Kristina Neoushoff, CEO of Women Grow, believes a focus on professionalism and compliance with regulation will prepare the cannabis industry for federal legalization.

“Women Grow was created to connect, educate, inspire and empower the next generation of cannabis industry leaders by creating programs, community and events for aspiring and current business executives,” according to its mission statement.

The membership-based organization hosts signature networking events in over 20 cannabis business markets, as well as an annual summit. The Annual Leadership Summit features Ted Talk-style ‘Lightning Talks’ from cannabis industry leaders – this year’s summit will be February 1-2 in Denver.

Women Grow aims to maintain high standards for the cannabis industry, and provide comfortable space for mentors and entrepreneurs. “We want to create an environment where we have adhered to a professional code of conduct,” Kristina said.

Raised in New Jersey, Kristina joined Women Grow in 2015 as Director of Operations. She talked about the current climate for women in the cannabis industry with Cashinbis.

In what parts of the cannabis industry are you seeing more entrepreneurs?

Over the past six months there’s been a push for ancillary businesses – like marketing. If you go online and search for cannabis or marijuana, you get a lot of imagery that isn’t really modern, so marketing companies are starting to address that need for businesses. A lot of that imagery isn’t really appealing to us as women, either. So it’s ‘ Instead of an image of a woman with cannabis strategically placed on her body, let’s come up with something new.’

In what markets are you seeing the most participation and growth among members?

There’s a lot of activity in California, in Boston, New Jersey and in our seaboard states. New York has been active since 2014 and it’s doing remarkably well. Ann Arbor, MI is actually a consistent and active market. Dori and Allison have been running it very well. That’s a great example of our Market Leader program: for strong individuals and strong personal brands, we’ll help you become known as an expert in your market to help your company.

Our leaders are providing education in their communities by bringing thoughtful, knowledgeable speakers to their events. If they hear about an issue that a lot of people are coming across, they’ll appeal to those topics right away.

What are the challenges you and your peers at Women Grow are facing, state to state?

Banking and business loans are still challenges to companies in different stages. People come to us with questions on just opening a bank account. They want to know, ‘What investors should I partner with?’

For regulation and compliance, it’s important that we’re using the right resources. Canadian business owners we work with stress compliance, and it’s important that we do that in the states as well.

We’ll already be operating at such a high standard for federal legalization. When that happens, the companies that didn’t hold to those standards will go awry.

What’s the current climate for women in the cannabis industry?

From the last stats provided by Marijuana Business Daily, 86 percent of executives in the cannabis industry are women. WomenGrow just did a cannabis study and we’ll be pushing out a report in October, seeing where women are today. We had a larger sample [than the Marijuana Business Daily study] over state lines. We’re interested in diversity.

It’s tough being a woman regardless of the industry you’re in. I like to know what’s coming, plan ahead and look at all the angles. Women are natural planners. It’s hard to do that in an industry where a bill could pass and things would be very different for all of us.

I think women need to be comfortable taking leadership roles and get involved. If you never raise your hand or take a step, you miss out. I’d rather get a few years experience in this industry than miss out on what we’re trying to do.

Women are going to make or break this industry, and I’d prefer that we make it.

What have been some standout speakers at your Annual Summit’s Lightning Talks?

When June Sullivan came out dressed as superwoman, that was memorable. Renee Gagnon – the first trans CEO, was such an interesting story to hear, about her evolution from the first year she spoke. She’s coming back in 2018. I’ve really enjoyed the stories of successful failures: to see women so strong and powerful stand up on stage and share really personal stories of mistakes they’ve made. It’s such an inspiring experience.

How does WomenGrow foster professional connections?

We’ve got really strong leaders in our group. They tend to be benevolent, looking for people to mentor and help them learn from their mistakes. Then we have people new to the space, who have a lot of questions. We’re working hard to provide leaders on both levels.

I’m very passionate about life-long learning. We’re focusing on going to cornerstone members and leaning on them to provide in the community. We need leaders in investment, social media, human resources and insurance.

What do you personally want to learn more about?

The regulations, especially between states – it’s so changeable, especially going from one state to another. I can’t cross state lines with my tincture. For me, in New Jersey – I want to know what bills are out there and what’s going to impact me. Professionally and personally, I want to learn more about the political angle.

The post Women Grow CEO Kristina Neoushoff: Professional Standards for the Cannabis Industry appeared first on .

Jim McAlpine, Founder of The 420 Games & Co-Founder of New West Summit

Jim McAlpine, a 20+ year entrepreneur in the ski and snowboard industry, was hit hard by the California drought and the lack of snowfall that came with it. Also a husband and dad to 3 and 6 year old girls, he knew he had to pivot quickly and find a new niche as a businessman. He turned to cannabis, something that he had enjoyed for much of his life, and fused that interest with his professional skills in large-scale event planning.

Now, Jim is the President and Founder of The 420 Games, a traveling sporting event series that invites athletic cannabis consumers to have fun, compete, and raise awareness of just how responsible and active the cannabis community can be. Events were organized in Lake Tahoe, San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park and Santa Monica during 2015, and he’s already planning tours through California, Colorado, and Oregon for 2016. With sponsors like Weedmaps, Eaze, O.PenVape, and Harborside Health Center, The 420 Games events will definitely be a big part of the community in the coming years.

The 420 Games

In late November of this year, Jim will be trying his hand at a new kind of event: The New West Summit in San Francisco. This B2B trade show, Nov. 20-21, will showcase the very best of technology, media, and innovation in the cannabis industry, similar to what TechCrunch Disrupt has done for the mainstream tech community. Read Jim’s story and get inside the mind of this masterful event planner and cannabis entrepreneur.

What made you choose to join the cannabis industry?
Two things really. My long-term companies in the ski industry I had run for 18 years were suffering due to a severe lack of snow, so the writing was on the wall, and it was time to start something in a new field. Also, I have been a lifelong cannabis supporter and have used cannabis to help better my life in many facets. The ability to help others realize that cannabis can help them was a driving factor to jump into this industry.

What skills from your previous experience helped you in your new venture?
As I came into this industry, I looked at what my past strengths in the ski industry had been. I was very strong in putting on events and had a lot of success in that realm, so I decided to look at creating some type of event series in the cannabis world.

When did you realize the ‘green rush’ was coming?
I saw that it was coming well before I decided to jump into the industry. I had been following it for a few years. Actually, it was a blessing in disguise that the ski industry was in such a lull, as I probably would not have jumped over if things had still been going really well for my snow companies.

Specifically, how are you impacting the cannabis industry?
What we are doing is very unique. Instead of using words, we are using athleticism to show the world cannabis users are not stupid, lazy or “stoners.” It has struck a chord with many who share similar lifestyle values and goals. Through our events, we are allowing many people who would otherwise not feel comfortable coming out and saying they are a cannabis user, to do so in an environment that is safe, secure, and supportive.

A very important part of The 420 Games is that we strive to teach youth to abstain from using cannabis until they are old enough mentally and physically to do so. Instead of preaching to them “JUST SAY NO,” we use the fact that a developing athletes body and mind can be stunted by cannabis use and it is best to wait till you are at least 18 to consider it.

Who do you consider your role model or mentor? Why and how did this person impact your life?
My younger sister. She taught me a lot. It may sound strange, but my younger sister has always been someone I admired. She has taught me how to be nice and good to people. Probably one of the most important qualities in a human.

Tell me about an esteemed achievement of yours.
I once rented out AT&T Park in San Francisco to put on a big ski and snowboard event. Being a lifetime baseball player and fan, it was an amazing day for me personally to be able to actually rent the ballpark that the San Francisco Giants played. I also conquered the swim from Alcatraz while on cannabis.

How would you advise someone who wants to get his or her start in the industry?
JUST DO IT. You need to be all in – you can’t be scared of judgement, or want to do it on your terms. You must embrace that cannabis is a good thing and come fully out of the closet.

What inspires you? Where do your great ideas come from?
My daughters and my wife. I love being with my family. I work too hard, but I do it so I can give them a great life. And that makes me feel good. Family is the most important thing in my life.

What are you doing to ensure you continue to grow and develop as a leader in this space?
I make sure I always follow the mission statement of The 420 Games, and use cannabis in healthy, active and responsible ways in order to be a role model for others.

A year from now, how do you think our conversation about the ‘green rush’ will be going?
Ha, ha, ha…. We’ll be laughing and giving each other high fives for being smart enough and having the “balls” to be part of it. And reaping the rewards as well.

The post Jim McAlpine: Showcasing A New Kind of Cannabis Consumer appeared first on .

Christine Ianuzzi – Managing Partner of Leading Edge Expositions

In January 2015, Christine Ianuzzi joined three of her siblings as a managing partner of H.A. Bruno, LLC, an event planning firm that has operated all over the world since its inception back in 1923. H.A. Bruno (HAB) currently produces eight events in four countries, covering six industries, with offices in Paramus, NJ, Mexico City, and London. Founded as a public relations firm, HAB grew through the 1970s into a leader in the global tradeshow industry. With the introduction of the microcomputer for business in the early 1980s, HAB, then under the management of the Ianuzzi family, had the foresight to launch PC EXPO in New York, as the first “business to business” event for volume buyers of PCs and technology providers. PC EXPO quickly became the launching pad for some of the most important technological advancements of the time and generated billions of dollars in sales for hardware and software companies. Their newest pioneering events are the Cannabis World Congress & Business Expositions, produced by Leading Edge Expositions, a sub-division of HAB. Christine recently took some time to sit down with us and share her fantastic journey that led her to entrepreneurial success.

What brought you into the cannabis industry?

I joined my family trade show business this past January.  The year before I joined, my brothers had an idea to create a new trade event, one that would serve the emerging legalized cannabis industry. They recruited me to implement that idea. So, in January 2015, I was thrust into the “wild west” style marketplace of the cannabis industry, creating a trade show from the ground up. Leading Edge Expositions, a subdivision of H.A. Bruno, is the perfect and most experienced company to navigate and produce the pioneering Cannabis World Congress & Business Expositions (CWCBExpo). Our experience and reputation as trade show managers and business professionals offered a logical partnership with the International Cannabis Association. Combined with its publication, Cannabis Enterprise, CWCBExpo offers a very comprehensive approach to creating business-to-business forums for the legal cannabis business.

What were you doing before?

My journey to HAB was a long one. I began my career in 1987 as a systems engineer at ABC Television. I loved that job. I was assigned to work at the Advanced Television Test Center in Virginia to test HDTV standards, and worked my way up through numerous technical and operational executive positions until 2000, when I moved to ABC Radio as Senior Vice President of Broadcasting Technology. At ABC Radio, I was a key executive during the transition of ABC Radio Networks to Citadel Broadcasting. I was restructuring and realigning the company in a rapidly changing industry.

