To Be Blunt

Troy Meadows is the Co-Founder and CMO of Legion of Bloom, and on today’s show, we dive into Troy’s story about how a group of farmers came together to make a significant brand impact with a small budget.

Things you will learn in this episode:

[00:01 – 10:16] What is Legion of Bloom?

• Troy talks about how the Legion of Bloom started

[10:17 – 31:15] Terpenes and Why They Are Important

• Troy talks about why they focus heavily on their terpene extraction

[31:16 – 42:50] Driving Consumer Education

• As manufacturers, we always ask the question, “would I give this to the people I care about?”

[42:51 – 57:18] Making a Big Brand Impact With a Small Budget

• Troy talks about their marketing strategies

[57:19 – 1:01:56] Final Question and Call to Action

• What is one of your top retailers that carries your products?
  • Apothecarium
  • SPARC
  • OrganiCann
• Final words from me

Troy Meadows is the Co-Founder and CMO of The Legion of Bloom, a values-driven vertically integrated cannabis company operating out of Oakland, California that crafts some of the country’s most famous and sought-after cannabis products. When Troy isn’t building the LEGION brand, he’s into plant-based eating, Ultra marathons, and finds inspiration from authors like Tim Ferris.

 

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 @withshayda.

 

Tweetable Quotes:

“Building a brand and creating a real voice in the industry was gonna be a lot easier with the five of us together as opposed to just trying to be individual farmers in an ever-changing environment.” – Troy Meadows

“You have to be okay with falling on your face sometimes. You have to be willing to sit down and write copy for a couple of hours every single morning. And you have to be okay with, you know, making sure everyone’s happy.” – Troy Meadows

 

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

Today I had the pleasure of speaking with the Founder and CEO of Enlighten, Jeremy Jacobs.

Let’s dive into Jeremy’s story about how Enlighten is leading the way to destigmatizing and educating people about cannabis.

Things you will learn in this episode:

[00:01 – 05:46] What is Enlighten?

• Jeremy talks about what Enlighten is all about
• Jeremy speaks about incorporating technology into the cannabis industry

[05:47 – 17:37] How Technology is Driving Cannabis Education and Consumer Adoption

• Jeremy talks about the early adopters of cannabis and their lifestyle
• The evolution and adoption of cannabis through all ages
• Jeremy weighs in on why it’s important to educate consumers, retailers, and brands
• Equipping dispensaries with the necessary technology for superior consumer education and improved consumer experience

[17:38 – 25:55] Navigating Through The Market

• Connecting with consumers through digital marketing and campaigns
• Stepping up your marketing and educating the consumers with technology
• Jeremy talks about Cannabis Club TV and the different digital signage services they offer

[25:56 – 46:00] Stigma In The Industry

• Jeremy and I tap into the greatest stigma in the cannabis industry
• The Canna-bus: a mobile cannabis dispensary experience
• Jeremy talks about being advocates to educate people and destigmatize cannabis

[46:01 – 50:19] Closing Segment

• Is there any dispensary that shows off what Enlighten does that you can mention and share with our listeners?
  • I don’t know if I can tell you. What I can tell you is we have a self-service portal that’s launching in about 3-4 weeks, and it will contain a list of all dispensaries we’re in.
• Follow Jeremy and Enlighten online! See below for links
• Final words from me

 

Tweetable Quotes:

“The more knowledge that we put into the marketplace, the more people embrace our real lifestyle.” – Jeremy Jacobs
 

You can connect with Jeremy on LinkedIn. Visit their website https://getenlightened.io/ for the technology solutions that you need. Check out Canna-bus and join in on the mobile dispensary experience!

 

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, iTunes. 

For anyone who is looking for some creative inspiration in a budding industry, connect with me on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook,

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

Today I had the pleasure of speaking with the Chief Marketing Officer of Wana Brands, Joe Hodas.

Let’s dive into Joe’s story of how Wana Brands stays ahead in the market by producing quality products while ensuring consumer safety.

Things you will learn in this episode:

[00:01 – 06:57] What is Wana Brands?

• Joe talks about what Wana Brands is all about

[06:58 – 17:22] Wana Brands’ Campaign

• Let’s hear from Joe’s perspective about Wana Brands’ company culture

[17:23 – 24:15] Evolution of the Market

• Joe talks about the evolution of the cannabis industry
• Quick plug to our sponsor, Restart CBD.

[24:16 – 34:33] Shifting Their Strategy and Expanding Their Market

• Wana Brands’ strategies for their expansion within Canada
• Check out the Last Prisoner Project, a project that seeks justice for people incarcerated for cannabis use.

