Thinking Outside The Bud

Hosted by Bruce Eckfeldt

Business Investing Health Fitness

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Episodes

434

Latest episode

Oct 2024

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About the show

Thinking Outside the Bud is a business podcast devoted to driving innovation in the cannabis space. During each episode, we speak with founders, investors, thought leaders, researchers, advocates, and policy makers who are finding new and exciting ways for cannabis to positively impact business, society, and culture..

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60 recent

October 11, 202432 min

Cracking the Cannabis Code: Jason Ambrosino's Blueprint for Success

Jason Ambrosino, Founder & CEO of Veterans Holdings Inc.Jason Ambrosino, born on April 11, 1982, in Gloversville, NY, is a decorated retired military officer who dedicated a decade to the U.S. Army, earning a Bronze Star in Iraq. Following his honorable discharge, Jason embarked on a successful entrepreneurial journey, establishing multiple ventures in the cannabis industry. He is the founder and owner of Veterans Holdings, a licensed NYS cannabis processing and manufacturing facility, Veterans Hemp Market, a hemp and CBD company, and American Veteran Enterprise Team LLC, a procurement and logistics company. His brands, including New York Honey, Space Buds, and Veterans Choice Creations, are known for their quality and innovation.Jason's commitment to his community and his fellow veterans is evident through his work. He has created brands that not only deliver exceptional products but also support veteran groups and local economies. As a 100% Service Disabled Combat Veteran, Jason brings a unique perspective and dedication to his businesses, emphasizing living wages, full benefits, and a strong sense of community.In addition to his business acumen, Jason is a family man, deeply committed to his wife Sonja, who is the COO of Veterans Holdings, and their young son Soren. The Ambrosino family has a rich history in Gloversville, with roots that span over a century. Jason’s journey from a decorated military career to a thriving entrepreneur showcases his resilience, leadership, and unwavering dedication to making a positive impact.www.veteranschoicecreations.comwww.newyorkhoneyvapes.com@veteranschoicecreations Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

October 4, 202433 min

Unlocking Cannabis Genetics: Max Majot Discusses the Future of Cultivation

Max Majot, Technical Manager & Grow Expert at Royal Queen SeedsMax Majot is a cannabis cultivation authority who excels at project and infrastructure development and management. His command of grow techniques and cultivation site idiosyncrasies ensures that Royal Queen Seeds (RQS) maintains a high level of quality and consistently delivers elite products across all of its markets. Max also collaborates closely with the research and development team that drives the ever-expanding RQS seed and strain library, and uses his knowledge of supply chain logistics to efficiently scale company expansion. A teacher at heart, Max enjoys visiting RQS farms to advise on best practices.Max grew up in New Caledonia and now resides in Lyon, France. He studied international commerce and earned his master’s degree in logistics and supply chain management from RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia. An avid cook and foodie, Max also likes to spend time with his dogs and travel the globe.https://www.royalqueenseeds.com/us/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

August 30, 202436 min

Redefining Vaping: The Beam Laser Vaporizer with CEO David Kostiner & CTO Robbie Schneider

David Kostiner, CEO & Co-Founder of Lumenary, and Robbie Schneider, Inventor and CTODavid Kostiner and Robbie Schneider are the driving forces behind Lumenary, a company at the forefront of cannabis technology and innovation.David Kostiner is a multifaceted entrepreneur and legal expert with a rich background in both the music and legal industries. He began his career as a professional drummer and member of the Dreamworks artist Creeper Lagoon. Driven by his passion for law, David transitioned to studying and practicing entertainment law, becoming the managing partner of Counsel LLP since 2009, and sharing his expertise as a law professor at UC San Francisco School of Law. A serial entrepreneur, David has co-founded several startups, including the Independent Online Distribution Alliance, and has collaborated with industry figures like Black Eyed Peas member Apl.de.ap, an investor in Lumenary. His dedication to representing artists and his passion for cannabis innovation led him to co-found Lumenary, where he supports the development of cutting-edge technology like the Beam laser vaporizer.Robbie Schneider, Lumenary's Inventor and CTO, is an artist and musician with a deep passion for technology. He has spent the majority of his life immersed in the cannabis industry, mastering the art of growing, vending, and extracting. With the help of a talented team of engineers, Robbie has dedicated the past decade to creating the finest cannabis device they could envision. The Beam, a product of this dream, is a testament to Robbie's commitment to blending artistry with technological innovation, making a significant impact in the cannabis industry.Together, David Kostiner and Robbie Schneider have combined their unique talents and experiences to push the boundaries of cannabis technology, leading Lumenary in its mission to revolutionize the industry with the Beam laser vaporizer.David Kostiner LinkedInthebeamlaser.comInstagram Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