I love working with my family and making history with them at the same time.

After radio, I went to HBO as Vice President of Studio & Production Operations, where I managed the transition from tape to digital media – no small task in a premier content production company! And it was during the aftermath of the earthquake in Japan that caused a media tape shortage throughout the media industry. I ultimately became the VP of Media Supply Chain Operations and dealt with workflow analysis, metadata, and content management.

In describing my career, I guess you could say I am a “transition leader and specialist.” In addition to the transitions in my working career, I was part of the Polytechinic University merger with New York University, as president of the Alumni Association from 2009-2011. I now serve as a Trustee on the NYU Poly Board.

In all my executive positions, I can say I never stopped being an engineer. I got my Electrical Engineering degree from Poly in 1987, my Master’s Degree in Information Systems Technology from Poly in 1994, and an MBA from Baruch College in 1996. I attribute my engineering training coupled with a willingness to embrace changing trends to my exciting career. My newest venture, creating and managing cannabis trade shows as the leader of Leading Edge Expositions, is perhaps my most exciting career move yet. I love working with my family and making history with them at the same time.

After our father passed away in 2013, the family grew much closer together and my brothers offered me a position in the firm to manage the new launch of the CWCBExpo. I was thrilled and humbled, and I accepted – but with caution, since for me, it was going to be a new business and working environment.  

When did you realize the coming of the ‘green rush’?

My brothers, Ralph and Stephen, had the idea that we should build an exposition around the legalized cannabis industry. They had researched the concept for a long time and invested in a lot of R&D prior to making the decision to launch these events. They realized that there was no major event on either the East or West Coast that offered a true business-to-business forum for the legalized cannabis business. As a pair of expos, launching these in the manner our family business had always launched trade shows was a no-brainer.

Right now, what is your biggest focus with the CWCBExpo?

I am focused entirely on building and developing CWCBExpo to be the best possible expositions and forums for the legalized cannabis industry. I am networking and building relationships with other pioneers (entrepreneurs, organizations, consultants, and medical groups) that will help provide this industry with a professional forum to go to as well as the educational resources it needs as the industry grows, melds with the mainstream, and matures.

As a pair of expos, launching these in the manner our family business had always launched trade shows was a no-brainer.

Describe your work ethic in one word.

Inclusionary

Who is a person that you consider as a role model? Maybe someone who has been a mentor to you? Why and how did this person impact your life?

I have several role models in my life. Among them are members of my family – my parents, brothers, and my sister. I rely on them for guidance and advice, especially while I am building our new expositions around the legalized cannabis industry. With every question I have about this business, their guidance and advice are like tutoring sessions that I benefit from every day. It is tough to beat their business acumen and decades of experience.

What book have you read that you’ve been inspired by? Any particular read we should put on our list?

I am always inspired by books about leadership. One of the most memorable books that I read is Joe Torre’s “Ground Rules for Winners”. I have a signed copy of this book that I waited in line for when I worked at ABC Television. I am a huge baseball fan – both major league and minor league. Baseball is a game that requires great skill from the players and great strategy and leadership among the owners and coaches. Business is the same way. A successful business needs a team with skills, strategy and leadership.  

Another great book and a must read is “Little Bets” by Peter Sims. This is about innovative ideas, risk, successes, failures and the ability to overcome what may not have worked 100%, to keep trying and build on everything – the good, the bad, the successes, the failures.  

Tell me about an esteemed achievement of yours.

I joined the family business and we all get along!   

What’s the best advice you’ve ever gotten?

My father gave me three pieces of the best advice I ever heard:  

1. Sometimes in life, people need a little help, so you have to help them. There is nothing wrong with that.
2. Answer every message and return every phone call.
3. Don’t ever own a boat.

What is the most important thing for us to know now about the legal cannabis industry?

It won’t be much longer until the legalized cannabis industry will be a big part of mainstream business and investment. The legalized medical use in numerous states and DC has driven awareness of the necessity for legal access and legitimate distribution of cannabis. We are at a very important point for federal consideration to legalize this industry on a multitude of levels. The federal laws must recognize this important next step to legalize it in all 50 states so this business can become (sooner than later), a positive and non-intimidating business.

After our father passed away in 2013, the family grew much closer together and my brothers offered me a position in the firm to manage the new launch of the CWCBExpo.

If we are sitting across from each other a year from now, how will our conversation about the ‘green rush’ be going?

We would probably be discussing how many new companies, services and employment opportunities around the legalized cannabis business have emerged. In addition, more than likely we will be discussing how many more states have passed cannabis laws legalizing it for medical use and or recreational use. Lastly, I would hope that we would be discussing how the mainstream financial community is investing in the legalized cannabis business.

The legalized medical use in numerous states and DC has driven awareness of the necessity for legal access and legitimate distribution of cannabis.

If you could tell a skeptic one thing about this industry to make them change their mind, what would it be?

I would direct them to the many benefits that medical use cannabis has, and how it has helped many who suffer from conditions like head trauma, epilepsy and unexplained seizures. Medical cannabis actually allows them to lead a better and normal life. I would also assert that legalization for recreational use actually gives way to the opportunity for better control and safer use.

Tell us something that you wish you had known before becoming a cannabis entrepreneur.

I’m not a cannabis entrepreneur, but I am a trade show entrepreneur that is providing a forum for the legal cannabis business person. The legalized cannabis industry is so young that I truly think there is nothing I can think of that I wish I had known prior to creating expositions for the legalized cannabis industry. Every day is something new so if I start to regret not knowing something sooner, I would have a lot to rue.

We are at a very important point for federal consideration to legalize this industry on a multitude of levels.

Anything else you would like to share with our readers?

Our exposition in NYC was a success and our LA expo will be a success too. I want to applaud and thank all of our exhibitors and attendees – they are very professional, impressive and very brave to pioneer this new frontier. I am glad we are working and growing together.

To find out more about the CWCBE, click here. What do you think about Christine’s journey as an entrepreneur? How do you think her history outside the cannabis space helps the industry as a whole? Join the conversation and comment below!

The post Christine Ianuzzi: Raising The Bar For Cannabis Expositions appeared first on .

Tiffany Bowden – Chief Happiness Officer at ComfyTree

Tiffany Bowden might be the exact opposite of someone you would expect to see in the cannabis industry. A PhD candidate at the University of Illinois, she is also the Chief Happiness Officer at ComfyTree, a business that specializes in educating future or current cannabis industry professionals. Despite not being a cannabis user, Tiffany became tired of seeing the industry marginalized by mainstream media, who clearly were not representing the true value of the cannabis community. She set out to inspire change, using her skill set to help illuminate truths in the industry like; cannabis is medicine for many people, is recreationally safer than alcohol, and that entrepreneurs should all have an equal chance to participate in the significant amount of opportunity in the industry. Tiffany felt shut out of the industry and ComfyTree was created to help, not only herself, but all those who hoped to enter the cannabis space. Thankfully, she didn’t shut us out either as she recently spent some time to talk about her journey into the cannabis industry.

What was the deciding factor for you to join this particular industry?

One of the biggest reasons I joined the industry stems from when I saw, first hand, the medical impact cannabis could have on someone suffering a debilitating disease. I watched my father go from medicating with very harsh and addictive prescription painkillers, prescribed by his doctors, to using medical cannabis. I was amazed at how it could allow him to manage his symptoms and still maintain a functional life. He wasn’t walking around like a zombie, much in the way you see patients react when they are doped up on pharmaceuticals. Eventually he lost his ability to obtain cannabis when his friend passed away and he was forced to return to the debilitating prescription drug cycle. When my father passed away I took it upon myself to use my background within communications, media, advertising, to be able to shed some light on what’s really going on in this industry.

As for myself, I don’t have any background as a cannabis consumer, medically or recreationally. I think that is one of the largest misconceptions that people outside the industry have; that in order to advocate for the industry or the cause, you yourself must therefore be a recreational user. Outsiders who are uneducated as to the cannabis industry still think those who do business in the cannabis space are ‘just a bunch of potheads trying to get access to marijuana’. I am one obvious example of how that stereotype is no longer the case. I’m a PhD candidate at the University of Illinois. I could have pursued countless other business opportunities but I chose to dedicate myself to this industry because I believe very much in it.

Outsiders who are uneducated as to the cannabis industry still think those who do business in the cannabis space are ‘just a bunch of potheads trying to get access to marijuana’. I am one obvious example of how that stereotype is no longer the case.   

What were you doing before Comfy Tree?

Before ComfyTree I was working with an advertising agency as well as a marketing firm. They were companies much like Procter & Gamble or Barefoot Proximity. Fast forward to now and I’m currently a PhD candidate at the University of Illinois, focusing on communication research. Although I spend most of my time looking at the cannabis industry, I also specialize in consumer insights, media representation, as well as intersections between marketing and advertising.

Tell me about the point in the time you realized the coming of the ‘green rush’?

I actually discovered the green rush when I was in Illinois for my PhD program. The laws in Illinois certainly weren’t helping people who wanted to enter the cannabis industry, so we focused our energy on opening our own dispensary and doing what we could to help others. We adopted a ‘Let’s help ourselves by helping others’ mentality. For us, the best way to do that was through access to education. So we decided to start putting together affordable, educational seminars. Instead of charging a small group an egregious amount of money to talk to one expert, we reached out to multiple experts that we could put in front of people for a fraction of the cost.    

It doesn’t matter to me if you are a student, minority, female or a member of the middle class, I want to create an industry that works for everyone.

The moment we knew that ComfyTree was something special was on the night of our first event. We had over 115 people in attendance, including a US Senator, reporters and we even made the news that night. We looked at each other, looked at the event, the media coverage, and thought ‘Wow. We’re actually on to something here’. There are so many people out there that want to get into this industry. The fact that we are able to help them, however we can, is something incredible to me.

Right now, where are you guiding your passion and energy?

I am very passionate when it comes to helping people gain access to cannabis, especially those people who otherwise would not be able to. It doesn’t matter to me if you are a student, minority, female or a member of the middle class, I want to create an industry that works for everyone. That’s what ComfyTree is all about. In addition, I recently contributed to the creation of the Minority Cannabis Business Association. We’re constantly coming up with new and innovative ways to create more inclusion in the industry.

