The Cannabis Business Coach

In this episode of The Cannabis Business Coach Podcast, host Michael Zaytsev (Professor Z) talks with Zach Kobrin, Partner at Saul Ewing LLP and the former General Counsel who steered Trulieve's $2.1 billion acquisition of Harvest Health, the largest completed deal in U.S. cannabis history. Zack traces his journey from helping win one of Florida's inaugural licenses to quarterbacking multi-state M&A at break-neck speed. He explains why NASDAQ and the NYSE are the biggest brake on industry growth, breaks down the booming yet fragile market for hemp-derived Delta-9 products, and shares the deal-making lessons every operator, investor, and advisor should know before the next consolidation wave hits. The conversation also covers the rise of hemp-derived THC products, the logistical challenges for new mainstream entrants like Edible Arrangements, and the differences in lobbying power between the hemp and marijuana sectors of the industry. The episode concludes with Zach offering advice for entrepreneurs on choosing a lawyer and his key takeaways from negotiating major deals in the cannabis space. Topics Discussed:

In this episode of The Cannabis Business Coach Podcast, Michael Zaytsev (aka Professor Z) speaks with Sasha Nugent, Vice President of Retail for Housing Works Cannabis Co. (HWCC)—the first licensed adult-use cannabis dispensary to open in New York State. With over 20 years of retail experience and a decade-long tenure at Housing Works, Sasha shares the behind-the-scenes story of launching and scaling HWCC's dispensary operations from the ground up. Their conversation covers hiring, procurement, regulation, and how to lead with mission in a competitive and volatile industry. More than a cannabis retailer, Housing Works channels 100% of dispensary proceeds into its social enterprise mission—supporting housing, healthcare, job training, and harm reduction services for vulnerable New Yorkers. This episode offers a rare and inspiring look at what it takes to build an equitable cannabis business that's truly community-driven. Topics Discussed:

In this episode, Michael Zaytsev (aka Professor Z) sits down with Peter Barsoom, CEO and Co-Founder of 1906, to talk about the next wave of cannabis consumption. From fast-acting edibles to THC beverage innovation, Peter shares how 1906 is meeting the demands of modern wellness culture, without the weed hangover. After a career leading strategy at American Express, Morgan Stanley, and Merrill Lynch, Peter left finance in 2015 to pursue a bold vision: make cannabis functional, fast-acting, and part of daily wellness rituals. Today, 1906 is a leader in precision-dosed, effect-driven cannabis products sold in dispensaries and online. Its latest product, Off Duty, is a discreet, sugar-free, unflavored THC+CBD beverage additive designed for the post-alcohol and sober-curious consumer. As New Frontier Data reports, 51% of cannabis consumers have already tried an infused beverage, and 41% of consumers under 40 express strong interest in this category. 1906 is leaning into that demand and building the future of functional cannabis one drink at a time. Topics Discussed:

Michael Zaytsev, aka Professor Z, sits down with branding legend and bestselling author David Paleschuck to explore the evolution of cannabis marketing and what it really takes to build a brand that lasts. As the founder and CEO of Branding Bud Consulting Group, David has worked on some of the most iconic mainstream and cannabis brands. Now he's helping elevate cannabis branding through his books, teachings, and consulting. In this candid conversation, David shares lessons from his journey, the importance of knowing your customer, and insights from his upcoming book The Cannabis Brand Licensing Bible. Topics Discussed:

Michael Zaytsev, aka Professor Z, sits down with Penelope Nam-Stephen, CEO of The Travel Agency's 5th Avenue and Soho dispensaries, to explore how luxury retail strategies are shaping the future of cannabis. With a background in high-end fashion, Penelope shares insights on normalizing the cannabis shopping experience, keeping the market economically healthy, and the industry's next big trends. Topics Discussed:

Michael Zaytsev, aka Professor Z of LIM College, sits down with Bethany Niebauer, Founder of Axial Resolutions, to explore the rising need for mediation in the cannabis industry. With nearly a decade of experience in cannabis law, compliance, and organizational dynamics, Bethany is pioneering alternative dispute resolution (ADR) to help businesses avoid costly litigation and navigate the industry's complex relationships. Topics Discussed:

Professor Michael Zaytsev returns to The Cannabis Business Coach Podcast after a two-and-a-half-year hiatus, bringing a fresh and inspiring conversation with Chris Foltz. Chris Foltz, the Managing Director of Responsible.com and Global Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Founder Institute, shares his insights, passion, and unique journey across industries, including his impactful contributions to the cannabis space. Topics Discussed: Chris's Multifaceted Career: From politics to startups, and his evolution from passion-driven pursuits to purposeful leadership in cannabis. Work with 40 Tons Brand: Supporting a cannabis company rooted in restorative justice and redefining societal perceptions. Cannabis Industry Insights: Challenges with scaling, regulatory hurdles, and the need for consistency akin to global brands like Coca-Cola. The Importance of First Principles: Breaking down complex problems and navigating the intersection of technology, humanity, and innovation. Destigmatizing Cannabis: Advocating for responsible use while addressing misconceptions. Investing in Cannabis: Guidance for prospective investors, emphasizing logistics, scalability, and de-risking strategies. Storytelling for Success: Leveraging personal and brand narratives to differentiate and connect authentically. Chris's candor and expertise make this episode a must-listen for entrepreneurs, investors, and advocates seeking to navigate the cannabis industry's unique landscape while making a meaningful impact. Noteworthy Quotes: "Authenticity is the new disruptive." "It's amazing what you can accomplish if you don't care who gets credit." "The cannabis industry is not about doing everything—it's about doing something better."

