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Green Entrepreneur

Entrepreneur Mediawww.greenentrepreneur.com
How have entrepreneurs left their old careers behind and found success in cannabis, and how can you do the same? Green Entrepreneur with Jonathan Small answers that question each week, with inspiring stories of business owners who have taken the cannabis challenge and are now navigating the exciting but unpredictable Green Rush.
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Episodes

The OxiClean Pitchmaster Has Some Winning Sales Pitch Tips for Your Cannabis Brand

You probably know Anthony Sullivan from starring in those OxiClean ads with his friend the late Billy Mays. But more recently Sullivan has turned his sites to CBD. He is CEO of MontKush that uses organic CBD rosin from Vermont. Mont Kush also contains the compound CBDA, which made news recently after it was discovered that it may prevent the virus that causes Covid-19. On the show, he shares tips on how to pitch your product in a crowded market. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone....

Feb 10, 202230 minSeason 1Ep. 144

Marijuana for Menopause: The Story of Hello Again

As any woman of a certain age can tell you, menopause can be very unpleasant. Symptoms associated with it include hot flashes, night sweats, weight gain, irritability, and changes sex drive. California entrepreneurs Carrie Mapes and Patty Pappas have created a cannabis-infused vaginal suppository called Hello Again that provides relief from these physical and emotional challenges. The two talk about why they created the product, how it works, and the challenges they’ve had to overcome bringing H...

Feb 03, 202226 minSeason 1Ep. 143

Sage Advice from Andrew DeAngelo About Starting a Cannabis Business

Andrew De Angelo is cannabis advocate and entrepreneur. He is co-founder and advisor to pioneering cannabis company. Andrew has also worked on a variety of voter initiatives which legalized medical and adult use cannabis. I caught up with Andrew at the NCIA Cannabis Business Summit in San Francisco to find out about his latest business venture as a consultant to cannabis companies. Companies come to him to figure out how to get liscensed, raise money, and grow their business. Here’s what he tell...

Jan 27, 202229 minSeason 1Ep. 142

Jim Belushi Is On a Mission from God

Jim Belushi is an actor, musician, and cannabis entrepreneur. His journey into the Green Rush is chronicled in in the docuseries Growing Belushi on the Discovery, which is back for a second season. Jim joins the show to talk about his mission to rebrand and rebuild his boutique brand for the masses, the challenges he’s faced, and how he uses weed his daily life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 20, 202229 minSeason 1Ep. 141

The 5-Step Marketing Formula Used by Winning Politicians and Successful Companies

Should you run your company’s marketing campaign like a political campaign? Guest Phillip Stutts says it’s the only way. He is the founder and CEO of Win BIG Media and has 25 years’ experience helping his clients win over 1400 elections. In his new book, The Undefeated Marketing System : How to Grow Your Business and Build Your Audience Using the Secret Formula That Elects Presidents, Stutts shares his five-step marketing formula that is used by winning pols and successful companies to grow your...

Jan 13, 202249 minSeason 1Ep. 140

Cannabis macaroons? Yep, they're a thing.

Luxury cannabis is here to stay On the pod, we talk to Cheyne Nadeau, VP of Marketing for Hervé, which makes high-end cannabis-infused macarons and hard candies. We discuss why the luxury cannabis category is so hot, who is buying this stuff, and the opportunties and challenges for entrepreneurs in the space in the next few years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 06, 202214 minSeason 1Ep. 139

What Are the Big Opportunities in Cannabis in 2022?

Guest Emily Paxhia is Managing Director Poseidon Investment Management. She joins us from the floor of the Hall of Flowers tradeshow to discuss the trends she's excited about—and not so excited about—for the upcoming year. Emily has reviewed over 1000 companies in her career. She had helped shape founders' pitches, their go-to-market strategies, and advised on day-to-day business operations. Emily has held board seats for multiple portfolio companies and participates as an adviser to multiple te...

