To Be Blunt

Matthew Herrold is the Director of Marketing for Good Feels, a health and wellness cannabis brand, and the Founder of Headstash Marketing. In this episode we discuss the cannabis landscape in Massachusetts, what it’s been like building and operating cannabis brands, As well as branding; how to create Sentiment, and how to attract and build a loyal customer base. 

[00:01 – 15:40] Matthew Herrold Shares His Background         

[15:41 – 27:25] Embracing Marketing From Both Ends of The Spectrum

[27:24 – 37:38] Shayda and Matthew Discuss Branding 101     

[37:39 – 44:48] Creating Connection Through Marketing, Changing Behaviours Through Emotions   

[44:49 – 57:35] The Massachusetts Cannabis Industry; What The Cannabis Landscape Looks Like for Matthew    

Matthew Herrold has 10+ years of experience inside startups and businesses just exiting their startup phase. Now in cannabis entering his 3rd year, he came from an established career in health and wellness businesses after starting his professional life working in several restaurants in startup mode. His focus has been on brand development, comprehensive marketing, business strategy, department building, strategic partnerships, sales and to amplify the leadership qualities in others. He is also a preventive health expert that knows how to internally market and leverage company wellness programs as brand assets and increase profits.

 

Connect with Matthew on LinkedIn (@matthewherrold) or visit Headstash Marketing’s Website  

Shayda Torabi has been called one of the most influential Women in WordPress and now she’s one of the women leading the cannabis reformation conversation building one of Texas’ premier CBD brands. She's currently the CEO and Co-Founder of RESTART CBD, a female-run education first CBD wellness brand. And has formerly held marketing positions at WP Engine and WebDevStudios. Shayda is the host of a podcast for cannabis marketers called To Be Blunt, where she interviews top cannabis brands on their most successful marketing initiatives. When Shayda's not building her cannabiz in Texas, you can find her on the road exploring the best hikes and spots for vegan ice cream. Follow Shayda at @theshaydatorabi

 

Tweetable Quotes:

“I want to see a sustainable industry that actually makes lives better.” - Matthew Herrold

"The trend that I’ve seen throughout all marketing and all branding is getting really nitty-gritty with who you are.. and that requires a lot of introspection. But once you’re there it’s also about having the courage to present yourself as you are.”  - Matthew Herrold

“Systems are how humans have created the most wondrous parts of our world… We don't lose authenticity through systems, what we want to do is protect it as we apply systems to it.” - Matthew Herrold  

 

 

SPONSORSHIP is brought to you by Restart CBD. Check them out for your CBD needs!

LEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to join me for episodes featuring some serious cannabis industry by sharing this episode or click here to listen to our previous episodes. You can listen to my podcast on Spotify, Stitcher, Buzzsprout,

RESTART CBD
RESTART CBD is an education first CBD wellness brand shipping nationwide.
restartcbd.com

Support the show

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tobebluntpod.substack.com

Greg Autry, a Texas hill country native, has been cultivating cannabis since 1996. Since 2001 he has been building and managing commercial indoor grow from 400 plants up to his most recent largest facility of 20000 square feet in Desert Hot Springs which totaled 8000 plants and several thousand cuttings and mothers.

[00:01 – 13:33] Greg Autry’s Background and Sweet Sensi      

[13:34 – 30:58] The Gap In the Market That Sweet Sensi is Bridging 

[30:59 – 43:02] How Sweet Sensi Keeps Up with the Industry and Stays Educated    

[43:03 – 57:35] Why Businesses Should Self Regulate for the Sake of Consumers and the Future of the Industry         

Greg Autry began breeding cannabis plants in 1998 and continues this practice to produce viable strains for Texas with 3 strains showing test results of 20% CBD and over so far. His hydroponic growing experience of decades has led him to develop unique innovative growing methods that allow him to produce amazing terpene profiles and yields. He still consults for large farms across the country to support his startup and expansion of his new Texas company Sweet Sensi CBD. 