In fact, we recently staffed a sign language interpreter for one of our latest events in Washington DC. The interpreter was so well received that, since the event, we have seen a ton of interest from the deaf community. They want to start attending our events, especially now that we have provided them with a vessel to make that experience possible. Additionally, the spanish speaking community has reached out to us as well, asking for an interpreter at future events. Whether it’s working to include interpreters or bringing in students who otherwise couldn’t afford an event like this, for us to be able to provide support for this community is something we take great pride in.

ComfyTree, in a sense, is built on two parts. One part advocacy and one part business. We help ourselves by helping others. My passion goes towards that and it continues to fuel our energy.

Describe your work ethic to me in one word.

Relentless

Who is a person that you consider as a role model? Maybe someone who has been a mentor to you? Why and how did this person impact your life?

My father.

My father had a big impact on me because he was a fighter. For decades, he suffered from kidney failure but he just kept on fighting. Even through the times where he was very tired and it seemed like there was no end in sight. He fought all the way to the end and tried to keep a very positive spirit, even when it seemed like there was nothing to smile about or be positive about. He is frequently my muse and my point of reference when I feel like, “Why am I doing this? I feel like giving up. Why am I here?” He is frequently the beacon of light that guides my ship.

Tell me about an esteemed achievement of yours.

Launching ComfyTree is something that I am very proud of because it’s something that was built from the desire to help other people. Instead of a competitive, winner take all mentality, ComfyTree was and is more spiritually based on the idea of abundance; the principle that if we help others, others will help us. If we give more, we will get more in return. Even though some people say the cannabis industry is capitalistic and cut throat at times, we have created a space that is built on inclusion and community but it is still profitable. We are striving to create and industry that works for everyone and I am very proud of it.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever gotten?

Follow your heart.

‘Follow your heart’ is probably the best advice that I’ve gotten. We all find ourselves in those moments where feel what your gut is saying versus what your brain is thinking. It goes all the way back to when you were a kid and you’re taking a multiple-choice test. You have an inkling of what you’re supposed to do and you mark down the right answer but then you go back and you second-guess yourself. Invariably you put the wrong answer the second time around.

I find that when I trust my gut and I go with that what feels right, it usually ends up being right.

I find that when I trust my gut and I go with that what feels right, it usually ends up being right. For me, there is something that’s actually connected there. Something that actually communicates with you in terms of the way that you should go. And that’s the way that we operate with ComfyTree is that we don’t always have the right answers. We don’t always know the best thing to do. But we just trust our gut and go with it. I think that the people who interact with us can sense that.

We treat everybody as human beings. Everybody is important whether you’re a customer who came to our free CannaBazaar, somebody who has paid for the all-inclusive package or a sponsor that is headlining the whole thing. You’re going to get an experience with someone who values you as a human being, because we feel that that’s the right thing to do.

What is the most important thing for us to know now about the legal marijuana industry?

I think we need to shift our collective focus in terms of how we are going about the process of legalization. A lot of the reporters kind of keep asking redundant questions like, ‘Do people think that marijuana should be legal or not, yes and no’. Inevitably and routinely people will always say yes, we should legalize it. It may be by a wide margin or a narrow one, but the stats are remaining steady and the answer is always a resounding yes. Well then the kind of question remains, well why hasn’t it happened yet?

We need to shift our collective focus in terms of how we are going about the process of legalization.

I believe that legalization hasn’t happened yet because we are asking the wrong question. We’re thinking on the wrong level. The question isn’t ‘should we legalize?’ but ‘how do we legalize?’. How should we go about the process? When you ask that question, it gets a little more complicated because people are a bit fragmented on the execution. Should we do CBD only legislation? Should we do 18 and older adult use? How about 21 and older adult use or medical marijuana only? That’s where stuff starts to get sticky and the devil is in the details in that sense.

I would say to people that legalization is coming. It’s just a question of what kind of legalization is coming and when. Those are the things that we need to be paying more attention to. People need to take the time to understand the different kinds of measures that are on the table. Just because a bill says ‘medical marijuana bill’ or ‘legalization bill’ doesn’t mean that all bills are created equally. Some of them are not necessarily created with the consumer’s best interest in mind. People need to take the time to dissect these bills so they can be fully aware of exactly what they are voting for. The last thing this movement needs is to hurriedly pass legislation because of the excitement and novelty of the industry.

If we are sitting across from each other a year from now, how will our conversation about the ‘green rush’ be going?

The conversation about the green rush will be going like;

“Hey, look I told you. Look at all of these people who have been able to get involved in the industry. I’m glad that we and other organizations were able to get in front of the legalization curve to where we can create some diversity in the industry. We’ve got women, minorities and small businesses all intersecting at the same level with your blue chip cannabis companies like Dixie Elixirs and Harborside. It is that amazing.”

By bringing attention to these issues and supporting growth in the industry, we are working to create a more positive trajectory for the cannabis community as a whole.

That is the conversation that I would like to be having. By bringing attention to these issues and supporting growth in the industry, we are working to create a more positive trajectory for the cannabis community as a whole. People are waking up to the industry, educating themselves and discovering that they want to be apart of everything. For those reasons, they are going to start paying attention to all the different legislation that is going to make that possible.

What do you think about ComfyTree’s concept? How do you see the industry shifting over the next year? Join the conversation and comment below!

The post Tiffany Bowden: Creating A Cannabis Industry For Everyone appeared first on .

Nick Phillips – Editor and Chief of MarijuanaTimes.org

Nick Phillips, the Editor and Chief of MarijuanaTimes.org, spent a good part of his early professional career working under the bright lights of Hollywood’s movie business. After years of rubbing elbows with celebrities and directors, Nick left the hustle and bustle of the Hollywood life behind to enter the marketing world. Eight years later, Nick is the Editor and Chief of the newly formed MarijuanaTimes.org, an online publication aimed at the positive portrayal of the cannabis industry, while maintaining a level of objectivity that few others are providing in the space. MarijuanaTimes.org aims to fill a void in the reporting of the cannabis industry by providing a voice where there previously was none. Just how exactly do they plan on accomplishing that goal? How did Nick Phillips get to where he is today? Well, we sat down with Nick to ask him all about it.

What was the deciding factor for you to enter the cannabis industry?

It was a pretty easy decision for me. We put this project, MarijuanaTimes.org together as a way to try to enter the media scene. Our founders, CEO Dr. David Toomey, COO Matthew Mills and our Med-X, Inc. Board of Directors came together and said to me, “Let’s build a digital magazine as part of our business model. I said, “Sounds exciting, I can start working and building this immediately”.

What were you doing before starting Marijuana Times?

Before starting with Med-X, Inc., our sister company Pacific Shore Holdings, Inc. and developing the Marijuana Times platform, I worked in the Hollywood movie business in a number of different capacities. After that I transitioned into a marketing career if you will. I have been in the digital marketing space for the past 8 years. I’m still doing a lot of that stuff too.

I’m the Editor and Chief of this particular media project, but I’m also still marketing a number of other digital platforms daily. I do digital marketing for consumer product goods and B2B, in addition to a good amount of creative, digital content. We do a lot of packaging projects as well. Essentially, I come from a background of digital marketing and digital creative.

I’ve had the good fortune to have been around big celebrities like Al Pacino, Robert De Niro and Arnold Schwarzenegger, just to name a few.  

What were some of the things that you were doing out in Hollywood?

I was working on movies, TV shows, commercials, music videos and all sorts of other, more traditional productions. I used to help run one of the studios in Culver City and then I later worked for another studio in Hollywood. In that capacity, I was running the sound stages and equipment department.  All of the equipment that was being used on big movies, TV shows and commercials came through our department. Through that experience, I got to know and work with a lot of big producers, crew members and talent. I worked in that business for a long time, eventually I got sick of it and moved on to the next stage of my life.

Do you have a favorite story? Did you ever get to meet anyone that resonated with you?

The projects that resonated most with me would have to be the music videos. We worked on so many music videos with different rap artists, like Kanye West and Snoop Dogg. Those guys pretty much had free reign to do whatever they wanted, which made for an interesting experience each time out. Some of them would party and carry on until all hours in the night. No matter what, anytime you work a music video, you’re looking at a 30-hour day. Outside of the music business, I’ve had the good fortune to have been around big celebrities like Al Pacino, Robert De Niro and Arnold Schwarzenegger, just to name a few.  

Is there a celebrity that you met that was nicer than you expected?

I’ve met a good amount of professional athletes that I thought might big league me, but most of them turned out to be super nice surprisingly. For example, we were shooting a big commercial for Adidas and the power ended up going out. We had celebrity athletes like Dwight Howard, Josh Smith and a couple other big Adidas guys at the time. When the power went out in the studio, everyone ended up going out to the street parking lot because it was so hot. It was about 95 degrees out, as it was the middle of summer in LA, so the sound stages were just boiling.

These athletes decided they were going to have races on the golf carts.

These athletes decided they were going to have races on the golf carts. It was great. You see all these high profile celebs racing down the street in golf carts trying to kill time. I always thought it was pretty funny how they all just acted like big kids. They were all so friendly and nice. Every single one of them was genuinely cool.

Can you tell me about the point where you realized that the green rush was coming?

Personally, I’ve always believed that it was simply a matter of time before culture forced this change to happen. However, it wasn’t until I was older and increased my business knowledge that I was able to fully understand the complexity of the situation and why it takes so long for systems like this to change. Over the past few years, I have especially noticed the strides being made by states like Colorado and Washington; they are truly embracing the lifestyle and making that recreational leap. Given these examples coupled with the company we keep here at Med-X, Inc., I fully believe that a more widespread acceptance and legalization of cannabis is going to come fast.

Where are you guiding your passion and energy? When you wake up, what are you doing all day?

I typically get my day started by doing a bit of reading so as to stay on top of what’s going on in and out of the industry. I usually have meetings with my management team and content contributors as well as attending to other creative staff to go over what the daily routine is going to be. Then we highlight various ideas or projects, creating storyboards when needed or just brainstorm new ideas and how to execute.

That usually encompasses the first part of my day. After lunch I get in my personal heavy lifting as far as managerial duties; reports, analytics and other responsibilities. Then at the end of the day I try to have a little bit of fun with the team. Overall, we just have fun with this whole thing. It’s great subject matter and a very interesting industry. Everyone working on the project is super-passionate about the cannabis industry, as well as our mission as a group. We have a lot of laughs and really it’s been a lot of fun so far.

The most important thing people need to realize is that it’s not going away. It’s not going to go in the other direction. Cannabis is only going to be talked about more, studied more, researched more and covered more in the media.

Where does your passion come from? What drives you every day?

