analog vaporizer, flame-powered vaporizer, vape without batteries, dry herb vaporizer, sustainable cannabis tech, cannabis engineering, vaporizer design, invention story, startup journey, crowdfunding cannabis products, cannabis entrepreneurship, direct-to-consumer cannabis brand, cannabis manufacturing, cannabis product development, cannabis startup strategy, cannabis community building, vaporizer enthusiasts, modular vaporizer, titanium vaporizer, wood vaporizer stems, Ed’s TT collaboration, DynaVapVerse, open-source cannabis accessories, cannabis ecosystem, vaporizer components, cannabis product innovation, international cannabis sales, cannabis export strategy, startup resilience, business growth, brand storytelling, cannabis product marketing, community engagement, early adopters, customer loyalty, cannabis operations, product scalability, cannabis hardware market, cannabis engineering innovation, cannabis technology, vaporizer quality control, cannabis hardware startup, creative product design, entrepreneurship podcast, cannabis innovation podcast, Kaya Cast, and cannabis business insightsClick here to watch a video of this episode.
On this episode of Kaya Cast, host Tommy Truong sits down with Noel Burkman, co-founder of StrainBrain, to explore how AI and advanced data science are reshaping cannabis retail. Noel explains StrainBrain's meta-analytic approach - combining COAs, consumer sentiment, regional preferences, and product data - to move beyond generic marketing toward personalized, needs-based recommendations. Learn how their four foundational questions - how do you want to feel, how you want to consume, how strong do you want it, and what problem are you solving - help budtenders normalize education, build trust, and guide shoppers to the right product. They discuss segmentation strategies that target the growth opportunities of health-minded, 45+ consumers as well as wellness outcomes like better sleep, focus, and pain relief, and how to expand a dispensary's reach without relying on price cuts. The conversation covers practical deployment - easy website or kiosk integrations, loyalty program tie-ins, and a closed-loop feedback loop to continually refine messaging and offers. They also contrast cannabis and hemp marketing, explain how StrainBrain plans to scale its data-driven engagement, and share actionable ideas for dispensaries to boost frequency, wallet share, and loyalty through a more personal, wellness-focused shopping experience.
With a background in finance and marketing, Noel has a unique understanding of the business side of the cannabis industry. He has helped numerous companies navigate the complex legal and financial landscape of the industry, allowing them to achieve success and sustainable growth.
As a thought leader in the cannabis space, Noel is a sought-after speaker and has been featured in various industry events and publications. He is also the host of the popular podcast, "Cannabis Conversations," where he interviews top professionals and entrepreneurs in the cannabis industry.
In addition to his work with Green Leaf Consulting, Noel is also a passionate advocate for cannabis legalization and education. He is a member of several cannabis advocacy groups and regularly volunteers his time to educate the public about the benefits of cannabis.
Noel's extensive knowledge and experience in the cannabis industry make him a valuable guest on any cannabis business podcast. He is dedicated to helping businesses thrive in this rapidly growing and ever-changing industry, and his insights and expertise are sure to provide valuable insights for listeners.
Find out more about StrainBrain at:
https://www.strainbra.in/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/noelburkman/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/strainbrain/
00:00 Introduction to Kaya Cast
00:11 Journey into Cannabis Tech
01:19 Consumer Education in Cannabis
02:56 Targeting Health and Wellness
04:24 Segmentation and Marketing Strategies
06:28 Challenges in Dispensary Operations
08:15 StrainBrain: Enhancing Customer Experience
11:33 Future of Cannabis Marketing
17:56 Data-Driven Product Development
22:05 Understanding Regional Preferences in Retail
22:49 Strategies for Increasing Retail Sales
23:50 Creating Awareness and Marketing Creativity
26:43 Leveraging Technology for Customer Engagement
29:56 Implementing AI in Retail Environments
34:41 Enhancing Customer Experience and Loyalty
41:06 Conclusion and Contact Information
#kayacast #cannabis #tips #dispensaries #business #podcast
cannabis retail technology, AI in cannabis, StrainBrain, cannabis data analytics, dispensary software, cannabis personalization, predictive retail analytics, cannabis machine learning, budtender education tools, cannabis business strategy, dispensary marketing, cannabis loyalty programs, cannabis consumer insights, cannabis segmentation, cannabis for wellness, cannabis for sleep, cannabis for pain relief, cannabis for focus, cannabis product recommendations, terpene data, cannabis COAs, cannabis sentiment analysis, cannabis marketing automation, dispensary innovation, data-driven cannabis, cannabis consulting, cannabis entrepreneurship, cannabis industry trends, AI-powered dispensary, cannabis retail operations, cannabis product discovery, dispensary customer engagement, cannabis brand loyalty, cannabis technology startups, cannabis predictive modeling, cannabis recommendation engine, dispensary optimization, cannabis growth strategy, cannabis market intelligence, cannabis product differentiation, wellness cannabis products, cannabis e-commerce integration, AI for retail, cannabis CRM systems, data science in cannabis, cannabis education, cannabis brand trust, cannabis user experience, cannabis innovation podcast, dispensary management tools, consumer-driven cannabis retail, personalized cannabis shopping
With a background in traditional marketing, Adelia recognized the potential of the cannabis industry early on and has been a trailblazer in the space ever since. She has been featured in numerous publications such as Forbes, Entrepreneur, and the Huffington Post, and has been a speaker at prominent industry events including the Cannabis World Congress and Business Expo.
