Ruben Seyde’s Post

Cannabis startups are DEF a rollercoaster - 2 wks ago I was reeling from several gut punches... but today, things are looking bright: ✅ LOTS of new products in the pipeline that I'm SO pumped about... our Live Resin Vapes drop in NY before 710 and they're 🔥 🔥 🔥 . A bunch more new stuff I can't reveal them yet too… ✅ in NY, LIVE NUGS are in almost completely sold out - with most places re-ordering after < 2 wks selling a $100+ SKU! We’re getting a ton of inbound interest - shows that innovative products that deliver real value sell. Still early, but we should 2-3X our best month ever... NY as a market feels like it’s FINALLY getting its footing (hope I’m not jinxing us here). ✅ in CA, we've signed 4 MONSTER accounts since HoF and our new SKUs (esp Live Rosin Pre-Rolls and Live Rosin Vapes) are FLYING... it's painful for our cash flow to be scaling to meet demand, but feeling very positive about the turnaround in the most challenging state. About to sign up for the next big show in Sept… ❓thinking about expansion - though it's still early (wanna make sure our foundation & processes are solid in CA / NY)... but what potential partners should we be talking to in NJ for cultivation / processing / sales & distro? HMU via DM pls... None of this would be possible without our incredible team (Martin Mills, Cirona Labs, Peter Pietrangeli, Euphoric life , Lowell Farms Inc.) and our amazing retail partners. In general, I try not to get too high or too low - but feeling immensely optimistic about the state! Gotta celebrate the wins - as tomorrow I'm fully expecting to be punched in the face again LOL. BTW, in the rollercoaster analogy - which part is “good”? I assume it’s when you’re going downhill (despite Kevin Hart’s face)?! But then when we talk about life’s ups and downs or highs and lows - it’s the opposite right? Make it make sense?!

I have been passionately working on my cannabis company, Spliffay, for a while now. It has been a journey, to say the least, from learning new things and experiencing failures and rejection. You can't stop because of the obstacles and I knew we needed to grow. As an introvert, reaching out to complete strangers was a daunting task for me. However, I soon realized that being vulnerable and honest brought us closer as humans. Although some conversations were just exchanging pleasantries, others led to eye-opening moments, and I learned a lot from them. Recently, I had a conversation with Darrell Fay, the owner of ZeroHigh Cannabis Solutions, who joined our beta launch. We talked about our passions within the industry, the reasons behind them, and our goals. He was kind enough to send me some of his top-notch products and educate me on how to dose them properly for different use cases. The lesson I learned is to always take the call and break past your fears because you never know what lies on the other side. It may lead to new relationships or partnerships. Thank you, Darrell Fay, for supporting my vision for Spliffay. I look forward to working alongside you, and I encourage everyone to check out Darrell's products on Spliffay's platform. Services and products coming soon!  #cannabisindustry #partnerships #breakpastfears #entrepreneurship

Snoop Dogg did the unthinkable yesterday announcing that he was "giving up smoke." True or not, it does make sense from a health perspective. Although you may experience a head change from smoking, the medicinal properties of cannabis are really found by eating it. In 2022, we launched a "Thank You for Not Smoking" campaign for our edibles brand Uncle Terp in Oklahoma. Lots of speculation and buzz surrounding Snoop's tweet.., Perhaps Uncle Terp was ahead of its time for the industry. #cannabis #growthmindset #entrepreneurship

Did you know that the journey from culinary arts to cannabis entrepreneurship could be as rich and fulfilling as the perfect chocolate cake? Meet Matha Figaro, CEO of ButACake, who transitioned from creating culinary masterpieces to pioneering in cannabis edibles.

#Cannabis + #Tech is the secret sauce to limitless possibilities in this budding industry. Run your business efficiently, optimize your yields, and become a Tech-Enabled Cannabis Maverick, propelling all aspects of your Cannabis venture to unparalleled heights! - Smart Farming - Efficient Production - Skyrocketing Revenues - Morph into a Tech-in-Cannabis Genius Whether you're a seasoned cannabis business owner, budding entrepreneur, or an enthusiast looking ahead at the tech-driven future of the cannabis industry, AI High is your roadmap! #TechandCannabis Visit www.aihighbook.com to learn more.

