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127 episodes with shayda torabi
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2 episodes with shayda torabi
2 episodes with shayda torabi
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2 episodes with shayda torabi
2 episodes with shayda torabi
2 episodes with shayda torabi
2 episodes with shayda torabi
The cannabis industry in Texas is growing, pumping billions of dollars into the economy. But the industry faces potential bans on the use of psychoactive derivatives from hemp, Delta 8 and Delta 9. In this download, ABJ Staff Writer Sahar Chmais connects with Shayda Torabi, CEO of RESTART and President of the Texas Hemp Coalition to learn more.
"I'm a free market guy, but I look at this much like alcohol where you don't want 10 distributors of Bud Light in a specific market. So it's very similar to that." - John MuellerJump into the latest 'To Be Blunt' episode with Shayda Torabi and cannabis bigwig John Mueller, co-founder and CEO of Greenlight - a vertically integrated, multi-state cannabis operator with over 180,000 square feet of cultivation and manufacturing and 550 employees, as they navigate the high-stakes world of cannabis licensing. Unpack the impacts of Twilio and MasterCard's policies, dive into state-specific regulations, and learn why winning licenses beats buying. With bonus insights on protecting license values and state recreational programs, this is a must-listen episode![00:00 - 08:10] Twilio Cuts Services to Cannabis Industry Operators: What Does This Mean for the Future?[08:10 - 15:36] A Huge Blow to Cannabis Operators and a Setback for the Industry[15:36 - 22:40] Navigating the Cannabis Industry in Different States[22:40 - 30:40] Partnering with Establishments for Credibility[30:40 - 37:38] Connections, Cultivation, and Compliance with Greenlight[37:38 - 44:29] Converting Illicit Cannabis Consumers to Regulated Markets in Missouri and Beyond[44:29 - 51:38] Exploring the Black Market[51:38 - 1:01:11] From Founding Members to Expanding Horizons in the Cannabis IndustryConnect with John!Linkedin,Or go to https://greenlightdispensary.com/John Mueller is the Co-Founder and CEO of Greenlight, a vertically-integrated, multi-state operator with 3 in-house brands, over 180,000 square feet of cultivation and manufacturing, and more than 550 employees. Through John's expertise in scaling businesses, Greenlight is tracking over $200 million in annualized revenue and is positioned to have 40 dispensaries open by Q1 of 2024.Resources Mentioned:https://mjbizdaily.com/text-messaging-provider-twilio-cuts-service-to-cannabis-industry/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/28/business/mastercard-debit-cannabis-transactions.html
"At the end of the day, I don't care what anybody tells you. Is a better experience, whether that dabbles concentrate, whether that's an edible tincture, you are capturing the true essence of the plant with this extraction. We're not adding anything; we're not taking anything away." - Cliff HaneyExplore the Art of Solventless Extraction with Shayda Torabi and her guest Cliff Haney! Learn about the four pillars of this craft: heat, water, ice, and pressure, and understand why top cannabis brands are flocking to this method and how it results in products brimming with aromatic terpenes and unparalleled shelf stability. Cliff peels back the nuances of ice water extraction and the crucial roles of strain genetics, yields, and trichomes. Plus, get an insider's look into the TURP guide, the bridge between brands and discerning consumers. Ignite your curiosity about solventless with us![00:00 - 08:10] Dive into Product Analysis and the Evolving Regulatory Landscape[08:10 - 15:48] Evolution of Cannabis Extraction: From Distillate to Solventless and Full Spectrum[15:49 - 23:22] Uncovering the Benefits of Solventless Extraction[23:23 - 31:30] Exploring the Advantages of Washing vs. Pressing[31:31 - 39:13] Nuances of Premium Cannabis Products in Evolving Markets[39:13 - 46:52] The Effects of Refrigerating Cannabis Concentrates[46:53 - 54:50] Cannabis Trends and Techniques[54:50 - 59:21] Cannabis Expansion and Ethical Integration from Europe to the USConnect with Cliff!Linkedin and InstagramGo to https://www.terpguide.com/Cliff Haney is the Co-founder of TerpGuide. He has spent the last five years setting up some of the world's most extensive solventless extraction facilities. He's had the unique opportunity to sample top-notch terps at hash competitions throughout the US. Outside of work, Cliff takes pleasure in snowboarding, piloting his drone, crafting content, and indulging in thrifting
"I don't want us to have beverages go stagnant with beverages that are moving because they're high dose and cheap on the West Coast. Let's come up with some more functional beverages, whether they're high dose or low dose, and let's incorporate other pieces of the plant. I think that's a key differentiator." - Diana EberleinDive into cannabis beverages exploring low-dose THC, the hemp vs. marijuana showdown, crafty cannabis concoctions, and more! In today's episode, host Shayda Torabi celebrates the fifth anniversary of its Restart CBC brand, while expert Diana Eberlein, from Source Technology and Cannabis Beverage Association members, sheds light on industry shifts, tastes, laws, and making cannabis accessible. They also discuss self-regulation and the National Drink Cannabis Day on August 20th, an initiative by the Cannabis Media Council. Tune in to grasp the transformative potential of cannabis beverage and their impact on the industry![00:00 - 08:13] Celebrating 5 Years of Cannabis Business[08:13 - 15:24] Introducing Diana Eberlein: Exploring Cannabis Beverages, Emulsion Technology, and the Future of CPG[15:24 - 22:07] Exploring the Split in Cannabis Beverage Flavor Profiles: Low-Dose vs High-Dose[22:07 - 29:20] Exploring Cannabis Trends: Dosages, Formats, and Market Demand[29:20 - 36:21] A Look at the Future of Hemp Derived and Marijuana Derived Products[36:22 - 43:08] Exploring the Social and Economic Impacts of Low Dose Products[43:09 - 49:52] Exploring the Opportunities and Challenges of Cannabis-Derived and Hemp-Derived THC Beverages[49:52 - 56:35] Celebrate National Drink Cannabis Day and Learn How to Enjoy Cannabis Beverages Safely[56:35 - 1:00:24] Closing SegmentDiana Eberlein currently leads Marketing & Business Development at SōRSE Technology, a leading water-soluble technology for infusing cannabis beverages, food, supplements, and personal care products. Leveraging her 10+ years' experience in entertainment marketing specializing in brand development, experiential marketing, and celebrity partnerships, Eberlein develops the strategy behind all events, PR, and advertising.SōRSE currently powers the leading THC, Hemp D9, and CBD-infused beverages, including Cann, Mad Tasty, Leisuretown, Rebel Rabbit, and more.As a cannabis advocate and an infused beverage enthusiast, Eberlein became the chair of the Cannabis Beverage Association at the beginning of 2023, which focuses on beverage category awareness, government and regulatory affairs, and representing infused beverages across the US. Eberlein is also a member of the Cannabis Marketing Association and the Forbes Agency Council.Connect with Diana!Linkedin and InstagramOr go to www.sorsetech.com and https://cannabisbeverageassociation.org/And Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/company/sorsetech/https://www.linkedin.com/company/cannabisbeverageassociation
"The brand is kind of the representation of all of the good or bad things that the customer or the purchasing public perceives around the brand" - Seth GardenswartzIn this episode of To Be Blunt, host Shayda Torabi and guest Seth Gardenswartz, founder of Black Garden Law, explore the art of creating and safeguarding a compelling brand, understanding business goals, legal insights, and effective marketing practices. Discover valuable strategies to develop your brand in the competitive cannabis market, including quality products, federal trademark protection, local community engagement, and strategic partnerships.[00:11 - 08:30] Exploring the Challenges of Marketing Cannabis Skincare and Topicals[08:30 - 16:08] Exploring the Future of Cannabis Branding[16:08 - 23:18] How Cannabis Businesses Can Benefit from Strategic Marketing and Counseling[23:19 - 30:57] Exploring the Challenges of Establishing Cannabis Brands and Trademark Protection[30:57 - 38:43] Challenges and Strategies for Long-Term Success[38:44 - 46:04] Harnessing Brand Equity and Building Codependent Relationships: The Keys to Success in the Cannabis Industry[46:04 - 53:32] Exploring the Challenges of Building a Successful Cannabis Brand in a Maturing Market[53:33 - 00:47] Scaling Local Brands to National Success[00:48 - 01:07:42] Closing SegmentSeth Gardenswartz is a marketing guy who somehow wound up in law school. His specialties include trademarks, brand development, craft beverages, cannabis, IP licensing, e-commerce, digital media, and general business law. Seth co-founded Blackgarden Law with his partner Candice Owens to create a boutique business law firm representing high-growth ventures. They quickly established a substantial practice in the tech start-up and craft beer industries. When recreational cannabis became legal in their home state, they swiftly moved into the market to focus on corporate structure, finance, and brand protection for this rapidly growing industry. Now with a tight-knit group of business attorneys, they represent cannabis brands nationwide.Connect with Seth!Linkedin and InstagramGo to https://www.blackgardenlaw.com/Resources Mentioned:https://www.allure.com/story/cbd-beauty
"You better get ready to play your A game, and you'd better get us and get a strong backbone and figure out who you can align with that can help you succeed because you can not succeed alone in this business." - Kim PrinceWant to know how to get your Cannabis brand in the spotlight?In today's episode, Shayda Torabi shares valuable insights on how to navigate the world of publicity and media in the cannabis space, discussing recent news such as the relaxation of regulations for hemp and CBD, Twitter's cannabis-friendly advertising policy, and the Cannabis Media Council's Full Spectrum Report.Also, her guest, Kim Prince, who is the founder of Proven Media, a marketing and communications firm based in Carefree, Arizona, shares insights on navigating publicity and media in the cannabis space, discussing topics like responsible advertising, media partnerships, and working with influencers. They also discuss celebrity-endorsed cannabis brands and success stories. Listeners gain valuable tips on PR strategies for the evolving cannabis industry, emphasizing authenticity and building relationships with reporters.Tune in now and get ready for an informative discussion on media PR strategies specifically tailored for those in the cannabis space![00:00 - 07:37] How to Succeed in the Cannabis Industry with a Strong Backbone and Allies[07:37 - 14:59] Celebrity-Endorsed Cannabis Brands Making Waves in California Market[14:59 - 22:25] From Corporate Career to Cannabis Industry[22:26 - 30:16] Building Relationships and Trust[30:17 - 37:25] How Influencers Can Help Tell the Story[37:25 - 45:12] Exploring the Benefits of Influencer Marketing and the PESO Model for Paid and Earned Media[45:13 - 53:05] Exploring the Pros and Cons of Media Exposure[53:05 - 01:00:30] Creating a Successful Media PR Plan[01:00:30 - 01:06:34] Creating Authentic Relationships and Bringing Creative Solutions to the Cannabis IndustryKim Prince is the CEO and founder of Proven Media, a well-established, reputable, results-oriented agency serving B2B and B2C cannabis companies throughout North America. She brings more than 20 years of B2B and B2C corporate marketing campaigns to the table and has a proficient background in corporate messaging strategies, public relations, and strategic planning for corporations, brands, and C-level executives. Her passion is to help strong, complex businesses and their visionaries reach their goals.Connect with Kim!Linkedin and Facebookhttps://www.provenmedia.com/E-mail: sadie@provenmediaservices.comhttps://www.statista.com/statistics/879805/cannabis-ad-spend-north-america/https://digiday.com/marketing/twitter-now-allows-cannabis-advertising-and-brands-are-ready-to-spend-to-test-and-learn-on-the-platform/https://digiday.com/marketing/as-cannabis-advertising-goes-mainstream-guidelines-become-necessary/https://www.cannabismediacouncil.com/full-spectrum-guidelines-2023https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2023/07/ftc-sends-cease-desist-letters-fda-companies-selling-edible-products-containing-delta-8-thchttps://www.rollingstone.com/culture-council/articles/cannabis-beverages-what-marketers-should-know-current-trends-1234787144/https://bdsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Whats-Next-for-Cannabis-Beverages-After-a-Booming-Summer.pdf
"There are many ways to kind of establish and build your brand. I think if you don't have these things, now is a great time to be inspired to figure out: ¿What is my brand? ¿Why? ¿What are my brand values? ¿What's my mission statement? To continue to get that buy-in internally for your team to live and breathe it." - Katherine WolfWith more competition than ever in the cannabis industry, building a strong brand identity is critical to success!In this episode, Shayda Torabi joins Joe Hodas, Katherine Wolf, and John Shute, to explore how cannabis brands can create a distinctive personality that resonates with consumers and sets them apart from the competition. Guests will share their own unique stories and experiences in the industry and discuss how they successfully navigated through different challenges and obstacles. Listeners will gain insight into how to develop a brand personality that aligns with their business goals and appeals to their target audience.[00:11 - 07:56] From Seed to Brand[07:56 - 15:41] Crafting a Compelling Identity for Your Cannabis Brand[15:41 - 22:11] Discovering the "Why" Behind Your Brand[22:11 - 28:46] Tips for Differentiating Yourself and Connecting with Your Audience[28:47 - 36:14] Consumer Insights and the Power of Effective Branding[36:14 - 43:06] Reinvigorating the Brand: Refreshing Logos, Packaging, and Values[43:06 - 49:53] Codifying Company Values for Long-Term Brand Strength[49:53 - 01:01:41] SOPs, Branding, and Company Culture in the Cannabis IndustryJoe Hodas, Chief Marketing Officer at Wana Brands, is an Experienced Marketing and Operations Executive with a demonstrated history of working in cannabis, travel, and tourism, consumer packaged goods (CPG), as well as fast-casual dining, and healthcare--all through the lens of the brand.Connect with Joe through!Linkedin,or go to https://www.wanabrands.com/Katherine Wolf, Chief Marketing and Operations Officer at Malek's Premium Cannabis is a cannabis marketer, branding specialist, and writer. She has a B.S. in Marketing & Economics from The University of Tampa and a background in branding, digital marketing, and copywriting and editing for both B2B and B2C brands from the startup to enterprise level.Connect with Katherine through!Linkedin,or go to https://www.malekspremiumcannabis.com/John Shute, CEO at PufCreativ, is a creative cannabis marketing strategy, B2B, B2C, and client communication in the marijuana industry. He has been awarded “2020 Colorado CEO of the Year” by CEO Monthly and "2020 Marketer of the Year" by ADCANN.Connect with John through!Linkedin, or go to https://pufcreativ.com/Shayda Torabi has been called one of the most influential Women in WordPress and now she's one of the women leading the cannabis reformation conversation building one of Texas' premier CBD brands. She's currently the CEO and Co-Founder of RESTART CBD, a female-run education first CBD wellness brand. And has formerly held marketing positions at WP Engine and WebDevStudios. Shayda is the host of a podcast for cannabis marketers called To Be Blunt, where she interviews top cannabis brands on their most successful marketing initiatives. When Shayda's not building her cannabiz in Texas, you can find her on the road exploring the best hikes and spots for vegan ice cream. Follow Shayda at @theshaydatorabi SPONSORSHIP is brought to you by Restart CBD. Check them out for your CBD needsLEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to join me for episodes featuring some serious cannabis industry by sharing this episode or click here to listen to past episodesRESTART CBD is an education-first CBD wellness brand shipping nationwide.Check out my new website
