To Be Blunt

“As you think through product development, it needs to be well thought through with the intent of how does this help the retailer, and how do we get bud tenders to support it, and not necessarily focus on the consumer, because I'll say this, further, you don't need to focus on the consumer. Because if you're passionate about this industry, you yourself are a consumer. And thus you should create something for yourself.” - Alex Mazin

In this episode, Shayda Torabi welcomes Alex Mazin of Bud's Goods as he shares the way to building a brand that can grab your attention. He believes that focusing on the retailer, not necessarily the consumer, is the key to successful product development.

 

[00:01 – 04:26] The Magic Happens When a Brand Catches Your Eye

[04:27– 15:35] The Journey to Establishing a New England Cannabis Brand

[15:36 – 25:08] The Cannabis Landscape in Massachusetts - Micro Level 

[25:09 – 30:35] How Passion in Cannabis Entails Creating For Yourself

[30:36 – 52:39] Imposing Authenticity in the Brand and Inviting Trust

[52:40 – 54:01] Food for Thought: How do you invest in your brand?

 

Alex is a native from Worcester, MA who first became involved in the cannabis industry in 2014. He is the founder of Lifegrabber LLC, one of the largest silicone accessory companies in the vaporizer device industry. Products are sold across all 50 states in the US, in Canada and in Europe under the brand name VaprCase. In 2016, he founded Bud’s Goods which now has 2 retail stores in Worcester and Abington, and a third due to open in Watertown this fall. His mission is to build the first recognizable East Coast cannabis brand across the US. Prior to the cannabis industry, Alex has had nearly a decade of strategic management consulting experience in the life sciences industry for a top-tier consulting firm and fortune 100 company. He was raised in Worcester, MA and is a graduate of Babson College with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Entrepreneurship and Strategic Management.

Connect with Alex

Visit www.budsgoods.com and follow him on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn @budsgoods

 

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

Key Quote:

“The key to building a brand, at least what I've learned, is very simply authenticity. You can't fake a brand, that will definitely not work.”  - Alex Mazin

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“A brand has always been so much more than a logo… It's really about, how are you connecting your values and your vision as a brand and a company with your consumer’s values? How do you mirror them? Or how are you finding the right core audience? And then how are you making them feel about your brand, ultimately? And that comes through all the different touchpoints in a brand experience.” - Allison Disney

Welcome back to the To Be Blunt podcast! In this episode, Shayda Torabi welcomes Allison Disney of Receptor Brands, as she discusses the role of marketing agencies in professionally elevating brands. She points out that although regulations in the cannabis space are constantly changing, what cannot be regulated is your vision for your brand.

 

[00:01 – 07:31] Shayda shares Upcoming Cannabis Events and Business Updates

[07:32 – 12:14] The Emerging Cannabis Industry on Branding and Marketing

[12:15 – 18:40] Agencies Filling the Gap for Optimal Execution

[18:41 – 30:24] Mirroring Consumer’s Values and Core Benefit in Branding

[30:25 – 47:13] Keeping Up with the Constant Changes in Regulations

[47:14 – 56:19] Best Practices in Curating the Asset Library

[56:20 – 57:41] Food for Thought: What do you think of working with marketing agencies?

 

Before Co-Founding Receptor Brands, Allison spent more than a decade at creative agencies creating award-winning advertising and marketing campaigns for some of our most beloved brands, including M& Ms, Bacardi, Ziploc, Johnson & Johnson, and YouTube. As Business Strategist at Receptor Brands, Allison helps define the field of opportunity for her clients’ businesses. She credits her experience working on regulated global industries for preparing her for the unique suite of complexities in the cannabis industry. Allison earned her MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and her BA in Communications from Michigan State University. She is also an officer on the Marketing and Advertising Committee of the National Cannabis Industry Association. Allison lives in Chicago with her botanist husband, Ryan, and her tiny boss, Maxine.

Connect with Allison

Visit https://www.receptorbrands.com/ and follow her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn @receptor_brands

 

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

Key Quote:

“Sometimes, you have a great product that you've created, but you need to find the right audience for it. You need to make sure that you are setting people's expectations for what this product experience is going to be like so that it's, you know, satisfactory when they try it.” - Allison Disney

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RESTART CBD is an education first CBD wellness brand shipping nationwide.
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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 think the biggest equity opportunity for a brand is for somebody to come in and build a national brand, a powerful brand in cannabis. And I think folks that have learned how to operate in this way through partnerships and asset-lite model and understand the opportunity of licensing in other states… I think they've done a phenomenal job.” - Jesus Burrola 

 

Welcome back to the To Be Blunt podcast! In this episode, Shayda Torabi welcomes Jesus Burrola, Chief Executive Officer of POSIBL, as he tackles the future of cannabis in the lens of agriculture. He explounds his thoughts on sustainable cultivation, building a powerful brand, and understanding marketing and competition in a new light.