Good morning folks! 👋 A stunning sunrise accompanied by a rather intriguing thought clung to my mind as I sipped my morning jolt. 🌄☕ Where have some of our beloved cannabis companies gone? 💼🌿 As we peek into the history of the cannabis industry, we are met with surprising stories of some of today's giants, but what about those that didn't survive the green rush? 📚💔 • Many of us remember Agrimed Industries. With their state-of-the-art cultivation facilities, they seemed poised for success. But alas, we watched them crumble amidst licensing issues. 🏭💥 • Then, there was the aspiring titan, CannTrust. Initially breaking grounds with innovative products, they were left in shambles by not-so-legal operations. ☹️ • Not forgetting MedMen, which underwent a drastic downfall marked with financial distress, despite its widespread presence and iconic red logo. 💰😢 • Who could forget the dramatic fall of DionyMed? Once a popular brand spread across many states, it could not escape the trap of bankruptcy. 💼🔥 Isn’t it fascinating how these promising tales turned into stories of loss and lessons? 💡 Yet, amidst these apparent tragedies, a profound narrative emerges, nudging us towards the importance of integrity, financial prudence, and the ability to adapt rapidly to a largely unpredictable industry. These stories serve as a vivid reminder that while the appeal of the green rush is undoubtedly tempting, it's not an easy hill to climb.🏆 Now, here's an inquisition for you all. 👀❔ What do you think were the key reasons for the downfall of these companies? And importantly, how can budding entrepreneurs in the cannabis industry avoid these pitfalls? 💭 Remember! Success is not just about sprouting; it's about sustaining and growing without losing sight of compliance and long-term profitability. 💪🌱 Thank you for stopping by to engage with this piece of content from CannabisRadio.com 📻 Do share your thoughts, and if you find this post interesting, feel free to share it within your circles. Always remember, your interaction encourages us to bring more such impactful dialogues to our faithful followers. Stay safe out there! 🙌 #CannabisIndustry #BusinessLessons #Entrepreneurs #CannabisRadio.com 🎯🌿🎧

What's going down in mighty California? The biggest single Cannabis market in the world? Highly Capitalized Network-HCN interviews Matt Hawkins in this episode of Inside Retail with Marty Higgins only on #HCN. Matt is the founder of Entourage Effect Capital, a private Cannabis fund (formerly known as Cresco Capital Partners, LLC) focused specifically on making direct #investments in Cannabis. Matt is one of the most experienced and seasoned entrepreneurs in Cannabis for the last 10 years. He has been investing through his #EECFunds in to some of the biggest names in the #Cannabis industry. To be honest, I was hoping for a more positive #take on the Cannabis market from Matt. However, Matt is a no-nonsense person who doesn't sugar coat the problems. His honesty and #frankness must be refreshing if you're one of the investors in his funds. Matt correctly & accurately #enumerates the challenges in the market including over taxation, and over-regulation at the local level and 280e etc at the Federal level. Marty is the owner of #Urbana, a leading dispensary retail group in Norcal. He's also one of the first retail-consumption lounges in the USA. Marty is raising capital for his next #flagship consumption lounge at the site of Luka's - which was once one of Oakland's most popular restaurants. However, Marty also agreed with Matt sentiments the market is #challenging, that's why he's not just selling Cannabis any longer, as a former restaurant owner, Marty discusses how he is selling #hospitality through his San Francisco and Oakland consumption loungers. Indeed, Urbana's business model is pretty unique as their focus is on selling #experiences, which makes his business plan pretty #attractive to investors seeking to invest in something new & innovative in Cannabis. Indeed, as more and more young people turn away from alcohol, Marty's focus on hospitality through consumption lounges with events, food, drinks, etc. is looking more and more #prescient. Matt shared his next fund, his #4th, is open for investing soon. Please reach out to Matt Hawkins for more info. Marty's new #consumptionlounge opens this time next month! Marty also discusses how he is raising capital for his new lounges. Please reach out to Marty for more details. For this & many #interviews with people making an impact in Cannabis, stay tuned to Highly Capitalized Network-HCN here on LinkedIn, subscribe to our newsletter at highlycapitalized.com, and never miss an #HCNInterview in #Cannabis