"The more that we de-stigmatize cannabis, the more that we all win." - Brianna KilcullenAre you aware of Hemp's Potential to Revolutionize the Textile Industry?Welcome back to the To Be Blunt podcast! In this episode, Shayda Torabi welcomes Brianna Kilcullen, who offers valuable insights on how hemp can reshape the US textile market and contribute to sustainable infrastructure. This valuable information serves as a guide for investors, farmers, innovators, and engineers, providing practical advice on how to collaboratively build a robust and thriving infrastructure for the burgeoning US hemp industry.[00:00 - 08:12] Missouri Tests Plain Packaging for Cannabis Products to Protect Children from Accidental Consumption and Poisoning[08:12 - 15:48] Navigating Legalities and Building a Hemp-Based Industry[15:48 - 24:05] Exploring Hemp's Underdog Energy and History[24:05 - 31:53] Reviving Domestic Industry, Driving Innovation, and Overcoming Fear[31:53 - 39:59] Unraveling the Global Supply Chain and Exploring New Possibilities[40:00 - 47:26] Advocating for Ethical and Transparent Hemp Sourcing in the Textile Industry[47:26 - 54:59] Financing the Hemp Industry for Sustainable Growth and Economic Resilience[54:59 - 61:38] Exploring the Potential of Hemp, Sustainable Manufacturing, and Industry EducationBrianna Kilcullen is the founder of Anact and is originally from Atlantic Beach, FL. In 2019, she helped legalize hemp in Florida while launching Anact. Prior to starting Anact, she worked in the apparel industry for prAna, a subsidiary of Columbia Sportswear and Under Armour, traveling to 40+ countries and working in factories on almost every continent. She is a dual citizen of the US and Ireland.Connect with Brianna!Linkedin and InstagramGo to https://anactglobal.com/Resources Mentioned:https://www.marijuanamoment.net/rfk-jr-pledges-to-legalize-marijuana-and-psychedelics-using-revenue-to-fund-farms-where-people-recovering-from-drug-addiction-can-grow-organic-food/https://www.wmur.com/article/new-hampshire-medical-marijuana-dispensaries-sales/44370545#https://psychedelics.berkeley.edu/berkeley-psychedelics-survey-2023/https://moberlymonitor.com/stories/missouri-to-be-testing-ground-on-plain-packaging-for-cannabis-products,43718Shayda Torabi has been called one of the most influential Women in WordPress and now she's one of the women leading the cannabis reformation conversation building one of Texas' premier CBD brands. She's currently the CEO and Co-Founder of RESTART CBD, a female-run education first CBD wellness brand. And has formerly held marketing positions at WP Engine and WebDevStudios. Shayda is the host of a podcast for cannabis marketers called To Be Blunt, where she interviews top cannabis brands on their most successful marketing initiatives. When Shayda's not building her cannabiz in Texas, you can find her on the road exploring the best hikes and spots for vegan ice cream. Follow Shayda at @theshaydatorabi SPONSORSHIP is brought to you by Restart CBD. Check them out for your CBD needsLEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to join me for episodes featuring some serious cannabis industry by sharing this episode or click here to listen to past episodesRESTART CBD is an education-first CBD wellness brand shipping nationwide.Check out my new website
"We want to bring integrity and efficacy to an industry where there are a lot of people who choose to operate in a gray area and cause it's so consumer-driven, we have to be on the front lines." - Jesse KernsJoin Jesse Kerns, co-founder of New Bloom Labs, as he discusses about the critical role of lab testing in ensuring the safety of cannabis products. Delve into the world of cannabis testing, exploring different test types, seed-to-sale tracking, and the impact of the 2018 hemp bill on industry standards. Discover how New Bloom Labs approaches testing novel cannabinoids while prioritizing accredited standards and the need for rigorous quality control.With a focus on consumer protection, this episode is your guide to the cannabis landscape.[00:00 - 07:50] Revolutionizing Cannabis Testing and Quality Control in Emerging Markets[07:50 - 15:09] Ensuring Compliance and Quality in Every Batch[15:09 - 22:57] Quality Control Measures for Hemp and High THC Cannabis[22:57 - 30:16] The Role of Texas Hemp Coalition and New Bloom Labs in the Evolving Hemp Market and Consumer Safety[30:16 - 37:54] Navigating the Gray Area of Cannabis Testing[37:54 - 44:58] Exploring the Impact of Hemp Legislation, Self-Regulation, and Education[44:58 - 52:00] Bringing Integrity and Efficacy to the Cannabis Industry[52:00 - 58:26] Embracing Industry TransformationJesse Kerns was born in Greene County, Tennessee. Jesse was always drawn to the mountains, streams, and the great outdoors. Starting his career in stock car racing, he learned important values of teamwork, efficiency, and determination. Transitioning to become a land broker, Jesse brought his passion for conservation and farming to help clients with land ownership and management in Chattanooga.In 2019, Jesse co-founded New Bloom Labs and immersed himself in the cannabis industry. Now, he leads the company's expansion into new markets, utilizing his diverse background and efficiency. Eager to connect with cannabis producers nationwide, Jesse is driven to establish relationships and contribute to the industry's growth.Connect with Jesse!Go to Linkedin, Facebook, and Instagramor visit https://www.newbloomlabs.com/Shayda Torabi has been called one of the most influential Women in WordPress and now she's one of the women leading the cannabis reformation conversation building one of Texas' premier CBD brands. She's currently the CEO and Co-Founder of RESTART CBD, a female-run education first CBD wellness brand. And has formerly held marketing positions at WP Engine and WebDevStudios. Shayda is the host of a podcast for cannabis marketers called To Be Blunt, where she interviews top cannabis brands on their most successful marketing initiatives. When Shayda's not building her cannabiz in Texas, you can find her on the road exploring the best hikes and spots for vegan ice cream. Follow Shayda at @theshaydatorabi SPONSORSHIP is brought to you by Restart CBD. Check them out for your CBD needsLEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to join me for episodes featuring some serious cannabis industry by sharing this episode or click here to listen to past episodesRESTART CBD is an education-first CBD wellness brand shipping nationwide. Get full access to To Be Blunt at tobebluntpod.substack.com/subscribe
"Follow your passion. There's room for it in the space, and may not be in a direct role and may be consultative, but it exists, and you just have to lean into what you're passionate about."Are you ready to unlock the hidden potential of cannabis SEO?Join us on the "To Be Blunt" podcast as Matthew Shterenberg, CEO of Deeproots Partners, reveals the secrets of local search, the Google "Vicinity Update," and the art of captivating content and branding. Explore the latest news on Alabama's medical marijuana program, Rhode Island's Cannabis Control Commission, and Twitch's ban on cannabis content.Tune in now for a transformative journey into optimizing SEO for cannabis brands![00:00 - 07:32] Denver's Week of Marijuana Events, Licensing, and Legal Discussions[07:32 - 15:40] From Music Dreams to Cannabis SEO: The Journey of Matthew Shterenberg and Deeproots Partners[15:40 - 23:42] Finding Success in the Cannabis Industry: Passion, Strategy, and Optimism[23:42 - 31:31] Google Maps Algorithm, Local Industries and the Impact on SEO Strategies[31:31 - 39:51] Strategies for Google Maps Rankings and Visibility[39:51 - 47:34] Navigating Censorship and Emerging Search Trends[47:34 - 55:08] Navigating Google's Categorization and Compliance[55:08 - 03:01] The Evolving Landscape of Cannabis Marketing: Regional Focus, SEO Strategies, and Industry InsightsMatthew Shterenberg is a Cannabis industry veteran who, in the last 7 years, has guided marketing and sales strategies for well-known brands like Papa & Barkley, Dom Pen, Sherbinskis, and retail companies like Grassdoor, Body and Mind, Airfield, Hyperwolf, and more.Matt has proven himself time and again to business leaders with his deep understanding of cannabis consumer behavior which drives lucrative strategies that drive millions in revenue.Connect with Matthew!Go to LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-shterenberg-272235b9/Shayda Torabi has been called one of the most influential Women in WordPress and now she's one of the women leading the cannabis reformation conversation building one of Texas' premier CBD brands. She's currently the CEO and Co-Founder of RESTART CBD, a female-run education first CBD wellness brand. And has formerly held marketing positions at WP Engine and WebDevStudios. Shayda is the host of a podcast for cannabis marketers called To Be Blunt, where she interviews top cannabis brands on their most successful marketing initiatives. When Shayda's not building her cannabiz in Texas, you can find her on the road exploring the best hikes and spots for vegan ice cream. Follow Shayda at @theshaydatorabiSPONSORSHIP is brought to you by Restart CBD. Check them out for your CBD needsLEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to join me for episodes featuring some serious cannabis industry by sharing this episode or click here to listen to past episodesRESTART CBD is an education-first CBD wellness brand shipping nationwide.Check out my new website
We chat with Shayda Torabi, CEO of RESTART CBD, about how the cannabis industry intrigued her, the stigmas of cannabis, why cannabis education is important, quality maintenance, and more! RESTART CBD's mission is to educate and empower everybody. RESTART CBD is the premier CBD brand and cannabis dispensary in Central Texas offering customers high-quality products in a welcoming and educational environment that ships nationwide. Check out theshaydatorabi.com and restartcbd.com for more information!
"The only difference between an entrepreneur who's successful and an entrepreneur who is not successful is that an entrepreneur who's successful doesn't quit." - Willie McKenzieEver wondered what it takes to thrive in the ever-evolving world of cannabis entrepreneurship?Join Shayda as she interviews Willie Mackenzie, an experienced cannabis entrepreneur. Willie, CEO of Left Coast Holdings, discusses his transition from legacy to regulated markets, essential strategies like branding and vertical integration, and pressing industry issues. He also announces the launch of a mastermind group for aspiring entrepreneurs. Tune in for enlightening insights into the world of cannabis![00:00 - 07:46] Celebrating 3 Years of Trailblazing Cannabis Conversations on the To Be Blunt Podcast[07:47 - 15:30] Navigating the Difficulties of Transitioning from Medical to Recreational Cannabis in California and Michigan[15:31 - 22:46] Adapting to Regulatory Challenges and Market Shifts in the Cannabis Industry[22:46 - 29:49] Michigan's Cannabis Market and the Battle Against the Illicit Industry[29:49 - 36:53] From Legacy to Regulated: Understanding the Transition to Vertically Integrated Cannabis Businesses[36:53 - 43:31] Marketing Success in the Cannabis Industry: The Benefits of Events, Brand Storytelling, and Vertical Integration[43:31 - 50:11] Harnessing the Power of Events in the Cannabis Industry[50:11 - 56:46] Insights, Support, and Resilience for Entrepreneurial Success[56:46 - 59:35] Cultivating Connections and Cannabis InsightsWillie McKenzie is CEO and co-founder of Left Coast Holdings, a vertically integrated cannabis firm based in Michigan. After founding the company in 2020, he scaled the business quickly to achieve 8 figure top-line revenue in 2021 and beyond. A seasoned entrepreneur, he has led his business successfully, despite challenging market conditions in the state of Michigan.Willie is passionate about mentorship and loves helping others find success in their business.Connect with Willie!Go to his LinkedinGo to his webpage: https://www.leftcoastholdings.com/Shayda Torabi has been called one of the most influential Women in WordPress and now she's one of the women leading the cannabis reformation conversation building one of Texas' premier CBD brands. She's currently the CEO and Co-Founder of RESTART CBD, a female-run education first CBD wellness brand. And has formerly held marketing positions at WP Engine and WebDevStudios. Shayda is the host of a podcast for cannabis marketers called To Be Blunt, where she interviews top cannabis brands on their most successful marketing initiatives. When Shayda's not building her cannabiz in Texas, you can find her on the road exploring the best hikes and spots for vegan ice cream. Follow Shayda at @theshaydatorabiSPONSORSHIP is brought to you by Restart CBD. Check them out for your CBD needsLEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to join me for episodes featuring some serious cannabis industry by sharing this episode or click here to listen to past episodesRESTART CBD is an education-first CBD wellness brand shipping nationwide.Check out my new website
"Know your why. Who is your target audience, and what is your why? Not your what, not your how." - Christina WongEmbark on an inspiring journey with Christina Wong, a cannabis business owner and brand marketer. Discover how she transitioned from publicist to content creator for cannabis brands. Gain insights into cannabis content creation, marketing strategies, and navigating the industry's highs and lows and the upcoming Cannabis Marketing Summit. Don't miss out on Christina's valuable tips for successful content creation and managing an idea bank. Tune in now for an enlightening discussion![00:00 - 07:55] Introducing Christina Wong of Fruit and Flower[07:55 - 14:59] Christina Wong: From Baked Baker to Cannabis Creator, Writer, and PR Consultant[15:00 - 22:19] Discovering the Benefits of Diversifying Content Creation Platforms[22:20 - 29:25] How to Use Social Media to Build Loyalty and Reach Your Target Audience[29:25 - 36:34] How Christina is Killing It with Content Creation[36:34 - 43:57] From Breakup to Cannabis Business: Shayda's Journey of Content Creation and Self-Care[43:58 - 50:23] Mashing Up PR and Content Creation[50:24 - 57:23] How to Build a Successful Brand with Limited Funds and Resources[57:24 - 03:19] Exploring Cannabis Culture, Food, and Healing with ChristinaChristina Wong is a cannabis food, drink, and travel writer, creator, and baked baker in Los Angeles, California. She's the founder & CEO of Fruit + Flower Co. and the host of Fruit + Flower Unfurled, a newsletter, and podcast for culinary cannabis enthusiasts. Additionally, she's co-host of Mogu Magu, an AAPI culture, food, and cannabis collective; and partner & culinary editor of The Clever Root, a food lover's guide to modern cannabis. Her work has been featured in Thrillist, High Times, Cherry Bombe, CannaCurious, and Kitchen Toke magazines.Connect with Christina!LinkedIn, Instagram, Tik TokGo to https://www.fruitandflower.co/Shayda Torabi has been called one of the most influential Women in WordPress and now she's one of the women leading the cannabis reformation conversation building one of Texas' premier CBD brands. She's currently the CEO and Co-Founder of RESTART CBD, a female-run education first CBD wellness brand. And has formerly held marketing positions at WP Engine and WebDevStudios. Shayda is the host of a podcast for cannabis marketers called To Be Blunt, where she interviews top cannabis brands on their most successful marketing initiatives. When Shayda's not building her cannabiz in Texas, you can find her on the road exploring the best hikes and spots for vegan ice cream. Follow Shayda at @theshaydatorabi SPONSORSHIP is brought to you by Restart CBD. Check them out for your CBD needsLEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to join me for episodes featuring some serious cannabis industry by sharing this episode or click here to listen to past episodesRESTART CBD is an education-first CBD wellness brand shipping nationwide.Check out my new website
Shayda Torabi CEO at RESTART CBD ◦ Texas Cannabis Leader ◦ Host of To Be Blunt: The Podcast for Cannabis Marketers ◦ Cannabis Marketing Expert ◦ Content Creator @TheShaydaTorabi ◦ Public Speaker Ilissa Nolan - Government Affairs Consultant at Booth & Associates, P.C Executive Director of Th Texas Hemp Coalition