The Cannabis Business Coach Michael Zaytsev interviews and coaches Erika Tingey, Head of Product at Backbone IQ, a Cannabis technology company offering Cannabis supply chain management, compliance, and financial management software solutions for Cannabis manufacturers and other Cannabis operators. In this episode, we discuss: going from a mainstream corporate career to a Cannabis career the importance of an "I can learn anything mentality" when working in the constantly evolving Cannabis industry why relationships mean so much in the Cannabis business applying design thinking to solve Cannabis problems meeting and exceeding customer expectations and more! Recorded on 9/22/2021 Additional Resources: IDEO: Design Thinking The Cannabis Business Book The Cannabis Business Book (en Español) On this episode, we discuss going from a mainstream corporate career to a Cannabis career, the importance of an "I can learn anything mentality" when working in the constantly evolving Cannabis industry, why relationships mean so much in the Cannabis business, applying design thinking to solve Cannabis problems, and more. Recorded on 9/15/2021 Additional Resources: The Cannabis Business Book https://amzn.to/30dyyDQ The Cannabis Business Book (en Español) https://amzn.to/2WJsmGi Watch the interview on Youtube: https://youtu.be/LqoJYPnXuUc www.HiMikeZ.com

The Cannabis Business Coach Michael Zaytsev interviews visionary Cannabis business leader Andrew DeAngelo. As a co-founder and advisor to Harborside, Andrew has pioneered legal cannabis business processes and provided groundbreaking political engagement and thought leadership to the cannabis community. Andrew is co-founder and Chairperson of the Board for the non-profit Last Prisoner Project (LPP) and a founding Board of Directors member of the California Cannabis Industry Association (CCIA) where he served from 2013 to 2020. Andrew began his political career as an activist while studying for his MFA in acting at the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco. He has starred in several films and runs an entertainment production company, DeAngelo Brothers Productions (DAB), with his brother Steve, another iconic Cannabis leader. On this episode, Andrew shares his deep wisdom and amazing laugh as we discuss: Pioneering the dispensary with Harborside; Andrew's tips for transitioning from legacy to legal; How to hire good people and why it's absolutely critical to avoid hiring bad people (based on Andrew's experience of making thousands of Cannabis hires); The investment Andrew made that still pays dividends for him every day (spoiler: investing in his education); Our big brothers; The Last Prisoner Project; Mike Z and Andrew share their most fulfilling Cannabis business moments, and more! Recorded on 9/15/2021 Additional Resources: The Cannabis Business Book https://amzn.to/30dyyDQ The Cannabis Business Book (en Español) https://amzn.to/2WJsmGi Watch the interview on Youtube: https://youtu.be/fdlnohP3V7A www.HiMikeZ.com

The Cannabis Business Coach Michael Zaytsev interviews Marie Montmarquet, the co-founder of MD Numbers Inc, a 100% Black owned vertically integrated Cannabis company in California. Marie is a legacy cannabis operator who's been passionate about the plant for over 13 years. Her cannabis business expertise and equity activism have put her in the national spotlight. On this episode we discuss the transition from underground to compliant Cannabis, the conflicts between Cannabis culture and Capitalism, differences between the Northern and Southern California markets, the challenges of fundraising for Cannabis entrepreneurs, and how hard it is to create a profitable Cannabis business. Recorded on 9/8/2021 Additional Resources: The Cannabis Business Book https://amzn.to/30dyyDQ The Cannabis Business Book (en Español) https://amzn.to/2WJsmGi Watch the interview on Youtube: https://youtu.be/eGmpEB5Wrzk www.HiMikeZ.com

The Cannabis Business Coach Michael Zaytsev interviews and coaches Andrew Lobo, CEO of Kin Slips. Kin Slips is a California based manufacturer of Cannabis sublingual strips. Founded in 2016, Kin Slips has always been a pioneer in the Cannabis sublingual space, and in 2021 again when they launched the first THCA and CBD sublingual strip. Sublingual slips are placed under the tongue, where they are rapidly absorbed by the body. The active ingredients are then carried directly through the mucosal membrane to the bloodstream. The Cannabinoids and terpenes bypass the digestive system and directly enters the bloodstream via capillaries under your tongue. It's a discreet, efficient and consistent way to ingest Cannabis. This is especially important for medical patients who need their products to be as clean and predictable as possible. Prior to becoming CEO of Kin Slips, Andrew Lobo was COO and CFO of Kin Slips' biggest competitor. The two companies merged during Covid19 and are now ramping up like never before. Before getting into Cannabis, Andrew spent over a decade on Wall Street and worked in investment banking and private equity for top tier firms. Impressively, Andrew holds both a CFA and CPA. On this episode we discuss the merger of two category leaders, the importance of playing to your strengths, the sacrifice required to transition into Cannabis entrepreneurship, and the many decisions a CEO must make every day and get right. In the coaching portion, Mike Z helps Andrew brainstorm ways to get in front of a new demographic that Kin Slips is interested in reaching. Recorded on 6/9/2021 Additional Resources: The Cannabis Business Book https://amzn.to/30dyyDQ The Cannabis Business Book (en Español) https://amzn.to/3xdkeL1 www.HiMikeZ.com

