The Cannabis Business Coach Podcast Episode 36: Sam Ghods, Connected Cannabis
The Cannabis Business Coach Michael Zaytsev interviews Sam Ghods, CEO of Connected Cannabis, one of California's highest premium and best selling Cannabis flower brands.
Prior to entering the Cannabis industry, Sam was the co-founder and systems architect at Box, a multi billion dollar technology company that revolutionized cloud computing.
On this episode, we discuss:
how Sam practically went from unpaid intern to CEO of Connected Cannabis
why Sam believes that "Cannabis TAM (total addressable market) feels overwhelmingly enormous"
how California's Cannabis market is most representative of where most markets will end up
lessons Sam took from Silicon Valley to Cannabis
the importance of being able to give and receive feedback effectively
and more
In the coaching portion, Mike Z asks Sam for advice on how to prioritize during periods of rapid growth.
Recorded on 2/3/2021
Additional Resources:
Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High, Second Edition
The Cannabis Business Coach Podcast Episode 35: Michael McDonald, Ammonite Inc.
The Cannabis Business Coach Michael Zaytsev interviews and coaches Michael McDonald, President of Ammonite Inc, maker of the Dablicator oil applicator, a product that was created by the Jetty Extracts team.
Prior to entering the Cannabis industry by selling a real estate asset to the Jetty Extracts team, Mike had entrepreneurial experience in the furniture business, in product development, manufacturing, and as an operator launching the Giant bicycle brand as well as building and selling the Atlas Snowshoe Company to K2 Sports.
On this episode, we discuss bringing a new product to market, the importance of activism in Cannabis business and why the only way to get into the Cannabis business is to get into the Cannabis business.
In the coaching portion, Mike Z helps Mike McDonald with separating work life and home life during the pandemic when everyone is stuck at home.
Recorded on 1/27/2021
Additional Resources:
The Cannabis Business Coach Podcast Episode 34: Michael Krawitz, Veterans for Medical Cannabis Access
The Cannabis Business Coach Michael Zaytsev interviews Michael Krawitz, Executive Director of Veterans for Medical Cannabis Access. For decades, Krawitz has been at the forefront of international Cannabis reform. On this episode, he provides a masterclass on the inner workings of international drug treaties, why they matter and how they're finally being renegotiated. He also offers great insight on a variety of other topics including:
the dangers of corporate Cannabis models
why creativity is so important for Cannabis leadership
the importance of taking a harm reduction approach to Cannabis policy
how to maintain focus and commitment to the movement for decades despite numerous setbacks
Hemp & the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
preserving the ancient plant and person relationship and protecting Cannabis genetics
In the coaching portion, Michael Zaytsev invites Michael Krawitz to play the role of coach and tell industry the uncomfortable truth that it may not want to hear.
Recorded on 1/20/2021
Additional Resources:
The Emperor Wears No Clothes: A History of Cannabis/Hemp/Marijuana
The Cannabis Business Coach Podcast Episode 33: Brenda Smith, CB Capital Concierge
The Cannabis Business Coach Michael Zaytsev interviews and coaches Brenda Smith, Founder and Managing Partner of CB Capital Concierge, a boutique capital advisory firm that helps investors and entrepreneurs succeed in Cannabis business.
Brenda Smith is a high power business leader. After working at top financial institutions (Merrill Lynch, PNC Securities, Bernstein Private Wealth Management) Brenda built and sold her own international coaching business. She also taught Enterprise Leadership at Carnegie Mellon where she helped to commercialize new technologies developed at the university. Brenda led the U.S.-Israel Economic Development initiative for the exchange of entrepreneurial ventures. She has advised Next Act Angel Fund on strategy, as well as the Financial Women’s Association on investment management. She serves on the Board of the American-Israel Cannabis Association (AICA) and chairs a group for Tiger 21.
On this episode, Brenda offers an array of insights into the Cannabis investment landscape including
how to raise and deploy capital for your Cannabis business
the future of the industry beyond federal legalization
the right way to evaluate Cannabis business growth
how Covid pulled the legal industry forward several years
what are the essential attributes of effective Cannabis leaders
and much more.
In the coaching portion, Mike Z helps Brenda with one of her clients who is in the midst of "the entrepreneurial dilemma" aka "what got you here won't get you there."
Recorded on 1/13/2021
Additional Resources:
What Got You Here Won't Get You There: How Successful People Become Even More Successful
The Cannabis Business Coach Podcast Episode 32: Tangy Daniel, Jayn Green
Copyright: © Jonathan Martin Photography
The Cannabis Business Coach Michael Zaytsev interviews Tangy Daniel, a U.S. Marine Corp veteran who served 2 tours of duty in Iraq and then became Founder and CEO of multiple Cannabis businesses.
This interview marks Tangy's last interview as an entrepreneur in the Cannabis industry. She's exiting the business to serve as an advocate in the firearms space, working to protect 2nd amendment rights.
We discuss:
how PTSD and Veteran’s health issues opened Tangy’s eyes to the power of Cannabis medicine
the restrictions around Cannabis and guns which are forcing Tangy to give up one of her great passions
Georgia’s Cannabis regulations
the importance of being a good leader and a good follower in Cannabis business
being the only black woman in the room
the importance of learning the origin stories and how things came to be
the benefits of working with a business coach, especially in Cannabis
Recorded on 1/6/2021
Additional Resources:
Getting More: How You Can Negotiate to Succeed in Work and Life