This week I'm talking to Orleatha Smith, Co-Founder of InclusivePay, a payment processor that specializes in serving the cannabis and hemp industries. Orleatha is a serial entrepreneur who also founded 20 Dishes, a digital meal planner and app. She holds an advanced degree in education, a biology teaching credential, and is a certified holistic lifestyle coach. She has also been featured in popular publications such as First For Women Magazine, The Los Angeles Times, and on television.

In our chat, Orleatha and I dig into: Her career as a serial entrepreneur and how each business has informed the next; The state of payment processors in the cannabis industry today; The launch of her free upcoming CBD Summit and why it's an invaluable resource for anyone looking to get into the booming CBD industry; How to spot a gap in the market and follow up to see if it's an opportunity worth pursuing; Researching a biz niche before jumping in; Orleatha's top tips for productivity and connecting with people in any industry!

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This episode is supported by S.W. Basics. S.W. Basics is revolutionary minimalist skincare. Most importantly, minimalist skincare that works. Fewer ingredients = better skincare! Use the code JAC at checkout for 15% OFF the your order. __

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The CBD Summit

InclusivePay

InclusivePay on FB

20 Dishes

This week I'm talking to Andrea Brooks, Co-Founder & CEO of Sava. Andrea is a cannabis advocate, lobbyist for social change, and entrepreneur with a passion for health and wellness. Following a disabling injury in which cannabis played a crucial role in her recovery, she was inspired to enter the cannabis space. Building on a non-profit career that focused on strengthening human and social services agencies, she applies her expertise in conducting needs assessments, developing strategic partnerships, and creating community to Sava all while leading the growing team. In our chat, Andrea and I dig into: Her background working in non-profits & NGOs and the crossover from those experiences into the work she's doing today; The disabling injury that led to cannabis playing a crucial role in her recovery and how that inspired her to enter the canna space; The evolution of Sava's online platform — focusing on customer experience, multi-brand management, and complex delivery logistics; Behind the scenes of Sava's vetting process for partner-brands that focuses on customer feedback, values alignment, and a deep commitment to sustainability; And more!

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This episode is supported by S.W. Basics. S.W. Basics is revolutionary minimalist skincare. Most importantly, minimalist skincare that works. Fewer ingredients = better skincare! Use the code JAC at checkout for 15% OFF the your order. __

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Sava

Sava on IG

Sava on FB

Sava on Twitter

This week I'm talking to Beryl Solomon, Founder of the multi-branded CBD beauty and wellness site, Poplar. Beryl conceived of the Poplar site upon her fruitless search to find a trusted resource in the CBD space that provided both content and commerce. Poplar offers a highly curated assortment of vetted, independently tested CBD products alongside digestible editorial content featuring CBD uses and benefits. In our chat, Beryl and I dig into: How she went from being a 20 year fashion industry vet to canna entrepreneur; Recognizing her vast business experience in operations, supply chain, finance, merchandising, marketing & strategy and parlaying these skills into a new industry; Working out the kinks to create a seamless buyer experience on an e-commerce site; The importance of being meticulously legally compliant and thoroughly vetting all the products; The power of connecting, treating others with kindness and not burning bridges; Recognizing the ways the war on drugs has disproportionately affected communities of color and using her platform and privilege to focus on bail reform for low level marijuana offenses; And more! Tune into our chat now!

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This episode is supported by S.W. Basics. S.W. Basics is revolutionary minimalist skincare. Most importantly, minimalist skincare that works. Fewer ingredients = better skincare! Use the code JAC at checkout for 15% OFF the your order. __

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Poplar

Poplar of FB

Poplar on IG

Poplar on Twitter

This week I'm talking to Kim Sanchez Rael, CEO of Azuca. A passionate business leader, startup veteran and investor in innovation, Kim has an extensive background as an operating executive and venture capitalist, focusing on early-stage investments in tech companies. Prior to her career in venture, she co-founded an advanced energy company and held numerous management positions at Intel, where she managed a $200 million capital budget, led planning for a $1 Billion expansion, and held roles in finance, operations and strategic planning. Before joining Intel, she served as an aide in the US Senate focusing on foreign affairs and science and tech policy. In our chat, Kim and I dig into: Azuca's proprietary process for making edibles fast acting and predictable; Their initial product line, which includes sweeteners and syrups (and more) that can be added to food and beverages as the building blocks of a sophisticated culinary cannabis experience; We discuss what it's been like Introducing CBD Products to the food service industry; Azuca's unique focus on breakthrough science and culinary creativity; We discuss strategy for partnership, growth and expansion; She shares where she sees the future for cannabis in food service is headed; And more!