In general, I’m a content person to the core. I’m very interested in a lot of things, not just this particular green rush or the whole cannabis push. For me, I’m a reader and a knowledge-based person, so my inspiration on this particular subject matter comes from two main things. Number one, I think there’s a lack of content out there. Number two, my inspiration comes from those people who are just so much more passionate about cannabis than even I am.  Working with them and listening to their ideas gets me all fired up.

These people constantly come up with new ideas and really want to get out there and have their finger on the pulse of the industry. That’s where my passion comes from. The added bonus is seeing the final project come together. Seeing that people are actually reading it and interacting on social media. That combination fuels the fire.

What’s the overall vision for Marijuana Times?

Our overall vision is to represent the industry in a pro-cannabis light while being as objective as we possibly can. Ideally, we want to cover all sides of the industry and use it as a tool to add a voice where, in our opinion, there’s a voice lacking. We are covering stories and ideas that we think are important to the cannabis community, allowing us to help in the war of information against all the negative pressures surrounding cannabis. We feel that, by being our own publisher, we can not only have our own voice but also offer a vessel for others to share their positive message. Controlling our own content affords us the chance to keep that information and media aimed in the direction that we think most benefits the industry.

What’s your target demographic? Who are you trying to reach with these stories?

Right now, our goal is simply to reach people who want more information on the subject matter. There are so many different angles that we cover, everything from news, legislation, and science to technology and culture. Additionally, we will also have some video projects in the works.

Our main demo is a reader who is interested in learning more about medical cannabis or the cannabis industry in general.

People are finding us because they’re looking for the specific topics that we are talking about. They stumble across the website and are sharing it on social media. We truly are covering a wide range of people and information, but our main demo is a reader who is interested in learning more about medical cannabis or the cannabis industry in general.

If you were in a room with other digital publications and you needed to explain your angle and why people would go to Marijuana Times to get their information as opposed to some other new source in the space, what would your pitch be?

We are a very objective source for cannabis information, mixed with a little bit of op-ed to try and get some really hard hitting, interesting conversations started. As we develop further, the quality of the content is only going to increase. As that happens, my goal is to make Marijuana Times the hardest hitting, edgiest and most interesting content you can find on the subject matter. For the time being, especially while we are in the growing stages, we are more focused on pumping up the content to spread the word.

What is the best advice you’ve ever received?

Don’t be lazy.

I’ve been given lots of advice over the years. For me, all that information has morphed into the advice that I tend to give other people. The number one piece of advice I give out, when people ask me for it, is ‘Don’t be lazy.’ That is especially important in this business, as well as in digital marketing, social media, content creation and video production. You have to put in the work, and sometimes it is a lot of work.

The second bit of advice I like to give out is to be patient because this business is a marathon. In this digital age, we tend to think that stuff happens overnight, but it just doesn’t. You really have to be willing to work and put that time in. You have to put your head down and outlast the other person.

How do think your diverse background has helped you develop Marijuana Times?

My background has helped me be able to feel more confident. Knowing a little bit about everything allows you to get the respect from your employees, peers and other people in the business. I’ve been doing this long enough that I feel like it doesn’t really matter who I am talking to or what I’m strategizing about. I feel like we’re right there with anybody. Our management’s extensive background adds a level of confidence that you can properly cover and market any project, idea, subject matter or topic.

Can you suggest a book that our readers can benefit from reading?

‘The Thank You Economy’ – by Gary Vaynerchuk

Gary does a great job breaking down why social media and quality content is important, even older demographics can fully understand what he is talking about. He really breaks down what’s happening in the digital landscape and shares his ideas on customers. He’s become very successful because of this book and it would be an excellent read for anyone who wants to learn about marketing and the digital space.

How would you describe your work ethic in one word?

Busy!

I guess it’s not that exciting of a word, but I mainly just try to do a good job, work my butt off and stay on track. It’s easy to get derailed and thrown off track these days.

Who is the person that you would consider a role model like a mentor? How have they impacted you?

When it comes to digital, I have a handful of people that have been influential. I have a family member who helped me get into this part of the business. Years ago, we started a company that helped other small businesses with their digital presence, SEO and content creation. This was back in the day when Google’s organic SEO was different than it is today. That family member was very influential.

From a content perspective as far as the mentor goes, I follow a lot of people and I read a lot. Shane Smith, from Vice, is doing great work with digital content, digital media and news. I think he is an amazing person. Vice is a business that I look up to as far as going up against the giants, being a game changer and dominating competitors in a space that no one thought was possible.

One thing that I’m proud of is that all of the companies I have worked with have been able to grow and become successful. That has led me to feel really good about what I do.

I enjoy people like Shane or Elon Musk, for example, who are constantly being told what they can’t do it, but they chose to enter the market their own way, with their own flair. They have not only survived, they have flourished.

Those are the kind of stories and the kind of people that I follow on a regular everyday basis. I listen to them because, if you’re going to go into publishing or content, you’re going to go up against a gazillion other publishers. You really have to have a unique perspective and unique vision and I think Shane and Elon are good examples of that these days.

If you could go back in time 10 years ago to a younger version of yourself, what would you tell him that would make him a more successful entrepreneur today?

Even when I was younger, I was a visionary. I would probably tell myself to relax a little bit. I was pretty gung-ho in the movie business 10 years ago. On the flip side of that, I had already started my own business at that age, so there isn’t too much I would have changed. I’m not the type of person who looks back and thinks about what they could have done differently.

Can you tell us about an esteemed achievement of yours? What’s something that you’re very proud of?

One thing that I’m proud of is that all of the companies I have worked with have been able to grow and become successful. That has led me to feel really good about what I do.

If I had to name one specific instance that sticks out, I would probably mention a promotion I put together for one of our companies on Twitter. The campaign went viral, blew up and crashed the Twitter account. That was a fun accomplishment.

We had to shut down our servers and our Twitter account because it got overrun with traffic.

My boss looked at me and said, “I wanted you to make it go crazy but I didn’t know you’d make it go that crazy.” We had to shut down our servers and our Twitter account because it got overrun with traffic.

What do you think the most important thing is for the general public to know now about the legal cannabis industry?

The most important thing people need to realize is that it’s not going away. It’s not going to go in the other direction. Cannabis is only going to be talked about more, studied more, researched more and covered more in the media. I think that acceptance and understanding is probably most important right now. People need to know that the rescheduling of cannabis is going to happen. Let’s accept it and move on.

I fully believe that a more widespread acceptance and legalization of cannabis is going to come fast.

Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?

If you have a great story to tell or interesting topics to share, reach out and get in touch with us. We are always looking to expand our coverage and hear what the cannabis community has to say. Like I said, one of the services we want to provide the cannabis industry is a vessel for others to share their story.

Do you have a story you would like to share with MarijuanaTimes.org? What do you think about their new online platform? Join the conversation and comment below!

The post Nick Phillips: From Hollywood To Cannabis appeared first on .

Kellie Butterfield Dodds – President of the Cannabis Film Festival

Kellie Butterfield Dodds is an Emerald Triangle-based Cannabusiness Consultant (KBD Consulting), Cannabis Speaker/Activist, Humboldt Ambassador and the founder/owner of the Cannabis Film Festival. In 2010, Dodds co-founded the 707 Cannabis College in Garberville, California. The college provided a forum where cannabis professionals and everyday people can learn from industry experts about the proper and appropriate medicinal uses of cannabis, sustainable gardening practices and the historical, current and potential future legal issues surrounding cannabis. Dodds currently serves as Community Leader of the Emerald Triangle Norcal Chapter of the NORML Women’s Alliance, a group of modern mainstream women who advocate for marijuana legalization through grassroots, community-oriented educational campaigns. We recently caught up with Kellie so she could share her amazing journey. Enjoy.

What was the deciding factor for you to join this particular industry?

I’ve been a fan of the cannabis industry since I was a teenager. My partner and I left corporate America in 2006 in search of a simpler life, so we went to Humboldt to a buy restaurant. When that didn’t work out the way we had planned, we started looking around for other ideas we could pursue while in Humboldt. Since I wanted to immerse myself in my new community, I started a handy-women business so I could use my years of carpentry experience from before I relocated out to Humboldt. I met some wonderful people along the way who directly lead to the starting of 707 Cannabis College, with Pearl Moon, which ultimately opened other doors and opportunities.

What were you doing before?

I was working in the family business as the operations manager. They have owned a tree injection company in Los Angeles for the past 40+ years. Like many people in the cannabis industry, I come from a pretty diverse professional background. I was a carpenter in my twenties. Then I worked in corporate retail as a manager at Borders Books and Starbucks in my thirties. I’m sure there were a few other things here and there that also pushed me along professionally.

We need to be proactive and contribute to the decisions that will affect us as we move forward.

Tell me about the point in the time you realized the coming of the ‘green rush’?

In retrospect, I would have to say 2010. That’s when we started 707 Cannabis College. We realized that the cannabis industry was becoming more mainstream and people would be in need of a valid source of education. Many of the education options I came across were focused on how to start a dispensary, but I felt there needed to be education above and beyond that.

Right now, where are you guiding your passion and energy towards?

I have a wide variety of interests right now and I’m working on building a business model that will allow me to explore and develop as many of them as possible. However, my primary focus at the moment is the Cannabis Film Festival, KBD Consulting and the Homestead farm.

Describe your work ethic to me in one word.

Tenacious

It’s easier to get forgiveness than permission.

Who is a person that you consider as a role model? Maybe someone who has been a mentor to you? Why and how did this person impact your life?

I’ve had a few different influences over the years, primarily women, but if I had to pick just one, it would have to be Dr. Roberta (Robin) Spitko. She may be the smartest person I know. She started her own business (New England Fruit Consultants) right after college and has taken on challenge after challenge head-on in a male dominated business, all the while gaining the respect of her peers over the last 3 decades. I have known Robin almost 20 years now and my life has been enhanced on many levels (personally and professionally) because of our relationship.

What book have you read that you’ve been inspired by? Any particular read we should put on our list?

I would recommend:

‘The Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching‘ – by Thich Nhat Hanh

&

‘What Makes You Not a Buddhist‘ – by Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse – for anyone that thinks they might be interested in Buddhism. It’s an easy read and a good start.

Tell me about an esteemed achievement of yours.

The creation of 707 Cannabis College has afforded me the chance to work with the state of California’s apprenticeship program for the cannabis industry. It has been a long term project that is finally coming to fruition. I am very proud of my contribution and am looking forward to seeing how this will help create new jobs and proper training within the industry.