Greg's approach to cannabis has always been from a scientific and medicinal approach and has extended that to the Texas hemp market building a state-of-the-art facility in Austin, Texas that grows hemp hydroponically, extracts hemp using water/ice or low heat press method and manufactures small batch gourmet candies, tinctures, topicals and pet products. These recipes have been collected and developed over the course of decades and been proven in several markets across the country.

His love of cultivating cannabis and of Texas makes his skill set and experience unique in this growing market.

Visit Sweet Sensi’s website and follow them on Instagram  

Shayda Torabi has been called one of the most influential Women in WordPress and now she’s one of the women leading the cannabis reformation conversation building one of Texas’ premier CBD brands. She's currently the CEO and Co-Founder of RESTART CBD, a female-run education first CBD wellness brand. And has formerly held marketing positions at WP Engine and WebDevStudios. Shayda is the host of a podcast for cannabis marketers called To Be Blunt, where she interviews top cannabis brands on their most successful marketing initiatives. When Shayda's not building her cannabiz in Texas, you can find her on the road exploring the best hikes and spots for vegan ice cream. Follow Shayda at @theshaydatorabi

 

Tweetable Quotes:

“Our goal is to produce plants like that and isolate different phenotypes or parts of strains so that we can give that to the consumer naturally.” - Greg Autry

"We utilize the entire plant the way nature intended." - Greg Autry

 

Resources Mentioned: 

• Lucky Leaf Expo Austin

 

SPONSORSHIP is brought to you by Restart CBD. Check them out for your CBD needs!

LEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to join me for episodes featuring some serious cannabis industry by sharing this episode or click here to listen to our previous episodes. You can listen to my podcast on Spotify, Stitcher, Buzzsprout,

RESTART CBD
RESTART CBD is an education first CBD wellness brand shipping nationwide.
restartcbd.com

Support the show

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tobebluntpod.substack.com

You can’t spell cannabis without the BS. That’s just a part of it.  

Kristen Yoder, featured in Vanity Fair, Forbes, USA Today and named one of Marijuana Venture Magazine's “40 Under 40 Rising Stars of Cannabis”, is a 15 year Los Angeles industry veteran, strategic advisor, and radio and podcast personality who has managed successful businesses in every sector of the cannabis industry. 

In this episode, we discuss touchy subjects such as overdosing on cannabis, the setbacks Kristin has observed being in the industry, and federal legalization. 

[00:01 – 15:41] Kristen Yoder, The B******t Detector of the Cannabis Industry

[15:42 – 28:09] Overdosing on Cannabis; The Side Effects of Too Much Cannabis Consumption

[28:10 – 35:04] Effective Cannabis or Effective Marketing?

[35:05 – 49:19] Is the Country Ready for National and Federal Legalization?

[49:20 – 1:02:49] The Truth About Medical Cannabis

As the cannabis industry becomes inundated with dishonest businesses and misleading information campaigns, Kristen Yoder’s popularity as an outspoken and trusted authority on a variety of subjects has led her to teaching classes, speaking at events, on podcasts, in print and online media both nationally and internationally. When she isn't sharing her fierce wit and sparkling personality on stage or on the air, she is advising/preparing her clients for the unique intricacies and quagmires often overlooked and unexpected by those entering the newly regulated cannabis landscape.

You can follow Kristen on LinkedIn, Instagram, or Facebook. Visit her Podcast and Website.  

Shayda Torabi has been called one of the most influential Women in WordPress and now she’s one of the women leading the cannabis reformation conversation building one of Texas’ premier CBD brands. She's currently the CEO and Co-Founder of RESTART CBD, a female-run education first CBD wellness brand. And has formerly held marketing positions at WP Engine and WebDevStudios. Shayda is the host of a podcast for cannabis marketers called To Be Blunt, where she interviews top cannabis brands on their most successful marketing initiatives. When Shayda's not building her cannabiz in Texas, you can find her on the road exploring the best hikes and spots for vegan ice cream. Follow Shayda at @theshaydatorabi

 

Tweetable Quotes:

“We have to accept cannabis as a fallible plant. It’s amazing for so many people, but not everybody.” - Kristen Yoder

“It takes a sociopath to kill it in this industry because good people struggle. We struggle because we don't break the laws, we don’t cheat and we want to pay and treat people fairly. Guess what? That’s not attractive to investors.”  - Kristen Yoder

 

SPONSORSHIP is brought to you by Restart CBD. Check them out for your CBD needs!

LEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to join me for episodes featuring some serious cannabis industry by sharing this episode or click here to listen to our previous episodes. You can listen to my podcast on Spotify, Stitcher, Buzzsprout,

RESTART CBD
RESTART CBD is an education first CBD wellness brand shipping nationwide.
restartcbd.com

Support the show

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tobebluntpod.substack.com

Alexis Mora is the head of marketing at Harborside Group. Harborside Group was one of the first operating dispensaries in the state of California. They have since grown to be a leader in cannabis in California and beyond, evolving their business model to be vertically integrated.  

In this episode, Alexis and I will be discussing vertical integration; What it takes to be a vertically integrated business, and how you can vertically integrate your marketing efforts. 

[00:01 – 04:20] Guest Introduction and Luck Summit Event Announcement   

[04:21 – 10:51] Harborside Group’s Background and How Alexis Started in Marketing   

[10:52 – 23:52] Changing the Narrative of Cannabis  

[23:53 – 38:21] The Marketing Trap: Product Innovation vs Rebranding the Same Product 

[38:22 – 53:05] Discussing What It Takes To Be a Vertically Integrated Cannabis Business 

[53:06 – 66:30] Harborside Group’s Keys and Strategies in Staying a Leader in the Cannabis Space             

Alexis Mora is a creative problem-solver and strategist who loves building and scaling brands to a global level. In 2016, her “Dia de los Muertos” Campaign for Nestlé won Top Shop’s Top 100 Award, and her work at BLOOM FARMS, a top ten Cannabis brand from 2018-2021, has been featured in Vogue, Rolling Stone, LA TIMES, SF Weekly, and more.

She specializes in crafting memorable customer experiences while driving ROI through digital, retail, and event platforms. Her work spans internationally in health and wellness, active lifestyle, cause marketing, functional beverage, and cannabis industries.

You can follow Alexis on LinkedIn. 

Follow The Harborside Group on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook.   

Shayda Torabi has been called one of the most influential Women in WordPress and now she’s one of the women leading the cannabis reformation conversation building one of Texas’ premier CBD brands. She's currently the CEO and Co-Founder of RESTART CBD, a female-run education first CBD wellness brand. And has formerly held marketing positions at WP Engine and WebDevStudios. Shayda is the host of a podcast for cannabis marketers called To Be Blunt, where she interviews top cannabis brands on their most successful marketing initiatives. When Shayda's not building her cannabiz in Texas, you can find her on the road exploring the best hikes and spots for vegan ice cream. Follow Shayda at @theshaydatorabi

Tweetable Quotes:

“It started with me saying this narrative is wrong; This perspective we have about what a cannabis consumer is, what a dispensary looks like, and what cannabis product is and what it will do for you is too limited.”  - Alexis Mora

Resources Mentioned:

• Register Now: Luck Summit - Planting the Seed: https://www.high.holiday/

SPONSORSHIP is brought to you by Restart CBD. Check them out for your CBD needs!

LEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to join me for episodes featuring some serious cannabis industry by sharing this episode or click here to listen to our previous episodes. You can listen to my podcast on Spotify,

RESTART CBD
RESTART CBD is an education first CBD wellness brand shipping nationwide.
restartcbd.com

Support the show

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tobebluntpod.substack.com

Robbie Wroblewski currently manages company branding, marketing, and community involvement for Seed & Smith Cannabis. Focused on humanizing cannabis, Robbie has made it his mission to empower consumers with knowledge.  

