Menu
Menu
What’s the biggest challenge facing the cannabis industry right now, and how are you and/or your company addressing it?
Operational excellence across the board and that really stems from having synchronized business, financial and operational plans tied together. We see these as still being lopsided in too many companies where the focus & numbers aren’t in balance. Unfortunately this usually starts with the lack of true operating capital which constantly puts a company into a bind with all their other decisions. Green Check helps by connecting the operators to not only banking services but a full range of capital providers, all in one platform of choices.
Where do you see the most exciting opportunity for growth and innovation in cannabis?
So many people are excited about rescheduling and the impact of 280e but if you weren’t running your operations with that as a future given I think you were already missing the big opportunity. It is the next opportunity to expand your market with the modalities of the products and brands that are emerging and how consumers are shifting their buying patterns. Are you paying attention to the trends and what are you doing to be in front of them?
What’s one piece of advice you would give to someone looking to break into the cannabis industry?
Do your homework, ask questions, then do your homework again!! There are so many lessons and leaders to learn from that are more than willing to share their knowledge. You are not going to come up with the “next big thing” or the “first” or “only” product. The landscape is littered with those dead companies. Create a real plan, use real numbers, get experienced advisors and be ready to work your ass off as though your life depended on it because it will. If you aren’t prepared to sacrifice the hours, don’t waste anyone else’s time.
What is the most important thing you have learned from your experiences in the cannabis industry?
Is it harder because of the rules and regulations? Slightly but that is more of an attitude than actuality from my POV. If you were to open a bar or restaurant, you’d have similar challenges other than you probably weren’t running a speakeasy first. All startups are hard, 85+% fail, the math isn’t in your favor so if you think otherwise it isn’t because it’s cannabis, it is because you weren’t ready or worked hard enough. Not a popular opinion, but it is life.
What do you want your legacy to be as it relates to the cannabis industry?
That we made a difference and I know we already have. The number of businesses we have helped get bank accounts, loans, payroll, insurance, cash logistics and other financial and business services numbers over 15,000+ so far. That is a massive impact. We want this industry, and most importantly the people building it, to have access to the tools and resources that every other industry doesn’t even think twice about.