[34:34 – 39:21] Closing Segment

• Get involved and help make a change for the cannabis industry
  • Minority Cannabis Business Association
  • National Cannabis Industry Association
• Do you have a favorite retailer or dispensary that we can highlight in this episode?
  • The Farm. Terrapin Care Station. Medicine Man. LivWell
• Connect with Joe online
  • See below for links
• Final words from Joe and me

Tweetable Quotes:

“For those getting into it, I also think you need to understand that this isn’t just a product, right? This is about changing our culture in our society. It’s about overall harm reduction.” - Joe Hodas

You can connect with Joe on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter. Check out his blog http://thefutureofcannabis.blogspot.com/. Visit their website https://www.wanabrands.com/ for more information on Cannabis and your CBD needs!

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, iTunes. 

For anyone who is looking for some creative inspiration in a budding industry, connect with me on LinkedIn, Instagram, Fac

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

Today I had the pleasure of speaking with the Marketing Manager of Santé Laboratories, Steph Clark.

Let's dive into Steph's story about how they, at Santé Labs, ensure consumer safety with the help of science.

Things you will learn in this episode:

[00:01 – 10:18] What is Santé Laboratories?

• Steph talks about what Santé Labs is all about
• Steph shares what their ISO accreditation means, and what they did to achieve and maintain that

[10:19 – 26:25] Building Consumer Confidence Through Consistent Cannabis Testing

• Let's hear from Steph about how they help, not just the brands, but also the farmers produce top-quality cannabis products to ensure consumer safety
• Steph shares how important it is for the labs to keep up with regulations from different states
• No standardization: there are discrepancies in regulations from state to state

[26:26 – 48:35] Steph and Santé Labs Roles in the Industry

• Steph shares what her team's roles are in Santé Labs
• Steph shows us her perspective of what a COA is, and what consumers should be looking out for. You don't want to miss this!
• Steph talks about the trends in the industry and setting standards for laboratories.

[48:36 – 53:28] Closing Segment

• Do you have a favorite cannabis brand, and why? Who's marketing themselves really well?
• "Besides Restart CBD, I think anyone who's doing the right thing, and anyone that cares for the quality of their product, and the consumer's safety."
• Where can people connect with you? With Santé Labs?
  • See below for links
• Finals words from Steph and me

Tweetable Quotes:

“If you don’t have the science to prove it, I don’t know how you trust someone without the science behind it. So, I think that really promoting your brand and showing your consumer that you care about them, and their safety. I think that’s the ultimate, you know, customer promise.” – Steph Clark

You can connect with Steph on LinkedIn.

If you're a cannabis business owner or retailer and looking to keep your products to be of the best quality, connect with Santé Laboratories for all your testing needs. You can also visit their website https://santelabs.com/ for more information on the services they offer.

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, iTunes. 

For anyone who is looking for some creative inspiration in a budding industry, connect with me on LinkedIn, Instagram,

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

Today I had the pleasure of speaking with the general manager of Delta 9 Systems, Chris Guthrie.

Let’s dive into Chris’s story of how to take your cannabis business to a higher level. Let’s grow with confidence! 

Things you will learn in this episode:

[00:01 - 16:32] How to Stop Thinking Like Growers and Start Thinking Like A Manufacturer 

• I talk about a little bit of Chris’s background 
• Chris and I talk about the things you need to consider when getting into the cannabis industry 

[16:33 - 28:46] How to Navigate Your Cannabis Business 

• Chris talks about the processes that you need to learn to navigate the cannabis industry

[28:47 - 38:26] Manufacturing Mindset and the Importance of Transparency 

• Do you want to earn $70 billion? Then you better listen as Chris and I share valuable insight on how to optimize your workflow to get into the cannabis industry

[38:27 - 49:48] The Pain Points and Secrets to Scale Your Cannabis Business 

• Chris and I share the pain points of how you navigate labeling 

[49:49 - 58:04] Different Ways of Creating Labels

• Chris talks about the different ways of how labels are created
• Chris gives valuable advice about how to be comfortable with the uncomfortable

[58:05 - 1:00:02] Closing Segment 

•  How can people follow or connect with you?
  • See below for social links.
• Final words from me 

Resources Mentioned: 

• Avery

Tweetable Quotes: 

“My main focus is to get growers to stop thinking like growers and start thinking like manufacturers.” - Chris Guthrie 

 “Be comfortable with the uncomfortable.” - Shayda Torabi 

You can connect with Chris on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, or visit their website https://www.delta9systems.com/. Listen to his podcast, A High-Level Conversation. 

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, iTunes. 