[00:01 – 06:00] Guest Introduction and Events Coming Up on 4/20  

[06:01 – 11:43] Robbie’s Background & The Brand That Seed & Smith Has Built  

[11:44 – 25:52] Educating and Empowering The Consumer to be Advocates of Cannabis 

[25:53 – 32:08] Anecdotal and Inaccurate Information Dictates Consumer Experience 

[32:09 – 44:46] How Seed & Smith Chooses New Strains to Grow 

[44:47 – 50:56] Seed & Smith’s Virtual Tours 

[50:57 – 52:15] The Necessity of Being an Educated Consumer    

[52:16 – 58:10] Final Thoughts

 

Featured in Washington Post, Denver Post, mg Cannabis Retailer, and Marijuana Business Daily, Robbie Wroblewski currently manages company branding, marketing, and community involvement for Seed & Smith Cannabis. With a special emphasis on education and reducing stigma, Robbie has used his time in cannabis to be an advocate for science and ethical business practices.

Previously in the journalism and photography industry, Robbie transitioned to cannabis in 2011 because of his passion for the plant’s medicinal properties and the growth opportunities in the space. He draws from extensive experience managing and working in nearly every area of the cannabis industry, including cultivation, post-harvest processing, extraction technologies, supply chain management, and branding.

You can follow Seed & Smith on Instagram and Twitter or visit their website Seed & Smith. 

Shayda Torabi has been called one of the most influential Women in WordPress and now she’s one of the women leading the cannabis reformation conversation building one of Texas’ premier CBD brands. She's currently the CEO and Co-Founder of RESTART CBD, a female-run education first CBD wellness brand. And has formerly held marketing positions at WP Engine and WebDevStudios. Shayda is the host of a podcast for cannabis marketers called To Be Blunt, where she interviews top cannabis brands on their most successful marketing initiatives. When Shayda's not building her cannabiz in Texas, you can find her on the road exploring the best hikes and spots for vegan ice cream. Follow Shayda at @theshaydatorabi

Tweetable Quotes:

“Really humanizing the [cannabis consumption] process helps people dramatically. And it reduces the stigma of everything that we’re doing.” – Robbie Wroblewski

Resources Mentioned:

• General Assembly: Women of Cannabis
• Seed & Smith’s Virtual Tours 

SPONSORSHIP is brought to you by Restart CBD. Check them out for your CBD needs!

LEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to join me for episodes featuring some serious cannabis industry by sharing this episode or click here to listen to our previous episodes. You can listen to my podcast on Spotify,

RESTART CBD
RESTART CBD is an education first CBD wellness brand shipping nationwide.
restartcbd.com

Support the show

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tobebluntpod.substack.com

Socrates Rosenfeld is the CEO of Jane Technologies. They created the I Heart Jane platform that enables both consumers and dispensaries to search for products and let the dispensaries leverage Jane Technologies to empower them to connect their products to the right consumers. 

[00:01 – 05:12] Updates in the Cannabis Industry / Introduction of Topic and Guest

[05:13 – 09:10] The Story of Jane Technologies

[09:11 – 19:22] E-Commerce in the Cannabis Industry

[19:23 – 28:00] Cannabis and Technology

[28:01 – 46:34] Be Steps Ahead from Your Competition. Be Part of the Jane Community.

[46:35 – 53:12] I Heart Jane vs. Leafly

[53:13 – 59:22] Brands That You Should Check Out! / Final Thoughts and Call to Action

 

Socrates Rosenfeld is the Co-Founder and CEO of Jane Technologies. After leaving active duty in 2011 as a U.S. Army veteran and Apache helicopter commander, Socrates turned to cannabis to re-acclimate to civilian life. Because cannabis wasn’t legal at the time in Massachusetts, where he lived, he was forced to rely on the black market, where he couldn’t be sure about the quality of the cannabis he was buying. The frustration of that experience, coupled with the lack of access to cannabis for his fellow vets, led Socrates to co-found Jane Technologies with his brother Abraham.

Jane launched in 2017 to provide an e-commerce solution for legal cannabis retailers. A big part of the platform is that customers can conveniently research and purchase cannabis products online. Currently, the company partners with over 1600 dispensaries in 31 states.

Prior to starting Jane, Socrates was an associate at McKinsey & Company. He graduated from the United States Military Academy and earned an MBA in entrepreneurship from MIT.