"What they would do is they would come to a tissue culture lab, like conception, and then we create a clone through a different process than traditional cloning. It's done in a lab, It's done with hormones, mixtures. It's a sterile environment. And through this process, you can actually turn back the clock. It's like you're growing from a seed every time, but you're getting a true DNA replication of that plant every single time." - Kristian AndreassenThis episode of the To Be Blunt Podcast features an exclusive conversation with Kristian Andreassen, a cannabis business owner and brand marketer with over a decade of experience in breeding, commercial cultivation, and brand development of cannabis products. Kristian has recently joined Conception Nurseries as Senior Product Director to support the initiative of building a diverse group of cannabis breeders to meet the expanding market needs.Tune in to hear Kristian's journey in the industry, from tissue culture cultivation to working with brands to protect their genetics and applying traditional agricultural practices to cannabis.[00:00 - 08:12] Introducing Kristian Andreassen: Pioneering Cannabis Tissue Culture and Cultivation for 15 Years[08:13 - 16:50] Exploring the Journey of Cannabis Cultivation and the California Market[16:50 - 25:38] Unravelling the Complexities of Cannabis Breeding, Genetics, Seeds and Tissue Culture[25:38 - 34:04] Benefits of Restart CBD's Cannabis Tinctures, Topicals, Edibles & Hemp Derived Delta Nine THC Products[34:05 - 42:18] Benefits of Tissue Culture Cloning for Commercial Cannabis Cultivators[42:18 - 53:08] Conception Nurseries Paving the Way for Tissue Culture Adoption in Cannabis MarketsAndreassen's decade-plus expertise spans breeding, commercial cultivation, and brand development, garnering numerous Emerald Cup and High Times awards for flowers, pre-rolls, concentrates, and genetics. He is a respected fixture of the cannabis industry thanks to a long track record of working with breeders through the medium of tissue culture. He is widely acknowledged to be a pioneer of cannabis tissue culture, introducing stable, high demand genetics to the commercial cannabis marketplace.Connect with Kristian!LinkedIn, InstagramGo to https://conceptionnurseries.com/Shayda Torabi has been called one of the most influential Women in WordPress, and now she's one of the women leading the cannabis reformation conversation building one of Texas' premier CBD brands. She's currently the CEO and Co-Founder of RESTART CBD, a female-run education first CBD wellness brand. And has formerly held marketing positions at WP Engine and WebDevStudios. Shayda is the host of a podcast for cannabis marketers called To Be Blunt, where she interviews top cannabis brands on their most successful marketing initiatives. When Shayda's not building her cannabiz in Texas, you can find her on the road exploring the best hikes and spots for vegan ice cream. Follow Shayda at @theshaydatorabi SPONSORSHIP is brought to you by Restart CBD. Check them out for your CBD needsLEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to join me for episodes featuring some serious cannabis industry by sharing this episode or click here to listen to past episodesRESTART CBD is an education-first CBD wellness brand shipping nationwide.Check out my new website
"It is on us to push this industry forward." - Guy Rocourt"What got us here what got us through a prohibition is what was grown in grandma's garden and made in grandma's kitchen natural simple formulations." - Guy RocourtThis episode of the To Be Blunt podcast features an insightful conversation with Guy Rocourt, co-founder and CEO of Papa and Barkley, a California-based wellness company that believes in the whole plant as medicine and safe access to cannabis. Guy talks about misinformation in the industry, artificial separations foisted on us by prohibition, advocating for cannabis through public speaking, and creating safe access to cannabis products as well as one of the first Class 1 labs in Colorado. His journey through the industry highlights the importance of doing research, speaking truth when entering the cannabis industry, and advocating for responsible adult decision making.[00:00 - 07:35] Shayda Torabi and Guy Rocourt Discuss the Future of Cannabis[07:36 - 14:28] The Story of a Cannabis Advocate's Journey to the Legal Market[14:29 - 21:22] Shame on Misinformation[21:22 - 28:03] Drug Testing and Cannabis[28:03 - 35:57] Uncovering the Misinformation Around CBN[35:58 - 42:48] Understanding the Consumer Journey and Overcoming "Cannabis Shame"[42:49 - 49:31] Navigating California's Cannabis Industry[49:31 - 56:18] Understanding Cannabis, Hemp, and Essential Oils[56:19 - 63:44] "Discover the Benefits of Sun-Grown Cannabis with Papa & Barkley on the To Be Blunt Podcast"[03:09 - 03:44] Stay Connected with To Be Blunt and the Shayda Torabi for Cannabis Conversations!Guy Rocourt is the Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer for Papa & Barkley, a leading California cannabis wellness company. At P&B Guy is responsible for optimizing production practices, ensuring the company complies with rigorous testing and lab standards, and developing the product roadmap as the brand continues to expand into different areas of the cannabis marketplace.Previously Guy designed and built manufactured infused products facilities (MIPs) in multiple states, making him an expert in Cannabis science, tech, strategy, and production. Due to his vast experience he is an asset to those hoping to invest in the space. He also has experience caring for patients with Cannabis. Guy graduated from the Rochester Institute of Technology and is a U.S. Navy veteran.Rocourt uses his keen understanding of the Cannabis plant, Cannabis culture, and business acumen to craft a variety of wellness products and is on a mission like P&B to unlock the power of the plant to improve people's lives. Rocourt is passionate about advocating for Cannabis through public speaking and maintaining an authentic space within Cannabis Culture even as Papa & Barkley continues to grow.Connect with Guy!Go to: https://www.papaandbarkley.com/LinkedInShayda Torabi has been called one of the most influential Women in WordPress and now she's one of the women leading the cannabis reformation conversation building one of Texas' premier CBD brands. She's currently the CEO and Co-Founder of RESTART CBD, a female-run education first CBD wellness brand. And has formerly held marketing positions at WP Engine and WebDevStudios. Shayda is the host of a podcast for cannabis marketers called To Be Blunt, where she interviews top cannabis brands on their most successful marketing initiatives. When Shayda's not building her cannabiz in Texas, you can find her on the road exploring the best hikes and spots for vegan ice cream. Follow Shayda at @theshaydatorabi SPONSORSHIP is brought to you by Restart CBD. Check them out for your CBD needsLEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to join me for episodes featuring some serious cannabis industry by sharing this episode or click here to listen to past episodesRESTART CBD is an education-first CBD wellness brand shipping nationwide.Check out my new website
"It was something that could help people feel better. And so I thought involved and basically went state to state to state. I helped entrepreneurs put together their request for proposal request for application, and then I helped the legislators craft a lot of the rules in the regulations back in the day because nobody really knew what was going on." - Sara GullicksonIn this episode of To Be Blunt, host Shayda Torabi dives into the complexities of cannabis licensing and operations. She invites Sara Gullickson and Maxime Kot, CEO, and President respectively of The Cannabis Business Advisors (CB Advisors), to discuss their experience in helping clients obtain cannabis licenses in states such as Oklahoma, Colorado, California, New Mexico, Florida, Texas, New Jersey, New York, Alabama, Delaware, Kentucky, and Missouri. Through their conversation, we learn about the varying processes that take place state by state to operate legally in the cannabis industry. They also provide tips for standing out in a competitive applicants' market and cover topics such as strategy, buying power, local influence, and catering to the community. Tune in for an informative episode packed full of insights into the world of cannabis licensing![00:00 - 07:12] Exploring the Merging of Hemp and Cannabis Industries[07:13 - 14:19] Navigating the Cannabis Licensing Process[14:19 - 21:49] Discovering a Passion for Cannabis Licensing[21:49 - 29:06] Navigating the Nuances of Licensing Programs Across Different States[29:06 - 36:23] Financial Barriers and Opportunities for Small Business Owners[36:23 - 44:04] Winning a Cannabis License: What it Takes to Stand Out in a Competitive Market[44:04 - 51:20] Securing Cannabis Licenses[51:20 - 58:14] Exploring the Licensing Process in Texas' Cannabis Industry[58:15 - 08:02] Exciting Developments in Cannabis Licensing Applications and OperationsSara Gullickson is a multi-state cannabis license holder and CEO and Founder at The Cannabis Business Advisors and How to Open a Dispensary. At age 27, she founded her first cannabis venture before ultimately selling it to a publicly traded company. Gullickson has presented alongside Tony Robbins in the U.S. and Canada and has six cannabis licenses that are minority or women-owned. She has more than a decade of experience building and scaling businesses, including a tech platform and turnkey retail model tailored to the cannabis industry.Maxime Kot is president and part owner of the national consulting firm The Cannabis Business Advisors. A cannabis licensing and compliance expert with six years of direct industry experience, Kot has built a proven track record securing multiple cannabis licenses across 17 state markets. Kot's strategic approach and in-depth knowledge on government policy and rulemaking has led her to excel in the highly regulated market. As president, Kot oversees client relations at The Cannabis Business Advisors and serves as company lead on projects involving application and licensing preparation, operational analysis, policy and procedures, and business development planning. With a keen understanding of cannabis market trends, Kot evaluates new opportunities and builds complex business cases encompassing opportunity sizing, competitive strategy, functional requirements, and execution timelines for license applications.Connect with Sara!LinkedInWebsite: https://thecannabisbusinessadvisors.com/Connect with MaximeLinkedInWebsite: https://thecannabisbusinessadvisors.com/Shayda Torabi has been called one of the most influential Women in WordPress and now she's one of the women leading the cannabis reformation conversation building one of Texas' premier CBD brands. She's currently the CEO and Co-Founder of RESTART CBD, a female-run education first CBD wellness brand. And has formerly held marketing positions at WP Engine and WebDevStudios. Shayda is the host of a podcast for cannabis marketers called To Be Blunt, where she interviews top cannabis brands on their most successful marketing initiatives. When Shayda's not building her cannabiz in Texas, you can find her on the road exploring the best hikes and spots for vegan ice cream. Follow Shayda at @theshaydatorabiSPONSORSHIP is brought to you by Restart CBD. Check them out for your CBD needsLEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to join me for episodes featuring some serious cannabis industry by sharing this episode or click here to listen to past episodesRESTART CBD is an education-first CBD wellness brand shipping nationwide.Check out my new website
"The amount of consumers in America that don't consume alcohol has been relatively consistent for the last 50 years. Consumer habits are shifting, but alcohol consumption's not going away. I don't think it will out. Our hope is that consumers are making more responsible choices and that we're engaging with a whole new group of consumers." - Jason DaytonWelcome to the latest episode of our podcast, where we explore the exciting world of cannabis-infused beverages with our special guest Jason Dayton. In this episode, we delve deep into the cannabis beverage market in Minnesota and how it's changing consumer habits. The conversation revolves around the marketing and education of low-dose cannabis-infused beverages, which are becoming more widely available in various retail locations beyond just dispensaries, and emphasizes the importance of education and responsible practices in the cannabis beverage industry as we look toward legalization across states. We wrap up this episode by discussing industry standardization and transparency in dosing practices. Join us as we explore this emerging industry with Jason on this exciting episode of our podcast![00:00 - 07:08] Minnesota's Thriving Cannabis Beverage Market[07:08 - 14:12] Minnesota's Unique Approach to Cannabis Beverages[14:13 - 21:13] Analyzing the Education and Marketing of Cannabis Beverages in Minnesota's Emerging Market[21:13 - 28:30] Navigating the Co-Mingling of Alcohol and Cannabis in Minnesota[28:30 - 35:11] Cannabis Beverages and Alcohol in the Market[35:11 - 42:18] Exploring the Dosage and Occasion of Cannabis Beverages[42:18 - 49:24] Dosing and standardization of the Minnesota cannabis industry[49:24 - 53:47] Trail Magic discusses the impact of cannabis legalization on the hemp industry and their plans for growthJason Dayton is the Co-Founder at Trail Magic and Minneapolis Cider Co. Jason studied entrepreneurship and political science at the University of Minnesota in addition to studying abroad in London during his junior year. During that time abroad, he fell in love with the cider culture of the United Kingdom. Upon returning to Minnesota, he co-founded Minneapolis Cider Company as part of Entrepreneurship in Action In 2019, the company opened its 30,000 square-foot cidery in Northeast Minneapolis, featuring handcrafted food, cider, cocktails, four indoor pickleball courts, and a 7,000 square-foot private events venue. In 2022, the company launched Minnesota's first THC-Infused beverage brand, Trail Magic. Prior to the opening of the taproom, Jason also worked in the local food and beverage industry at General Mills and Target.Connect with Jason!Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasondayton/Go to: https://drinktrailmagic.com/Shayda Torabi has been called one of the most influential Women in WordPress and now she's one of the women leading the cannabis reformation conversation building one of Texas' premier CBD brands. She's currently the CEO and Co-Founder of RESTART CBD, a female-run education first CBD wellness brand. And has formerly held marketing positions at WP Engine and WebDevStudios. Shayda is the host of a podcast for cannabis marketers called To Be Blunt, where she interviews top cannabis brands on their most successful marketing initiatives. When Shayda's not building her cannabiz in Texas, you can find her on the road exploring the best hikes and spots for vegan ice cream. Follow Shayda at @theshaydatorabi SPONSORSHIP is brought to you by Restart CBD. Check them out for your CBD nSupport the show
Disclaimer: This episode contains discussions about drugs, specifically the use and sales of legal cannabinoids in Texas. We advise listeners to be cautious about listening around children, as the content may not be appropriate for young audiences. We do not endorse the use of illegal drugs, and any information provided is intended for educational and informational purposes only. Please use your own discretion when consuming this content. In this episode, we discuss the cannabis industry and the challenges it faces in terms of media portrayal and political advocacy. Our guest is the president of the Texas Hemp Coalition and talks about their involvement in advocacy efforts at the state level and how they are working to shape the industry. We discuss the products Restart CBD sells, hemp-derived products for many consumption methods and for several different uses. The conversation delves into the educational aspect of cannabis use and how it interacts with the body's endocannabinoid system. Overall, this episode sheds light on the cannabis industry and how Restart CBD is here to help reshape public perception of it. Chapters: 00:06:55 The Challenge Of Finding An Entrepreneurial Passion, Fueled By Cannabis Use In Texas 00:08:37 Survivor Finds Relief In Cannabis For Chronic Pain 00:15:15 Misunderstanding And Misconceptions About Delta 8 And Delta 9, And The Decriminalization Of Marijuana. 00:18:50 The Importance Of Education On The Endocannabinoid System And The War On Drugs. 00:24:40 The Challenges Of Launching A CBD Business In Texas 00:26:32 Questions And Considerations For Legalizing Marijuana In Different States 00:31:26 The Politics Of Marijuana Legalization: Live And Let Live Mentality And Following The Money. 00:38:44 Navigating CBD In The Workplace And Politics 00:46:40 Clarifying The Difference Between Decriminalizing And Legalizing With Regards To CBD And THC Sales 00:55:51 Lawsuit Questions Legality Of Recent Regulations In Company Industry 01:03:29 Product Options For Online Ordering In The Cannabis Industry 01:08:22 Prioritizing Quality And Testing In CBD Products Selection 01:14:06 The Importance Of Understanding CBD Labels And Dosages For Effective Use 01:15:24 Cannabis Can Improve Health If Properly Used 01:25:58 Small Business Origins: Discussing CBD In Business And Encouraging Support For Restart CBD's Mission In Texas Tweetables: “Going back to my story as a consumer… Yeah, I want legalization, I want [to] be able to have access to this plant. Maybe I don't agree with cannabis, but maybe I could find in my heart [that] it doesn't bother me that you like it. So let me be supportive of it whether I actually consume or not.” – Shayda Torabi “We want to make sure what we the bottle is what it says it is. And I always love to highlight [that] as much as I'm in business for you guys, I'm in business for myself and I'm the consumer first. So, I want to make sure that the products are good.” – Shayda Torabi “I think we all want to feel better, [get] better sleep, better rest, less inflammation, just [a] better mood. And I do think cannabis can be a key to that if you know how to use it and you have education and can properly navigate around it with great resources and great products.” – Shayda Torabi Links Mentioned: Restart CBD Website Restart CBD Instagram Restart CBD YouTube To Be Blunt (Podcast) Substance Abuse Help John The Marketer's Links Beefy Marketing
