If you read a lot of mainstream media, you probably believe that the American entrepreneur is dead, undone by big-box retail and online behemoths like Amazon, that entrepreneurial energy and innovation have disappeared into a maze of international trade agreements and a haze of opioid addiction and despair.
This is a diverse group of people representing all races and classes but have one thing in common: a deep belief that they can do it.
Interested cannabis entrepreneurs are looking for guidance, but have their own vision and know the impact they wish to have in their town or city.
Openings for the regional American entrepreneur exist right now, as market exuberance distracts larger players with M&A activity so smaller businesses can focus on the products and customers.
I have clients all over the country, like a dynamic Black woman entrepreneur in Atlantic City who has been successful in the senior care industry and now wants to own a weed shop.
This is the kind of entrepreneur I remember from my youth — the woman with the corner store who kept saying how she’s going to open up another shop soon, the deli owner who puts in a new counter knowing his community will fill it.
From what I’ve seen thus far, I’m optimistic that small businesses will not only compete in the global cannabis industry, but will win a robust portion of the market share.
I’m co-founder and Chairperson of the Board for the non-profit Last Prisoner Project and a co-founder and advisor to Harborside, where we pioneered legal cannabis business processes and provided political engagement and thought leadership to the cannabis community — leading the design and development of gold-standard cannabis retail by innovating many “firsts” for the industry.