Shayda Torabi has been called one of the most influential Women in WordPress and now she’s one of the women leading the cannabis reformation conversation building one of Texas’ premier CBD brands. She's currently the CEO and Co-Founder of RESTART CBD, a female-run education first CBD wellness brand. And has formerly held marketing positions at WP Engine and WebDevStudios. Shayda is the host of a podcast for cannabis marketers called To Be Blunt, where she interviews top cannabis brands on their most successful marketing initiatives. When Shayda's not building her cannabiz in Texas, you can find her on the road exploring the best hikes and spots for vegan ice cream. Follow Shayda at @theshaydatorabi

Resources Mentioned:

• Leafly
• Santa Cruz Veterans Alliance
• WAMM Phytotherapies
• Jade Nectar
• Papa & Barkley

Follow Socrates on LinkedIn. To learn more about Jane Technologies, visit their website at https://www.iheartjane.com/ or follow them on Instagram (@janecommunity)

LEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to join me for episodes featuring some serious cannabis industry by sharing this episode or click here to listen to our previous episodes. You can listen to my podcast on Spotify,

RESTART CBD
RESTART CBD is an education first CBD wellness brand shipping nationwide.
restartcbd.com

Support the show

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tobebluntpod.substack.com

Varuni Palacios is the Head of Marketing and Growth at Miss Grass, a brand on a mission to help the world get good at weed. They educate on the science, history, culture, and products involved with cannabis, all in the spirit of conscious consumption.

[00:01 – 09:56] Intro and Varuni’s Background / What is Miss Grass?

[09:57 – 20:21] What It Means to Be the Head of Marketing and Growth at Miss Grass

[20:22 – 37:16] Navigating the Waters of E-Commerce / Going Digital / Women in Cannabis

[37:17 – 44:49] Building Partnerships

[44:50 – 47:47] The Team Behind Miss Grass

[47:48 – 51:23] Get Educated to Be an Educator

[51:24 – 55:30] Shoutouts / Final Thoughts / Call to Action

 

Varuni Palacios is the Head of Marketing for Miss Grass where she leads brand marketing, audience development, and strategic partnerships. Prior to Miss Grass, Varuni was the Director of Audience Development & Social Media at goop, a luxury lifestyle brand with roots in content, commerce, and experiential. Her experience spans 10+ years in media, entertainment, and e-comm leadership at brands including Awesomeness, NBC Entertainment, WWE, and HSN.

Shayda Torabi has been called one of the most influential Women in WordPress and now she’s one of the women leading the cannabis reformation conversation building one of Texas’ premier CBD brands. She's currently the CEO and Co-Founder of RESTART CBD, a female-run education first CBD wellness brand. And has formerly held marketing positions at WP Engine and WebDevStudios. Shayda is the host of a podcast for cannabis marketers called To Be Blunt, where she interviews top cannabis brands on their most successful marketing initiatives. When Shayda's not building her cannabiz in Texas, you can find her on the road exploring the best hikes and spots for vegan ice cream. Follow Shayda at @theshaydatorabi

Tweetable Quotes:

“We have this immense responsibility to educate our consumers.” – Varuni Palacios

“Our challenges [as] marketers in cannabis are evolving and scaling our brands while remaining authentic to who we are and what we’re doing in the first place, which is helping our communities.” – Varuni Palacios

Resources Mentioned:

• @missgrass - Instagram
• https://missgrass.com/
• Cannabis For Black Lives
• Nolef Turns
• The Hood Incubator
• M4BL (MOVEMENT FOR BLACK LIVES)
• Last Prisoner Project
• The National Bail Out
• Cage-Free Cannabis

SPONSORSHIP is brought to you by Restart CBD. Check them out for your CBD needs!

LEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to join me for episodes featuring some serious cannabis industry by sharing this episode or click here to listen to our previous episodes. You can listen to my podcast on Spotify,

RESTART CBD
RESTART CBD is an education first CBD wellness brand shipping nationwide.
restartcbd.com

Support the show

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tobebluntpod.substack.com

Andrew Marlatt is the General Manager at Pharmlabs Texas. If you’re new to cannabis, or even if you’ve been in the industry for quite some time, you must still be wondering about the different types of cannabinoids, edibles, smokables, and other products derived from cannabis. If the answer is yes, you’re in the right place. Join us in this episode as we debunk Delta 8 and Sativa vs. Indica.