The Cannabis Business Coach Michael Zaytsev interviews Jackie Kim and Charmaine Chua of STIIIZY, one of the most popular and fastest growing vaporizer brands in Cannabis. According to data from Headset, STIIIZY is the number 1 selling vaporizer brand in California and commands more than 20% of sales in the vape category. Jackie Kim, was one of STIIIZY's first employees and is now Director of Marketing. She helped grow the brand's Instagram following from 0 to over half a million followers in less than 4 years. Charmaine Chua joined STIIIZY with 15 years of sales experience; she previously worked at Philip Morris USA, now a subsidiary of Altria Group, where she held multiple leadership positions, including as a senior district manager overseeing a 35-person sales team covering 3,000 retail stores and generating $450 million in annual sales. Together, Jackie and Charmaine are part of STIIIZY's marketing and sales leadership. On this episode, they share what it takes to become a category king in Cannabis, the challenges of being #1 and how success can be daunting ,why truly understanding the Cannabis consumer requires respecting Cannabis culture, the importance of giving back, and more. Recorded on 6/2/2021 Additional Resources: The Cannabis Business Book https://amzn.to/30dyyDQ The Cannabis Business Book (en Español) https://amzn.to/3xdkeL1 www.HiMikeZ.com

The Cannabis Business Coach Michael Zaytsev interviews and coaches Dr. Maria Fernanda Arboleda an Anesthesiologist, Pain and Palliative Care Physician. Dr. Arboleda is an international Consultant and Medical Advisor as well as the Associate Research Director at Santé Cannabis. Likewise, she is a co-investigator on several research projects that are being developed in Canada and has extensive experience as an international speaker and faculty in more than 50 international conferences and medical meetings, contributing to the training and education of more than 5,000 health care professionals in Latin America, Canada and the UK, among other countries. On this episode, Dr Maria shares the 4 barriers to the mainstreaming of medical Cannabis, the 6 major ailments that Cannabis is an effective treatment tool for, common misconceptions about medical Cannabis, the status of legalization in various Latin American countries, and much more. In the business coaching portion, Mike Z helps Dr Maria with the challenge of procrastination and using time productively while waiting for regulations to change. Recorded on 5/26/2021 Additional Resources: The Cannabis Business Book https://amzn.to/30dyyDQ The Cannabis Business Book (en Español) https://amzn.to/3xdkeL1

The Cannabis Business Coach Michael Zaytsev interviews Liz Wald, an Executive and the Board Director for Good Earth Organics, which produces organic soils, amendments, and nutrients for Cannabis and hemp farmers. Prior to Good Earth Organics, Liz helped drive international growth at AOL, Etsy, and Indiegogo. She put her crowdfunding experience to use with Good Earth Organics, helping the company raise more than $1.8 million from more than 875 investors vie equity crowdfunding. On this episode, Liz shares her journey from tech to Cannabis, talks about starting out as a Cannabis investor before becoming a Cannabis entrepreneur and executive, why she believes entrepreneurs in Cannabis are the toughest and craziest of all entrepreneurs, the do's and don'ts of equity crowdfunding, and much more. In the business coaching portion, Mike Z helps Liz with the question of how to stay focused when a plethora of attractive opportunities constantly distract you. Recorded on 5/19/2021 Additional Resources: The Cannabis Business Book https://amzn.to/30dyyDQ The Cannabis Business Book (en Español) https://amzn.to/3xdkeL1 To Invest in Good Earth Organics: https://www.seedinvest.com/goodearthorganics/series.a

The Cannabis Business Coach Michael Zaytsev interviews Andrés Fajardo, Co-Founder and President of NASDAQ listed multi-national Cannabis company Clever Leaves. There, amongst many other achievements, Andrés led the development of Clever Leaves first 18 Hectares of GACP and EU-GMP certified cultivation and post-harvest facilities. Prior to Clever Leaves, Andres was a Founding Partner of Mojo Ventures, a unique late-stage company builder focused on working with startups and small companies to achieve unprecedented growth and profitability. Before being an entrepreneur, Andres was President/CEO at IQ Outsourcing, a leading Colombian Business Process Outsourcing Firm that is part of the Sanford Group of Companies. Prior to joining IQ, Andres was a Principal Member at Booz & Company, a management consulting firm. He also has an MBA from Harvard Business School. On this episode, Andrés shares an overview of 5+ years in the Cannabis industry for Clever Leaves, the critical mistake most companies get wrong about the employee-employer relationship, the unpredictable nature of Cannabis business, 3 elements of successful leadership, why Cannabis entrepreneurs are the luckiest business people, and more! In the business coaching portion, Mike Z mixes it up and asks Andrés for coaching around the question of choosing good partners, especially when an opportunity is time sensitive and so you don't have much time to get to know the other side. Recorded on 5/19/2021 Additional Resources: The Cannabis Business Book https://amzn.to/30dyyDQ The Cannabis Business Book (en Español) https://amzn.to/3xdkeL1 https://cleverleaves.com/en/home/