“Any day that goes by that someone is arrested for marijuana possession, it's a day of injustice. And if for no other reason, but that I'm happy to do whatever I can to legalize marijuana.” - Jason TarasekIn this episode, Jason Tarasek, founder of Minnesota Cannabis Law, shares his legal expertise and insights on the current state of marijuana legalization in Minnesota. We delve into the challenges and concerns facing the hemp industry with the new proposed legalization bill, the emergence of THC beverage and edible markets in Minnesota, and the potential for expanding the state's medical marijuana program. Join us as we discuss the legislative process, the coexistence of hemp and marijuana, and the future of cannabis in Minnesota.[00:01 - 07:36] Cannabis Legislation Updates: Minnesota, Germany, and Florida[07:37 - 14:52] Minnesota's Proposed Marijuana Legalization Bill: Impact on Hemp Industry[14:53 - 22:05] Minnesota's Legalization Journey and Emerging THC Beverage Industry[22:06 - 29:00] Low-Dose THC Edibles and Beverages Now Legal in Minnesota[29:01 - 36:21] Profitable Hemp-Derived THC Market Ahead of Legalization in Minnesota[36:21 - 43:05] Minnesota's THC Beverage Market Grows Ahead of Adult-Use Legalization[43:06 - 53:20] Minnesota's Cannabis Bill: Regulating Licensees and Canopy to Meet Market DemandJason Tarasek is a highly experienced attorney who founded Minnesota Cannabis Law in 2018 to cater to the needs of the hemp, cannabinoid, medical-marijuana and adult-use marijuana markets in the Upper Midwest. With almost 20 years of legal experience as a transactional attorney and litigator, Jason is a highly regarded legal expert in his field. Prior to founding Minnesota Cannabis Law, Jason served as the Minnesota Political Director for the Marijuana Policy Project, where he played a key role in drafting legislation to legalize recreational marijuana for adults in Minnesota. Jason frequently speaks on legal matters related to hemp, CBD, and marijuana, sharing his expertise with audiences around the country.Shayda Torabi has been called one of the most influential Women in WordPress and now she's one of the women leading the cannabis reformation conversation building one of Texas' premier CBD brands. She's currently the CEO and Co-Founder of RESTART CBD, a female-run education first CBD wellness brand. And has formerly held marketing positions at WP Engine and WebDevStudios. Shayda is the host of a podcast for cannabis marketers called To Be Blunt, where she interviews top cannabis brands on their most successful marketing initiatives. When Shayda's not building her cannabiz in Texas, you can find her on the road exploring the best hikes and spots for vegan ice cream. Follow Shayda at @theshaydatorabi SPONSORSHIP is brought to you by Restart CBD. Check them out for your CBD needsLEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to join me for episodes featuring some serious cannabis industry by sharing this episode or click here to listen to past episodesRESTART CBD is an education-first CBD wellness brand shipping nationwide.Check out my new website
“By making something illegal, you're making it more dangerous. It's a classic effect of that. It's similarly with cannabis and what we were talking about with THC, it's about the lack of education and telling people just don't do any drugs, don't do anything.” - Miyabe ShieldsIn this episode, Miyabe Shields shares insights on cannabis as medicine and healing. She discusses the challenges of studying cannabis in the US, biosynthetic and synthetic cannabinoid production, and the importance of proper dosing. Join us as we break down the science behind cannabis and explore its potential benefits.[00:00 - 07:55] Personal Health and Cannabis Industry Breakthroughs[07:56 - 15:05] Cannabis Medicine, Healing, and Spiritual Insights[15:06 - 21:54] Studying Cannabis in the US: A Researcher's Story[21:55 - 28:51] Cannabis Research at the Intersection of Academia and Industry[28:52 - 35:22] Future of Cannabinoids: Biosynthetic, Synthetic, and Natural Pathways[35:23 - 42:18] THC Education and Content Creation amid Censorship[42:19 - 49:29] Neurodiversity, Cannabis, and Science Advocacy[49:30 - 56:23] Exploring Nature's Medicine Cabinet: A Scientist's Journey[56:23 - 01:05:48] Cannabis Bioavailability and Dosing Protocols UncoveredMy name is Dr. Miyabe Shields, PhD and I support the responsible, intentional use of any drug from natural products to pharmaceutical prescriptions. (What is responsible?)Cannabis saved my life and continues to save my life to this day; psychedelics made me grateful for it. My personal experience fueled my passion for biochemistry and molecular biology which lead me to my PhD in drug discovery in the system in the brain that interacts with cannabis – the endocannabinoid system. During my PhD, I was lucky to study under formative cannabinoid scientists like Dr. Alexandros Makriyannis, PhD and Dr. Torbjorn Jarbe, PhD, and was honored to receive a PhD research award from the International Cannabinoid Research Symposium in Poland in 2016.After completing my dissertation in 2018, I worked in the cannabis industry starting in demographic research and eventually co-founding my former company Real Isolates LLC where I studied the unique chemistry of cannabis smoke, developed a novel extraction technology which resulted in a method patent, and formulated products that showed unique effects.In 2021 I began using my personal social media page to share my knowledge of pharmacology and destigmatize natural products. I was shocked by how many people were not just interested, but yearning for more knowledge; I was shocked by how tapping into the community made me realize where I was personally lacking knowledge. It's now 2023 and I want to advocate for fixing that – let's start the conversation!Shayda Torabi has been called one of the most influential Women in WordPress and now she's one of the women leading the cannabis reformation conversation building one of Texas' premier CBD brands. She's currently the CEO and Co-Founder of RESTART CBD, a female-run education first CBD wellness brand. And has formerly held marketing positions at WP Engine and WebDevStudios. Shayda is the host of a podcast for cannabis marketers called To Be Blunt, where she interviews top cannabis brands on their most successful marketing initiatives. When Shayda's not building her cannabiz in Texas, you can find her on the road exploring the best hikes and spots for vegan ice cream. Follow Shayda at @theshaydatorabi SPONSORSHIP is brought to you by Restart CBD. Check t
“The only way to determine what is in a product is through proper lab testing, which even in the lab can be difficult. It's a challenge for law enforcement officers to determine if a product is legal or not without these tests.” - Griffin LottIn this episode, former law enforcement officer and cannabis advocate Griffin Lott discusses his experiences working in the cannabis industry and bridging the gap between law enforcement and the industry. We explore the challenges of cannabis testing and law enforcement, and the need for education and communication to promote responsible use and remove stigma. Overall, a thought-provoking discussion on all things cannabis.[00:01 - 07:40] The Role of Law Enforcement in Cannabis Regulation and Legalization[07:41 - 14:21] From Sheriff's Deputy to Cannabis Advocate[14:22 - 20:54] From Law Enforcement to Cannabis Industry[20:55 - 27:15] Cannabis Education and Sentiment in Travis County[27:16 - 34:10] Reversing the Smokable Hemp Ban[34:11 - 40:44] The Challenges of Cannabis Testing and Law Enforcement: An Industry Perspective[40:45 - 52:53] Police Officers Host Trainings on Cannabis Impairment to Promote Responsible Use and Remove StigmaGriffin Lott is a cannabis industry professional and former law enforcement officer. After 8 years with the Travis County Sheriff's Department, Griffin moved to Colorado and gained extensive experience in managing cannabis operations. He then built a successful indoor growing facility in Vancouver, Washington. In 2022, Griffin and his wife returned to Texas to launch Texas Fire Flowers, offering cannabis consulting and premium hemp flower production.Shayda Torabi has been called one of the most influential Women in WordPress and now she's one of the women leading the cannabis reformation conversation building one of Texas' premier CBD brands. She's currently the CEO and Co-Founder of RESTART CBD, a female-run education first CBD wellness brand. And has formerly held marketing positions at WP Engine and WebDevStudios. Shayda is the host of a podcast for cannabis marketers called To Be Blunt, where she interviews top cannabis brands on their most successful marketing initiatives. When Shayda's not building her cannabiz in Texas, you can find her on the road exploring the best hikes and spots for vegan ice cream. Follow Shayda at @theshaydatorabi SPONSORSHIP is brought to you by Restart CBD. Check them out for your CBD needsLEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to join me for episodes featuring some serious cannabis industry by sharing this episode or click here to listen to past episodesRESTART CBD is an education-first CBD wellness brand shipping nationwide.Check out my new website
“You're not gonna get anyone to listen to anything you have to say until you understand where they're coming from.” - Arend RichardIn this episode, Aaron Richard joins the conversation to discuss navigating censorship in the cannabis industry and his upcoming high-end cannabis lounge, Cirrus Social Club. We also explore global cannabis legalization developments and challenges in opening consumption lounges in different states. Join us to learn about creating quality content and setting industry standards.[00:01 - 07:56] Cannabis Legalization Updates[07:57 - 14:06] Former Customer Service Manager Wins Award for Cannabis Content Creation and Launching Successful Platform[14:07 - 20:43] Navigating Social Media Platforms for Cannabis Content[20:44 - 26:50] A Visually Luscious Podcast Room for Consuming Cannabis[26:51 - 33:11] Hospitality Licenses Stabilize Colorado's Cannabis Market[33:12 - 40:11] Navigating Cannabis Hospitality Regulations and Air Quality Standards for Safe Consumption[40:12 - 46:25] Denver's Cannabis Hospitality Industry Struggles with State Regulations and Employee Mentality[46:26 - 53:02] Challenges of Cannabis Lounges in Las Vegas and Denver[53:03 - 01:00:07] Navigating Cannabis Legalization and Social Equity in the Hospitality IndustryArend Richard is a seasoned entrepreneur, LGBTQ+ advocate, and cannabis enthusiast. He founded Cirrus Social Club, merging cannabis with hospitality. Co-founder of The WeedTube.com and co-host of Glitter Bong Bash. Richard published two LGBTQ+ Sci-Fi novels and is a certified business owner.Shayda Torabi has been called one of the most influential Women in WordPress and now she's one of the women leading the cannabis reformation conversation building one of Texas' premier CBD brands. She's currently the CEO and Co-Founder of RESTART CBD, a female-run education first CBD wellness brand. And has formerly held marketing positions at WP Engine and WebDevStudios. Shayda is the host of a podcast for cannabis marketers called To Be Blunt, where she interviews top cannabis brands on their most successful marketing initiatives. When Shayda's not building her cannabiz in Texas, you can find her on the road exploring the best hikes and spots for vegan ice cream. Follow Shayda at @theshaydatorabi SPONSORSHIP is brought to you by Restart CBD. Check them out for your CBD needsLEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to join me for episodes featuring some serious cannabis industry by sharing this episode or click here to listen to past episodesRESTART CBD is an education-first CBD wellness brand shipping nationwide.Check out my new website
“There's a gift in you and there's a talent that you're still not sure about that you have, but you have it.” - Manny CuevasJoin us on this episode of the To Be Blunt as we delve into the story of Manny Cuevas, a fashion designer in the western wear industry. We'll cover his journey, from learning from his dad to showcasing their work in Denver and moving to Nashville. We'll also explore Manuel's Star Spangled Couture Collection, raising 8.9 million dollars and using hemp fabric to create unique designs with marijuana leaves. Tune in for a journey of entrepreneurship and innovation as Manny shares raw conversations to help others navigate their own paths.[00:00 - 08:57] Opening Segment[08:58 - 21:57] From the Runway to the Studio[21:58 - 34:23] Navigating the Fashion Industry with My Father[34:24 - 47:29] The Star Spangled Couture Collection[47:30 - 1:00:35] The Journey of Manny and Manuel[1:00:36 - 1:23:25] Closing SegmentManny Cuevas is a fashion designer and tailor, coming from a family with a heritage in the fashion industry dating back to the 1950s. He learned tailoring and fashion design from his father, Manuel, and his artisan co-workers. He helped relocate the family business to Nashville in 1991 and began designing and creating individual garments for celebrity clientele such as Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan. He continues to create limited run collections and consult for other fashion boutiques. His work is inspired by his rich Mexican and American heritage, the fashion history of the Americas, and the constant recycling of pop culture.Connect with Manny Cuevas:Website: www.wearitoutbymanny.comSocial Media:,Instagram, Facebook Page, Shayda Torabi has been called one of the most influential Women in WordPress and now she's one of the women leading the cannabis reformation conversation building one of Texas' premier CBD brands. She's currently the CEO and Co-Founder of RESTART CBD, a female-run education first CBD wellness brand. And has formerly held marketing positions at WP Engine and WebDevStudios. Shayda is the host of a podcast for cannabis marketers called To Be Blunt, where she interviews top cannabis brands on their most successful marketing initiatives. When Shayda's not building her cannabiz in Texas, you can find her on the road exploring the best hikes and spots for vegan ice cream. Follow Shayda at @theshaydatorabi SPONSORSHIP is brought to you by Restart CBD. Check them out for your CBD needsLEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to join me for episodes featuring some serious cannabis industry by sharing this episode or click here to listen to past episodesRESTART CBD is an education-first CBD wellness brand shipping nationwide.Check out my new website
“You just gotta get super clear on who you're marketing to and you gotta get super clear on who you're messaging to and you have to be super clear on what are you trying to get outta of this and like who are you trying to connect with.” - Max JuhaszIn this episode of the To Be Blunt podcast, Max Juhasz shares his journey of doing door to door sales and transitioning to digital marketing. He also talks about how he helped one hemp and CBD companies go from 600,000 to 4.2 million in online sales. Max also discusses about building links and content to boost a product's rankings in search engines and brand awareness.[00:00 - 09:03] Opening Segment[09:04 - 16:57] How Plain Jane Took Advantage of the Farm Bill and CBD Education Push[16:58 - 21:22] Mastering SEO for Cannabis Brands[21:23 - 36:43] Protecting Your Brand and Boosting Rankings[36:44 - 52:04] How to Differentiate Yourself and Climb the Digital Ladder [52:05 - 1:16:45] How to Succeed Despite the Challenges[1:16:46 - 1:21:52] Closing SegmentMax Juhasz is the Founder of Cannabiz Marketing Solutions aka DopeSEO.com. He has spoken at a number of different cannabis events including Kushcon, Cannabis Marketing Summit, Lucky Leaf, CBD Expo, HAZE Radio and other publications. He and his partner Pavel recently launched the DopeMarketingPodcast.com to help give some free marketing advice to cannabis operators looking for some insight.Shayda Torabi has been called one of the most influential Women in WordPress and now she's one of the women leading the cannabis reformation conversation building one of Texas' premier CBD brands. She's currently the CEO and Co-Founder of RESTART CBD, a female-run education first CBD wellness brand. And has formerly held marketing positions at WP Engine and WebDevStudios. Shayda is the host of a podcast for cannabis marketers called To Be Blunt, where she interviews top cannabis brands on their most successful marketing initiatives. When Shayda's not building her cannabiz in Texas, you can find her on the road exploring the best hikes and spots for vegan ice cream. Follow Shayda at @theshaydatorabi SPONSORSHIP is brought to you by Restart CBD. Check them out for your CBD needsLEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to join me for episodes featuring some serious cannabis industry by sharing this episode or click here to listen to past episodesRESTART CBD is an education-first CBD wellness brand shipping nationwide. Check out my new website