 

[00:01 – 04:17] Introduction of Topic and Guest

[04:18 – 05:10] What is Pharmlabs?

[05:11 – 11:13] The Texas Cannabis Industry – An Insider’s Scoop / What is Delta 8?

[11:14 – 32:25] Debunking Delta 8

[32:26 – 43:06] Delta 8 and Other Cannabinoid Trends in the Market Place

[43:07 – 55:56] Providing the Best Possible Experience with Cannabis / Sativa vs. Indica

[55:57 – 1:01:16] Final Thoughts, Advice, and Call to Action

 

Andrew Marlett was born in Texas, but has worked in the professional Cannabis industry most of my adult life in various industries but mostly California, before recently returning to Texas to help contribute to the growing Texas hemp industry. He has focused specifically on extraction, post processing, and formulation. In addition to that has spent time consulting on lab build outs for the small scale farmer and processor as a passion project. Andrew is now the General Manager at Pharmlabs Texas in Farmers Branch, a leading cannabis testing facility providing quick and accurate hemp testing, including terpene profile analysis, hemp potency testing, and pesticide testing.

Shayda Torabi has been called one of the most influential Women in WordPress and now she’s one of the women leading the cannabis reformation conversation building one of Texas’ premier CBD brands. She's currently the CEO and Co-Founder of RESTART CBD, a female-run education first CBD wellness brand. And has formerly held marketing positions at WP Engine and WebDevStudios. Shayda is the host of a podcast for cannabis marketers called To Be Blunt, where she interviews top cannabis brands on their most successful marketing initiatives. When Shayda's not building her cannabiz in Texas, you can find her on the road exploring the best hikes and spots for vegan ice cream. Follow Shayda at @theshaydatorabi

Tweetable Quotes:

“If your Delta 8 isn’t 99.9% pure Delta 8, [you should] question what it is.” – Andrew Marlatt

“I don’t think anyone under the age of 21 should have access to Delta 8. I think that much like alcohol and every other thing that it’s legal age, consumed responsibly, no problem for my perspective.” – Andrew Marlatt

SPONSORSHIP is brought to you by Restart CBD. Check them out for your CBD needs!

LEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to join me for episodes featuring some serious cannabis industry by sharing this episode or click here to listen to our previous episodes. You can listen to my podcast on Spotify, Stitcher, Buzzsprout,

RESTART CBD
RESTART CBD is an education first CBD wellness brand shipping nationwide.
restartcbd.com

Support the show

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tobebluntpod.substack.com

Andrew Tychsen is the Director of Marketing at LEVO Oil. With the help of Andrew, LEVO has had huge success on TikTok, going viral multiple times and using the platform as a marketing tool to boost their revenue. In this episode, Andrew gives us a behind-the-scenes peek at how they work their magic that provides them their success on TikTok.

 

[00:01 – 03:59] Introduction of Guest and Topic

[04:00 – 10:02] The Story of Levo Oil

[10:03 – 26:08] Content Curation and Leveraging Influencers

[26:09 – 36:30] E-Commerce and the “Ugly” Truth Behind the Industry

[36:31 – 44:56] Marketing in Social Media – Going Viral on TikTok

[44:57 – 50:18] Recognition from the Traditional Media / Retailing Levo’s Products

[50:19 – 56:43] There is No Recipe for Success That Fits Everyone

[56:44 – 58:59] Final Thoughts and Call to Action

Andrew Tychsen is the Director of Marketing at LEVO, the 'Keurig of Cannabis'. It's like a coffee maker for cannabutter.

After spending nearly a decade working in the toy industry building a brand from scratch to a billion dollar phenomenon, Andrew knows what truly drives growth. It’s less about first-touch attribution and more about how well you connect with the heart-beat of your brand's community.