Prohibition is coming to an end. Now we need to focus on how we are going to deal with the legal aspects involved; regulation, sustainability, licensing, etc.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever gotten?

I think there are two answers to this question. First, “Treat people like you want to be treated”. Second, “It’s easier to get forgiveness than permission”.  Both of these things are a big factor in my day to day business and life decisions.

What is the most important thing for us to know now about the legal marijuana industry?

Prohibition is coming to an end. Now we need to focus on how we are going to deal with the legal aspects involved; regulation, sustainability, licensing, etc. This is an exciting time for the development of a whole new industry. There will be countless business opportunities, many of which we have just begun to explore. Entrepreneurs and their support teams will finally have an industry they can use to bring their ideas to life. My goal with KBD Consulting is to make sure those entrepreneurs are set up for success!

If we are sitting across from each other a year from now, how will our conversation about the ‘green rush’ be going?

I think we are going to be pleasantly surprised at all the successes we are watching unfold. And we are just getting started…

There are so many people using marijuana for legitimate, documented health issues and experiencing a real benefit.

What scares you most about this industry?

Complacency. We need to be proactive and contribute to the decisions that will affect us as we move forward.

If you could tell a skeptic one thing about this industry to make them change their mind, what would it be?

There really is no simple answer to this question. So many arguments are made every day, by now something should be getting thru to those skeptics. They need to let go of the stereotypical pot smoker stoner image they tend to have. There are so many people using marijuana for legitimate, documented health issues and experiencing a real benefit. It is not the gateway drug we were told it was in the 70s and 80s. Science and statistics have proven that. Even people using it recreationally are not the ‘dregs of society’ skeptics want to believe they are. These people are soccer moms, business owners, independent and productive members of society that choose to use cannabis rather than drink or take prescription drugs. Alcohol and nicotine are legal drugs that kill users and innocent bystanders every day.

Tell us something that you wish you had known before becoming a cannabis entrepreneur.

For me, it’s not about being a cannabis entrepreneur as much as just being an entrepreneur. I love being self-employed. Although there are many responsibilities, the freedom to set my own schedule, explore a wide variety of interests and help people along the way is absolutely amazing. I love it when a project I’m working on creates more jobs with living wages and benefits.

What scares you the most about the cannabis industry? If you were to start a new business in the cannabis space, what’s the most important question on your mind? Join the conversation and comment below!

The post Kellie Butterfield Dodds – Cannabis Film Festival appeared first on .

Troy Dayton: CEO of The ArcView Group

Troy Dayton, CEO of The ArcView Group, has been one of the truest pioneers of the modern day Cannabis Industry. He began his Cannabis career in the late 90’s, getting involved at the ground floor of the Marijuana Policy Project’s drug policy reform campaign and later co-founding Students for Sensible Drug Policy. Years later, Troy is an elected board member for the MPP, as well as a founding board member of the National Cannabis Industry Association. His experience inside and outside of the industry has taught him countless lessons that every entrepreneur can learn from. When he entered the Cannabis industry, his goal was to legalize cannabis and build a responsible and profitable industry. His company, The ArcView Group, has certainly contributed to that goal, raising more than $650,000 to support legalization and facilitating the funding of 72 cannabis-related companies to the tune of $45Mil. However, according to Troy this is just the beginning.

What is the story behind your involvement with the cannabis industry? What was the motivation behind it?

My involvement with the cannabis policy reform movement began as a senior in high school. I had tried cannabis and I thought it was crazy that people were being punished for consuming it. It just turned my stomach and inspired my sense of justice to want to change that. In 1995, I went off to college in Washington DC, right as the Marijuana Policy Project was getting started. The Internet was becoming a force for politics and I realized that this was an issue I was really passionate about. It was an exciting time as we were right at the beginning of the modern drug policy reform movement. I got involved and never looked back.

What were you doing before you launched ArcView?

I was the lead fundraiser for the Marijuana Policy Project. I was based out in Northern California with the goal of talking to high net worth individuals who could be major donors for the Marijuana Policy Project’s efforts. Also, I was charged with going out and talking to the burgeoning new legal cannabis industry.

The most dangerous thing we can do is to see the positive headlines and believe the job is done. We’ve got to keep fighting.

Over time, I noticed was that there was a gap in the process. Companies that were in the cannabis industry often had great ideas, but had a difficult time reaching investors. They didn’t know how to give an effective pitch and or they didn’t have the skillset to really take things to the next level. On the other side, I saw these high-net-worth people, many of which were just donating in hopes of changing laws because they simply cared about the cause. Those investors were becoming interested in this industry that they were helping to start, but didn’t really understand it either. That’s why, in March of 2010, I teamed up with Steve DeAngelo of Harborside Health Center. We launched the ArcView Group to help address some of those issues.

What other industries would you compare to the green rush?

Many facets of the cannabis industry are analogous to the renewable energy industry and the organic foods industry. I think those are great examples of where the hippies keep being right. It’s not a mistake that the best business ideas of the last couple decades have come from the counter culture. New ways of thinking are bubbling up from a group of people who are inspired to see the world change in a particular way and then spread those ideas through the development of profitable mainstream business models. I think we’re seeing the same thing happen with cannabis. If you look at renewable energy, it has spread across the world because people figured out ways to make it profitable. Organic foods have spread across the country and across the world for the same reason. I think cannabis legalization is going to spread across the world as well because we’re finding ways to create a profitable, responsible and politically engaged cannabis industry. That’s going to move the political needle.

Right now, where are you guiding your passion and energy toward?

We started ArcView with the belief that if we could build a credible, responsible and profitable industry, we would ultimately end cannabis prohibition. Currently on of our biggest goals is to end federal marijuana prohibition by 2020. In the upcoming 2016 elections, legalization is going to be on the ba lot in five to seven states and, if we do well, I think we have a great opportunity to realize that goal. However, in order to make the 2016 ba lots successful, it is critical that we inspire people to donate to those efforts. The media has done a great job of giving this issue a sense of inevitability, which is a dangerous thing because it’s only a sense of inevitability. It is not inevitable. It’s only inevitable if we are able to raise a certain amount of money to pass ba lot initiatives and that amount surpasses anything we have raised for our issues previously. By itself, California will cost more money than we have ever spent on any initiative in the past. Then on top of that we’re going to have four or five other states on the ba lot.

The one thing that was needed then and is needed now is people’s actions and dollars.

The most important thing is for people to continue actively supporting the cause. It doesn’t matter if you are an entrepreneur in the space or you simply care about the cause, we are so close that we cannot afford to rest on our laurels. The most dangerous thing we can do is to see the positive headlines and believe the job is done. We’ve got to keep fighting. When I first started in this field, most people laughed at me when I told them what I was doing to change the world. They would tell me exactly why cannabis would never be legal and that my plight was hopeless. Almost overnight, the story changed and now everybody says it’s inevitable. It wasn’t hopeless then, and it is not inevitable now. The one thing that was needed then and is needed now is people’s actions and dollars.

Who is a person that you consider as a role model? Maybe someone who has been a mentor to you, why and how did this person impact your life?

There are a number of people who have had a great influence on me, one of the most important being my business partner, Steve DeAngelo. There are few people who have been doing what I do longer than I have, but he is one of them.

A great example of his influence on me came back in 2012. It was a dark year for the cannabis industry and in mid 2012 ArcView almost went out of business. I had lost a lot of faith in what we were doing. In fact, I had begun to consider building another type of career. But Steve never wavered in his vision, commitment and belief that ArcView would become what it is today. He stayed encouraged that the cannabis industry would grow and build into something pivotal for the world. I really admire him for his unbelievable sense of vision in addition to his willingness and effectiveness when it comes to inspiring people Having personally been the recipient of that inspiration means a lot to me. I’m very grateful to Steve and have learned a lot from him.

What inspires you the most about this space?

I’m inspired by the chance to do well by doing good.

I’ve always had a deep-rooted entrepreneurial spirit. For example, over the years I have dabbled in the Dot Com boom, the renewable energy boom, I even had a business when I was a junior in high school. I’ve always had this real desire for business development. A desire to be on the cutting edge of entrepreneurial efforts

Another thing I have cared greatly about is changing the world. Multiple times as I grew up and in my career, I kept on having to choose between changing the world and making a lot of money. I thought I had to choose between them and never thought that all of our efforts to change these laws would one day lead to the next big business boom. Lo and behold, that’s exactly what happened. Turns out I don’t have to decide whether to change the world or to make a lot of money through business. I can do both.

That is why what we are doing right now really excites me. At ArcView, we are creating an engine for freedom. Creating an engine that can support itself as well as support the development of both jobs and wealth. I think that is very exciting.

Tell us about an esteemed achievement of yours.

I am very proud of what we have accomplished at ArcView. Roughly forty-four million dollars has gone to seventy different companies who have pitched at ArcView. That capital is some of the first outside investment into the sector. The ability to play a role in bringing businesses together with investors, to mature the industry as a whole, is something I am extremely proud of.

At ArcView, we are creating an engine for freedom.

Now this may sound odd, but on a personal level, I think my greatest achievement is quitting tobacco. It is a really addictive substance and I have tried to quit so many times over my life. I’m proud to say that around five years ago, I finally had my last cigarette. That achievement is something I hold dear. I think it is a great example of how you don’t need to make a substance illegal for people to decide for themselves how they want to interact with it.

Where do your great ideas come from?

Sometimes it’s about hanging out and consuming cannabis with other smart people and sharing thoughts with each other. Often times this is where the ideas come from. Once and I while I stop and think, ‘ Am I really the author of my own thoughts?’ I don’t know where they come from. They just show up.

For me, often times it’s not so much the idea itself, it’s noticing when an idea meets a need and a passion and then being willing to take the risks and the steps to bring it to fruition. I don’t think a single idea that I’ve worked on is really an idea that I came up with. In almost all cases, somebody else shared it or it was borrowed from something else. I just happened to notice that it was a unique moment in time to apply that idea towards a need that people had that could serve a larger goal. Too many people think they need to re-invent the wheel or create a product no one has ever thought of. To be successful you don’t always need to be original, you need to find what the world needs and then do that.

What are you doing to insure you continue to grow and develop as a leader in the cannabis space?

I’m not so sure that my goal is to be the leader. I think my goal is to make sure that ArcView keeps providing the most value that it can while also providing a light for people to remain committed to the cause. I think that’s really important. In terms of what am I doing personally, I think the biggest mistake many entrepreneurs make, myself included, is allowing your business to consume you. For me it happened earlier in my career. I found myself getting stressed out and losing sleep, worrying about payroll or some news story that just came out. All of that stress can really take its toll on an entrepreneur. So now I am working to maintain much more of a work-life balance. What my business really needs is for me to be calm, spacious and thinking clearly, not killing myself under massive amounts of work.

