What’s the biggest challenge facing the cannabis industry right now, and how are you and/or your company addressing it?
One of the biggest challenges in the cannabis industry right now is getting in direct, reliable contact with customers. With constant changes in regulations and strict advertising restrictions, retailers are struggling to reach their audience—especially when it matters most, like 420 or major product drops.
At Blackleaf, we’re solving this with a compliance-driven SMS marketing platform built for cannabis retailers. Our platform makes it easy to legally and effectively text customers without the headache of carrier blocks or compliance issues. With seamless registration, high deliverability, and real-time campaign insights, we help brands cut through the noise and get their message seen.
Where do you see the most exciting opportunity for growth and innovation in cannabis?
The biggest opportunity for growth and innovation in cannabis right now is API-driven integration—giving retailers the freedom to connect the tools they actually need to run and scale their business. The industry has been stuck with clunky, one-size-fits-all platforms that don’t talk to each other, forcing operators to waste time on manual workarounds.
We opened our API, so retailers can seamlessly integrate our compliance-driven SMS platform with their POS, CRM, e-commerce, loyalty programs, and more. This means automated marketing, streamlined operations, and better customer engagement—all while staying compliant. The future isn’t about more disconnected software—it’s about seamless, scalable integrations that put retailers in control.
What’s one piece of advice you would give to someone looking to break into the cannabis industry?
If you’re looking to break into the cannabis industry, my biggest piece of advice is this: be ready to fight for it. This space isn’t for the faint of heart—it requires perseverance, determination, resilience, and a deep sense of purpose. The people who thrive here are both passionate and compassionate, driven by a bigger mission to destigmatize, educate, and push the industry forward despite the constant challenges—regulatory hurdles, shifting markets, and the stigma that still exists.
And as a woman in this space, you have to champion yourself and uplift others along the way. This industry wasn’t built with us in mind, but we’re here, we’re making an impact, and we’re carving out our space. It’s a community, and success comes from lifting each other up, sharing knowledge, and making sure more seats at the table are filled with strong, driven women who are here for the right reasons.
What is the most important thing you have learned from your experiences in the cannabis industry?
The most important thing I’ve learned from my experience in the cannabis industry—especially as a woman—is that you have to stay rooted in your cause, accountable to yourself, and unapologetically true to who you are. This industry is full of challenges—barriers, bias, ever-changing regulations, and constant uncertainty. As a woman, you often have to work twice as hard to be taken seriously, to have your voice heard, and to claim your space. But the real power comes from standing firm in your purpose, knowing your worth, and refusing to compromise your values.
I’ve learned that success isn’t just about surviving in this industry—it’s about leading with integrity, lifting others up, and pushing for real change. The people who make it in cannabis are the ones who are resilient, adaptable, and deeply committed to the bigger mission. This industry will test you. It will challenge you. But if you stay accountable to yourself, your work, and your vision, you will thrive—and help build a better path for those who come next.
What do you want your legacy to be as it relates to the cannabis industry?
I want my legacy in the cannabis industry to be defined by my genuine commitment to uplifting others—by being someone who champions opportunity, supports good causes, and operates with integrity. Becoming President of Blackleaf at a young age, and as a woman in this industry, has been an incredible honor. It’s a responsibility I don’t take lightly. Earning and maintaining the respect of my colleagues and peers has been just as important as the work itself. I’ve learned that true leadership isn’t just about personal success—it’s about showing up, leading by example, and making sure others have the opportunities and tools they need to succeed too.
At my core, I have an innate drive to help people thrive, ensuring that those who are passionate, hardworking, and mission-driven get a fair shot at building something meaningful. Whether it’s through mentorship, advocacy, or providing the right solutions for businesses to operate successfully, I want to be known as someone who shows up, supports, and creates real opportunities for others. More than anything, I want to be recognized not just as an operator and service provider, but as a leader of good faith and effort—someone who helped pave the way for others to thrive. Because when one of us wins, we all win.