As a guest on our cannabis business podcast, Adelia will bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the areas of marketing, branding, and business strategy within the cannabis industry. She is passionate about helping businesses succeed in this emerging market and has a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities within the cannabis space.
With her extensive experience and impressive track record, Adelia is a highly sought-after speaker, advisor, and consultant within the cannabis industry. She will undoubtedly provide valuable insights and perspectives for our listeners on the evolving landscape of cannabis business.
Find out more about EventHi & Blunt Brunch at:
https://bluntbrunch.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/adeliacarrillo/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bluntbrunch/
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
00:21 Founding Blunt Brunch
01:10 EventHi and Blunt Brunch Collaboration
04:13 Creating Successful Events
11:59 Setting Goals for Events
16:10 Post-Event Strategies
21:32 Challenges in Cannabis Event Planning
24:39 Event High's Early Days and Beta Launch
25:33 Impact of COVID-19 on Event High
25:53 Most Successful Events on Event High
28:42 Leveraging Event High for Large Events
29:52 New Features and Enhancements on Event High
34:08 Challenges in the Cannabis Event Industry
36:59 Upcoming Events and Planning Strategies
44:44 Building a Strong Community
46:31 Where to Find Adelia Fakhri
#kayacast #cannabis #tips #dispensaries #business #podcast
Krysta Jones, founder of The High Country Girls and leader of The Highly Connected, shares the real-world playbook for building cannabis brands that endure. From her organic start in Colorado to expanding across the U.S., Krysta explains how authentic community and a sharp focus on niche can beat broad, hype-driven marketing. Learn how to cultivate a tribe of rabid fans, leverage events and grassroots strategies, and build a personal brand that delivers a consistent customer experience. The conversation covers participation over pursuit, running events with intentional follow-through, and measuring success through data, CRM, and post-event engagement. Krysta breaks down the unit economics of events, budgeting guidance (a starting point of five to ten thousand dollars monthly in marketing), and how to scale without diluting impact. She also explains how she collaborates with mom-and-pop brands, public companies, and investors, and how The Highly Connected helps pair the right partners for long-term value. If you’re a cannabis brand, retailer, or marketer aiming to grow sustainably, this episode offers a practical framework for community-building, profitable partnerships, and lasting growth.
Thanks to your support, we've been nominated for the Emjays for Content Creator of the Year! Vote for Tommy Truong here: https://a.cstmapp.com/promotions/participate/1000967/287542
Find out more about THC Girls & The Highly Connected at:
https://www.thehighcountrygirls.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/krysta-jones-860b50132/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/thc-girls/
00:00 The Organic Beginnings of THC Girls
00:53 Building Community and Realizing Value
02:09 Creating THC Girls and Early Marketing Strategies
05:20 Expansion to Oregon and Overcoming Challenges
08:29 The Importance of Follow-Through in Marketing
14:19 Strategic Partnerships and Event Hosting
17:16 The Importance of ROI in Partnerships
18:04 Effective Event Strategies for Brands
20:09 Maximizing Trade Show and Event Impact
22:18 Post-Event Follow-Up Techniques
30:39 Building Long-Term Brand Relationships
33:11 Conclusion and Podcast Wrap-Up
#kayacast #cannabis #tips #dispensaries #business #podcast
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