Matt Melander was the Founder, President, and CFO at LEVIA, a cannabis beverage company that has become one of the largest brands in the cannabis edibles industry. After selling his company in 2022, Matt is now focusing on transforming the cannabis industry and developing innovative cannabinoid products.

 

In this episode, step into Matt’s past as he relates the inspirational story of his grandfather, who built a company that survived losing a third of their workforce in 9/11 and fought to support every family through the tragedy. Learn about the deep morals and values that Matt has used to guide his life, from the darkest times to building a cannabis company that has transformed the edibles industry. Hear from Matt on what effective altruism in leadership looks like, how to hold the course against persistent headwinds, and why getting acquired is not always the best path forward.

 

OUTLINE:

(00:00) - Intro

(2:30) - Influences from my grandfather

(4:10) - Losing a third of a company in 9/11

(5:46) - What it means to treat a company like “family”

(9:00) - Effective Altruism in leadership

(10:00) - Losing a sibling at a young age

(17:50) - Becoming An Entrepreneur

(21:00) - Entering The Cannabis Industry

(24:45) - Roadblocks to building a cannabis brand

(31:40) - Holding the course against headwinds

(37:00) - Building a brand during the pandemic

(39:00) - We were forced to change the name of our company

(42:00) - Changing lives with an alternative to alcohol

(47:48) - Getting wined and dined by billionaires for an acquisition

(50:00) - Going Through An Acquisition

(58:30) - Lessons For Aspiring Entrepreneurs

 

EPISODE LINKS:

Levia: https://levia.buzz/

Matt’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-melander-320b6250/

 

FAVORITE BOOKS:

“The Culture Code” By Daniel Coyle: https://danielcoyle.com/the-culture-code/

“Let My People Go Surfing” By Yvon Chouinard: https://www.amazon.com/Let-People-Surfing-Education-Businessman/dp/0143037838

 

PODCAST INFO:

Podcast website: https://forwardobsessed.com/

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/forward-obsessed/id1615760781

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2TrkOZ7xL7WSlzc2mrwXuC?si=aa5e7790aca64e05

YouTube Full Episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-ldUUGxQZ5b9WPqVXz_qlfXgK3hHPs4z

YouTube Clips: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-ldUUGxQZ5Yt0LiPml0y6pNUSrqHzWql

 

SUPPORT & CONNECT:

Digital Surgeons Website: https://digitalsurgeons.com

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@digitalsurgeons

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/digitalsurgeons

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/210497/