 

[00:01 – 06:50] Shayda shares Updates Regarding Delta-8

[06:51 – 15:23] California Cannabis Production and Vertical Integration

[15:24 – 25:14] Building a Powerful Brand and Working on Sustainable Cultivation

[25:15 – 31:58] Competition and Comradeship Between Cannabis Brands

[31:59 – 53:23] Operation on Facilities for Environmentally Friendly Production

[53:24 – 56:26] Food for Thought: How do you capitalize on the opportunities out there?

 

Jesus Burrola is Chief Executive Officer of POSIBL, the cannabis farm of the future and engine for several of California’s leading brands. With over 1,000,0000 units of packaged product to date, POSIBL is redefining what it means to produce the highest quality cannabis. Jesus is a proven leader who believes in his teams as the primary driver of growth. He leads the organization’s growth strategy in sales and operations and the best team at POSIBL to position the company as a global market leader. Prior to POSIBL, Jesus worked for 15 years at Beacon Building Products, the largest publicly traded building materials distributor in North America. Jesus was at the company during growth from $1 Billion to $8 Billion — through a combination of 30+ acquisitions and launches into new markets. Jesus worked his way up from a trainee to a National Vice President, managing a $700M  business segment. During Jesus’ time there, he held roles in both Sales Management and Operations, and was tasked with integrating several large acquisitions. Jesus holds a Bachelor of Science in Supply Chain Management from Arizona State University. He enjoys quality time with his family, playing golf, and exploring great cuisine.

 

Connect with Jesus 

Visit https://www.posiblproject.com/ and follow him on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn @posiblproject

 

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

Key Quote:

“There's a pathway for anyone looking to participate in the industry as a brand.” -  Shayda Torabi

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“Using cannabis from a health and wellness perspective, that can cure and help ailments that are otherwise being treated with other drugs that may or may not be good for you. And so from much perspective, I think that's the way I approach it, right or wrong, it's being branded as the health and wellness drug of our generation.” -  Scott Grossman

Welcome back to the To Be Blunt podcast! In this episode, Shayda Torabi welcomes Scott Grossman of Turning Point Brands, as he shares the parallelisms between the tobacco and cannabis industries in the aspects of dealing with stigma and attached legalities. He emphasizes that taking the opportunity of being in the thriving cannabis industry is not one to miss as the question now turns to which brands would fill up the shelves.

 

[00:01 – 04:59] Opening Our Minds to the Power of Education

[05:00 – 13:19] Catalyzing Change and Recognizing the Thriving Cannabis Industry

[13:20 – 23:02] The Parallelisms Between Tobacco and Cannabis Industries

[23:03 – 31:38] Journey to Integrating Cannabinoids to Scale

[31:39 – 41:19] Determining the Winning Brands to Fill Out the Shelf

[41:20 – 51:29] Latching on to Favorable Legalization Processes

[51:30 – 52:59] Food for Thought: How do you feel about big corporations operating in cannabis?

 

Scott Grossman joined Turning Point Brands in 2021 and is focused on strategic initiatives and acquisitions. Prior to joining, Scott spent over 15 years as an investor and Board-level advisor managing investments across the capital structure in both public and private companies. Scott founded Vindico Capital after working nearly a decade at Magnetar Capital, and previously worked at Soros Fund Management in its private equity division. Scott started his career at Merrill Lynch in its investment banking group.

Connect with Scott

Visit https://www.turningpointbrands.com/ and follow him on https://www.instagram.com/stokers/ and https://www.instagram.com/zigzagworld/. 

 

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

Key Quote:

“I really wanted to be a part of an industry that had clear societal benefits, you know, job creation, that's largely protected from offshoring. We're helping unwind 50 plus years of systemic racism, and an endless and reckless war on drugs. We're providing a real solution to the opioid crisis, PTSD, and other health issues like Gervais syndrome, and, you know, candidly, we're helping raising much needed funds for our government.” -  Scott Grossman

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RESTART CBD is an education first CBD wellness brand shipping nationwide.
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“At the end of the day, cannabis businesses are just like any other businesses, right? They need all of the services and support that anyone needs. And obviously, our lane is in helping with consumption.” - Shanel Lindsay

Welcome back to the To Be Blunt podcast! In this episode, Shayda Torabi welcomes Shanel Lindsay, founder and president of Ardent Life, Inc., to discuss the bright future of cannabis made possible by technology, how her profession as a lawyer got her involved in legalization, the importance of homegrowing and testing, and empowering our customers through presenting the science.