“I think we're all so silent in our states that people kind of need a little reality check. Like having these conversations [about cannabis] are a wake up call to people.” - Liz UdellWelcome back to the To Be Blunt podcast! In this episode,Liz Udell shares opportunities and challenges of self-employment in the cannabis industry and how people who have been recently laid off can leverage the power of social media to their advantage, especially platforms such as LinkedIn which offer a great opportunity to network and connect with potential clients[00:00 -06:48] Navigating the Cannabis Industry[06:49 - 15:24] Positioning Her Personal Brand for Success[15:25 - 21:58] Learning to Adapt Your Content for Different Platforms[21:59 - 29:42] The Uncertainty of Social Media Censorship[29:43 - 35:30] The Challenges of Working for Cannabis Brands [35:31 - 43:03] The Reality of California Cannabis Workers[43:04 - 59:20] Exploring the Complexities of Legal Cannabis[59:21 - 1:00:53] Closing SegmentLiz Udell is a director of digital, content and social media in the cannabis, restaurant, lifestyle, e-commerce, and entertainment industries. She's been a digital marketing instructor @ San Diego State University and the University of Las Vegas since 2020 and teaches content marketing and social media management. Shayda Torabi has been called one of the most influential Women in WordPress and now she's one of the women leading the cannabis reformation conversation building one of Texas' premier CBD brands. She's currently the CEO and Co-Founder of RESTART CBD, a female-run education first CBD wellness brand. And has formerly held marketing positions at WP Engine and WebDevStudios. Shayda is the host of a podcast for cannabis marketers called To Be Blunt, where she interviews top cannabis brands on their most successful marketing initiatives. When Shayda's not building her cannabiz in Texas, you can find her on the road exploring the best hikes and spots for vegan ice cream. Follow Shayda at @theshaydatorabi SPONSORSHIP is brought to you by Restart CBD. Check them out for your CBD needsLEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to join me for episodes featuring some serious cannabis industry by sharing this episode or click here to listen to past episodesRESTART CBD is an education-first CBD wellness brand shipping nationwide. Check out my new website
“Hire when you're able to, the most important thing you can do is like, hire people to do the things that you suck at or the things you don't wanna do. So you can free up yourself to still have time to do the things you want.” - Jenna OwensWelcome back to the To Be Blunt podcast! In this episode, Jenna Owens shares how she established Fitish and changed it from a fitness program to a skincare line infused with CBD. In addition, she discusses the legalities of her product and how she plans to put it on the market, as well as the difficulties she encountered in manufacturing the product.[00:00 -07:14] Opening Segment[07:15 - 18:57] Shifting from Radio Talk Show Host to Owning a CBD Infused Makeup Line[18:58 - 31:35] Finding a New Market Within the Space and Overcoming Challenges[31:36 - 36:52] Learning What Market the Products Can Be Sold In[36:53 - 56:52] Reinvesting, Hiring, Branding, and Finding Stability [56:53 - 1:13:32] Closing SegmentJenna Owens is first and foremost recognisable from the renowned radio talk show, The Kidd Kraddick Morning Show, where she served as an on-air personality for 12 years. In 2017, she founded FITISH originally as the FITISH30 fitness program, and the brand has since transformed into its CBD-infused skincare line.Shayda Torabi has been called one of the most influential Women in WordPress and now she's one of the women leading the cannabis reformation conversation building one of Texas' premier CBD brands. She's currently the CEO and Co-Founder of RESTART CBD, a female-run education first CBD wellness brand. And has formerly held marketing positions at WP Engine and WebDevStudios. Shayda is the host of a podcast for cannabis marketers called To Be Blunt, where she interviews top cannabis brands on their most successful marketing initiatives. When Shayda's not building her cannabiz in Texas, you can find her on the road exploring the best hikes and spots for vegan ice cream. Follow Shayda at @theshaydatorabi SPONSORSHIP is brought to you by Restart CBD. Check them out for your CBD needsLEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to join me for episodes featuring some serious cannabis industry by sharing this episode or click here to listen to past episodesRESTART CBD is an education-first CBD wellness brand shipping nationwide. Check out my new website
“We know that cannabis is a radiator, so it's sucking up things that are in the soil and so how it's grown, if it's organic living soil or, or their pesticides used, you know, those are all factors that determine the end product. ” - Shayda TorabiWelcome back to the To Be Blunt podcast! In this episode, Shayda shares the updates and future plans for the podcasts as well as pivots in her business.[00:00 - 02:00] Coming Back From a Break and MJ Bizcon[02:01 - 04:50] Podcasts and Life Updates [04:51 - 08:31] Creating Opportunities for the Listeners [08:32 - 10:38] Rebranding the Podcast Graphics[10:39 - 12:35] Having Business, Marketing, and Science Based Conversations[12:36 - 16:26] Kicking Off New Mentorship Programs[16:27- 30:21] Closing Segment Catch me on MJ Biz Con! Use my discount code for 10% off: S P K M J B 2 2 1 0 Shayda Torabi has been called one of the most influential Women in WordPress and now she's one of the women leading the cannabis reformation conversation building one of Texas' premier CBD brands. She's currently the CEO and Co-Founder of RESTART CBD, a female-run education first CBD wellness brand. And has formerly held marketing positions at WP Engine and WebDevStudios. Shayda is the host of a podcast for cannabis marketers called To Be Blunt, where she interviews top cannabis brands on their most successful marketing initiatives. When Shayda's not building her cannabiz in Texas, you can find her on the road exploring the best hikes and spots for vegan ice cream. Follow Shayda at @theshaydatorabi SPONSORSHIP is brought to you by Restart CBD. Check them out for your CBD needsLEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to join me for episodes featuring some serious cannabis industry by sharing this episode or click here to listen to past episodesRESTART CBD is an education-first CBD wellness brand shipping nationwide.
“So to me, having partners, having media partners, having those people have a bigger audience. Getting them involved allows you to have a bigger audience so that they can accomplish what they wanna accomplish. ” - David TranWelcome back to the To Be Blunt podcast! In this episode, David Tran shares how he was inspired to create a magazine for the cannabis space that talks about medical stories and stories of people whose lives were changed thanks to cannabis. He also talks about the need for right marketing as well as a need for education on the space. David also dives into creating Farechild as well as the challenges he faced building it from scratch. [00:00 - 06:55] Top Stories in Our Industry[08:37 - 17:17] Creating Magazines for the Cannabis Space [17:18 - 24:17] Life Before and After the Success of Dope Magazine[24:18 - 29:22] Diving into Farechild and Creating it to Fulfill a Need [29:23- 34:44] Challenges Faced Building from Scratch[34:45 - 43:19] Tips to Creating a Successful Event [43:19 - 58:10] Handling Policies and Tough Conversations [58:10 - 59:25] Closing SegmentFarechild is the new event ticketing and marketing platform for free thinking individuals to connect through unconventional events. The newest venture of David Tran and James Zachodni, formerly of Dope Magazine, the duo draws from decades of experience in nightlife, media, marketing, and event production, including their infamous Golden Ticket parties which they began hosting in 2008. Tran and Zachodni have developed an impressive array of opportunities in the experiential space and are pulling together their years of work across multiple sectors making Farechild an “all-inclusive” platform, appealing to brands and producers outside of cannabis and drawing both mainstream and emerging audience. Top Stories In Our Industry:https://mjbizdaily.com/cannabis-companies-lay-off-hundreds-retrench-amid-economic-woes/ Watch this episode on YouTube:TO BE BLUNT LIVE Catch me on MJ Biz Con! Use my discount code for 10% off: S P K M J B 2 2 1 0 Shayda Torabi has been called one of the most influential Women in WordPress and now she's one of the women leading the cannabis reformation conversation building one of Texas' premier CBD brands. She's currently the CEO and Co-Founder of RESTART CBD, a female-run education first CBD wellness brand. And has formerly held marketing positions at WP Engine and WebDevStudios. Shayda is the host of a podcast for cannabis marketers called To Be Blunt, where she interviews top cannabis brands on their most successful marketing initiatives. When Shayda's not building her cannabiz in Texas, you can find her on the road exploring the best hikes and spots for vegan ice cream. Follow Shayda at @theshaydatorabi SPONSORSHIP is brought to you by Restart CBD. Check them out for your CBD needsLEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to join me for episodes featuring some serious cannabis industry by sharing this episode or click here to listen to past episodesRESTART CBD is an education-first CBD wellness brand shipping nationwide.
“The most important thing that people should pay attention to is just being in store and actually being blunt in their education.” - Jarell WallWelcome back to the To Be Blunt podcast! In this episode, Jarell Wall shares how he hustled his way to be on the top and make a name for himself in the cannabis space. He shares how he was able to connect and become a CEO at Gentleman Quinns Blunt Co, and his journey to get into this industry. Jarell also talks about how there is still so much to do in this space and how all of us should strive to always have a mindset of always learning.[00:00 -08:59] Top Stories in Our Industry[11:39 - 16:27] Getting into the Cannabis Space and Starting a Dispensary [16:28 - 25:00] Starting Gentleman Quinns Blunt Co and Finding Investors[25:01 - 29:22] Having Hustler Mindset[29:23- 44:50] Breaking Down What is a Blunt and Attracting Consumers [44:51- 1:02:40] Sourcing Flowers for the Blunt[1:02:41 - 1:05:54] Closing SegmentJarell Wall is the CEO/Creative Director of Gentleman Quinns Blunt Co. He is also the Creative Director and Executive in Colorado's Marijuana Industry. Published Photographer & Graphic Designer, former Television Producer and Sound Designer.Connect with Jarell Wall!Go to GentlemanQuinns.comSocial Media: Instagram, Twitter Top Stories In Our Industry:https://www.fox7austin.com/news/medical-marijuana-texas-license-holdershttps://www.cannabisbusinesstimes.com/article/dea-seed-sales-cannabis-breeders/ Watch this episode on YouTube:TO BE BLUNT LIVE Catch me on MJ Biz Con! Use my discount code for 10% off: S P K M J B 2 2 1 0 Shayda Torabi has been called one of the most influential Women in WordPress and now she's one of the women leading the cannabis reformation conversation building one of Texas' premier CBD brands. She's currently the CEO and Co-Founder of RESTART CBD, a female-run education first CBD wellness brand. And has formerly held marketing positions at WP Engine and WebDevStudios. Shayda is the host of a podcast for cannabis marketers called To Be Blunt, where she interviews top cannabis brands on their most successful marketing initiatives. When Shayda's not building her cannabiz in Texas, you can find her on the road exploring the best hikes and spots for vegan ice cream. Follow Shayda at @theshaydatorabi SPONSORSHIP is brought to you by Restart CBD. Check them out for your CBD needsLEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to join me for episodes featuring some serious cannabis industry by sharing this episode or click here to listen to past episodesRESTART CBD is an education-first CBD wellness brand shipping nationwide.
“The whole purpose of all of this is that everybody eats, everybody has an opportunity to participate if they want to. Everybody has access to information that should be readily available. And if you wanna participate, you work with people where the whole goal is everyone eats together.” - Lulu SwayWelcome back to the To Be Blunt podcast! In this episode, Lulu Sway shares about the cannabis market in New York, where cannabis is still not legal, as well as the legality of pseudo illegal gray area bodegas popping up in the state. She also shares how they are cultivating the sale of the product to the market and the importance of doing due diligence before going into a partnership in the cannabis space.[00:00 -13:23] Top Stories in Our Industry[16:08 - 20:30] Getting into Cannabis Space [23:31 - 36:04] Navigating the Cannabis space in New York[36:05 - 45:06] The focus of On The Revel and being a leader in the space [45:07- 59:01] The involvement of the Cannabis Media Council[59:02 - 1:01:11] Closing SegmentLulu Tsui is Co-Founder and Chief Experience Officer at On The Revel, the parent company for a collection of curated educational and networking experiences democratizing information for those interested in the regulated cannabis industry. Lulu is seasoned in Experience Design (XD) and User Experience (UX) with 15+ years of experience leading research, strategy, and design for enterprise software, Software as a Service (SaaS), mobile, and touchscreen technologies. She also served as the principal experience designer for Chill, a cannabis e-commerce order and delivery platform. Along with On The Revel, Lulu serves as President of the Cannabis Media Council, an organization dedicated to destigmatizing and normalizing cannabis using the power of traditional media, and User Experience and Research Advisor at Oakland Hyphae, founders of the Oakland Psychedelic Conference and the Psilocybin Cup. Connect with Lulu Sway!Go to https://ontherevel.com Top Stories In Our Industry:https://mjbizdaily.com/uber-eats-leafly-partner-on-cannabis-store-delivery-orders-in-toronto/https://mjbizdaily.com/germanys-proposed-adult-use-cannabis-legalization-plan-excludes-imports/https://www.marijuanamoment.net/nba-wont-test-players-for-marijuana-for-third-season-in-a-row-report-says/https://www.ganjapreneur.com/report-international-medical-cannabis-market-could-reach-40b-by-2028/ Watch this episode on YouTube:TO BE BLUNT LIVE Catch me on MJ Biz Con! Use my discount code for 10% off: S P K M J B 2 2 1 0 Shayda Torabi has been called one of the most influential Women in WordPress and now she's one of the women leading the cannabis reformation conversation building one of Texas' premier CBD brands. She's currently the CEO and Co-Founder of RESTART CBD, a female-run education first CBD wellness brand. And has formerly held marketing positions at WP Engine and WebDevStudios. Shayda is the host of a podcast for cannabis marketers called To Be Blunt, where she interviews top cannabis brands on their most successful marketing initiatives. When Shayda's not building her cannabiz in Texas, you can find her on the road exploring the best hikes and spots for vegan ice cream. Follow Shayda at @theshaydatorabi SPONSORSHIP is brought to you by Restart CBD. Check them out for your CBD needsLEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to join me for episodes featuring some serious cannabisRESTART CBD RESTART CBD is an education first CBD wellness brand shipping nationwide. restartcbd.com
This is an episode that you definitely do not want to miss! Join us as we hear from our two Executive Board Members, Shayda Torabi and Jeromy Sherman, as they give us a recap of our recent trip to Washington D.C. They discuss the importance of reaching out to your respective representatives both at the Federal and State level on what changes that you want to see for the industry, important issues we advocated on behalf of and how the 2023 Farm Bill will affect our industry.Also, don't forget to register for your ticket for the Texas Hemp Summit at Texas A&M University on November 11-12.