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This episode is supported by S.W. Basics. S.W. Basics is revolutionary minimalist skincare. Most importantly, minimalist skincare that works. Fewer ingredients = better skincare! Use the code JAC at checkout for 15% OFF the your order. __

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Azuca

Azuca on FB

Azuca on Twitter

Azuca on IG

This week I'm talking to Rachelle Robinett, Founder of Supernatural - a company dedicated to real-world wellness - that includes an herbal cafe, a product line of plant-based remedies, ongoing workshops and events, and personal health coaching. Rachelle also co-launched and manages the Bowery Cannabis Club with The Alchemist's Kitchen, and offers professional consulting for companies of all sizes. She is a plant-based wellness practitioner combining holistic, natural medicine with practical lifestyle work to help people find balanced, lasting health. Entrenched in the wellness world, but with an eye on the rest of the world, Rachelle brings a global perspective to individual health, and also that of businesses and brands.

In our chat, Rachelle and I dig into:The state of CBD in the wellness industry and how it's being used in product lines; Her thoughts on the current trends in the canna industry; What type of products she would like to see come into the market place; Where she's seen some product makers get it wrong; What not to do when marketing or conceptualizing a CBD product; Herbal allies to cannabis; Hot wellness space trends; And more!

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This episode is supported by S.W. Basics. S.W. Basics is revolutionary minimalist skincare. Most importantly, minimalist skincare that works. Fewer ingredients = better skincare! Use the code JAC at checkout for 15% OFF the your order. __

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Rachelle Robinett

Rachelle on IG

Rachelle on FB

This week I'm talking to Sasha Perelman, Founder and Chief Event Operator of Revolver Productions and Forward by Revolver. Sasha has been producing corporate events and building training programs for global brands for over 15 years. In 2014, she founded Revolver Productions, creating a revolutionary approach to venue sourcing and event production. Forward, by Revolver, is an experiential agency created for cannabis brands and consumers, to engage on a thoughtful and visceral level, unparalleled in the industry. Their curated environments combine education, advocacy, and awareness with immersive, memorable experiences that is dedicated to moving the industry forward. Rolling Stone coined a recent event "The best pot party in California." In our chat, Sasha and I dig into: The biz of event planning & production, how it's evolved over the years and where she believes it's headed; Getting your brand message across effectively and creating impact; Her recent project, MARY Talks, in which she partnered with Mary Magazine, to hold events to educate the masses on cannabis as a wellness and lifestyle tool; What's inspiring her in the industry right now; Where she sees opportunity for those interested in getting into cannabis business; Challenges she's faced and lessons learned as an entrepreneur; And more! Tune into our chat now!

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This episode is supported by S.W. Basics. S.W. Basics is revolutionary minimalist skincare. Most importantly, minimalist skincare that works. Fewer ingredients = better skincare! Use the code JAC at checkout for 15% OFF the your order. __

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Revolver Productions

Forward by Revolver

Revolver on FB

Revolver on IG

This week I'm talking to Celebrity Chef Stacey Dougan, Co-Founder Simply Pure Vegan Restaurant and IV & Twenty. With roots in Atlanta, Georgia, Chef Stacey Dougan has been featured internationally in media as an expert gourmet vegan and raw foods chef and nutritionist. In our chat, Stacey and I dig into: Her passion for teaching stems from her own life-changing experience overcoming numerous health issues; Her latest business venture IV & Twenty, which creates plant based cannabis infused fine dining experiences; Stacey's focus on inspiring others to embrace more plant-based foods in their diet without feeling deprived; Tips for managing life as a busy mom & entrepreneur; Her best advice for starting your own business (hint: don't be lazy); And more! Tune into our chat now!

