13 Tips To Help You Thrive In The Green Rush

Why learn from your own mistakes when you can learn from the experience of others...

Yes the Green Rush is booming. With legalization becoming a realty in one state after the other, it seems like everyone and their grandmother is jumping into the cannabis market.

But don't jump in blindly. Here are 13 tried and true tips that you should consider to help you succeed as much as possible. Truthfully, after looking at these ideas, most of these can apply to almost any industry. I hope you enjoy!

Create a positive work environment

My number 1 tip for CEOs is to create a positive work environment for their employees. Little things like purchasing lunch for employees 1–2 times per month can go a long way. If your employees enjoy where they work, they’ll be motivated to work hard and the company will ultimately achieve more. - Mason Ghrannie

Make sure everyone is drinking the Kool Aid

Make sure everyone is drinking the Kool Aid. Without every employee’s full support and understanding of the explosion of this market, as well as the impact these products can have on people’s lives; your business will not have the wherewithal to survive the up-and-downs of trying to succeed in this market. - Trish Lucy

Company culture is everything

Company culture is everything. It’s vital that you avoid a top-down hierarchy and allow your team to communicate and collaborate. In this business you constantly need to be learning and stay prepared to pivot when needed. We have benefited from working with business coaches and peer groups from entrepreneurial organizations. Our leadership team is always learning and growing, and we encourage the rest of our team to do that, too. We have had good success with the Entrepreneurial Operating System (or EOS). It has helped us create systems and have the most productive meetings I’ve ever been in. When we first started, my one employee and I would go to lunch once a week, and that was our only meeting. But once we got up to ten employees, we needed to put a system in place. We are poised for exponential growth in both our wholesale and retail divisions. Having systems and processes in place like EOS will help us get there much faster and more smoothly. - Jeff Gallagher

It’s OK to trust everyone. But, don’t neglect to cut the cards

As I was taught by my maternal grandmother, it’s very easy to be trusting and supportive of people who pretend to be aligned with your objectives. That includes investors, partners, employees or customers. The lesson: it’s OK to trust everyone. But, don’t neglect to cut the cards. - Steven Trenk

Provide as much context as possible behind decision making

Try to provide as much context as possible behind decision making or new projects in the company, especially the “why.” Employees become so much more inspired when they feel aligned with your vision and purpose. Extra communication can really go a long way. - Brandon Beatty

Treat your employees as if they are a part of the big picture as well

Treat your employees as if they are a part of the big picture as well. Like their job is just as important as yours, because ultimately, each person has a role in the growth and success of a company. Employees should also always be shown your customer’s testimonials, allowing for them to directly see the impact their hard work is having. Showcasing and sharing direct feedback from customers will validate their work and inspire them even further. - Chase Terwilliger

Have a strong understanding of your company's values and make sure they reflect in the company culture

Have a strong understanding of your company's values and make sure they reflect in the company culture. This is key to attracting employees that share in and thrive in those same values. Allow them the autonomy to run with those values in their lane at the company. - Derek Thomas

People should feel confident and comfortable to give their opinion

Cultivate an environment where people feel confident and comfortable to give their opinion. Also, spend at least 30 minutes on brainstorming with your entire team for important projects. - Vincent Vitale

Hire employees who are product consumers themselves

Sometimes you have to see through the smoke haze to get the best from your employees. It’s important to hire employees who are product consumers themselves. Sometimes that can be off-putting, but if you are leading from a larger vision you will find employees dedicated to the cause. - Elisha Millan

A true entrepreneur has an idea or strategy and strives daily to make it happen.

Keep focused. Decide on a strategy and stick to it. The business culture in the US is one of controlled risks. Hedged bets. But that is antithetical to true entrepreneurship. A true entrepreneur has an idea or strategy and strives daily to make it happen. This takes guts and dedication. Do your homework, decide on your strategy, and ignore the noise. People will pull you in different directions. They might call you crazy. But what truly successful entrepreneur hasn’t been called crazy at some point. So, I guess my advice is to live and die by your strategic vision. You will either make it big or not. - Dr. John Oram

Stay true to your belief system

Stay true to your belief system. You will be challenged by competitors (or people who think they know more than you). Know your facts and stick to your guns. The industry is evolving and the brands that establish their credibility for being transparent and trustworthy are the ones that will endure. - Casey Georgeson

Learn all the regulations that pertain to what you are doing

Learn all the regulations that pertain to what you are doing. - Aaron Riley

Assemble a team of people who are talented, and let them run the show

Trust your team. Your company is your baby, your livelihood, and most importantly, your legacy. If you want your business to thrive, assemble a team of people who are talented, and let them run the show. There’s nothing worse than hiring a team of smart people with great ideas and telling them what to do. This will kill creativity and create the wrong idea for your company.

Instead, as CEO focus on the bigger picture, creating a kick-ass company culture, and making your employees feel valued. If you can create a great environment where employees love to come every day, you will see the results in your profits. - Cain Castor