The Cannabis Business Coach Michael Zaytsev interviews and coaches Chris Walsh, CEO of Marijuana Business Daily, which includes MJBizDaily.com one of the best Cannabis industry news sites and the widely attended MJBizCon conferences. Chris shares his journey from journalist to Cannabis CEO, we celebrate Marijuana Business Daily's 10 year anniversary, and Chris shares a multitude of reasons why he's more excited about the future of the Cannabis industry than ever before. Perhaps it's because his team's research suggests that the size of the legal Cannabis market could double and approach $50 billion by 2025. In the business coaching portion, Chris asks Mike a big question about staying power and keeping an edge when business is already doing well. Recorded on 5/5/2021 Additional Resources: The Cannabis Business Book https://amzn.to/30dyyDQ The Cannabis Business Book (en Español) https://amzn.to/3xdkeL1 https://mjbizdaily.com/ https://mjbizconference.com/ https://www.michaelzaytsev.com/

The Cannabis Business Coach Michael Zaytsev interviews and coaches Vanessa Gabriel, CEO and Co-Founder of Drop Delivery, a high growth technology company that may become the Shopify of Cannabis delivery. Drop Delivery recently raised over a million dollars via equity crowdfunding in less than 2 months. They're going to raise investment capital via crowdfunding again according to Vanessa, who successfully sold her previous cannabis business (Greenlight Technologies) to a publicly traded company. On this episode we discuss the courageous craft of entrepreneurship, equity crowdfunding for Cannabis startups, the power of teamwork and much more. In the business coaching portion, Mike offers Vanessa support around the challenges of hiring for Cannabis jobs. Specifically how to scale your team without damaging a deeply established team culture. Recorded on 4/28/2021 Additional Resources: The Cannabis Business Book https://amzn.to/30dyyDQ https://www.michaelzaytsev.com/

The Cannabis Business Coach Michael Zaytsev interviews and coaches Milan Patel, Co-Founder and CEO of PathogenDx, a biotechnology company that has reinvented DNA-based testing to identify pathogens more quickly and easily than ever before. Their diagnostic solutions are helping to detect and address viral, bacterial and fungal infection and contamination in the agriculture, food, Cannabis, and healthcare industries. On this episode we discuss the challenges of bringing innovative technologies to market in highly regulated industries, why money doesn't determine whether or not you achieve your goals, the importance of doing the right thing, for the right reasons, with the right resources, and more! In the business coaching portion, Mike helps Milan with the challenge of remaining organized and efficient while scaling rapidly and servicing clients across very different industries. Recorded on 4/21/2021 Additional Resources: The Cannabis Business Book https://amzn.to/30dyyDQ https://www.michaelzaytsev.com/

The Cannabis Business Coach Michael Zaytsev interviews and coaches Rich Gonzalez, inventor of the Chill, a revolutionary smoking apparatus designed to replace the last generation of bongs. With nearly 30 years of experience in both the CPG and Home Goods verticals, Rich has a deep knowledge of the "concept-to-shelf" process, and hundreds of millions of people around the world own at least one item he's helped create. But none of them are quite like the Chill. On this episode we discuss the challenges of manufacturing and distributing Cannabis related products, the importance of having a great legal team and supportive partners, how brining a Cannabis accessory to market is different from traditional markets, and how to succeed in Cannabis even if you come from a non-traditional background. In the coaching portion, Mike and Rich discuss one of the biggest buzzkills to the Cannabis industry, government. Recorded on 4/14/2021 Additional Resources: The Cannabis Business Book https://amzn.to/30dyyDQ https://www.michaelzaytsev.com/

The Cannabis Business Coach Michael Zaytsev interviews and coaches Justin Fischer, CEO and Founder of RiskScout, a tech company that helps compliance officers and financial institutions manage clients in high risk businesses, like Cannabis. On this episode we discuss the importance of understanding the customers you are serving, the future of Cannabis banking, the Cannabis landscape in Texas and more. In the coaching portion, Mike helps Justin create a new marketing initiative to educate his prospects and save time while scaling his business and advancing the Cannabis industry ecosystem. Recorded on 4/7/2021 Additional Resources: The Cannabis Business Book https://amzn.to/30dyyDQ https://www.michaelzaytsev.com/