Dec 23, 202119 minSeason 1Ep. 138

Are Terpenes the Future of Cannabis?

New developments in terpene research out of Israel are revealing some promising findings about the medicinal effectiveness of cannabis. At the forefront of this research is Nadav Eyal, the founder and CEO of Eybna Technologies which manufactures terpenes for dozens of cannabis brands including Old Pal and Lemon Tree. He talks to us about what his company is learning about how terpenes can help with sleep, anxiety, and even Covid-19. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 16, 202130 minSeason 1Ep. 137

How These Two Women Entrepreneurs Are Thriving in a Male-Dominated Industry

The cannabis industry is still a men’s club. The share of women in senior ranks fell to just 22.1% in 2021 from 36.8% in 2019. But that hasn’t stopped two female Michigan-based entrepreneurs from launching two successful cannabis companies. Our guests are Rebecca Colett CEO of Calyxeum and Megan Klein founder of Little Saints. They talk about how the different hurdles they’ve faced, and how they have overcome them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 09, 202137 minSeason 1Ep. 136

How the Vape Mail Ban Affects the Cannabis Industry

Last month, the PACT Act went into effect in the US, which prohibits vaping products to be delivered through the U.S. mail. Although this rule was originally intended for nicotine products, it now also includes devices used for marijuana and hemp. To talk about how this new law will affect the vaping industry, I’m joined by Ricardo Willis, CEO of the vaporizer tech company Hanu Labs. Ricardo is also the first African American CEO of a cannabis vaporizer company. On the pod, he talks candidly abo...

Dec 02, 202128 minSeason 1Ep. 135

Introducing Cannabis-Infused Drinks that Taste Like Gin, Tequlia, and Whiskey

Have you wanted to enjoy all the benefits of booze without the unhealthy side effects? Guest Darnell Smith believes he has a solution. He is the founder of Moon, MXXN, the first THC-infused spirits brand, creating 1:1 non-alcoholic replacements for gin, tequila and bourbon. A former defensive linemen for Notre Dame, Smith has worked with top global spirits companies for 15 years, including Diageo, Pernod-Ricard and Bacardi in product innovation and commercialization. He is now making his mark in...

Nov 18, 202127 minSeason 1Ep. 134

Can Psychedelics HelpTreat Dementia?

More than 55 million people live with dementia worldwide, and there are nearly 10 million new cases every year. But there are promising new developments in psychedelic medicine to help treat this debilitating symptom. Guest Dr. James Kuo is a physician and biotech executive with more than 25 years of drug development experience. He is co-founder of Return Heath, the first biotech company developing novel, non-hallucinogenic psychedelic to alter dementia’s progression. Learn more about your ad ch...

Nov 11, 202123 minSeason 1Ep. 133

Oklahoma Is the True Wild West of Weed

Many cannabis entrepreneurs are flocking to Oklahoma, which boasts no limits on marijuana business licenses, few restrictions on who can obtain a medical card, and cheap land, energy and building materials. Our guest Chip Baker is all in on Oklahoma. As the founding partner of Greener Consulting Group, he helps businesses set up shop in the Sooner state. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 04, 202132 minSeason 1Ep. 132

A Former Navy Seal Gets a Cannabis Research License from the DEA

For the past 50 plus years, the DEA only permitted the University of Mississippi to grow research marijuana. But in March, the agency finally allowed private companies to grow cannabis for research. One of those companies is the Biopharmaceutical Research Company (BRC). Guest George Hodgin is the founder and CEO and a former Navy SEAL. We discuss his inspiration for getting into the cannabis industry and what he hopes BRC can do for the future of cannabis research. Learn more about your ad choic...