[00:01 – 04:46] Cannabis-infused home-baked goodies

[04:47– 10:06] Shanel shares her mission in the Cannabis World

[10:07 – 21:55] Framework in Massachusetts in Home Growing and Productization

[21:56 – 32:50] Breaking Down the Decarboxylation Process

[32:51 – 51:36] Biotech, Hardware, and Data Points as Springboards

[51:37 – 55:01] Food for Thought: How do you go empower the consumer through data?

 USE CODE 'SHAYDA' FOR 10% OFF ARDENT DEVICES

Shanel Lindsay is an attorney, activist, and entrepreneur.  Founder and President of Ardent Life, Inc., a Boston-based biotech and consumer device company focused on improving the science and medicine of cannabis, Shanel is the creator of Nova Precision Decarboxylator, which regulates medical cannabis dosing, and the new Ardent FX, an all-in-one cooking, infusion and baking device. She has grown a global brand in Ardent Life and has received multiple patents for her inventions. A graduate of Northeastern University School of Law and the University of Pennsylvania, Shanel was an author of and spokesperson for the Massachusetts Marijuana Legalization Initiative (aka Question 4) and twice appointed to the Massachusetts Cannabis Advisory Board. She is also co-founder of Equitable Opportunities NOW! (EON), a non-profit that has successfully fought for equitable cannabis policies that benefit Black and Brown residents and communities disproportionately harmed by prohibition, as well as mentoring minority business owners entering the industry.

Connect with Shanel 

Visit https://ardentcannabis.com/ and follow her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn @ardentllc

  USE CODE 'SHAYDA' FOR 10% OFF ARDENT DEVICES

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

Key Quote:

“When you're not allowing people to test at home, like wait, just terrible policy, right? And you're also like, you're keeping patients in the dark, but it also benefits corporate operators…it's really important, like, never to suppress the data.” - Shanel Lindsay

 

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

“The best brands are the ones who constantly look at how can they provide value to an individual, whether that's value to a partner, and sometimes that's impossible, right? But your value to a customer is always viable…Value doesn't have to be some gigantic experience.” - Chris Lane

Welcome back to the To Be Blunt podcast! In this episode, Shayda Torabi welcomes Chris Lane, Chief Marketing Officer of Airfield Supply Company, as he shares the systems and processes they employ in bringing value to customers, the landscape of elevated brand building in the industry, and the significance of effective collaboration for better visibility.

 

[00:01 – 05:16] Keep the Dialogue Going and Get Connected

[05:17 – 14:26] Chris’ Story from Working with Multiple Agencies to Brand Building 

[14:27 – 28:13] The Processes to Elevated and Creative Brand Development

[28:14 – 37:09] Tips to Attract Effective Collaborations via Value Creation

[37:10 – 54:08] The Dynamics of Vertical Integration and Bringing Solutions

[54:09 – 01:02:23] The Challenges of E-commerce in the Cannabis Industry

[01:02:24 – 01:04:00] Food for Thought: How do you go for your idea and make a pitch?

 

Chris Lane is the Chief Marketing Officer of Airfield Supply Company, the largest single-site dispensary in California. In this role, Chris is responsible for brand and growth strategy across retail and product businesses. With a background in creative strategy and brand building, Chris focuses on building consumer empathy in brands and driving simultaneous top and bottom funnel growth. Previously, Chris was the Global Head of Brand at Fiverr, also leading agency practices and teams at Method, Bite, WPP, and Edelman.

Connect with Chris 

Visit https://www.airfieldsupplyco.com/ and follow him on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn @airfieldsupply 

 

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

Key Quotes:

“When you have the megaphone, do something of you know, importance, not just for the conversation, but to like, do good with that, too.” - Shayda Torabi

“One of the fun parts about collaborations is you never know what the other side is going to bring to the table or needs you to bring to the table. So, you know, it never hurts to ask.” - Chris Lane

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“I don't think that these [cannabis events] types of events and venues should be considered a free for all just because it's cannabis. It should be taken seriously… Guest interactions with the staff should be looked at as the same level as the bartenders’ responsibility.” - Jenn Tramaglino

Welcome back to the To Be Blunt podcast! In this episode, Shayda Torabi welcomes Jenn Tramaglino, founder and CEO of Cannect Hospitality, to discuss the evolving cannabis hospitality. She shares how it is like to navigate the legalities, the ways to create a safe space, the SOP’s for successful cannabis events, and how these further normalize cannabis creatively.

