Derwin Wallace: CannaWebcast
Whether you’re a grower, a dispensary owner, a product developer, or a consultant in the cannabis industry… you have hopefully realized the importance of putting yourself, your company, and your mission out there for investors and members of the media alike. The only obstacle is time and finances, but that’s what Derwin Wallace of CannaWebcast has sought to alleviate with his monthly online meeting that is putting entrepreneurs and investors from across the nation into the same room without even a thought of an airline ticket. Now, how creative is that?
What was the deciding factor for you to join this particular industry?
I had significant experience in Investor Relations/ Financial Communications for Technology, Payment Processing, Health Care, Retail, Communications, and Financial Services industries. I wanted to take that knowledge and apply it to a new and emerging market and so I decided to join the cannabis industry!
What were you doing before?
I have been working in my field of expertise for over 15-years. I’ve worked with companies like First Data, National Association of Investor Corporation, ResCare, The Home Depot, Cox Communications, Isle of Capri Casinos, and Chatfield Dean Investment Banking.
Tell us about the point in the time you realized the coming of the ‘green rush’?
I realized there was no turning back when recreational marijuana was legalized in Colorado. Politicians and Wall Street only understand one thing – Money!
I realized there was no turning back when recreational marijuana was legalized in Colorado.
Right now, where are you guiding your passion and energy towards?
Currently, my mission is to increase publicly-traded cannabis company’s awareness, exposure, and credibility on Wall Street.
Describe your work ethic to me in one word.
12-Hours
Tell me about a time in your career that didn’t go as planned and what you did about that? How did you handle it?
I was broke and had this gorgeous girlfriend who I thought loved me, but I found out she was only looking for financial gain. I was scheduled to take the stockbroker exam (Series 7) and after the exam, I was told I failed it. She was very upset with me for not passing it and shortly afterwards, I caught her cheating with a friend of mine. She threw me out of her apartment and moved my friend in with her. At that point, I came to the conclusion that most women are attracted to success, so I worked hard and eventually passed the stockbroker exam and managed to build a very large list of clientele. All of a sudden, I started receiving calls from my ex-girlfriend wanting to get back together. I never returned her call, but I finally realized what kind of world we live in. I always thrive for success, but I am also careful about the interests of those around me.
What book have you read that you’ve been inspired by? Any particular read we should put on our list?
The Art of War by Sun Tzu and BraveHeart (the book) has inspired me tremendously. I think everybody should put these books on their reading list. Sun Tzu’s Art of War, compiled more than two thousand years ago, is a study of the anatomy of organizations in conflict. It is perhaps the most prestigious and influential book of strategy in the world today. BraveHeart – amid the color, pageantry, and violence of thirteenth-century Scotland unfurls the resplendent tale of the legendary William Wallace, farmer by birth, rebel by fate, who banded together his valiant army of Scots to crush the cruel tyranny of the English Plantagenet king. I think William Wallace’s story is similar to what cannabis entrepreneurs are up against– stigmatization, government, legislation, pharmaceutical, and tobacco companies.
Tell me about an esteemed achievement of yours?
When I decided to leave the bondage of ‘Corporate America’ and start my own company. The feeling of creating something cannot be matched by any amount of high you could get from any experience out there!
What’s the best advice you’ve ever gotten?
For some odd reason, I never had any mentors and all the people I look up to have already passed. I had to figure things out on my own and learned as I went. A personal mantra of mine is “Don’t be impressed by those who fight for their freedom, but for those who fight for other people’s freedom.”
I had to figure things out on my own and learned as I went.
What is the most important thing for us to know now about the legal marijuana industry?
That it will probably be the last opportunity in your lifetime to be part of a new and emerging industry that will change the world and provide the chance for an ordinary person to make a major impact!
If we are sitting across from each other a year from now, how will our conversation about the ‘green rush’ be going?
I would be just as excited about the cannabis industry as I am today. However, the difference will be that I will be driving a Ferrari to our meeting. 😉