Oct 28, 202131 minSeason 1Ep. 130

YO! Fab 5 Freddy Launches a Cannabis Company with a Cause

Fab 5 Freddy is one of the godfathers of hip hop. A graffiti artist, producer, filmmaker, and host of the iconic 80s show YO! MTV Raps, he is also a life-long cannabis user and advocate. Now he’s a cannabiz owner. Fab joins the show to talk about his new brand B Noble, which he founded with Bernard Noble who was sentenced for 13 years of hard labor for carrying two joins. He talks about the origins of his passion for cannabis, its racially charged history, and how he hopes to help reverse the un...

Oct 21, 202138 minSeason 1Ep. 130

Here's How Michigan Upstart LightSky Farms Has Won Over 35 Cannabis Cup Awards

Guest Shannon Walters is the founder of LightSky Farms, a Michigan cannabis brand that has received over 35 High Times Cannabis Awards—including two in 2021. Shannon was s semi-pro skateboarded and snowboard who suffered numerous broken bones and injuries leading to an addition to opiates. Cannabis saved his life. He is also an expert winemaker and vineyard tender and has brought that skill set to his cannabis business. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 14, 202124 minSeason 1Ep. 129

Some Weed Labs Are Lying About THC Potency

THC inflation is a problem in the cannabis industry. How does it work? Knowing that many consumers want the strongest product, many growers and distributors shop around for the lab that gives them the highest THC scores. This potency inflation, also known as lying, isn’t good for those attempting to manage precisely how high they become. Ben Rosman, CEO & Co-Founder of PSI Labs, joins the show to talk about the dangers of mislabeled cannabis products on the market. His serves two of the larg...

Oct 07, 202124 minSeason 1Ep. 128

Al Harrington Opens Up a Pot School in Ohio

Former NBA star Al Harrington is the CEO and founder of Viola, inspired and named in honor of his grandmother. While many professional athletes talk the talk about cannabis and dabble in the industry, Al walks the walk. He is fully invested in the industry and a great spokesperson not only for cannabis but for entrepreneurs who want to get in the space. In his mission to pay in forward, Al recently announced the launch of the Harrington Institute, a school for cannabis education created in partn...

Sep 30, 202121 minSeason 1Ep. 127

A Former NASA Engineer Wants to Improve the Way We Make Our Joints

From Mars to marijuana, our guest is former NASA engineer Nohtal Partansky who worked on the MOXIE instrument, a device that producing oxygen on the surface of Mars. But Nohtal left the space agency in 2018 to start his company Sorting Robotics, a robotics company that builds robots for cannabis manufacturers. He talks about the problems the robots solve and why they will never replace humans. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 23, 202127 minSeason 1Ep. 126

Two NFL Stars Want to Show How Cannabis Helps with Brain Injuries

Rob Sims and Calvin Johnson, Jr used to be teammates on the Detroit Lions. Now they run a Michigan cannabis company called Primitiv together. Primitiv recently collaborated with Harvard University to research how cannabis helps people with CTE, a brain disease associated with repeated traumatic brain injuries. Rob Sims joins the show to talk why he got into the business and the secret club of NFL weed smokers. Sims and Johnson will be presenting at the NCIA midwest conference in Detroit this mon...

Sep 16, 202124 minSeason 1Ep. 125

Tindr for Tokers? High There! Is Cannabis's Biggest Social Network

Leo Giel is the new CEO of High There!, the largest cannabis-friendly social network. With over 100K active users, it is a Match.com for marijuana enthusiasts, a Tindr for tokers, and a whole lot more. The network was recently rebooted to include group chats, photo staring, message, and articles. Giel talks about how the company is addressing the challenges many 420 enthusiasts face on social media. He also talks about privacy concerns, dealing with bots and trolls, and how they’re planning to m...

