"It was something that could help people feel better. And so I thought involved and basically went state to state to state. I helped entrepreneurs put together their request for proposal request for application, and then I helped the legislators craft a lot of the rules in the regulations back in the day because nobody really knew what was going on." - Sara Gullickson In this episode of To Be Blunt, host Shayda Torabi dives into the complexities of cannabis licensing and operations. She invites Sara Gullickson and Maxime Kot, CEO, and President respectively of The Cannabis Business Advisors (CB Advisors), to discuss their experience in helping clients obtain cannabis licenses in states such as Oklahoma, Colorado, California, New Mexico, Florida, Texas, New Jersey, New York, Alabama, Delaware, Kentucky, and Missouri. Through their conversation, we learn about the varying processes that take place state by state to operate legally in the cannabis industry. They also provide tips for standing out in a competitive applicants' market and cover topics such as strategy, buying power, local influence, and catering to the community. Tune in for an informative episode packed full of insights into the world of cannabis licensing! [00:00 - 07:12] Exploring the Merging of Hemp and Cannabis Industries [07:13 - 14:19] Navigating the Cannabis Licensing Process [14:19 - 21:49] Discovering a Passion for Cannabis Licensing [21:49 - 29:06] Navigating the Nuances of Licensing Programs Across Different States [29:06 - 36:23] Financial Barriers and Opportunities for Small Business Owners [36:23 - 44:04] Winning a Cannabis License: What it Takes to Stand Out in a Competitive Market [44:04 - 51:20] Securing Cannabis Licenses [51:20 - 58:14] Exploring the Licensing Process in Texas' Cannabis Industry [58:15 - 08:02] Exciting Developments in Cannabis Licensing Applications and Operations Sara Gullickson is a multi-state cannabis license holder and CEO and Founder at The Cannabis Business Advisors and How to Open a Dispensary. At age 27, she founded her first cannabis venture before ultimately selling it to a publicly traded company. Gullickson has presented alongside Tony Robbins in the U.S. and Canada and has six cannabis licenses that are minority or women-owned. She has more than a decade of experience building and scaling businesses, including a tech platform and turnkey retail model tailored to the cannabis industry. Maxime Kot is president and part owner of the national consulting firm The Cannabis Business Advisors. A cannabis licensing and compliance expert with six years of direct industry experience, Kot has built a proven track record securing multiple cannabis licenses across 17 state markets. Kot’s strategic approach and in-depth knowledge on government policy and rulemaking has led her to excel in the highly regulated market. As president, Kot oversees client relations at The Cannabis Business Advisors and serves as company lead on projects involving application and licensing preparation, operational analysis, policy and procedures, and business development planning. With a keen understanding of cannabis market trends, Kot evaluates new opportunities and builds complex business cases encompassing opportunity sizing, competitive strategy, functional requirements, and execution timelines for license applications. Connect with Sara! LinkedIn Website: https://thecannabisbusinessadvisors.com/ Connect with Maxime LinkedIn Website: https://thecannabisbusinessadvisors.com/ Shayda Torabi has been called one of the most influential Women in WordPress and now she’s one of the women leading the cannabis reformation conversation building one of Texas’ premier CBD brands. She's currently the CEO and Co-Founder of RESTART CBD, a female-run education first CBD wellness brand. And has formerly held marketing positions at WP Engine and WebDevStudios. Shayda is the host of a podcast for cannabis marketers called To Be Blunt, where she i