“Go through all old social media posts and make sure there's not any high risk word lurking. This includes infographics, and hashtags, because the FDA and FTC go back several years on company social media posts.” - Asa WaldsteinWelcome back to the To Be Blunt podcast! In this episode, Shayda Torabi welcomes Asa Waldstein. Asa shares about his “Warning Letter Wednesday” emails, where he breaks down the FDA warning letters. He also talks about what an FDA warning letter might be and how it plays a major role in regulating CBD products right now as hemp is federally legal.[00:00 - 08:42] Opening Segment[08:43 - 11:55] Start in Clinical Herbalism[11:56 - 18:17] FDA Warning Letters in Connection to Social Media Posting [18:18 - 27:00] How Not To Market Your Product Online[27:01 - 36:35] Regulating And Being Compliant[36:36 - 46:27] Education Versus Commerce[46:28 - 57:37] Closing SegmentAsa Waldstein is a 20-year dietary supplement executive who is the principal of the consulting company Supplement Advisory Group, a boutique group focusing on marketing risk analysis and practical marketing solutions for the web and social media. He is the founder and host of Asa's RegulatoryEducation Series, a free educational platform focusing on GMP compliance, enforcement trends, and marketing tips for the supplement and hemp industries. He is a Certified Clinical Herbalist and chairs the American Herbal Products Association's (AHPA) Cannabis Committee.Connect with Asa!Go to https://www.asawaldstein.com/ Watch this episode on YouTube:Asa Waldstein of Supplement Advisory Group on To Be Blunt Catch me on MJ Biz Con! Use my discount code for 10% off: S P K M J B 2 2 1 0 Shayda Torabi has been called one of the most influential Women in WordPress and now she's one of the women leading the cannabis reformation conversation building one of Texas' premier CBD brands. She's currently the CEO and Co-Founder of RESTART CBD, a female-run education first CBD wellness brand. And has formerly held marketing positions at WP Engine and WebDevStudios. Shayda is the host of a podcast for cannabis marketers called To Be Blunt, where she interviews top cannabis brands on their most successful marketing initiatives. When Shayda's not building her cannabiz in Texas, you can find her on the road exploring the best hikes and spots for vegan ice cream. Follow Shayda at @theshaydatorabi SPONSORSHIP is brought to you by Restart CBD. Check them out for your CBD needsLEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to join me for episodes featuring some serious cannabis industry by sharing this episode or click here to listen to past episodesRESTART CBD is an education-first CBD wellness brand shipping nationwide.
“But this industry is very fragmented. There are a lot of egos at play. There's a lot of money at stake, and it makes people crazy. We have to stop stabbing each other in the back and doing stupid things, and we have to come together as an industry to make a happier planet, a healthier planet, to help people live happier, healthier lives, and to get quality products.” - Marty MarionWelcome back to the To Be Blunt podcast! In this episode, Shayda Torabi welcomes Marty Marion to talk about how the cannabis industry is filled with confusion and misinformation, and how we must be smart to outwit the market.He also emphasizes the need of being aware of regulations and to be compliant with FDA rules, especially as cannabis operators in the Hemp space.[00:00 - 08:33] Top Stories in Our Industry[12:26 - 18:54] The Transition from a "Mad Men" ad firm to a hemp enterprise[18:55 - 37:59] Managing Marketing and Compliance Concerning Cannabis[38:00 - 46:35] The Legality of Cannabis in the Market[46:36 - 51:06] Reducing the Risks of Intoxication by Creating Restrictions[51:07 - 1:08:24] Lobbying the Use of Cannabis to Congress and the FDA[1:08:24 - 1:10:17] Closing SegmentMarty Marion has been a senior executive and principal of several of the world's largest "Mad Men'' ad agencies on New York's Madison Avenue for more than 35 years. He has also been a consultant to many of the world's largest pharmaceutical, supplement, and CBD companies on marketing strategy and FDA compliance. He is now the CEO of The Hempshire Group, Inc., a publicly traded company that makes MOUNTAIN Smokes CBD Hemp Smokes.Connect with Marty!Go to https://mountainsmokes.com/Top Stories In Our Industry:https://www.ganjapreneur.com/mlb-makes-charlottes-web-official-cbd-of-major-league-baseball/https://mjbizdaily.com/canopy-growth-quits-canadian-cannabis-retail-business/https://mjbizdaily.com/florida-marijuana-testing-labs-under-fire-over-thc-potency/ Watch this episode on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSmukudVoWg Catch me on MJ Biz Con! Use my discount code for 10% off: S P K M J B 2 2 1 0 Shayda Torabi has been called one of the most influential Women in WordPress and now she's one of the women leading the cannabis reformation conversation building one of Texas' premier CBD brands. She's currently the CEO and Co-Founder of RESTART CBD, a female-run education first CBD wellness brand. And has formerly held marketing positions at WP Engine and WebDevStudios. Shayda is the host of a podcast for cannabis marketers called To Be Blunt, where she interviews top cannabis brands on their most successful marketing initiatives. When Shayda's not building her cannabiz in Texas, you can find her on the road exploring the best hikes and spots for vegan ice cream. Follow Shayda at @theshaydatorabi SPONSORSHIP is brought to you by Restart CBD. Check them out for your CBD needsLEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to join me for episodes featuring some serious cannabis industry by sharing this episode or click here to listen to past episodesRESTART CBD is an education-first CBD wellness brand shipping nationwide.
“There's nothing more important or more powerful than staying fresh and staying relevant. There's just a lot that you have to do with your communication and your marketing and your branding to achieve that.” - Kristi PalmerWelcome back to the To Be Blunt podcast! In this episode, Shayda Torabi welcomes Kristi Palmer of Kiva, currently the number one edibles brand in California. Kristi tells the story behind their innovative products and elevated branding and marketing. She also takes us through how they are navigating out-of-state operations and continuing to expand on the untapped potential of cannabis.[00:00 - 05:03] Prediction for Federal Legalization[05:06- 18:03] A Professional, Trustworthy, and Information-Forward Brand[18:04 - 24:36] Customer-Driven Innovation[24:37 - 30:00] Creating Products for Different Consumers [30:01 - 38:28] Insights on Interstate Cannabis Commerce[38:29 - 49:26] Strategies for Succesful Cannabis Marketing[49:27 - 56:43] Authentic Collaboration and Merchandising When Kristi Palmer and her husband Scott founded Kiva in 2010, it was during California's growing medical cannabis days. Frustrated by the inconsistent, low-quality edibles available at local dispensaries, Kristi and Scott saw a unique opportunity: a chance to reinvent cannabis edibles and deliver a more consistent, safe, and delicious product than consumers were used to at the time. They began making cannabis-infused chocolate bars out of their Bay Area home kitchen, and the rest is history. Today, Kiva's award-winning chocolates, mints, gummies, and chews are the most trusted, recommended, and sought-after edibles available. For this, Kiva has become the most recognized edible brand in cannabis with a passionate customer base throughout hundreds of dispensaries in CA, AZ, NV, MI, IL, OH, OK, MA, HI, and now Canada. Kiva has won over 20+ Best Edibles and Best Edibles Producer awards for their portfolio of Kiva and Terra chocolates, Petra mints, Camino gummies, and Lost Farm gummies and chews. In 2020, they also won six prestigious Clio Awards for marketing and advertising excellence in the cannabis industry.Connect with Kristi!Check out KivaConfections.com. Shayda Torabi has been called one of the most influential Women in WordPress and now she's one of the women leading the cannabis reformation conversation building one of Texas' premier CBD brands. She's currently the CEO and Co-Founder of RESTART CBD, a female-run education first CBD wellness brand. And has formerly held marketing positions at WP Engine and WebDevStudios. Shayda is the host of a podcast for cannabis marketers called To Be Blunt, where she interviews top cannabis brands on their most successful marketing initiatives. When Shayda's not building her cannabiz in Texas, you can find her on the road exploring the best hikes and spots for vegan ice cream. Follow Shayda at @theshaydatorabi SPONSORSHIP is brought to you by Restart CBD. Check them out for your CBD needsLEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to join me for episodes featuring some serious cannabis industry by sharing this episode or click here to listen to past episodesRESTART CBD is an education-first CBD wellness brand shipping nationwide.
'Selfishly, it's about growth, whether it's revenue or relationships. Externally, it's about content output, showcasing what legal cannabis looks like, the nuances of experience for consumers, and patients, and the brands that are available, the products that are available, the discussion…” - Mitch PfeiferWelcome back to the To Be Blunt podcast! In this episode, Shayda Torabi welcomes Respect My Region's Mitch Pfeifer to talk about cannabis content creation, the importance of building relationships with brands, and being relentless in pursuing opportunities. He shares how he was able to turn his side hustle into a business and what they are doing to promote cannabis culture and high-quality cannabis products.[00:00 - 10:09] Top Stories in Our Industry[11:50- 18:15] From Black Market to Recreational Market[18:16 - 29:53] Connecting through Content[28:54 - 41:24] How to Growth Hack Your Business [41:25 - 50:47] Celebrating the Cannabis Experience[50:48 - 1:11:47] The Quest for the Best Weed[1:11:48 - 1:15:56] What's Next for The North American Weed TourMitch Pfeifer is the Founder and CEO of Respect My Region, a digital lifestyle publication and marketing agency. He's written over 1200 articles on cannabis and music published across various websites, publications, and magazines. In a previous life, Mitch was a legacy cannabis operator who also worked in retail, sports apparel, the music industry, and real estate marketing.In 2011, Mitch started Respect My Region as a lifestyle brand. He threw concerts and events all over the Pacific Northwest, selling clothing through e-commerce, traditional retail channels, and medical cannabis dispensaries. Following recreational cannabis legalization in Washington in 2016, Mitch combined his legacy cannabis, content, and marketing experience to move into the recreational cannabis space.Connect with Mitch!Go to respectmyregion.com! Top Stories in Our industry:https://www.leafly.com/news/politics/mmj-pet-legalization-california https://www.wsj.com/articles/welcome-to-the-worlds-oddest-pot-party-thrown-by-the-local-police-11663597103 Watch this episode on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-Mna6rlNCs Catch me on MJ Biz Con! Use my discount code for 10% off: S P K M J B 2 2 1 0Shayda Torabi has been called one of the most influential Women in WordPress and now she's one of the women leading the cannabis reformation conversation building one of Texas' premier CBD brands. She's currently the CEO and Co-Founder of RESTART CBD, a female-run education first CBD wellness brand. And has formerly held marketing positions at WP Engine and WebDevStudios. Shayda is the host of a podcast for cannabis marketers called To Be Blunt, where she interviews top cannabis brands on their most successful marketing initiatives. When Shayda's not building her cannabiz in Texas, you can find her on the road exploring the best hikes and spots for vegan ice cream. Follow Shayda at @theshaydatorabi SPONSORSHIP is brought to you by Restart CBD. Check them out for your CBD needsLEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to join me for episodes featuring some serious cannabis industry by sharing this episode or click here to listen to past episodesRESTART CBD is an education-firsRESTART CBD RESTART CBD is an education first CBD wellness brand shipping nationwide. restartcbd.com
“If you create those relationships and you just show that like, Hey, I really am trying. Sometimes that's all it takes ‘cause so many people are not trying at all.” - Kim StuckWelcome back to the To Be Blunt podcast! In this episode, Shayda Torabi welcomes Kim Stuck of Allay Consulting. As the first cannabis specialist for the Denver Department of Environmental Health and now a leading compliance expert, she gives an insider perspective on cannabis regulation and certification standards. She offers actionable advice on best practices to be certified, including how to improve facilities, ensure consumer safety, and build relationships with regulators. [00:00 - 11:49] Top Stories in Our Industry[11:50- 19:57] Becoming a Cannabis Public Health Inspector[19:58 - 31:59] Good Cannabis Manufacturing Practices and Causes for Recalls[32:00 - 39:04] The Challenges in Regulating Marijuana and Hemp[39:03 - 45:42] Cultivating a Culture of Compliance[45:43 - 1:01:47] How to be GMP-Certified and Other Certifications You Need to Know[1:01:47 - 1:14:32] Investing in Compliance and Handling Issues EthicallyKim Stuck is the founder and CEO of Allay Consulting, a compliance strategy, and services provider serving the hemp, cannabis, and psychedelic industries nationwide. She brings a regulator's keen eye and wide-reaching knowledge on evolving compliance and safety mandates to support businesses in tightly regulated industries. Previously, she held a pioneering role as the nation's first cannabis and hemp specialist for a major metropolitan public health authority. She also holds numerous accreditations, such as certified quality auditor and certified professional of food safety, among others. Connect with Kim!Visit allayconsulting.com! Top Stories in our industry:https://uk.news.yahoo.com/female-led-cannabis-companies-receive-205422591.html https://www.marijuanamoment.net/apple-lets-users-search-for-marijuana-and-pharmaceutical-interactions-in-latest-iphone-health-update/ Watch this episode on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Z5tO9qc3LIShayda Torabi has been called one of the most influential Women in WordPress and now she's one of the women leading the cannabis reformation conversation building one of Texas' premier CBD brands. She's currently the CEO and Co-Founder of RESTART CBD, a female-run education first CBD wellness brand. And has formerly held marketing positions at WP Engine and WebDevStudios. Shayda is the host of a podcast for cannabis marketers called To Be Blunt, where she interviews top cannabis brands on their most successful marketing initiatives. When Shayda's not building her cannabiz in Texas, you can find her on the road exploring the best hikes and spots for vegan ice cream. Follow Shayda at @theshaydatorabi SPONSORSHIP is brought to you by Restart CBD. Check them out for your CBD needsLEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to join me for episodes featuring some serious cannabis industry by sharing this episode or click here to listen to past episodesRESTART CBD is an eduRESTART CBD RESTART CBD is an education first CBD wellness brand shipping nationwide. restartcbd.com