 

[00:01 – 08:17] Shayda shares the status for the hearing on Delta-8

[08:18– 16:46] Jenn on Transitioning into the Creative Cannabis Hospitality Scene

[16:47 – 26:14] The Effects of Changes of Legislature in Events Hosting

[26:15 – 45:12] SOP’s and the Best Practices for Designing Safe Spaces

[45:13 – 55:35] Putting Together Fun and Memorable Cannabis Events

[55:36 – 58:53] Food for Thought: How do we structure and evolve cannabis events safely?

 

Jenn Tramaglino served as Chief of Staff and Partner, at The Light Group & Clique Hospitality, respectively during 2004-2015. During her time working with these world-renowned food and beverage companies; she developed marketed and operated nightclubs, bars, pools, and restaurants for MGM Resorts, Morgans Hotel Group and Station Casinos. Upon returning from an extended stay living in Amsterdam in 2016, Jenn T. joined the team at national cannabis media powerhouse, DOPE Magazine, to launch their footprint in the Nevada Market. With the passing of legalized adult-use cannabis in 2017, Jenn T. realized there was a need for a bridge between cannabis retail and guest hospitality. This creative spark culminated in the 2018 launch of Cannect Hospitality, a cannabis focused, hospitality development and events company. Guest, staff, and vendor safety is the focus as Cannect Hospitality works to introduce sensible regulations, compliant SOPs and responsible safe practices for the industry. Cannect Hospitality has curated cannabis projects for and with: High Times, DOPE Magazine, Farechild, Women Grow, NORML, NCIA, Cannabition Cannabis Museum, Culture & Cannabis, The Chamber of Cannabis, CBDio, The Cannabis Business Den, The Apothecarium, State Flower, Valhalla, Curaleaf, Select and more.

 

Connect with Jenn

Visit https://www.cannecthospitality.com/ and follow her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn @jenntcannect @cannecthospitality

 

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

Key Quote:

“We're very excited for the future of consumption because it's actually here. The future is now.” - Jenn Tramaglino

 

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LE

RESTART CBD
RESTART CBD is an education first CBD wellness brand shipping nationwide.
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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 have people in our scene now who are motivated not primarily by love of cannabis, but primarily by love of money. And that creates a real conflict, right? Because I think that one of the lessons that cannabis teaches us is to value love over money.” - Steve DeAngelo

Welcome back to the To Be Blunt podcast! In this episode, Shayda Torabi welcomes Steve DeAngelo, to discuss cannabis through the years and the coming future, expound his thoughts on societal changes, and remind us of the essence of the advocacy - promoting love and harmony.

 

[00:01 – 05:20] Hit the Ground Running for 2022

[05:21– 10:04] Heightened Senses and Elevated Spirituality through Cannabis

[10:05 – 19:42] Massive Global Changes in the Cannabis Landscape on the Economy

[19:43 – 37:19]  How Prohibition Causes More Harm - Lack of Quality Control

[37:20 – 47:30] Applying Pressure on America Derived from Global Cannabis Approaches

[47:29 – 01:00:07] Mindful Actions towards Accessibility and ESG Initiatives

[01:00:08 – 01:02:50] Food for Thought: How do you become a better advocate for the plant?

 

Steve DeAngelo is a globally recognized cannabis leader who was dubbed “the father of the legal industry” by former Speaker of the California Assembly Willie Brown. As a lifelong activist, author, educator, investor, and entrepreneur, he has spent more than four decades on the front lines of the cannabis reform movement. His most notable business achievements include co-founding Harborside-one of the first six dispensaries licensed in the United States-now a publicly-traded company on the Canadian Securities Exchange; Steep Hill Laboratory, the first cannabis analytics company; and Arcview Group, the first dedicated cannabis investment network. He is author of The Cannabis Manifesto and an originator of the wellness approach to understanding cannabis. Media projects include the starring role in Weed Wars, produced by the Discovery Channel in 2011; Ask Steve DeAngelo, available on Green-Flower.com; and extensive appearances on CNN, FOX, MSNBC, CNBC, and The New York Times. Steve speaks widely on the topic of justice and believes that a profitable, ethical, politically engaged industry will be the most powerful force in spreading cannabis reform to every corner of the planet. As Founder of the Last Prisoner Project, he will not rest and will not stop until the last cannabis prisoner is free.