Making the shift from an early stage company to a mid stage company and really owning that piece of the leadership puzzle is really important for entrepreneurs. I would go so far as to say that it is just as important for early stage entrepreneurs as well. If I could do it all over again, I would not have sacrificed my happiness in order to make it happen. I would have found a way to do both. That’s my biggest advice to entrepreneurs. It’s going to be hard, it’s going to be a struggle, but you don’t need to sacrifice happiness in order to make it happen. Nothing is really that important.

I’m inspired by the chance to do well by doing good.

If we are sitting across from each other a year from now, how will our conversation about the green rush be going?

I hope really well. I think as long as the political efforts continue to move forward, than the industry will grow and mature on its own. My hope is that a year from now, we are sitting on massive piles of cash for the campaigns in 2016. In addition, that we are heading into an election season where at least sixty or seventy five percent of those ba lot initiatives, including California, are projected to pass. That would be the very best outcome for both this industry and this movement.

While we are talking about the industry and the Green Rush, it is also important to remember the real societal impact positive legislation could have on a global scale. There are people out there still sitting in prison, not just in the US, but all over the world for this plant. We owe it to them to do this right and to not miss a single opportunity to end marijuana prohibition anywhere on earth. We need to honor the people who have made great sacrifices because of these terrible laws. I want to make sure that this is a crowning achievement of for both the cannabis industry as well as people around the world who care about the movement.

What helps you separate your personal and professional life? How are you acting to inspire change? Join the conversation and comment below!

The post Troy Dayton: Changing the Cannabis Industry appeared first on .

Michael Miller: National Cannabis Chamber of Commerce

Do what you love and you will love what you do. Though simple, that phrase encapsulates the time that we spent with Michael Miller of the National Cannabis Chamber of Commerce. Michael truly has a green heart and was reborn professionally upon entering the Cannabis industry. A passionate entrepreneur focused on honesty and integrity within both his personal and professional life, Michael is striving to create the most accessible, cost effective chamber of commerce within the industry. Through becoming the most inclusive source for networking, education and professional development, the National Cannabis Chamber of Commerce is making it easier than ever before to seek opportunities throughout the green rush. A genuine proponent for the industry, Michael recently took the time to talk with us about, among other things, how truly blessed he feels working in the Cannabis industry.

What was the deciding factor for you to join this particular industry?

For me, joining the Cannabis industry really came down to a combination of two things, my professional history and my personal history. I really became aware of the industry years ago while I was hosting two radio shows out in Florida. A friend of mine, who worked directly in the Cannabis industry took the time to reach out to me. He was looking for a vice president of sales, which played directly into my background of sales and marketing experience (25+ years). The more I learned about the industry the more I fell in love with it. In my heart, I felt the potential for growth and change we could all inspire as a community. The Cannabis industry is truly one of the greatest industries in America today. Personally speaking medical Cannabis has directly affected my life as well. I never knew it could be applied medically until a serious neck injury years ago left me taking all sorts of poisonous chemical drugs. Medical Cannabis helped me get off of those and it wasn’t a miracle. There is real science out there and these stories are slowly becoming the norm and not the exception. Literally something happens in this industry every day that I love. From great people and inspirational stories to business developments and technologies I couldn’t be more excited about where the industry is headed.

The more I learned about the industry the more I fell in love with it.

What were you doing before the green rush?

The majority of my past experience has come from the consulting business. I opened up my first consulting company when I was 23 years old and I help build roughly 35 BBB’s(Better Business Bureaus) across the country, some of which continue to serve as the gold standard in the industry. I worked hard to put quality systems in place that would really launch the success of these ventures. Through focusing on new member sales and retention I was able to double and triple their growth. 17 years later I became wary in regards to certain trends in the industry, specifically the grading system, and I realized it was time for a change. A friend of mine was the president for a Chamber of Commerce and I saw it as a great opportunity to learn another side to business. I studied the business and transitioned into consulting with Chambers of Commerce all over the country, focusing again on membership development, retention, networking events and so on. Once I really learned about the green rush I knew these skills would transfer over perfectly.

What are you doing to impact the industry?

Our biggest goal is to create the most inclusive Chamber of Commerce in the Cannabis industry. We focus on providing affordable memberships so that all levels of Cannabis business professionals can access the information that will make them successful entrepreneurs. I’ve used my 25 years of experience to create a Chamber of Commerce and Better Business Bureau all in one. We can provide online mediation and legally binding arbitration for members, among other services. That is something that really sets us apart in the space. In addition we focus on the grassroots education and cultivation of the Cannabis advocates of tomorrow. We want to teach those professionals that it’s about what the entire plant can do. Be it hemp production or other alternative uses we see countless applications on the horizon and we really aim to share that message. Simply put, we are providing an affordable option that caters to all levels of business, allowing professionals to grow and achieve success in the industry, which will directly grow the industry as a whole.

Describe your work ethic to me in one word.

Focused.

Tell us about a time in your career that didn’t go as planned and what you did about that? How did you handle it?

Six years ago I was working in the life settlement industry for life insurance policy holders. I was on the policy side of the deal and I was having a hard time finding any fulfillment out the job. Plus, for the first real time in my life, I wasn’t as good at it as I wanted to be. I reached out to a friend of mine that was working on the funding side and we opened up a new company. Within six months we were working with brokers out of England and Germany. Over the next six years we achieved tons of success and that success really turned a life negative into a positive.

What book have you read that you’ve been inspired by? Any particular read we should put on our list?

The Bible. I have never really been one to read for pleasure, but this acts as food for my soul. It keep me grounded and focused on the real important things in life. For me those things are family and friends. I feel like that influence has a direct impact on the National Cannabis Chamber of Commerce. I treat people like my friends and I want the chamber to act as an all inclusive space where people can grow both personally and professionally. It’s not a sales pitch either, I truly approach my life like this everyday and I think The Bible has assisted me in doing just that.

Whatever your product, business or profession, find something that everyone can take part in.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever gotten?

Be inclusive. Whatever your product, business or profession, find something that everyone can take part in. Try and develop something that everyone can afford. That’s directly apart of what I’m trying to accomplish with chamber. It’s about educating the nation about Cannabis, not just a handful of people. Through being inclusive and educating the world we can solve so many problems as a whole. For instance, if we as a country produced hemp on a large scale we could potentially eliminate the need to ever import another barrel of oil again. By creating a product that can be affordably consumed by the masses you provide a vessel for that change to take place. Furthermore, a simple yet great piece of advice for business professionals would be to find something that you love and design a business around your passion.

What is a skill or trait that you think is necessary to make an impact in this industry?

The term I like to use is ‘having a green heart’. To me that means a person is committed to helping this industry evolve and to do it in the right ways. It means presenting yourself and your business with honesty and integrity, almost to a fault, by doing the right thing even when you think noone is watching. I referenced the Bible earlier in the interview, so I believe someone is always watching you. I act in accordance with that, knowing I’m not perfect but striving to do my very best everyday to be the best person I can be. That can be seen directly in our business as we operate as transparent as possible. We want people to not only have access to this information, but to be able to do so at an affordable cost. I’m seeing more and more of these people throughout the industry and I couldn’t be more encouraged about where we are all headed.

What are your thoughts on mega-corporations entering the cannabis space?

The short answer is that I believe it’s inevitable. With the success of smaller business models and expanding market samples the conglomerates of industry will surely take notice sooner or later. However, I hope it’s not for a long time. American was founded on the entrepreneur and the longer the larger companies are out of the industry the more time smaller businesses have to develop and strengthen their business model. If they can put successful systems in place before larger companies enter the space then they’ll be able to withstand whatever is thrown there way. I’m hopeful that time allows them that chance.

I think we will be looking at each other and talking about how blessed we are to be in this industry.

If we are sitting across from each other a year from now, how will our conversation about the ‘green rush’ be going?

First I think we will be looking at each other and talking about how blessed we are to be in this industry. I tell that to people all the time because I really do believe in the industry as a whole. In addition, I hope that we are talking about the ways in which the Cannabis industry has given back to the community. No matter where you live, if there is a medical system in place you had to have a majority vote to get there. That means that countless people have given you a chance to prove the model could work. I’m sure there were many people who have never even used Cannabis that were part of that voting. They have combined to afford us the opportunity to break ground in the space and develop America’s next great industry. I think it is not only vital we take advantage of this, because unlike most industries we only get one chance to make that first impression, but also that we recognize and give back to the communities that have taken that chance to support such a grand endeavour.

The post Michael Miller: Growth Through Inclusion appeared first on .

Robert Smart: CannaCon

Close your eyes and imagine this: You’re standing in the middle of an exposition hall, business bustling around you, consumers weaving themselves through the aisles, vendors dressed in professional business attire, products being bought, relationships being made… This is not a lifestyle event or a networking forum, though both are necessary, this is a commerce platform for vendors and consumers to buy and sell. This is Robert Smart’s vision. As the founder and CEO of CannaCon, he seeks to engage the public, empower the business owners, and provide a place for education, awareness, and commerce. His business model is derived from the words that were posted above his grandfather’s desk and as simple as that is, it’s one of the keys to his success in the cannabis industry.

What was the deciding factor for you to join this particular industry?

Having come from the trade show industry in the past for industries that had nothing to do with cannabis, I just thought there was a gap for a different kind of trade show for this space, one that people could show their product and sell it to the people who want to buy it. That was probably one of the biggest deciding factors in terms of starting CannaCon. As to what got me into this industry specifically, I’m a grower. I was on morphine for almost two decades, a lot of it, and I finally got off of it by smoking a little bit of pot every day. I haven’t had a single pain pill in over a decade!

What were you doing before?

I worked for Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, managing a sales office and selling timeshares. Before that, I was the National Show Manager for Cal Spas, we did over 300 shows a year across the nation selling hot tubs. So, I have a pretty good idea about how the whole trade show industry works and having been growing for a long time, it really just put me in a unique position to understand both sides of it. And of course, I own my own Home & Garden Show here in the United States.

 Tell us about the point in the time you realized the coming of the ‘green rush’?

I would have to say that it was about 2009 when I moved back from Mexico and Washington had legalized medical cannabis and were talking about doing recreational. That’s the point in which I started looking at getting more involved. It still took me a few years to make the leap to retire from Wyndham Hotels and Resorts and do this full-time, but that was pretty much the point I started figuring it out, when the laws started changing.