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This episode is supported by S.W. Basics. S.W. Basics is revolutionary minimalist skincare. Most importantly, minimalist skincare that works. Fewer ingredients = better skincare! Use the code JAC at checkout for 15% OFF the your order. __

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IV and Twenty

Simply Pure

Simply Pure IG

Simply Pure FB

Simply Pure Twitter

This week I'm talking to Denise Biderman, Co-Founder and CEO of Mary's List. A former criminal attorney, Denise took her passion for helping people from the court rooms of New York City to the cannabis space. Mary's List is a freelance services marketplace for the cannabis community allowing businesses to hire freelancers and other service professionals on a project-to-project basis. It hopes to serve as a catalyst for normalizing work in the industry and bridge the gap for community amongst professionals in the space, all over the country. In our chat, Denise and I dig into: Her years as a multi-time Junior Taekwondo champion, how that led to multiple knee surgeries and eventually using cannabis to help her heal; Going west to explore a mature cannabis market place to get firsthand experience and how she parlayed her attorney skills; Denise shares the aha moment when she realized there was a gap in the marketplace and she came up with the idea for Mary's List; We also chat about networking, learning new skills and pushing through rough times to reach your goals; And more! Tune into our chat now!

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This episode is supported by S.W. Basics. S.W. Basics is revolutionary minimalist skincare. Most importantly, minimalist skincare that works. Fewer ingredients = better skincare! Use the code JAC at checkout for 15% OFF the your order. __

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Mary's List Co

Mary's List on IG

Mary's List on FB

Mary's List on Twitter

This week I'm talking to Barbie Sommars, COO of Mary Jane University who brings over twenty years of corporate operations experience, with a background in high net-worth asset management. After a medical diagnosis in 2008, she sought alternative ways of healing and pain management and found cannabis. From patient to activist to educator, she now resides in the beautiful Mojave desert near Joshua Tree, CA and commits herself to a life of healing, activism, and education to restore this ancient healing herb to its rightful place. Barbie is also the Chief Experience Creator for High Dining where she takes fine dining to new heights with upscale events infused with education; and she is the President of Faerie Jane, a cannabis lifestyle brand that celebrates activism through the art of adornment. She's also the Founding Co-Chair of Women Grow Orange County. In our chat, we dig into: Why educational cannabis events are a critical part of the industry's transition and growth; How her events are creating an art form around cannabis-infused dining and a feast for all senses; The challenges that cannabis event organizers face and how Barbie manages them for her own events; The importance of taking the time to thoroughly research and vet potential business partners, vendors, exhibitors or sponsors to ensure their business practices are aligned with your values and standards; and more! Tune into our chat now!

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This episode is supported by S.W. Basics. S.W. Basics is revolutionary minimalist skincare. Most importantly, minimalist skincare that works. Fewer ingredients = better skincare! Use the code JAC at checkout for 15% OFF the your order. __

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Mary Jane University

High Dining

High Dining Events

Faerie Jane

This week I'm talking to Dusti Arab. Dusti is a brand strategist specializing in content marketing for cannabis brands and creatives. An Amazon bestselling author, she is the CEO of Cannabis Bakeshop & Co. and serves as Director of Operations at Oov Magazine. In our chat, Dusti and I dig into her super cool mom's work as a high-end cannabis chef; The twist and turns of taking edibles to market; The importance of content marketing for cannabis brands (and getting it right!); Not depending on social media to house all of your brand's content; Building your email list to communicate and engage directly with your customer; Dusti's picks for brands that are doing it right; Being community-centric and actively uplifting voices that aren't getting heard; How to establish your brand guidelines and more!

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This episode is supported by S.W. Basics. S.W. Basics is revolutionary minimalist skincare. Most importantly, minimalist skincare that works. Fewer ingredients = better skincare! Use the code JAC at checkout for 15% OFF the your order. __

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Dusti on IG

The Reinvention Co