The Cannabis Business Coach Michael Zaytsev interviews and coaches Kevin O'Brien, Vice President at Marsh & McLennan, the world's largest insurance broker. Kevin is an intrapreneur of sorts, spearheading Marsh's Cannabis business. On this episode we discuss common misconceptions about Cannabis business insurance, the challenges of evaluating Cannabis business risk, why Kevin believes there will be many more insurance claims in the Cannabis industry over the next 5 years, and more. In the coaching portion, Mike helps Kevin with the challenges of standing out in the a highly competitive marketplace and convincing old timers that Cannabis isn't the devil's lettuce. Recorded on 3/31/2021 Additional Resources: The Cannabis Business Book https://amzn.to/30dyyDQ https://www.michaelzaytsev.com/

The Cannabis Business Coach Michael Zaytsev interviews and coaches Shellise Rogers. Sistah Rogers is a human rights activist at the intersection of cannabis, sustainability, and mental health. Her other ventures include: Mindful Toking, an educational experience with a conscious lens exploring psychedelics' effect on emotional and intellectual mechanisms, encouraging a shift in mindset towards holistic growth and wholeness; the Finance Auntie, a boutique financial accounting + planning agency; and Synergy Sesh, a Learning and Development company facilitating professional and business development initiatives for cannabis entrepreneurs. On this episode we discuss going from corporate to Cannabis, Cannabis and self care, and how to find good people to work with In the coaching portion, Mike helps Sistah Rogers with the challenge of finding good people to hire. Recorded on 3/24/2021 Additional Resources: The Cannabis Business Book https://amzn.to/30dyyDQ https://www.michaelzaytsev.com/

The Cannabis Business Coach Michael Zaytsev interviews and coaches Robert Bernstein, CPA, ESQ, and a Partner at Grassi & Co. As part of Grassi's Cannabis Practice, Robert helps vertically integrated cannabis companies, multi-state operators, medical and adult use dispensaries, cannabis technology companies, cannabis landowners, industrial hemp growers, CBD companies and other professionals navigate the unique challenges of this emerging industry. On this episode we discuss: the importance of showing up; the future of Cannabis infused products; common misconceptions about Cannabis accounting and banking; what private investors need to understand about Cannabis before investing, and more. In the coaching portion, Mike helps Rob with the challenge of COVID19 isolation and the lack of networking events and the learning opportunities that come from them. Recorded on 3/24/2021

The Cannabis Business Coach Michael Zaytsev interviews and coaches Justin Johnson, Founder of BudsFeed.com, a Cannabis discovery platform where Cannabis community members can seed and upvote their favorite products. We discuss the sacrifices required to become a Cannabis entrepreneur, the challenges of leaving an established career in a mainstream industry to get into Cannabis, the loneliness of entrepreneurship, and more. In the coaching portion, Mike helps Justin with opportunity ADD. As the Cannabis business is full of opportunities, the challenge is saying no to shiny objects or distractions and focusing on a good opportunity long enough to see it through and get high R.O.I.

The Cannabis Business Coach Michael Zaytsev interviews and coaches Laura Lagano, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, author of "The CBD Oil Miracle" and co-founder of the Holistic Cannabis Academy. As one of a handful of RDNs who has completed the prestigious Institute of Functional Medicine program, Laura integrates her expertise in nutrition, functional medicine, and cannabis in her private practice, Laura Lagano Nutrition LLC. We discuss misconceptions about Cannabis edibles, how to find quality products, writing a book, and how to combat Cannaphobia. In the coaching portion, Mike helps Laura with the challenge of getting people to understand that quality education comes at a cost.

The Cannabis Business Coach Michael Zaytsev interviews Sam Ghods, CEO of Connected Cannabis, one of California's highest premium and best selling Cannabis flower brands. Prior to entering the Cannabis industry, Sam was the co-founder and systems architect at Box, a multi billion dollar technology company that revolutionized cloud computing. On this episode, we discuss how Sam essentially went from unpaid intern to CEO of Connected Cannabis, why Sam believes that "Cannabis TAM (total addressable market) feels overwhelmingly enormous," why California's Cannabis market is most representative of where most markets will end up, lessons Sam took from Silicon Valley to Cannabis, and more. In the coaching portion, Mike Z asks Sam for advice on how to prioritize during periods of rapid growth.

The Cannabis Business Coach Michael Zaytsev interviews and coaches Michael McDonald, President of Ammonite Inc, maker of the Dablicator oil applicator, a product that was created by the Jetty Extracts team. Prior to entering the Cannabis industry by selling a real estate asset to the Jetty Extracts team, Mike had entrepreneurial experience in the furniture business, in product development, manufacturing, and as an operator launching the Giant bicycle brand as well as building and selling the Atlas Snowshoe Company to K2 Sports. On this episode, we discuss bringing a new product to market, the importance of activism in Cannabis business and why the only way to get into the Cannabis business is to get into the Cannabis business. In the coaching portion, Mike Z helps Mike McDonald with separating work life and home life during the pandemic when everyone is stuck at home.

The Cannabis Business Coach Michael Zaytsev interviews Michael Krawitz, Executive Director of Veterans for Medical Cannabis Access. For decades, Krawitz has been at the forefront of international Cannabis reform. On this episode, he provides a masterclass on the inner workings of international drug treaties, why they matter and how they're finally being renegotiated. He also offers great insight on a variety of other topics including the dangers of corporate Cannabis models and the need for creativity in Cannabis leadership.