Sep 09, 202126 minSeason 1Ep. 124

Growing Cannabis Without Pests and Pathogens

Guests Josh Rubin and Milan Patel join the show to talk about how Curaleaf uses a DNA-based pathogen testing program to ensure their crops are free of fungi and pests within hours. Josh is senior VP of Cultivation for Curaleaf, a vertically-integrated MSO, and Milan is CEO of PathogenDX, an Arizona-based biotechnology company. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 02, 202125 minSeason 1Ep. 123

Wonderbrett on How He Built His Legacy Brand

Brett Feldman is the legendary cultivator and co-founder of Wonderbrett, a California-based cannabis lifestyle brand. For years, Brett’s rare genetics, exotic terpene profiles, and meticulous cultivation has made him a favorite of cannabis connoisseurs such as Dr Dre, Snoop Dogg, Xzibit, B Real, and Justin Bieber. He recently opened a flagship dispensary in Hollywood, as one of the recipients of California’s coveted Social Equity Retail License. Here’s how a stoner from the Valley built a weed e...

Aug 26, 202139 minSeason 1Ep. 122

Are Sublingual Cannabis Strips the Future?

Guests are Josh Kirby and Andrew Lobo of Kinslips, compact cannabis-infused strips you slip under your tongue. They’re designed to dissolve in your mouth and straight into your blood stream in around 10 to 15 minutes, so you don’t have to wait around to feel the high. Josh and Andrew are the brain behind the strips. Josh is the Chief Product Officer and Andrew is the CEO. They talk about how Kinslips was discovered by accident, the problem it’s solving in the marketplace, and the future of this ...

Aug 19, 202122 minSeason 1Ep. 121

Colin Hanks on His Hanks Kerchiefs Business

Guest Colin Hanks is an actor, filmmaker, the eldest son of Tom Hanks, and most recently an entrepreneur. His company Hanks Kerchiefs manufactures California-made colorful bandanas. Hanks recently partners with MSO cannabis operator Jushi to sell his products in their online merch store and BEYOND/HELLO retail stores in California and Illinois. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 12, 202131 minSeason 1Ep. 120

Planet 13 Wants to Become a Cannabis Mall

Dispensaries have come a long way since the first days of the 215 model in California. We sat down with Planet 13 Co-Founder Larry Scheffler, current record holder for the largest dispensary in the world, about his recent expansion into Southern California with Planet 13 Orange County, which is posed to become the second largest dispensary in the world. Is bigger better? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 05, 202131 minSeason 1Ep. 119

The Founder of Blue Moon Creates a Cannabis Brew

Keith Villa, Ph. D. is a pioneer in the rapidly growing market of non-alcoholic cannabis-infused beers. Dr. Villa is a brewmaster who worked with Molson Coors for over 30 years. There, he founded Blue Moon brewery. After retiring in 2018, Dr. Villa founded CERIA Brewing, which became the state’s first THC-infused, non-alcoholic craft beer. Dr. Villa is also the author of Brewing with Cannabis: Using THC and CBD in Beer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 29, 202138 minSeason 1Ep. 118

A New Study Looks Into Cannabis as an Opioid Replacement

Ethos Cannabis will be conducting an opiate-use study with Sidney Kimmel Medical College to assess the viability of medical cannabis as an opioid replacement therapeutic aid. Special correspondent Nick Gualin talks to two of the leading people in the study. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 22, 20211 hr 6 minSeason 1Ep. 117

Is Cannabis a Performance Enhancing Drug?

Olympic track star Sha’Carri Richardson has been disqualified from competing in the Summer Olympics following a positive marijuana test. Though weed is legal both in city where Richardson used it (Portland) and in more than half the nation, the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) still bans cannabis. But why? Is cannabis is a performance enhancing drug? Guest Josiah Hesse has spent years following the popularity of cannabis consumption in elite sports, culminating in the publication of his upcoming ...

Jul 15, 202129 minSeason 1Ep. 116

What Amazon's Decision To Stop Testing Employees for Weed Means

Recently, Amazon announced changes to its drug testing policy, saying it will now treat marijuana like alcohol and not screen employees for using it. Nick Scavio, a Senior Counsel at Bianchi & Brandt, joins the podcast to discuss what this means for Amazon and the corporate world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 08, 202124 minSeason 1Ep. 115
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