“If Germany goes recreational, everybody's going to follow them to some extent. If the leader says, look, this is how I'm addressing the product, the issue that I see at hand, you can pretty much be sure all the bigger countries will come in line like France, Portugal… And a few others are going to really move quickly because there's no reason for them to be disadvantaged if the rules are already set.” - Michael SassanoWelcome back to the To Be Blunt podcast! In this episode, Shayda Torabi welcomes Michael Sassano of SOMAI Pharmaceuticals to take a broader look at the global cannabis market. He brings his wealth of experience to dive deep into European cannabis production, innovation, and legalization and juxtaposes the current landscape with what's happening in North America. He also talks about SOMAI and how they are producing high-quality medical cannabis treatments for patients all over the world. [00:00 - 09:05] Thoughts on My Germany Trip[09:06- 21:10] Europe's Leading Cannabis Markets[21:11 - 37:04] Regularization and Comparing Recreational vs. Medicinal[37:05 - 46:52] The Pharmaceutical Industry and Innovation[46:53 - 53:42] Marketing Cannabis to European Consumers[53:43 - 1:03:41] What It Takes to Be Licensed and to Operate in Europe[1:03:42 - 1:14:40] A Look at the US Market and The Future of SOMAI Michael is the CEO and Chairman of the Board for SOMAI Pharmaceuticals LTD, a European pharmaceutical and biotech company centered on manufacturing in Lisbon, Portugal, and distribution of EU GMP-certified cannabinoid-containing pharmaceuticals throughout the European Union and globally. SOMAI emphasizes scientific pharmacology applications with EU-GMP standards to deliver treatments to the endocannabinoid system, effectively and with consistency across all markets. Taking with him the product development knowledge honed in the competitive American market, SOMAI is the largest and most advanced cannabinoid manufacturing facility across legal European markets producing medicines products and registered API's.Connect with Michael!Check out somaipharma.eu! Watch this episode on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66yTNFlh20MShayda Torabi has been called one of the most influential Women in WordPress and now she's one of the women leading the cannabis reformation conversation building one of Texas' premier CBD brands. She's currently the CEO and Co-Founder of RESTART CBD, a female-run education first CBD wellness brand. And has formerly held marketing positions at WP Engine and WebDevStudios. Shayda is the host of a podcast for cannabis marketers called To Be Blunt, where she interviews top cannabis brands on their most successful marketing initiatives. When Shayda's not building her cannabiz in Texas, you can find her on the road exploring the best hikes and spots for vegan ice cream. Follow Shayda at @theshaydatorabi SPONSORSHIP is brought to you by Restart CBD. Check them out for your CBD needsLEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to join me for episodes featuring some serious cannabis industry by sharing this episode or click here to listen to past episodesRESTART CBD is an education-first CBD wellness brand shipping nationwide.RESTART CBD RESTART CBD is an education first CBD wellness brand shipping nationwide. restartcbd.com
“You've probably been consuming alcohol since you were a young person and you know a lot more about how your body reacts to it than how your body's going to react to cannabis. So having that platform for new consumers to be able to be introduced to our products and then move their way up the scale so that we're kind of holding their hand a little bit and saying, ‘It's totally cool. You want to try one milligram and see where you're going?' We encourage that in a lot of ways.” - Lauren Gockley Welcome back to the To Be Blunt podcast! In this episode, Shayda Torabi welcomes Lauren Gockley of Coda Signature. A classically trained chocolatier, she reflects on her transition to the cannabis space and what's it like to build a brand in Colorado. She also discusses the innovation that goes into their products and how microdosing is changing and improving the cannabis experience. [00:00 - 15:21] Elevating Cannabis Edibles[15:22- 24:07] Opportunities in Emerging Markets and the Challenges in the California Landscape[24:05 - 33:03] Innovation and Preparing for Legalization[33:04 - 46:16] The Importance of Microdosing[46:17 - 1:02:23] Curating Experiences through Minor Cannabinoids[1:02:22 - 1:17:08] Getting the Product to both Buyers and Budtenders[1:07:09 - 1:13:08] What's Next for Coda Signature Lauren co-founded Coda Signature in 2015 and currently serves as its Chief Innovation Officer. She is responsible for driving product development and refinement, establishing best manufacturing practices, managing supply chain dynamics, and maintaining strict quality standards across all product lines. She taps into her rich background in Michelin-starred restaurants and European patissiere to craft infused confections renowned for their artistry, consistency of experience, and unparalleled fine ingredients. She is also named one of Dessert Professional's Top 10 Chocolatiers in North America. Connect with Lauren!Follow her on LinkedIn and go to CodaSignature.com. Watch this episode on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yyxKtmXFjw Shayda Torabi has been called one of the most influential Women in WordPress and now she's one of the women leading the cannabis reformation conversation building one of Texas' premier CBD brands. She's currently the CEO and Co-Founder of RESTART CBD, a female-run education first CBD wellness brand. And has formerly held marketing positions at WP Engine and WebDevStudios. Shayda is the host of a podcast for cannabis marketers called To Be Blunt, where she interviews top cannabis brands on their most successful marketing initiatives. When Shayda's not building her cannabiz in Texas, you can find her on the road exploring the best hikes and spots for vegan ice cream. Follow Shayda at @theshaydatorabi SPONSORSHIP is brought to you by Restart CBD. Check them out for your CBD needsLEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to join me for episodes featuring some serious cannabis industry by sharing this episode or click here to listen to past episodesRESTART CBD is an education-first CBD wellness brand shipping nationwide.
“People relate more to user-generated content than they do an influencer telling them they should buy a product because there's no authenticity from the brand to the influencer. When you've got a UGC creator, they make the content, give it directly to the brand, and then the brand directly puts it out.” - Maggie WilsonWelcome back to the To Be Blunt podcast! In this episode, Shayda Torabi welcomes Maggie Wilson of FRUIT SLABS, California's first kosher-certified and vegan edible. We get to know how she went from growing up anti-cannabis to becoming a cannabis marketing expert and joining FRUIT SLABS to serve the health and wellness community. She also dives deep into UGCs and why it is the solution to boost brand reach and savings.[00:00 - 08:14] Top Stories in Our Industry[08:15 - 13:08] Paving the Way for Kosher-Certified Edibles[13:09- 31:31] Finding a Place in the Cannabis Health and Wellness Space[31:32 - 38:26] The Colorado vs. California Market [38:27 - 48:14] Label Differentiation and Intellectual Property[48:15 - 1:06:10] Co'slab'orators and Why Brands Should Leverage UGCs[1:06:11 - 1:12:05] Non-Traditional Marketing TacticsMaggie Wilson is the best-selling author of The Metaphysical Cannabis Oracle Deck, the 1st black woman cannabis sommelier, and Chief Marketing Officer for FRUIT SLABS. Recognized for her breakthrough work by both the industry and her peers, she is a member of Black Marketers Association of America and has a top-rated international Apple podcast. She brings unparalleled energy, transformative thinking, and innovative ideas to the forefront of each conversation. Connect with Maggie!Find her on LinkedIn and check out FRUITSLABS.com.Top Stories in our industry:https://mjbizdaily.com/top-cbd-companies-experience-market-share-drop-as-online-sales-soften/ https://ktla.com/news/california/ap-california-oks-bill-to-protect-workers-who-use-pot-at-home/ https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cv25ex5e30lo Watch this episode on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-kP2hiFwZ0Shayda Torabi has been called one of the most influential Women in WordPress and now she's one of the women leading the cannabis reformation conversation building one of Texas' premier CBD brands. She's currently the CEO and Co-Founder of RESTART CBD, a female-run education first CBD wellness brand. And has formerly held marketing positions at WP Engine and WebDevStudios. Shayda is the host of a podcast for cannabis marketers called To Be Blunt, where she interviews top cannabis brands on their most successful marketing initiatives. When Shayda's not building her cannabiz in Texas, you can find her on the road exploring the best hikes and spots for vegan ice cream. Follow Shayda at @theshaydatorabi SPONSORSHIP is brought to you by Restart CBD. Check them out for your CBD needsLEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to join me for episodes featuring some serious cannabis industry by sharing this episode or click here to listen to past episodesRESTART CBD is an education-first CBD wellness brand shipping nationwide.
This episode will give you a fresh perspective on all things CBD, cannabis culture, entrepreneurship, and brand building. Our guest today is Shayda Torabi, the Co-Founder and CEO of RESTART CBD, Texas' premier cannabis brand. In our conversation, Shayda shares her passion for helping build great consumer brands in the cannabis industry, the leverages in technology/ marketing background that helped her navigate the cannabis industry & how she has been able to successfully connect with cannabis consumers to help them find high quality products. If you're ready to expand your knowledge of the CBD industry, this one's worth a listen!Resources:Follow Shayda: https://www.instagram.com/theshaydatorabi/Follow Marie: https://www.instagram.com/marieewold/ Unlock Your Next Level Goal-Setting Visualization: https://mariewold.com/goalsBooked in 30: bit.ly/bookedin30
“Find what makes you tick. Find what's authentic to you. Focus in that world and be impactful in that world because it's a big enough world as it is that you don't need to do everything.” - Jon SpadaforaWelcome back to the To Be Blunt podcast! In this episode, Shayda Torabi welcomes Jon Spadafora of Veritas Fine Cannabis, the first recreational wholesaler in Colorado. He shares how they have differentiated themselves from the competition by offering variety and curating unique experiences for consumers. He also gets real about the challenges cannabis businesses face on social media and how they're creatively finding ways to reach their target audience.[00:00 - 10:12] Top Stories in Our Industry[10:13 - 20:41] Leading Cannabis Cultivation in Colorado[20:42 - 29:47] On Diversifying the Menu and Creating Desire [29:48 - 35:51] Harnessing Data to Understand the Consumer[35:52 - 52:09] How to Navigate the Social Media Minefield[52:10 - 1:10:52] Authentic Connections through Collaboration and Experiential Events [1:10:53 - 1:17:16] Cannabis in the Workplace: Trust and Empowerment Jon Spadafora is a cannabis industry veteran with an extensive history in brand initiation, brand operations, and marketing strategy. His knowledge of best practices for experiential marketing strategy and curating innovative consumer events has helped establish Veritas as one of Colorado's most recognizable and sought-after cannabis brands. As President, Jon is responsible for day-to-day operations, business profitability, investor relations, and ensuring that the brand adheres to its core values as it continues to expand operations. Connect with Jon!Visit VeritasCannabis.com.Top Stories in our industry:https://mjbizdaily.com/how-cannabis-industry-can-curb-budtender-turnover/https://mjbizdaily.com/midyear-state-cannabis-sales-a-mixed-bag-across-the-us/ https://www.marijuanamoment.net/feds-issue-first-refunds-for-cannabis-products-that-were-deceptively-marketed-to-consumers/ Watch this episode on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7q4y15I50KQ Shayda Torabi has been called one of the most influential Women in WordPress and now she's one of the women leading the cannabis reformation conversation building one of Texas' premier CBD brands. She's currently the CEO and Co-Founder of RESTART CBD, a female-run education first CBD wellness brand. And has formerly held marketing positions at WP Engine and WebDevStudios. Shayda is the host of a podcast for cannabis marketers called To Be Blunt, where she interviews top cannabis brands on their most successful marketing initiatives. When Shayda's not building her cannabiz in Texas, you can find her on the road exploring the best hikes and spots for vegan ice cream. Follow Shayda at @theshaydatorabi SPONSORSHIP is brought to you by Restart CBD. Check them out for your CBD needsLEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to join me for episodes featuring some serious cannabis industry by sharing this episode or click here to listen to past episodesRESTART CBD RESTART CBD is an education first CBD wellness brand shipping nationwide. restartcbd.com
“We didn't see anybody else in the industry who was studying the effects of the product in humans. We wanted to come from a place of truth. That's always been very important to us, that we were the truth-tellers in the industry.” - Missy BradleyWelcome back to the To Be Blunt podcast! In this episode, Shayda Torabi welcomes Missy Bradley, VP of Marketing and co-founder of Ripple. She takes us through their pioneering research to formulate a water-soluble form of THC, proven to hit 2x faster than the competitor. She also talks about their commitment to consistency and how they are building longevity by connecting with the consumers and dispensaries. [00:00 - 10:37] What's Trending + Q & A[10:38 - 18:26] Everything Can Be an Edible[18:27 - 21:03] Consistency in Experience, Quality, and Messaging[21:04 - 33:20] Investing in Innovation and Research[33:21 - 33:53] Marketing through Meaningful and Truthful Conversations[33:54 - 1:02:14] Staying Relevant on the Shelf and Surviving the Colorado Market[1:02:15 - 1:10:01] On Promotions, Packaging, and PartnershipsPrior to her work with Ripple, Missy Bradley was a senior producer at The Climate Reality Project where she led creative initiatives centered around climate change awareness and action. She is a former journalist and holds an MA in journalism from the University of Missouri and a BA in English from the University of Michigan. She lives in Boulder with her husband, John, her kids, Max and Ella, and her dog, Princess Beadie Wigglebottom.Connect with Missy!Check out TryRipple.com and find her on LinkedIn. Resources:https://mjbizdaily.com/several-state-marijuana-legalization-initiatives-could-make-fall-ballot/https://www.marijuanamoment.net/feds-seek-contractor-to-help-test-marijuana-compounds-in-peoples-breath/ https://finance.yahoo.com/news/cannabis-100-billion-opportunity-tilray-ceo-124914518.html Watch this episode on YouTube!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woXDVtCRmyU&t=3s Shayda Torabi has been called one of the most influential Women in WordPress and now she's one of the women leading the cannabis reformation conversation building one of Texas' premier CBD brands. She's currently the CEO and Co-Founder of RESTART CBD, a female-run education first CBD wellness brand. And has formerly held marketing positions at WP Engine and WebDevStudios. Shayda is the host of a podcast for cannabis marketers called To Be Blunt, where she interviews top cannabis brands on their most successful marketing initiatives. When Shayda's not building her cannabiz in Texas, you can find her on the road exploring the best hikes and spots for vegan ice cream. Follow Shayda at @theshaydatorabi SPONSORSHIP is brought to you by Restart CBD. Check them out for your CBD needsLEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to join me for episodes featuring some serious cannabis industry by sharing this episode or click here to listen to past episodesRESTART CBD is an education-first CBD wellness brand shipping nationwide.