August 23, 202430 min

The Evolution of Pre-Rolls: Insights from Harrison Bard of Custom Cones USA

Harrison Bard, CEO & Co-Founder, Custom Cones USA & DaySaversHarrison Bard is an accomplished entrepreneur, having started multiple companies in the eCommerce space. His first business, an avant-garde trophy company, was started during college, and has worked with many Fortune 500 companies including Mcdonald's, Facebook, Yelp, Zappos, Wholefoods, and UPS.Upon graduating from the Kenan Flagler Business School at The University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, Harrison worked for Amazon, managing the great Japanese power tool company Makita, as well as other key accounts in the power tools category for Amazon retail.Most recently, Harrison co-founded Custom Cones USA, which is the leading ancillary company in the pre-roll space. Through Custom Cones USA, Harrison has worked with publicly traded LPs and MSOs, leading U.S brands, and companies of every size in between.His expertise in every facet of the Pre-Roll sector, from paper science, to pre-roll manufacturing technology and techniques, to a deep understanding of packaging and compliance regulations, has allowed Custom Cones USA to help create new products, scale brands, and bring more consistency to the pre-roll sector of the industry. https://customconesusa.com/https://daysavers.com/https://www.instagram.com/onlydaysavers/https://www.instagram.com/customconesusa/https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrmzkoV6UBjIH1QxegLjS6Qhttps://www.facebook.com/CustomConesUSA/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

August 15, 202429 min

Crafting a Cannabis Legacy: Tracey Lancaster Miller on Peake ReLeaf's Story

Tracey Lancaster Miller, Executive VP of Peake ReLeafTracey Lancaster Miller is the Executive Vice President, founding member and owner-operator of Peake ReLeaf, a cannabis dispensary in Rockville, Maryland. She has been appointed by the Governor to the state’s Advisory Board for Medical and Adult Use Cannabis and is also the Past President of the Maryland Dispensary Association (MDDA), the professional trade association in Maryland representing dispensaries.Born and raised in Maryland, she has been working in the cannabis industry for 15 years, gaining her initial experience in Colorado with licensee operations and compliance before founding Peake ReLeaf in her home state with her two business partners in 2015. https://www.instagram.com/peakestagram/https://www.youtube.com/@peakereleaftwitter.com/PeakeReLeafhttps://www.facebook.com/peakereleaf/https://peakereleaf.com/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

July 5, 202430 min

Unlocking Opportunities in Cannabis: Compliance and Market Dynamics with David Zelinger, Partner at Canis Major Partners

Unlocking Opportunities in Cannabis: Compliance and Market Dynamics with David Zelinger, Partner at Canis Major PartnersDavid Zelinger, the founder and Managing Partner of Canis Major Partners (CMP), brings nearly 20 years of experience in global investment banking and fintech. He began his career managing credit derivatives and global USD swap trading, then transitioned to fintech in 2012, taking on leadership roles at various startups and multinational firms, where he drove significant growth and innovation.In 2020, David founded Canis Major Partners, focusing on delivering innovative cannabis products and services in New York and beyond. CMP is well-positioned to meet the needs of the diverse and energetic New York City market. Under David's leadership, CMP has rapidly expanded, leveraging unique relationships and technology platforms to stay ahead of market trends.David's vision for CMP includes launching a range of brands, from luxury cannabis products to unique offerings like Cannastrology, Brooklyn Bud Company, and Get Chai Gummies. CMP's innovative Tap4Token platform ensures product authenticity and enhances customer engagement. By centralizing brand relationships and maintaining full ownership of client data, CMP can offer customized and high-quality cannabis experiences to New Yorkers.David is dedicated to building the relationships and infrastructure needed to support a diverse portfolio of brands and products in the fast-growing NY adult-use cannabis market. He lives in Long Beach, NY, and is the proud father of three.@vaporbar.nyc@klikpass@citytreesofficialhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/davidzelinger/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