Right now, where are you guiding your passion and energy towards?

Definitely CannaCon and all the things we are trying to do with it. There’s really no other show like it! All the other shows are either business shows with people meeting up to talk about business, which is needed, or lifestyle shows, which are a lot of fun to go to and are needed, but there’s really not a marketplace show! That’s what CannaCon provides – A marketplace for businesses to showcase the products that they want to get out to the public and a place where consumers can come and check out all the new things that they can buy.

That’s what CannaCon provides – A marketplace for businesses to showcase the products that they want to get out to the public and a place where consumers can come and check out all the new things that they can buy.

The other huge part of CannaCon is education. At our first two shows, we had 54 seminars at each of them and I believe that’s more than any of the other shows has ever done. We plan on continuing that and pushing forward with that and starting an education seminar series that travels around the United States. Aside from that, we are trying to expand CannaCon to 5 times a year in different cities. Right now, if you’re a grower or consumer, you have to fly in for these shows. What I’d rather do is bring the show to where the people are. It makes it way more affordable for everyone to be there. I think that’s one of the things that makes CannaCon different – We’re extremely inexpensive to go to and we intend to keep it that way! We want everyone to be able to participate and that’s really where my passion is: To keep growing CannaCon and continue providing a place for businesses to showcase their awesome new products.

Describe your work ethic to us in one word.

Persistent.

Who is a person that you consider as a role model? Maybe someone who has been a mentor to you? Why and how did this person impact your life?

That would be my grandfather. He was a police chief in a tiny little town in California and I watched him build up a tiny gas station into an extremely successful multi-million dollar business as I was growing up. He had one thing above his desk that I’ll never forget that he pounded into my head and that was the 7 P’s: Prior Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance and I’ve always lived by that!

He had one thing above his desk that I’ll never forget that he pounded into my head and that was the 7 P’s: Prior Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance and I’ve always lived by that!

What book have you read that you’ve been inspired by? Any particular read we should put on our list?

It’s not a business book, but I do have one that I’d like to recommend and that’s, “Time Enough for Love” which is about a guy who was born in the 20s and can’t die, he lives forever. The book is about him trying to find something new, something to keep his interest because he’s bored with life because he’s already done everything. What I took from this book was to ‘keep going and always find something new to do!’ You’ll get bored with things, so always be seeking something new.

Tell us about an esteemed achievement of yours.

That would certainly be CannaCon and getting this thing off the ground and making it as successful as it is – that’d have to be it! We started this from scratch. I believe our very first show was one of the largest in the nation! It was a huge success; almost 11,000 people came and the vendors sold a ton of merchandise. Being able to provide that for the industry and be a part in changing public perception of cannabis is something I am very proud of doing. When you come to CannaCon, there’s no smoking, everyone is in suit and tie conducting business. If your grandma came in, she’d have no idea it had anything to do with cannabis. It’s just like a home show, just different products. That’s what we tried to do with it!

Being able to provide that for the industry and be a part in changing public perception of cannabis is something I am very proud of doing.

Other than that, having my three kids and my grandchildren. I am immensely proud of them.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever gotten?

That would definitely be what I got from my grandfather, the 7 P’s.

What is the most important thing for us to know now about the legal marijuana industry?

That it’s not going to go away! It’s here to stay and I hope that cannabis gets declassified soon. That’s everybody’s hope, really. I think we’re going to see every state legalize it and I think that we’re going to either move it to a Schedule II or de-schedule it entirely! We’re going to see a big change not only nationwide, but worldwide – New medicines, new products, and a lot of new innovations!

If we are sitting across from each other a year from now, how will our conversation about the ‘green rush’ be going?

A year from now I will be saying, “I told you so!” Everything is going to be different. Just think about how fast technology changes, that’s how fast this industry is going to change! Everybody in the industry is starting to figure it out. They are seeing that this is a business and that they need to treat it like real business. They are seeing that they need to have real brands and marketing plans just like any other business would have. They are dressing nicer, they are investing more in their business, and they’re aspiring to represent this industry professionally and respectfully. We can expect to see major growth in that regard.

The post Showcasing Cannabis Businesses in a Respectable Light appeared first on .

Khadijah Adams: Marijuana Investment & Private Retreat

She has one of those stories that’s not only powerful, but incredibly motivational. She’s an entrepreneur who created her own success from a bare ground floor, and did so on top of being a single mother of four boys. What she sees in this industry is opportunity, prosperity, and new beginnings for those who are ready to capture it! Khadijah Adams, the founder of Marijuana Investment & Private Retreat, will give you an exclusive look into our industry and what it can offer you! She’s your inside source, your key to financial independence, and a woman you want on your side of the playing field.

What was the deciding factor for you to join this particular industry?

It was after meeting many of the people (medical patients, veterans who suffer from PTSD, the politicians, activists, etc.) who laid the foundation for the legalization of this industry. Hearing the stories of some being brutally beaten, killed, raped, and imprisoned over a plant really shifted my focus from simply just wanting to earn a lot of money to wanting to add real value to the industry. I wanted to find a way for everyday consumers to invest in this industry.

I remember asking a disabled veteran in Denver one night, “If there was a way that you could invest in the marijuana industry with the possibility of earning a small fortune that you could one day leave for your family, would you want to know about it?” And he looked at me and began to cry. He shared with me that he had been searching for a way to leave something that could benefit his family one day and I was able to help him find one and that made me feel great.

I knew then, that I had to spread the gospel, so to speak, of getting people to understand that there is opportunity here and that there is a way for you to get a tremendous return on your money by investing in the marijuana industry, but most importantly, I knew education would be key.

I knew then, that I had to spread the gospel, so to speak, of getting people to understand that there is opportunity here and that there is a way for you to get a tremendous return on your money by investing in the marijuana industry, but most importantly, I knew education would be key.

What skills from your previous experiences helped you in what you are doing now?

My skills are in leadership, sales & marketing, communications, public speaking, and creativity.

Tell me about the point in the time you realized the coming of the ‘green rush’?

When I began to notice some of the 1% taking their positions in this industry, I realized the ‘green rush’ was coming. People like Peter Thiel, the co-founder of PayPal, who stepped out publicly and invested in this space. Well-known businessmen like Bill Gates and Warren Buffett were being rumored to be doing the same. Mainstream actors, rappers, singers, senators, and even retired politicians all began taking their position. This spoke volumes to me! It honestly reminded me of the Joe Kennedy story during and after alcohol prohibition and about how he created an empire that is so expansive to-date, that the Kennedy’s fortune is held in securities and no one really knows their true worth.

The point is, if you want to be successful you must do what successful people do; they position themselves before the first wave of any upcoming industry. That’s what Joe Kennedy did; he positioned himself before alcohol was federally legal and capitalized tremendously on the industry when it finally happened. Timing and positioning is extremely important in any industry and it’s important for me to sound the horn so people can wake up and really take a look at this industry and where it’s going. People need to take action to get involved, especially people of color. It’s more than just earning a lot of money, it’s taking advantage of an opportunity to be a part of history as we know it. I truly believe that we will hear of people from every walk of life, who previously never earned more than $30K a year, becoming financially independent between the years 2015–2018. Many will be everyday people, medical patients, and military veterans – and I can’t hardly wait to see it all unfold.

Timing and positioning is extremely important in any industry and it’s important for me to sound the horn so people can wake up and really take a look at this industry and where it’s going.

Describe your work ethic to me in one word.

Diligent.

Who is a person that you consider as a role model? Maybe someone who has been a mentor to you? Why and how did this person impact your life?

That would be none other than Oprah Winfrey because of her philosophy and the way she thinks. Oprah has been a role model and mentor to me from afar since 1997. In fact, it was after watching her show and really being there with her in that moment, spiritually, when she said, “Find out what you’re good at, then learn how to offer your services to other people, and you’ll make a lot of money.” That just made so much sense to me! So after her show, I wrote down everything I believed that I was good at and started my first company and took it nationwide in 6 months. She literally changed my life as I knew it and at the time, I was a single mother raising four sons. After losing everything in the real estate market in 2007, it was Oprah’s philosophy yet again that helped me fight and push through the darkness that had overcome me at that time.

How do you find inspiration in this industry? What have you found that has inspired you?

I find inspiration in this industry by taking the opportunity to empower, edify, and uplift others. Being able to empower people with knowledge that, if used properly, could propel their lives in a different direction is an inspiring feeling. This is true especially for military veterans who have given more than any of us and yet, they are overlooked by the very people and government that they risked not only their lives, but their families’ lives for. Watching a man or a woman’s back straighten because he/she earned their own income is priceless. When a man or woman earns their own wage, it makes them feel a particular way; they stand taller and straighter, and feel very empowered.

Tell me about an esteemed achievement of yours.

Starting a company when everyone, including my family, said it was impossible; then taking it nationwide in 6 months while raising four sons as a single mother.

How would you advise someone who wants to join the industry?

Don’t enter this industry just with the intent to earn a lot of money. The money will come, but join because you bring something of value. Always remember to edify the leaders and pioneers who not only came before you, but who laid the foundation for the industry. They are the very reason that you stand in ecstasy of this industry. It’s a matter of respect and shows true integrity.

Don’t enter this industry just with the intent to earn a lot of money. The money will come, but join because you bring something of value.

Where do your great ideas come from?

One of my mentors and someone I associate with often even though he is no longer here, is the late Jim Rohn who would always say, “It only takes one good idea to change the direction of your life” and I believe that all great ideas come from within, and are moved by a power much greater than our own.

What are you doing to ensure you continue to grow and develop as a leader in this space?

It’s important to stay abreast of the “happenings” in the industry, so I read daily. I incorporate personal development and I continue to seek the counsel of industry leaders.

If we are sitting across from each other a year from now, how will our conversation about the ‘green rush’ be going?

I’ll be saying, “Wow! It’s amazing how this industry has grown after being federally legalized on a national scale! Isn’t it pretty awesome how many military veterans have established substantial investment portfolios through the MIPR Veteran’s “Education in Investing” program? Veterans are joining every day and we’re now expanding nationwide.

The post Khadijah Adams: A Look into the Prosperity of Investing in Cannabis appeared first on .

Sean Campbell: Blue Line Protection Group (OTC:BLPG)

His mission is to empower businesses in the cannabis industry to grow and operate efficiently, safely, and remain complaint to all state and federal laws. Since the space is very new, and laws surrounding cannabis vary from state to state, county to county, business to business, Sean Campbell, CEO of Blue Line Protection Group (OTC:BLPG), has developed their business model in a way that steps in as the business owner’s right-hand man. As a community, we’ve all worked very hard to build the image of this industry as a positive respected business, and in order to continue on this course, we must all take a lesson from Sean about how compliancy is the key to achieving this.