For anyone who is looking for some creative inspiration in a budding industry, connect with me on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, or visit my website https://theshaydatorabi.com/tobeblunt/  and my website https://theshaydatorabi.com/.  You can listen to my podcast on Spotify, Stitcher, Bu

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

Today I had the pleasure of speaking with the Co-Founder of PrograMetrix, Chris Shreeve.

Let’s dive into Chris’s story of how to improve your programmatic strategy and execution through the new age of digital marketing.

Things you will learn in this episode:

[00:01 - 10:35] What is PrograMetrix?

• Chris talks about what PrograMetrix is all about
• Chris speaks about cannabis brands ' misconceptions when taking advantage of digital advertising

[10:36 - 21:37] How To Grow Your Cannabis Brand Using Digital Marketing

• Why is there such a big discrepancy with cannabis and CBD brands? Let’s hear it from Chris’s point of view.
• Chris talks about his background and how he became a cannabis business owner

[21:38 - 33:43] How to Navigate and Transform Digital Marketing

• If you are evaluating an agency partner, Chris encourages brands to ask these questions that you don’t want to miss!
• Chris shares about the best ways to be able to have a digital transformation

[33:44 - 48:54] What things do we need to invest first before we start a cannabis business?

• Chris talks about how to create marketing programs that tailor your products to different audiences
• Chris shares how important to set up a foundation first before you start your cannabis business
• Chris gives advice on how you can maximize your online presence with your advertising dollars and reach your target consumers

[48:55  - 52:32] Closing Segment 

• If there's any brand in cannabis that is doing digital well, who is it, and why?
  • Fairwinds, a really great company.
•  Where can people follow or connect with you?
  • See links below
• Final words from me

Tweetable Quotes: 

“Cannabis brands should really be focused on all of the different branding and marketing mechanisms” - Chris Shreeve

You can connect with Chris on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, email him on [email protected] or visit his website https://programetrix.com/ and transform your programmatic advertising that goes beyond the metrics.

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, iTunes. 

For anyone who is looking for some creative inspiration in a budding industry, connect with me on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook

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

I had the privilege of talking to one of the cannabis industry OG’s Peggy Moore. Peggy is the CEO of Loves Oven, a Denver based edibles brand that's been around since 2009. And Now I won’t spoil the interview but for those of you who dont know, Colorado was one of the first states to offer medical marijuana and was the first state opening up a recreational market in 2014. Love’s Oven is a decade old brand that has stood the test of time and I’m convinced it’s because of their delicious THC baked goods and smart marketing strategy. Tune in to the episode to learn more about how Peggy and her team navigated and continue to navigate the legal landscape, how an edibles brand thinks about packaging and labeling, and some good old cannabis history from one of the longest established brands in the industry!

choosethelove.com
@lovesovenbakery
theshaydatorabi.com/tobeblunt
@theshaydatorabi

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

Episode 3 features Skyler Lysaker the CEO of Greenz hemp apparel brand. Skylar has been running Greenz for almost two years out of Phoenix, Arizona but what caught my attention about Skylar's marketing tactics was how he was successfully building his personal brand through LinkedIn. LinkedIn is a big opportunity for the cannabis industry, and in this episode Skylar talks about how he got started using LinkedIn and shares some of his tips for maximizing engagement on the platform.

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/skylarlysaker/
• http://instagram.com/greenzsupply
• http://greenzsupply.com
   
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaydatorabi/
• http://instagram.com/theshaydatorabi/
• http://theshaydatorabi.com/tobeblunt/

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

Episode 2 of the To Be Blunt podcast features Leah Lakstins of Higher Ed Hemp Tours based in Austin, Texas. Lakstins is a certified cannabis professional with with more than 15 years experience helping entrepreneurs and startup brands grow into multi-million dollar corporations. As a native Kentuckian, she is passionate about cannabis education, specifically the impact of hemp on local communities. Now in Austin, Leah founded Higher Ed Hemp Tours in 2019 as an interactive hemp educational brand for cannabis enthusiasts to explore cannabis through tours, courses, and community events. 

• www.higheredhemptours.com
• http://instagram.com/hemptours/
• https://www.instagram.com/dos_ls/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/leahlakstins/
• www.theshaydatorabi.com/tobeblunt
• http://instagram.com/theshaydatorabi

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

Shayda Torabi is the host of To Be Blunt. She is an entrepreneur, brand marketing expert, and cannabis advocate. She co-founded RESTART CBD, an education first CBD wellness brand based in Austin, Texas, and is an advocate for federal cannabis reformation. Prior to that Shayda held senior level technology marketing positions at WP Engine and WebDevStudios.
@theshaydatorabi
@tobebluntpod
@restartcbd
www.theshaydatorabi.com
www.restartcbd.com

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