The Cannabis Business Coach Michael Zaytsev interviews and coaches Brenda Smith, Founder and Managing Partner of CB Capital Concierge, a boutique capital advisory firm that helps investors and entrepreneurs succeed in Cannabis business. Brenda Smith is a high power business leader. After working at top financial institutions (Merrill Lynch, PNC Securities, Bernstein Private Wealth Management) Brenda built and sold her own international coaching business. She also taught Enterprise Leadership at Carnegie Mellon where she helped to commercialize new technologies developed at the university. Brenda offers an array of insights into the Cannabis investment landscape, how to raise and deploy capital for your Cannabis business, the future of the industry, the right way to evaluate Cannabis business growth, how Covid pulled the legal industry forward, and much more. In the coaching portion, Mike Z helps Brenda with one of her clients who is in the midst of "the entrepreneurial dilemma" aka "what got you here won't get you there."

The Cannabis Business Coach Michael Zaytsev interviews Tangy Daniel, a U.S. Marine Corp veteran who served 2 tours of duty in Iraq and then became Founder and CEO of multiple Cannabis businesses. This interview marks Tangy's last interview as an entrepreneur in the Cannabis industry. She's exiting the business to serve as an advocate in the firearms space, working to protect 2nd amendment rights. We discuss the restrictions around Cannabis and guns which are forcing her to give up one of her great passions.

The Cannabis Business Coach Michael Zaytsev interviews and coaches Adam Remis, Founder of YourCannaCFO.com and Co-Founder of CannaCFO Magazine. Adam has over 25 years of accounting and tax experience and has even been CFO of a New York Stock Exchange publicly traded company. In this episode, we discuss common misconceptions about the Cannabis industry, the importance of hiring experts to help with due diligence before investing in Cannabis businesses, and how the industry will change after federal legalization. In the coaching portion, Mike Z helps Adam with a client fundraising effort.

The Cannabis Business Coach Michael Zaytsev coaches Mary Pryor, Co-Founder of Cannaclusive, an organization built to facilitate fair representation of minority cannabis consumers and CMO of Tonic CBD. Mary has been widely recognized as a leading figure in the fight for inclusivity in the Cannabis industry. This episode is all coaching and no interview. Mike helps Mary battle with burnout and create space for her own fatigue and recovery.

The Cannabis Business Coach Michael Zaytsev interviews Joy Beckerman, Founder of Hemp Ace International and 2019 Hemp Industries Association Lifetime Achievement Award winner. Joy has been relentlessly committed to her mission of singing the praises of hemp and helping to integrate hemp back into society for almost 30 years now. Joy's leadership experience and positions in the hemp industry are too numerous to list, but suffice it to say she's one of the world's foremost experts and authorities on all things related to hemp business, policy and education. We discuss the current state of hemp affairs as well as the future of hemp policy, regulations, and more.

The Cannabis Business Coach Michael Zaytsev interviews Michael King, Co-Founder and CEO of Kings Garden. King was born in Russia, grew up in NYC, worked on Wall Street, became a professional powerlifter, earned a graduate degree in criminal justice and international law, and transitioned to a successful career in real estate –all before getting involved in the Cannabis industry. Earlier in his career, Mike worked on the Street at WorldCo, a top equity trading firm, as well as iCap Trading, where he managed more than $200 million of capital. He later developed a successful career in real estate, representing clients in transactions valued at more than $300 million. He also facilitated private equity transactions for prominent clients across multiple industries. As CEO of Kings Garden, Michael King has grown the company into one of the most successful Cannabis brands in California, scaling up from 10,000 square feet to now building out over a quarter million square feet of cultivation space. King shares his perspective and experience on raising money, building a team, why so many brands failed, and much more.

The Cannabis Business Coach Michael Zaytsev interviews and coaches Jenny Argie, Founder and CEO of Jenny's Baked at Home. Jenny's story is nothing short of amazing. She was a successful entrepreneur and innovator in the children's furniture business, was diagnosed with breast cancer, and turned to Cannabis medicine as an alternative treatment option, which worked out really well for her. This inspired Jenny to help other women and medical patients who didn't have access to good information and safe products. Jenny became one of the first licensed Hemp processors in New York State and has been helping people achieve health and wellness with her Jenny's Baked at Home products ever since. In this coaching segment, we work on the fatigue of dealing with shark investors during the Cannabis / CBD fundraising process. Recorded on 11/11/2020 and streamed at www.Twitch.TV/HiMikeZ.

The Cannabis Business Coach Michael Zaytsev interviews and coaches Leo Bridgewater Chief Innovation Officer of CWCBEducation. Leo, a U.S. Army Veteran, is also National Director of Veteran Outreach for Minorities for Medical Marijuana, and serves on the Boards of MPX New Jersey and Veteran's Ananda. Leo has been instrumental in advocating for greater access to medical Cannabis for the patients of New Jersey. So much so that Harmony Dispensary in New Jersey named a strain after Leo for his activism work. Leo offers deep insights into the New Jersey Cannabis market, shares his principles for Cannabis business success, and we have a meaty discussion about Cannabis equity and restitution for the victims of the War on Drugs. In this coaching segment, we work on communicating urgency without having it be received or perceived as arrogance. Recorded on 10/28/2020 and streamed at www.Twitch.TV/HiMikeZ.

