Nov 29, 2021
BRT - Best Of Women in Cannabis 2021
- BRT S02 EP48 (95) 11-28-2021
5 Things We Learned This
Week
• Women in Cannabis
– emerging market, there are more women in industry, not the same
pre-conceived notions
• License – limited number
available and hard to get - Acquirers get license now
through buying it and real estate (calc on license count issued
tied to number of pharmacies around)
• Barriers to Entry in industry -
because of Fed illegality, still barriers to entry leads to layer
of protection for current operators
• Section 280E of the U.S.
Tax Code - No tax deductions or credits allowed for any
money made on any trade or business if such trade or business that
consists of trafficking in controlled substances - schedule I and
II which is prohibited by Federal law or the law of any State in
which such trade or business is conducted – aka Cannabis is
considered Sched 1 drug and Federally illegal
• Management Co’s – common way for
Cannabis company to be setup, where the Mgmt Co handle the
expenses, and pays staff the W2 to get some tax write
offs
1st Half -
Guest: Melissa Diaz
w/ Rebel Rock
- customized accounting solutions,
HR, and M&A for the Cannabis industry in AZ
https://rebelrock.co/melissa-diaz/
Melissa Diaz returns to BRT to talk
about the Cannabis business one year removed from recreational
legalization (11/2020). She covers topics on licenses, M&A
moves and consolidation, sales growth, current regulations and
legal challenges. She is so well connected in the Phoenix market
and nationally that the insights are of the moment and from the
ground.
Melissa Diaz is one of the leading women voices in the Phoenix Cannabis industry. The Cannabis industry is so new, that pre-conceived business notions that usually favor men have not really taken a foothold. There are numerous dispensary and Cannabis support type business started and run by women in the last 5 years. Not only are there capitalism and growth opportunities, but also gender ones in this business.
Melissa’s accounting experience as a CPA spans numerous industries, both domestically & internationally, including healthcare, hospitality and, of course, Cannabis. In addition to co-founding and serving as CFO to Rebel Rock, Melissa is CFO and Shareholder for High Rock Accounting, which places an emphasis on utilizing technology to strategically make day-to-day and long-term financial decisions, while pursuing company goals and compliancy. At High Rock and Rebel Rock, Melissa helps companies remain competitive and efficient in increasingly high-pressure and high-stakes environments. Starting in 2016 she started branching out into the Cannabis industry.
Before launching successful accounting firms from the ground up, Melissa served as the Manager of Global Revenues and Receivables at Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide. She performed in-depth reporting and analysis and worked closely with senior management to develop comprehensive financial analysis that influenced company direction. Melissa also served as an Audit Supervisor for McGladrey and Pullen and RSM, providing assurance services to clients including for-profit, government and non-profit institutions. Melissa earned a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from University of Arizona, and a master’s degree in Accounting from ASU.
Committed to giving back and advancing her industry, Melissa serves on the Arizona Cannabis Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, a strategic group of entrepreneurs, attorneys and other cannabis industry leaders. She’s presented at MJBizConINTL, sharing insights on due diligence for cannabis investors. Further, she has been invited share her expertise with numerous investor and startup groups, the Women’s Start Up Lab and the AZ Society of CPAs Emerging Leaders. She also serves as the Board Finance Chair for Girls in Tech, Phoenix Chapter.
Melissa past Guest appearances on BRT:
https://brt-show.libsyn.com/size/5/?search=melissa+diaz
Cannabis Topic:
https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/cannabis
2nd Half - Replay clips from 2021 Cannabis themed BRT shows with women as guests
10/17/2021 –
Guests: Kathryn Blackwell is the Co-Founder / CEO of The Open Dør - Clip from Seg. 5
https://opendordispensaries.com/
The Open Dør leadership team is set up with one goal in mind; to bring your dream of dispensary ownership to life. Their mission is to elevate the cannabis retail experience with a turnkey franchising solution for dispensary license holders. They bring over 30 years of franchisor experience and the successful opening of over 30 dispensaries to the table. There are many advantages to buying into a franchise vs starting your own business from the ground up.
Full Show: Here
Guest: Katye
Maxson-Landis – Moxy Accounting - Clip from Seg.
2
www.moxyaccounting.com
Kayte Maxson-Landis is a very well-known cannabis accountant in Oregon. She’s been in the industry from the very beginning, running her own firm. She also has quite a few winery clients, which have similar challenges to the Cannabis industry.The transition to a legalized Cannabis business has brought changes to how the accounting and books need to be handled. Often taxes not being factored in business expenses, and the records are not accurate enough.
Full Show: Here
8/8/2021 – Clip from Seg. 4
Sara Gullickson, Founder / CEO - The Cannabis Advisors https://thecannabisbusinessadvisors.com/
Sara is an entrepreneur, investor, and corporate dealmaker with more than a decade of experience building and scaling businesses personally and professionally. A high-level strategist, Sara advises stakeholders on corporate structure, financing, and operations to better position their companies for growth and potential exit. Sara tells how the Operation of the Cannabis Industry goes, and what new people need to know before operating a dispensary, and the Licensing process.
Full Show: Here
4/13/21 – Clip from Seg. 2
Greta Brandt – The Flower Shop (AZ) www.theflowershopaz.com
https://www.theflowershopaz.com/post/women-get-things-done
Greta Brandt currently serves as President for The Flower Shop of AZ as well as for True North Organics and Perfect Earth Modern Apothecary of Utah. Collectively, these 3 branches operate 5 medical marijuana dispensaries plus 4 cultivation sites and processing facilities. Greta is licensed as a corporate attorney in both AZ & CA and serves as a board member and officer for 2 non-profit corps that currently operate 3 licensed dispensaries, and cultivation facilities in Arizona. The Flower Shop is a multi-state cannabis operator, focused on curating the largest flower selection in the state of Arizona committed to providing our customers with artisan and craft cannabis products to meet the diverse needs of every customer.
Full Show: Here
Cannabis Topic: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Cannabis-Hemp-Marijuana
‘Best Of’ Topic: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Best+of+BRT
Investing Topic: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Investing-Stocks-Bonds-Retirement
More 'Best of Investing': Here
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