“Everyone is really dedicated to the cannabis industry as a whole and wants to advance legalization, education, and access to cannabis, and really believes in what we're doing as a brand to bring something that's really high quality, that's more premium, that's flavor first.” - Katherine WolfWelcome back to the To Be Blunt podcast! In this episode, Shayda Torabi welcomes Katherine Wolf of Malek's Premium Cannabis to discuss how to build a strong brand that stands out from the competition, how to keep up with industry trends, and more. She believes that collaborations can help the brand connect with different businesses and consumers, and she emphasizes the importance of education as a way to promote the unique story behind the product. [00:00 - 07:24] What's Trending + Q & A[07:25 - 16:00] Putting a High-Quality Product in Front of the Consumers[16:01 - 21:03] The Path to Being a Cannabis Brand Marketer[21:04 - 28:13] Education and Fostering Relationships with Dispensaries[28:14 - 33:53] Inspirations for Compelling Cannabis Content[33:54 - 45:06] Malek's Team, Brand Story, and the Idea Behind the Iconic Pink[48:09 - 1:04:49] Collaborations and Connecting with ConsumersKatherine Wolf is a published cannabis writer, branding specialist, and the Chief Marketing & Operations Officer of Malek's Premium Cannabis. Malek's is a passion-driven brand growing small-batch, flavor-first flowers in Denver, Colorado. With a background in Marketing & Economics and over five years of experience working with brands in tech, manufacturing, and hospitality, she shifted to the cannabis industry in 2020. Today, she is passionate about advocating for women in cannabis leadership and safe access to cannabis education and products for all.Connect with Katherine!Find her on LinkedIn and visit Malek's Premium Cannabis. Resources:https://coloradosun.com/2022/08/10/colorados-cannabis-industry-sustained-decline-2022/https://mjbizdaily.com/how-cannabis-testing-labs-help-put-undue-focus-on-thc-potency/panelpicker.sxsw.comhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QF77HTYPs_Y&t Shayda Torabi has been called one of the most influential Women in WordPress and now she's one of the women leading the cannabis reformation conversation building one of Texas' premier CBD brands. She's currently the CEO and Co-Founder of RESTART CBD, a female-run education first CBD wellness brand. And has formerly held marketing positions at WP Engine and WebDevStudios. Shayda is the host of a podcast for cannabis marketers called To Be Blunt, where she interviews top cannabis brands on their most successful marketing initiatives. When Shayda's not building her cannabiz in Texas, you can find her on the road exploring the best hikes and spots for vegan ice cream. Follow Shayda at @theshaydatorabi SPONSORSHIP is brought to you by Restart CBD. Check them out for your CBD needsLEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to join me for episodes featuring some serious cannabis industry by sharing this episode or click here to listen to past episodesRESTART CBDRESTART CBD is an education-first CBD wellness brand shipping nationwide.
“People and consumers are getting smarter in identifying the companies that are just trying to take advantage of the situation. And I think why we've serviced millions of customers in the last seven years is because we really truly provide value. We always make it a hundred percent satisfaction guarantee.” - Bryan GerberWelcome back to the To Be Blunt podcast! In this episode, Shayda Torabi welcomes the “King of Cones” Bryan Gerber of Hemper and Hara Supply. He and his team have produced over 85 million pre-rolled cones per month in the cannabis industry and today, he gets candid about their crazy journey to success. He also gives an inside look at manufacturing pre-rolled cones and glass products and discusses how they are navigating a fragmented industry and providing the best quality to their customers. [00:00 - 09:50] From Subscription Box to Cannabis Lifestyle Brand[09:51 - 23:52] Scaling and Becoming the Leading Pre-rolled Cones Manufacturer[23:53 - 33:53] The Challenges of Cannabis eCommerce and Digital Marketing[33:54 - 37:17] Surviving the Industry Consolidation[37:18 - 48:08] The Realities in Manufacturing Cannabis Ancillary Products[48:09 - 1:00:28] Glassware and Setting up an In-House Production After graduating from George Washington University School of Business, as a cannabis user seeking a solution to a routine problem for the average smoker, Bryan Gerber ultimately ended up revolutionizing the entire industry. Through his entrepreneurship, he is on track to produce 1 billion cones per year, provided by his company Hara which he helped in creating and making it to be the largest distributor of pre-rolled cones in the globe.Dedicated to proving himself through his hard work and ingenuity, he has paved the path to sustain his businesses' growth and longevity, while constantly discovering innovative ways to reach new consumers all sustaining his loyal and happy customer base. Connect with Bryan!Check out Hemper.co to know more about their products and services. Shayda Torabi has been called one of the most influential Women in WordPress and now she's one of the women leading the cannabis reformation conversation building one of Texas' premier CBD brands. She's currently the CEO and Co-Founder of RESTART CBD, a female-run education first CBD wellness brand. And has formerly held marketing positions at WP Engine and WebDevStudios. Shayda is the host of a podcast for cannabis marketers called To Be Blunt, where she interviews top cannabis brands on their most successful marketing initiatives. When Shayda's not building her cannabiz in Texas, you can find her on the road exploring the best hikes and spots for vegan ice cream. Follow Shayda at @theshaydatorabi Key Quote:“The biggest difference between working with us is that we stand by our quality and you're not going to run into a contamination issue. You're not going to run into a pesticide or heavy metal problem. And God forbid you run into a recall situation. A lot of these big cannabis companies are trying to save that half a penny by going with the smaller guy. It's not worth cutting the corner for a half-cent.” - Bryan Gerber SPONSORSHIP is brought to you by Restart CBD. Check them out for your CBD needsLEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to join me for episodes featuring some serious cannabis industry by sharing this episode or click here to listen to past episodesRESTART CBDRESTART CBD is an education-first CBD wellness brand shipping nationwide.
“We spoke with hundreds of people and the response was overwhelming. It was like, how has this not been in my life already? How come somebody hasn't invented it? And so from that, we decided to build the product. The need is out there. We have the ability to fulfill it. Let's go for it.” - Peichen ChangWelcome back to the To Be Blunt podcast! In this episode, Shayda Torabi welcomes Peichen Chang, co-founder & CEO at tCheck. tCheck is a device that helps home edible makers and DIY cannabis growers measure the potency of their flower and infused oils such as butter, coconut oil, and EVOO. He digs deep into what problem they saw in the market, how they were able to create a convenient device for potency testing, and what marketing strategies they are utilizing as an ancillary business.[00:00 - 14:00] Potency Testing at Your Fingertips[14:01 - 20:42] A Faster and More Affordable Option for Home Bakers and Cultivators[20:41 - 26:45] Engineering a Simple and Scalable Solution for the Market[26:46 - 39:15] Building a Brand and Marketing as a Cannabis Technology Company[39:16 - 44:00] What's Next for tCheck: Expanding Their Customer Base and Helping Farmers Stay Compliant[44:01 - 54:11] App Development and the Best Ways to Optimize tCheck Prior to joining tCheck, Peichen Chang was a software developer and product manager for companies such as Emulex/Broadcom, TD Ameritrade, and HP. He grew up as a DoD brat on the tropical island of Okinawa, Japan before moving to snowy upstate New York for his B.S. in Electrical Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Afterwards, he went on to Oregon State University for his master's in business administration. Today, he lives in the Sacramento area with his wife, 3 boys, a dog, and too many cats.Connect with Peichen!Follow him on LinkedIn and visit the tCheck website. Shayda Torabi has been called one of the most influential Women in WordPress and now she's one of the women leading the cannabis reformation conversation building one of Texas' premier CBD brands. She's currently the CEO and Co-Founder of RESTART CBD, a female-run education first CBD wellness brand. And has formerly held marketing positions at WP Engine and WebDevStudios. Shayda is the host of a podcast for cannabis marketers called To Be Blunt, where she interviews top cannabis brands on their most successful marketing initiatives. When Shayda's not building her cannabiz in Texas, you can find her on the road exploring the best hikes and spots for vegan ice cream. Follow Shayda at @theshaydatorabi Key Quote:“Their number one goal is to solve whatever health problem it is that they have. They couldn't care one bit, one iota about a spectrometer. They simply don't care. They're like, how do I make my pain go away? That's the only thing they care about. And so how do you solve that problem for the customer and this other problem, which is, this is a device that has never existed in the market before, this technology which is a kind to magic at this point. How do these two come together?” - Peichen Chang SPONSORSHIP is brought to you by Restart CBD. Check them out for your CBD needsLEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to join me for episodes featuring some serious cannabis industry by sharing this episode or click here to listen to past episodesRESTART CBDRESTART CBD is an education first CBD wellness brand shipping nationwide. restartcbd.com
“Nature is our muse. Those ratios that are found naturally in the plant, well, let's recreate that so that you can consistently have that same experience every time you have a product. so that you're not buying a product one month and then three months later, and you're like, was that the same product? And that's happening because of that lack of consistency which now we're able to solve and I think what's going to help lay the foundation for this industry to reach its potential.” - Nicole BrownWelcome back to the To Be Blunt podcast! In this episode, Shayda Torabi welcomes Open Book Extract's Chief Innovation Officer, Nicole Brown to talk about the science of cannabis and cannabinoids. She discusses the extensive research and testing that goes behind the scenes in order to develop and bring to market better cannabis products that are going to improve people's quality of life.[00:00 - 03:48] Life Update: Working Through Change and Chaos[03:49 - 20:23] Crafting Cannabis Products and Navigating Legalization in North Carolina[20:24 - 30:55] The Chemistry of Cannabinoids[30:56 - 44:19] Formulation Development and Delivering Consistent and Effective Outcomes[44:18 - 58:22] How Technology is Transforming the Cannabis Industry [58:23 - 1:07:21] The Future Landscape: Brands and New Categories Emerging Nicole Brown serves as Chief Innovation Officer for North Carolina-based Open Book Extracts, a foremost ingredient manufacturer, product development house, and supplier focused on cannabinoid-enabled health and wellness. She channels data-driven consumer insights into a long-term course of action, delivering immediately usable product innovation, and also drives awareness and thought leadership by overseeing strategic marketing efforts, including PR, event marketing, advertising, and partnerships. Nicole is committed to a spirit of sustainability and social impact and has built and led best-in-class teams to foster an open culture to learn from one another. Connect with Nicole!Head over to the Open Book Extracts website. Shayda Torabi has been called one of the most influential Women in WordPress and now she's one of the women leading the cannabis reformation conversation building one of Texas' premier CBD brands. She's currently the CEO and Co-Founder of RESTART CBD, a female-run education first CBD wellness brand. And has formerly held marketing positions at WP Engine and WebDevStudios. Shayda is the host of a podcast for cannabis marketers called To Be Blunt, where she interviews top cannabis brands on their most successful marketing initiatives. When Shayda's not building her cannabiz in Texas, you can find her on the road exploring the best hikes and spots for vegan ice cream. Follow Shayda at @theshaydatorabi Key Quote:“The whole reason to go after THCV was quite obvious. The journey to actually figure out how to do it was intensive. It required a team of scientists that I am humbled by every day with how they're able to take on these challenges and be like, okay, we're going to figure out all the laws of science and chemistry and what is going to take to be able to bring to market what we think is a very important cannabinoid.” - Nicole Brown SPONSORSHIP is brought to you by Restart CBD. Check them out for your CBD needsLEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to join me for episodes featuring some serious cannabis industry by sharing this episode or click here to listen to past episodesRESTART CBDRESTART CBD is an education-first CBD wellness brand shipping nationwide.
“What we felt would help legalization and move the needle with cannabis was sticking to some key tenets her and it's objectivity. It's professionalism. It's journalism ethics.” - Chris WalshWelcome back to the To Be Blunt podcast! In this episode, Shayda Torabi welcomes Chris Walsh of MJ Biz to talk about the impact of media in the fight for legalization and how it shapes not only the opinions of the consumers but also of the policymakers. He also gives his take on the resistance against mainstreaming cannabis and the importance of supporting the small players in the market. [00:00 - 11:13] Establishing a Cannabis Media Brand[11:12 - 19:41] The Cannabis Industry Then and Now[19:42 - 26:57] We Need Professionalism to Survive[26:58 - 34:30] The Path Forward is Incremental Change[34:31 - 43:20] Influencing Conversations Through Media [43:21 - 55:46] Pushing for Social Equity and Empowering Small Businesses Chris served as the founding editor of Marijuana Business Daily during the company's launch in 2011, becoming the first journalist in the United States to focus exclusively on covering the business of cannabis. As CEO, he now guides the strategic vision of the company and its sister publication – Hemp Industry Daily – while educating mainstream industries about the marijuana and hemp sectors. Chris has been quoted as one of America's foremost cannabis industry analysts by dozens of media outlets, including Harvard Business Review, NPR, CNBC, and the New York Times. He earned an MBA in international business from Regis University.Connect with Chris!Check out the MJ Biz and MJ Biz Daily! Shayda Torabi has been called one of the most influential Women in WordPress and now she's one of the women leading the cannabis reformation conversation building one of Texas' premier CBD brands. She's currently the CEO and Co-Founder of RESTART CBD, a female-run education first CBD wellness brand. And has formerly held marketing positions at WP Engine and WebDevStudios. Shayda is the host of a podcast for cannabis marketers called To Be Blunt, where she interviews top cannabis brands on their most successful marketing initiatives. When Shayda's not building her cannabiz in Texas, you can find her on the road exploring the best hikes and spots for vegan ice cream. Follow Shayda at @theshaydatorabi Key Quote:“Our approach has been to really shed light on the bad parts of the industry, and we've got people that don't like us because guess what? This company did something and it was bad. And it created a huge issue in the industry. And so we'll write about the issues. We'll discuss them at our conference. It's not all rosy, right?” - Chris WalshSPONSORSHIP is brought to you by Restart CBD. Check them out for your CBD needsLEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to join me for episodes featuring some serious cannabis industry by sharing this episode or click here to listen to past episodesRESTART CBDRESTART CBD is an education-first CBD wellness brand shipping nationwide.
RESTART CBD is a national education CBD wellness brand that offers high-quality third-party tested cannabis products. Shayda Torabi is the Co-founder & CEO. She is dedicated to the benefits of cannabis and CBD, which have helped her alleviate her own health issues. Headquartered in Austin Texas, Shayda also has a top-rated podcast called, "To Be Blunt", is on the executive board of the Texas Hemp Coalition, and writes a column for the Texas Hemp Report. The company has a major online presence and brick-and-mortar stores.
RESTART CBD is a national education CBD wellness brand that offers high-quality third-party tested cannabis products. Shayda Torabi is the Co-founder & CEO. She is dedicated to the benefits of cannabis and CBD, which have helped her alleviate her own health issues. Headquartered in Austin Texas, Shayda also has a top-rated podcast called, "To Be Blunt", is on the executive board of the Texas Hemp Coalition, and writes a column for the Texas Hemp Report. The company has a major online presence and brick-and-mortar stores.
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