Connect with Steve

Visit https://stevedeangelo.com/ and follow him on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn @steve.deangelo

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

Key Quote:

"People who want to get into the cannabis industry, who have hustle, who are willing to work hard, and be entrepreneurial, should not have artificial barriers placed in their way.” - Steve DeAngelo

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

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

“So in my experience, the best way to do that (staying up-to-date) is to just dive headfirst in, read everything you can and figure out what information is relevant through just trial and error.” -  Bryan Fields

Welcome back to the To Be Blunt podcast! In this episode, Shayda Torabi welcomes Bryan Fields and Kellan Finney of 8th Revolution, as they share the inner workings in consolidating the monthly Playbook consisting of up-to-date industry information, using both scientific and business approaches in navigating the cannabis businesses, and how business owners can take advantage of the opportunities out there.

 

[00:01 – 06:56] Looking Back to 2021 on Laws and Events and Looking Forward to 2022

[06:57– 15:08] Bryan and Kellan on Cannabis in a Technological and Scientific Standpoint

[15:09 – 23:00] Bringing Speed, Flexibility, and Problem-Solving to the Market

[23:01 – 35:04] Consolidating the Monthly Playbook and Staying on Top of the Game

[35:05 – 44:54] Multi Facets and Influx of Processes in Navigating the Industry

[44:55 – 01:01:39] The Leading into Celebrity Aspect, Virality, and THCV Production

[01:01:40 – 01”04:03] Food for Thought: How do you unpack the opportunities out there?

 

The 8th Revolution story starts in 2017 at MJBIZCON in Las Vegas—a location where stories usually begin and end. Two ambitious, analytically driven individuals with complementary expertise came together to form an organization geared toward an industry needing a team with a particular set of skills. It was clear then, as it is today, with all the challenges, stigmas, and obstacles, the cannabis and hemp industry have, there is a dire need for experts to shape.

 

We are a team of adaptive, dynamic problem-solvers that can diagnose, analyze, and optimize in real-time to help operators who are struggling with the industry’s obstacles. We began with a few, specific services that has turned into an end-to-end solution. We have added value and provided guidance for our partners across the supply chain. Our role is to do our part to move the industry forward and allow you to continue to operate as we help grow, fix, and optimize all your needs.

 

Connect with Bryan and Kellan

Visit https://8threv.com/ and follow him on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn @thedime_8th

 

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

Key Quotes:

“So what we're really most proud of is that we're fast, action oriented individuals who can diagnose various situations and in cannabis. There's endless challenges and endless obstacles.” -  Bryan Fields

“We just have to be very honest, because every state is so different. And all of those laws are constantly being written in real time.” - Kellan Finney

 

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RESTART CBD is an education first CBD wellness brand shipping nationwide.
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In the beginning of December 2021 my personal instagram account @theshaydatorabi was deactivated from instagram. This was my first time going through a deactivation on a social media platform and to be honest, came abruptly without prior immediate flagging or warning. As a cannabis marketing professional I’ve heard and been warned about the potential inevitability of being censored, shadow banned, and ultimately deactivated…but nevertheless, didn’t let it deter me from continuing to post content. This episode dives into a little but about my personal content creation journey, and how I handled the deactivation to get my account back up and running within 4 days. Unfortunately there isn’t a list of specifics for what you can do to avoid this, but in this conversation I share what you can do to be warned, prepared, and ultimately what to do if you or someone you know is deactivated on instagram to get your account back up and running.

Links to appeal instagram deactivation:

https://help.instagram.com/contact/437908793443074

https://help.instagram.com/contact/1652567838289083

https://help.instagram.com/contact/396169787183059 

https://www.facebook.com/help/contact/606967319425038

Ariana from The WeedTube:

https://tobeblunt.buzzsprout.com/1091003/9627744-077-cannabis-social-media-censorship-and-what-we-can-do-about-it-with-ariana-newton-of-the-weedtube

Lauren from Kush Kards:

https://tobeblunt.buzzsprout.com/1091003/7554316-035-how-to-be-a-boss-ass-female-cannaprenuer-with-lauren-miele-of-kushkards

Miranda Cummings:

https://tobeblunt.buzzsprout.com/1091003/7205221-032-creating-cannabis-experiences-and-what-the-hell-is-going-on-in-oklahoma-with-miranda-cummings

Alice Moon:

https://tobeblunt.buzzsprout.com/1091003/7855798-037-securing-publicity-and-pr-for-your-cannabis-brand-with-alice-moon

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

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