The best entrepreneurs are like cockroaches - they figure out a way to survive - esp as they're trying to get to PMF, pivoting this way & that... testing diff hypotheses.. Not sure if this analogy is gonna fly - but was talking to someone about cockroaches recently and it keeps popping back in my head. __________ ☀️ 💨 🔋 in sustainability - see the same thing happening in EVs, plant-based foods, etc. Gingko Bioworks having its 2nd major layoff and trading at $0.28 (down from $14 - yowza that looks like a cannabis stock!). 🍺 🍷 in alcohol, there's a clear shift away (esp among younger Gen Z) - and you see the BevAlc embracing Hemp THC - that's a cockroach move! 🖥️ 🤖 in tech, it seems like if you're not in AI, you need to be in cockroach mode. ___________ 🌱 In cannabis, right now, it's a game of survival - yeah Woodstock Products feels like turning the business around - but we're STILL not CF positive so no rest for the weary. We have to keep delivering to our partners, strategically expand to new partners ONLY when we can do it successfully (without disappointing our current ones), and think about what's next in the innovation pipeline / next in regional expansion. ____________ bc if you sit still, you'll get crushed. Ever see a cockroach sit still? But I do like that they're survivors... I feel like cockroaches need a re-brand too - like there needs to be a movie or a superhero who enters "cockroach mode" (ala what Ratatouille did for rats - though I'm still not a fan of rats) or what Jeff Goldblum did for flies. Picturing all of this with Gloria Gaynor as an overlay - who’s gonna take this and turn it into something?! Wish I knew how to modify the gif to “I will survive” #survivalmode

People often ask me what made me take the journey of going from stethoscope to start-up. And they are right to wonder! For many doctors, the path is clear: clinic, patients, research. But for some of us, the entrepreneurial itch is hard to ignore. As a doctor with a passion for animals, almost 20 years ago I ventured outside the exam room to open DoggyWorld, my own pet care clinic. It's been an incredible journey, filled with challenges and rewards. The transition requires a different set of skills: market research, building a team, and navigating the business world. But the core remains the same – a desire to serve, solve problems, and make a positive impact. Most importantly, having a partner to share your challenges with and celebrate victories with, makes all the difference. To my fellow doctor-entrepreneurs-to-be: the journey is worth it! Your unique blend of expertise and compassion is a powerful force for positive change. #Healthcare #Entrepreneurship #DoggyWorld

Leading a start-up is a journey through uncharted waters - full of challenges, opportunities, and endless possibilities. I’ve been CEO of The cGP Lab for close to 6 months and I’m pleased to report I finally have the headspace to reflect on the journey thus far. Since I started my role with The cGP Lab, we have smashed some goals, but also experienced headwinds that have slowed us down. The net effect has been something like 2 steps forward, 1 step back. The good news is, we're achieving wins, the challenge is, they are hard-fought wins. In a startup, every win feels grand, and you don’t take any wins for granted. One major win was a successful seed round, which we recently closed. Our cap raise was oversubscribed, which is a great vote of confidence from shareholders, and also gives us the runway to pursue our big goal of developing a medicated food. Other wins include completing a human clinical study (results coming soon!), hiring a fabulous sales & marketing coordinator and launching a new product called cGPMAX Cardiovascular Health. We also launched into multiple channels in New Zealand, namely pharmacies, health stores and practitioners. Our distributor FxMed are exceptional partners, and I really appreciate their efforts. Speaking of channels, we recently sent our first export shipments to Vietnam and China. Working with these export customers has been a 12-month project that is finally coming to fruition. That's a major win! The headwinds have been notable too. The economic slump? Consumer confidence at the lowest it’s been since the GFC? Tick! Retail conditions are challenging in New Zealand at the moment that's for sure. But we're fortunate - due to our recent funding round, we've been able to continue marketing through these challenging times and that together with our product and channel expansion has meant largely buoyant sales. What’s next? We are full steam ahead working towards developing a medicated food for a major unmet clinical need. Updates to come in due course! #entrepreneurship #brainhealth