June 28, 202427 min

Wellness Waves: Surfing the CBD and Botanicals with Jacana's CEO & Co-Founder, Alexandra Chong

Wellness Waves: Surfing the CBD and Botanicals with Jacana's CEO & Co-Founder, Alexandra ChongAlexandra Chong is the CEO & Co-Founder of JACANA, Jamaica’s leading wellness brand, is committed to bringing plant-based solutions to the forefront of holistic wellness. Founded in 2018, the company focuses on harnessing the inherent powers of plants to create therapeutic experiences for the mind, body, and spirit. With a strong focus on provenance and sustainability, JACANA cultivates, develops, and distributes Jamaican-grown botanicals, both domestically and internationally. Prior to JACANA, Alexandra founded Lulu, an innovative top-10 app for young women. In addition, Alexandra sits on the Advisory Board of MedShr, the world’s largest online network for doctors to connect and share data, served on the board of Elvie, a pioneering women’s consumer health technology business, and also represents Jamaica at the Global Blockchain Business Council. Alexandra is a proud Jamaican, having played tennis for Jamaica at the Federation Cup and Central American & Caribbean Games.https://jacana.lifehttps://jacanawellness.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 17, 202437 min

Charting Success: A Conversation with Pankaj, President & CEO at Renaissance Park Corporation

Charting Success: A Conversation with Pankaj, President & CEO at Renaissance Park CorporationPankaj is a seasoned executive with a remarkable track record of driving growth and innovation across various sectors, including technology, cybersecurity, compliance, and SaaS. He has held key leadership positions in notable companies like McAfee, Compliance Online, and MentorCloud, where he demonstrated his ability to scale businesses, drive revenue growth, and achieve successful exits. Pankaj's strategic leadership has been pivotal in transforming struggling businesses into thriving enterprises, earning him recognition through prestigious awards and accolades. Beyond his executive roles, Pankaj is deeply involved in mentoring and advisory work, guiding numerous founders and startups to success. With a solid academic background and a passion for fostering the next generation of business leaders, Pankaj brings a wealth of experience and expertise to Renaissance Park Corporation as its President & CEO. His strategic acumen, operational excellence, and mentoring prowess position him as a valuable asset in navigating today's dynamic business landscape.www.linkedin.com/in/pnkjs Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 10, 202426 min

Rolling Forward: Innovations in Cannabis Automation with Kyle Loucks

Rolling Forward: Innovations in Cannabis Automation with Kyle LoucksKyle Loucks is the Founder and CEO of RollPros, an automation company revolutionizing the cannabis industry with its cutting-edge TruRoll technology, which replicates the precision of hand-rolled premium joints on a large scale.Before establishing RollPros, Kyle held various leadership positions in engineering and technology at companies ranging from pioneering medical device startups to industry giants like Hewlett-Packard and Georgia Pacific. Notably, he contributed to the development of optical hardware for Facebook's Oculus VR system.Recognizing the inconsistency and low quality associated with traditional pre-roll production methods, Kyle seized the opportunity for innovation and automation. Since 2020, he and the RollPros team have empowered cannabis businesses with state-of-the-art technology, enabling them to craft top-tier pre-rolls that foster customer loyalty, streamline operations, and eliminate manual labor.Kyle earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Washington State University in Pullman, WA.http://www.linkedin.com/in/kyleloucks/http://www.instagram.com/rollpros/?hl=enhttp://www.facebook.com/p/RollPros-100064353715251/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 3, 202429 min

Green Growth: Unraveling Cannabis complexity with Colton Keluche

High Finance: Deciphering Cannabis Economics with Guillermo Rodriguez, the Virtual CFOColton Keluche is a dynamic marketing and communications expert renowned for his prowess in high-growth enterprises. With a natural flair for innovation, he seamlessly navigates the complexities of both startup ventures and Fortune 500 corporations. Rooted in his core are robust communication skills and adept project management abilities, complemented by a rich background in cross-cultural advisory and startup go-to-market strategies. Over the past eight years, Keluche has held numerous senior roles in cannabis consulting and marketing, spanning product development, technology integration, and cutting-edge advertising campaigns. His unwavering dedication lies in empowering and championing the trailblazers of this dynamic industry, driving his passion to new heights.https://www.linkedin.com/in/colton-keluche-2625618b/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.