The Cannabis Business Coach Michael Zaytsev interviews and coaches Chirali Patel, Founder of Blaze Responsibly. Chirali is an attorney at Carella, Byrne, Cecchi, Brody & Agnello. Prior to that, she worked in various public service roles as an attorney for Bergen County and for Hoboken in New Jersey. Chirali got involved in activism after having a family member with Cancer struggling to get access to medical Cannabis. Since then, she's become an advocate for greater access and also for diversity, inclusion and equity in the Cannabis industry. We discuss the state of New Jersey, applying for Cannabis business licenses, the need for widespread decriminalization, and more. In this coaching segment, Mike Z helps Chirali navigate social media marketing and how to use it to build a Cannabis brand or business without being sucked into the toxic and addicting aspects of social media.

The Cannabis Business Coach Michael Zaytsev interviews Joseph A Bondy. Named one of the Top 100 Criminal Trial Lawyers by the American College of Trial Lawyers, Joe Bondy has been characterized by the New York Times as "eloquent and armed with the serene demeanor of a surgeon," with an "oratorical intensity" that "hovers at the evangelistic." Joe has represented hundreds of individuals at all stages of criminal litigation. He serves on the Board of Directors of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) and is a Vice-President of the Cannabis Cultural Association (CCA). Joe has represented several individuals and businesses in the Cannabis and industrial hemp industry on a variety of legal matters. In this episode, we discuss Joe's transition from Criminal Defense into Commercial Cannabis law and Cannabis investing, political advocacy, conscious and responsible consumption of Cannabis and more. In the coaching portion, Joe offers some ideas for underground operators on how to successfully transition into the regulated Cannabis industry.

The Cannabis Business Coach Michael Zaytsev interviews Larisa Bolivar who has 20 years of experience in the Cannabis industry, including owning and operating one of Colorado's first medical dispensaries. She is Executive Director of the Cannabis Consumers Coalition, on the Board of Directors of Colorado NORML, and has helped clients win Cannabis licenses in multiple states. Recently, she started Bolivar Hemp Company which offers various hemp based wellness and cosmetic products. In this episode, we discuss the challenges of being an industry watchdog, succession planning, why "Cannabis attracts creatives," how Cannabis is unlike any other industry, fighting for social equity legislation, the problems of protectionist regulations, and the absolute importance of an abundance mindset when it comes to Cannabis entrepreneurship.

The Cannabis Business Coach Michael Zaytsev interviews and coaches Dr. David Cunic, a serial entrepreneur now focused on the Cannabis and hemp industry. David has founded multiple businesses and has successfully sold half of them. As a business consultant, David has raised over $10 million dollars for several different companies. In this episode we discuss taking a medical approach to business, fundraising tips and mistakes to avoid, the secrets of super successful networkers, and why you must always be willing to achieve greatness. In the Executive coaching segment, I teach David some of the strategies and best practices for writing a successful non-fiction book.

The Cannabis Business Coach Michael Zaytsev interviews and coaches Amanda Reiman, PhD MSW. Amanda is an amazing activist and Cannabis community guardian. After receiving her Ph.D. from U.C. Berkeley, Amanda became the Director of Research and Patient Services at Berkeley Patients Group, one of the oldest dispensaries in the country. From there she moved on to become the California policy manager for the Drug Policy Alliance, where she helped to legalize adult use Cannabis in California with Prop 64. For over a decade, Amanda has taught courses on harm reduction and drug policy at U.C. Berkeley. Currently, Amanda is the the Vice President of Community Development for Flow Cannabis Co, a cannabis company that works with small farmers in the Emerald Triangle. Most recently, she is the Founder of a new startup called Personal Plants. In this episode we discuss Amanda's epic Cannabis advocacy background, the current state of California (on fire, but not in the good way), reparations and restorative justice for the War on Drugs, and more. In the Executive coaching segment, we work on the challenges and benefits of starting a Cannabis business without a traditional business background.

The Cannabis Business Coach Michael Zaytsev interviews and coaches Warren Bobrow, the one-of-a-kind mixologist, chef, and writer known as the Cocktail Whisperer. Warren and Mike Z share many stories and laughs in this episode as we chat about leaving corporate America, feeling like the luckiest guy in the world, writing books, getting arrested for smoking pot in NYC and much more. In the Executive Coaching portion, we work on managing timelines and the many other administrative requirements of starting a business.

The Cannabis Business Coach Michael Zaytsev interviews and coaches the dynamic and dedicated Kristin Jordan, Director of Real Estate for large multistate operator, Acreage Holdings. Committed cannabis justice champion, Kristin Jordan is also the Founder of The Maze, a cannabis community event calendar and Mannada, an events production company. Kristin's also Founder of the Asian Cannabis Roundtable and a Co-Founder of New York based 501(c)3 nonprofit, the Cannabis Cultural Association. In this episode, Kristin shares her story of going from covert consumer to fierce advocate of Cannabis. We cover a lot of ground in this conversations including uncomfortable topics like racism within the Cannabis community. In the Executive Coaching portion, we work on promoting yourself in an authentic and effective way.