What is the story behind your involvement with the cannabis industry?

My involvement began when the hedge fund that I was working for at the time started looking at businesses within the cannabis space and we were excited by the large amount of potential we saw within the industry. We invested in Blue Line Protection and that was what really sparked my involvement. I saw a lot of room for growth and I ran with it.

My involvement began when the hedge fund that I was working for at the time started looking at businesses within the cannabis space and we were excited by the large amount of potential we saw within the industry.

What were you doing before Blue Line Protection Group?

I’ve been in the hedge fund industry for the last ten years. I was a portfolio manager at a small hedge fund in New York and prior to that, I did a lot of private equity and investment.

What other industry might you compare the ‘green rush’ to and why?

When we looked at the various industries out there and took note of the potential that each one possessed, the industry that immediately came to mind was the dot-com industry. Having a history in the dot-com market back in the late nineties, I see a lot of similarities between the two. The excitement being one factor and the massive potential being another.

Right now, where are you guiding your passion and energy towards?

Our energy is focused on making our services available to businesses of any size, large or small, so that they can thrive in the industry while remaining compliant with state law. A high percentage of small businesses in the industry cut corners, but once a business owner chooses to do that, they have lost their investment. We are here to make sure that doesn’t become a common occurrence due to lack of resources.

Who is a person that you consider as a role model? Maybe someone who has been a mentor to you?

An old professor of mine had taken the time to show me a world that was bigger than I had ever previously thought. He inspired an interest of mine to put my best foot forward in any effort I made and I learned from him that I could be a leader in any industry that I applied myself to.

What inspires you the most about this space?

It was a very interesting experience coming into this industry. I first needed to make peace with the fact that I was told that this space was an evil place for so long. I’ve gone back and read through all the deceitful propaganda that we’ve all been fed for so many years about cannabis being bad and destructive, and about how it creates problems within society; It’s all lies! But I believe that as people begin to acknowledge the medical studies that have been done and that are being done, I think that the negative stereotype is going to reverse itself in good time. There are a lot of people who’ve been taking huge risks and making major efforts to get the cannabis industry where it is today and I do believe that we are on the verge of overcoming the negative stigma that cannabis has carried with it for so long.

Tell me about an esteemed achievement of yours.

The direction in which I’ve taken the Blue Line Protection Group. The initial services that our company had weren’t ‘ideal’ in my eyes. I really wanted to respond to what the industry needed. These businesses weren’t able to put their money into a bank or any other traditional financial system, which made potential acts of crime much more likely with all this cash floating around. The Federal government makes it very hard for businesses in the cannabis industry to legitimize themselves, but I’ve enabled Blue Line Protection Group to make this process easier.

Where do your great ideas come from?

It’s a matter of listening. My great ideas come from listening to what my clients’ problems are and asking myself, can I contribute? While contributing, can we profit? If the answers to these questions seem appropriate, then we make the effort to accommodate our customers needs and expand our services.

What are you doing to ensure you continue to grow and develop as a leader in this space?

As far as Blue Line Protection Group goes, we are fortunate to be the leader in our industry. We have the best reputation for what we do and as more states legalize, we intend to expand into those states as well. We want to be there and begin to grow with the businesses from where they start. Keeping our leadership position is largely about keeping our services and reputation at the highest level and staying consistent with that standard.

What is most important to you – mission, vision, or core values?

It’s difficult to make a choice between the three. I believe that they all coincide with one another . Our services require our clients to put a lot of trust into us and with that trust, a certain level of professionalism is also required. Honesty and integrity play a major role in Blue Line Protection Group and I believe our values are built on these qualities.

Our services require our clients to put a lot of trust into us and with that trust, a certain level of professionalism is also required.

If we are sitting across from each other a year from now, how will our conversation about the ‘green rush’ be going?

Given the opportunity the industry has provided us with and will continue to provide us with, I believe the conversation will contain the same amount of excitement as it does now. I hope to see legalization in more states, and we are estimating that Nevada alone will be five times bigger than Colorado within a year due to its tourism in Las Vegas. With this expansion, I think that Blue Line Protection Group’s business model will demonstrate that it’s the correct one to go with and also show that we are dedicated to helping the industry grow in a safe and efficient manner.

The post Sean Campbell: Empowering Business Owners in the Cannabis Industry appeared first on .

Rudolph Armstrong II: Cannatopia Con

Cannatopia. What a beautifully captivating word. It sounds like a whirlwind experience, a place where minds can be opened, and a space where ideas can be shared and thought upon. And as the name suggests, it is all these things and more and Rudolph Armstrong II is the visionary behind it all. As an entrepreneur with a professional background in both small and large business and he believes in helping both become an active part of our industry. If you’re on the fence, Rudolph is the one on the other side who will help you down and take you on a tour of all the opportunities out there for businesses seeking to join our space.

What was the deciding factor for you to join this particular industry?

Cannatopia Corporation came from a passion I had and a need I saw to help people by increasing their access to education. I’ve always had the desire to help people, as well as have a keen interest in the tremendous applications of natural products, particularly those that can be derived from the cannabis and hemp plants. It was my inherent fascination in learning more about these things that compelled me to begin researching ways to become a part of this movement.

After spending some time, really pondering how I might accomplish this, it became clear to me that there was an important way that I could contribute to this exciting new industry: Facilitating an opportunity for people to become more educated about “the plant,” the industry as a whole, and the wide variety of innovations that are taking place within it. We are barely scratching the surface with respect to how large this industry can grow. There are entrepreneurs and innovators world-wide looking for an opportunity to gain more exposure for their products and ideas. Cannatopia aspires to be the vehicle by which these visionaries can deliver their breakthroughs to the masses.

What skills from your previous experiences helped you in what you are doing now?

Many of my previous experiences have taught me the importance of being disciplined and also that there is no reward without some degree of risk. I learned this partially as a result of my own tenacity and partially through my time working at major corporations like L’oreal, Aflac, and Pepsi Co. Another large influence on the development of my skill set was the experience I was very fortunate to have growing up working alongside my family in the trade show industry.

Being able to see the way that both large and small companies operate internally offered me several important insights on how to launch my own business. One of those important insights is that you have to be willing to be entirely invested in what you are doing – Be your biggest supporter and promote your business responsibly with an eye on the future.

Be your biggest supporter and promote your business responsibly with an eye on the future.

Tell us about the point in the time you realized the coming of the ‘green rush’?

Sometime in early 2008, when I was getting ready to complete my Bachelor’s degree in economics at Syracuse University, I realized that the cannabis and hemp laws in the United States were changing to such a degree that for the first time, there seemed to be a legitimate opportunity for me to be a part of the “green rush.” As mentioned previously, I was an economics major with a minor in finance, so at that time discussions with my peers often revolved around emerging economic trends and new ideas for business. These factors definitely helped me recognize that the “green rush” was here to stay and that I needed to be involved in it. On the contrary, came the creation of my private senior level economic research project entitled “Economics of Budgetary Implications for the Legalization of Hemp Products and Medical Marijuana in the United States.”

What are you doing to impact the industry?

There are so many ways that Cannatopia is currently touching the industry. We work vigorously every day to expose developing companies and individuals to increase traction on their products and ideas. However, our mission is much deeper than that. We seek to build relationships with people of all backgrounds that have an interest in seeing this industry for all that it can be. We want to usher in the next generation of thought leaders in the field, as well as continuing our work to help educate the masses about the latest breakthroughs and innovations in the industry.

We are also striving to promote the freedom of Cannabusiness in the United States by showing people how they can become a part of this industry, too. Thus doing our part to help drive the movement forward in a responsible direction. Cannatopia always seeks to spread knowledge about the industry through educational seminars that take place during our Cannatopia Convention, as well as highlighting eclectic multi-industry products and services on behalf of thousands of established and aspiring entrepreneurs.

Describe your work ethic to me in one word.

If I had to describe my work ethic in one word I would use the word, momentum. Like an object in motion without any other force exerted upon it to impede its progress, we are unstoppable!

If I had to describe my work ethic in one word I would use the word, momentum. Like an object in motion without any other force exerted upon it to impede its progress, we are unstoppable!

What does a typical work day look like for you in your business?

There is no such thing as a typical work day. You must constantly be thinking outside the box because new challenges are always presenting themselves. In order to be successful you have to have a goal and a mission. You have to invest all of your heart and soul into establishing yourself in this industry because this space is so incredibly dynamic and is always changing and developing. A typical workday is unlike a work day in any other industry because this industry is unlike any other.

How do you find inspiration in this industry?

By helping people in need and by providing guidance to others about how they can acquire the skill set necessary to be successful in this field.

I am also continually inspired when I see other talented entrepreneurs break into this industry. I have had the chance to meet so many people of all backgrounds looking to get involved in the industry out of a genuine interest in helping others. This keeps me highly motivated and inspires me to keep on working.

Tell me about an esteemed achievement of yours.

The achievement that makes me most proud is starting Cannatopia! It has been one of the most intricate, challenging and rewarding things I have ever had the opportunity to do. I know that as we become even better established that the increased variety of ways we are able to help people will only enhance my since of achievement surrounding this accomplishment.

The achievement that makes me most proud is starting Cannatopia!

How would you advise someone who wants to join the industry?

1. You have to wake up and love what you are doing.
2. You have to be flexible and willing to meet your audience where they are.
3. Do not try to reinvent the wheel. Take the skill set that you already have and figure out how to make those skills relevant within this industry.
4. Be willing to find partners that have the skills that you lack. No one individual has all the prerequisite skills to be successful in this or any other industry.
5. Be willing to invest in your own industry. You should invest in research and development, but you should also have your major areas of emphasis.

What’s your newest knowledge about the marijuana industry?

The knowledge that should be shared has to do with the fact that there is still so much more opportunity to get involved in the movement! You can help write the next chapter of this industry’s evolution.

If we are sitting across from each other a year from now, how will our conversation about the ‘green rush’ be going?

We will be talking about the exponential growth of this industry and the united effort to reform the laws surrounding cannabis. As States continue to change their policies to support medical and recreational usage, our industry will continue to grow in respect as a legitimate industry just like any other. Hopefully, we will also be talking about the continued growth and relevance of Cannatopia and other companies involved in this fascinating industry.

The post Rudolph Armstrong: Education through Cannatopia appeared first on .