Shayda Torabi has been called one of the most influential Women in WordPress and now she’s one of the women leading the cannabis reformation conversation building one of Texas’ premier CBD brands. She's currently the CEO and Co-Founder of RESTART CBD, a female-run education first CBD wellness brand. And has formerly held marketing positions at WP Engine and WebDevStudios. Shayda is the host of a podcast for cannabis marketers called To Be Blunt, where she interviews top cannabis brands on their most successful marketing initiatives. When Shayda's not building her cannabiz in Texas, you can find her on the road exploring the best hikes and spots for vegan ice cream. Follow Shayda at @theshaydatorabi

Tweetable Quotes:

“We don’t necessarily know what we’re doing every step of the way, but we’re testing and iterating and trying to find out what works.” – Andrew Tychsen

“If I have to say what’s the biggest thing that I’m proud of or that I love about Levo…it’s the people.” – Andrew Tychsen

Resources Mentioned:

• High Times Magazine
• USA TODAY
• Rolling Stone
• Bon Appétit Magazine
• Forbes
• Cooked with Cannabis

SPONSORSHIP is brought to you by Restart CBD. Check them out for your CBD needs!

LEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to join me for episodes featuring some serious cannabis industry by sharing this episode or click here to listen to our previous episodes. You can listen to my podcast on

RESTART CBD
RESTART CBD is an education first CBD wellness brand shipping nationwide.
restartcbd.com

Support the show

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tobebluntpod.substack.com

Jon Cappetta is the VP of Content at High Times. He is responsible for developing and executing holistic content plans across their increasing brand portfolio. In this episode, Jon gives us a masterclass on branding, networking, persuasion, and pot.

 

[00:01 – 12:36] Jon shares his story

[12:37 – 21:06] What is High Times? / The Importance of Branding

[21:07 – 35:45] Live for Live Music / Other Brands That Are Making A Difference

[35:46 – 44:50] Injustices in the Cannabis Industry / Where the Industry Is Headed

[44:51 – 53:44] Marketing, Technology, and E-Commerce

[53:45– 57:36] The Cannabis Culture

[57:37 – 1:02:40] Final Thoughts and Call to Action

 

Jon Cappetta is a guy and he’s done some pretty cool stuff in his 30 years on the rock. He’s also been high for most of it. He’s currently the VP of Content across High Times properties. A lifelong creative, Jon has been finding ways to work in the music and greater entertainment industries since he was a tween. Starting out leading street teams and building ‘record labels’ to release his friends' music, he grew to produce and lead experiential activations on a national scale, including creating a ‘Best Practice’ utilized nationally & annually by the energy-kingpin Red Bull. Having spent over a decade building events, with over 500 produced before leaving NYC in 2014, Jon has honed his logistical and marketing expertise, and his ear for talent. Finding his niche in development strategy, Jon’s expertise spans across content, event and experiential marketing, with extensive experience in the nightlife, entertainment, & beverage industries. JC has produced branded content for major products, provided data analysis for front-page, pulitzer-prize-winning news, and developed several new business areas for the enterprises he has worked for. His work has appeared in text, video, and through experiences, worldwide.

Shayda Torabi has been called one of the most influential Women in WordPress and now she’s one of the women leading the cannabis reformation conversation building one of Texas’ premier CBD brands. She's currently the CEO and Co-Founder of RESTART CBD, a female-run education first CBD wellness brand. And has formerly held marketing positions at WP Engine and WebDevStudios. Shayda is the host of a podcast for cannabis marketers called To Be Blunt, where she interviews top cannabis brands on their most successful marketing initiatives. When Shayda's not building her cannabiz in Texas, you can find her on the road exploring the best hikes and spots for vegan ice cream. Follow Shayda at @theshaydatorabi

Resources Mentioned:

• Cookies
• Live For Live Music
• Half Lit
• OG Cannabis Co.
• Leafly
• Alien Labs
• Fig Farms
• Caliva
• Monogram
• CannaQuake 

LEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to join me for episodes featuring some serious cannabis industr

RESTART CBD
RESTART CBD is an education first CBD wellness brand shipping nationwide.
restartcbd.com

Support the show

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tobebluntpod.substack.com