The Cannabis Business Coach Michael Zaytsev interviews and coaches Neil Kaufman, the managing partner of Kaufman & Associates, LLC. Neil brought his 30 years of experience in corporate and securities Law into Cannabis. Kaufman formerly served as Chairman of the Board of a Nasdaq-listed technology company and is a 2019 Superlawyer. In this episode we discuss raising capital for Cannabis businesses, the due diligence process, and how the Cannabis business playing field is starting to look increasingly similar to other industries.

The Cannabis Business Coach Michael Zaytsev interviews and coaches Shanon Jaramillo, Founder of Cannabis NM Staffing. Shanon brought her 20 years of experience in recruitment, development, and retention in the restaurant, retail, banking, insurance, and education industries into Cannabis. She is an award-winning entrepreneur, having been honored with the New Mexico Essie Award for Best Ancillary Cannabis Business in 2019 and the 2020 Women in Business Development Award which honors women who use their experience to guide and mentor employees. In this episode we discuss the state of New Mexico Cannabis, how to become a standout, 5 star Cannabis job candidate, and more. We go deep in the coaching session (37:33), diving into many topics including imposter syndrome, facing the unknown, and the penalties of leadership.

The Cannabis Business Coach Michael Zaytsev interviews and coaches Heather Cabot. Heather is an author, award-winning journalist, former ABC News correspondent and anchor. Her latest book, "The New Chardonnay" examines how marijuana went mainstream. Heather tells the story of going from an absolute Cannabis outsider to being inspired to write a book about Cannabis. She spent 3 years traveling the country and Canada, interviewing dozens of people in the industry to understand who and what was behind the stunning rebranding of marijuana. In the coaching portion, Mike Z helps Heather find greater self-acceptance and peace when dealing with the uncertainty of living in a covid19 world.

The Cannabis Business Coach Michael Zaytsev interviews and coaches Vladimir Bautista, the Co-Founder of Happy Munkey, one of New York's most influential Cannabis lifestyle brands. Vlad shares the story of his come-up and the motivation for starting Happy Munkey, which has quickly become internationally known for its high end, yet very inclusive Cannabis events. Combining his background in music and hospitality with his wide network, Vlad and Happy Munkey have become a powerful force of Cannabis community connection. Recently, the Happy Munkey team has been creating original media content which can sometimes be overwhelming when there are so many creative angles and avenues to explore. Vlad shares about Happy Munkey's plans for the future as well as the philosophy that drives him in his work.

The Cannabis Business Coach Michael Zaytsev interviews Adam Levin, the Executive Chairman of High Times. Adam is a serial entrepreneur and investor who has started and sold an education technology company, owned a number of media entities, CPG businesses, a restaurant chain, and more. We chat about the storied history and exciting future of High Times. Adam tells me about the challenges of running the most recognized brand in Cannabis and being under constant scrutiny. He shares his personal story of going from being the entrepreneur who always had a bong on his desk to buying High Times, “a dream come true.”

The Cannabis Business Coach Michael Zaytsev interviews and coaches Caroline Phillips, the Founder and Executive Producer of the National Cannabis Festival Caroline is the visionary and leader behind one of the largest and coolest Cannabis events in the world, the National Cannabis Festival. We discuss Caroline's foray into Cannabis business and the lessons she's learned along the way. We also chat about the difficult yet necessary decision to postpone her signature event, the National Cannabis Festival due to Covid19. In the coaching portion, Mike Z helps Caroline see that our greatest challenges often present our greatest opportunities as we examine the silver lining of postponing this year's festival.

The Cannabis Business Coach Michael Zaytsev interviews and coaches Claudia Post, the CEO and Founder of Most Consulting Group. Claudia entered the Cannabis industry with decades of entrepreneurship experience. For the past 12 years, she's run a Cannabis marketing agency. Claudia shares about the 2 exciting, new Cannabis businesses she's currently launching, the simple question that leads to true innovation, how to get started in the industry as well as timeless business advice from two of her greatest mentors. She offers insights about the importance of resilience, building a supportive and complementary team, and how to authentically reinvent yourself as entrepreneurs must do from time to time. In the coaching portion, Mike Z helps Claudia think differently about leveraging her existing client relationships for finding investment capital for her new ventures.

The Cannabis Business Coach Michael Zaytsev interviews and coaches Ross O'Brien, Founder of Bonaventure Equity and author of "Cannabis Capital: How to Get Your Business Funded in the Cannabis Economy." Ross and Michael discuss raising money during this pandemic economic cycle, how entrepreneurs can protect themselves from shark investors, why Cannabis venture capital is different from traditional venture capital and how that informs Ross's investment thesis, writing a book in 90 days and more. In the coaching portion, Ross and Mike Z look at some of the work/life trade offs required when running your own business.