The case for an alliance in cannabis with Trojan Horse’s Chris Fontes

We sit down live with Daniel Paul, Vice President of Marketing at NOBO, a leader in cannabis operations. Listening to this episode, you'll learn consumer loyalty strategies that have fueled expansion possibilities to new markets, invaluable insights into blossoming a robust media relations campaign, which supports brand awareness, and methods to shape a company that not only survives but thrives through innovation and strategic media relationships.

What if there was a way to use precision technology to optimize the benefits of medicine or vitamins? Our latest Move the Stairs Podcast guest, James Matuszewski, joined us to discuss nootropics and his precision medicine delivery method. Nootropics are considered any substance that has a positive impact on mental skills. Operating a business using technology that's unique but also relatively unknown to many, James explains why it's so important to meet the expectations of his consumers while balancing a tightrope of educating them about how the product works.

How do you get your story picked up by local news stations all over the nation? Join us as Scripps News National's segment producer, Maya Saenz, reveals tactics that can help you earn placements you wouldn't know about unless you worked in media! These behind-the-scenes insights can help you develop everything from industry etiquette with reporters to an irresistible story offering that resonates with their viewers and your stakeholders. The latest episode of the Move the Stairs podcast is your gateway to turning media relations into a powerful ally for your brand.

The 2020s have introduced us to many buzzwords and phrases like sustainability, organic, eco-friendly, and more, as brands try to connect with a more environmentally conscious consumer. However, when you peek behind the curtain, sometimes all is not what it seems. That's why we were so excited to speak with Stefanie Reiser, Founder and CEO of Acknowledge Farms, an organic, regenerative farm in Maryland's Pleasant Valley. Stefanie explains how her inspiration and acknowledgment of those who tended the very same land centuries before her have evolved into an ethos for her farm. This ideology she now uses as a building block for the successful branding and culture of her products and employees, effectively helping her stand out!

When you pivot from finance to cannabis, it's easy to say you're not in it for the money. After all, the "Green Rush" is more than 10 years behind us. That didn't stop David Miller, Co-owner of Flow Gardens, from opening his hemp company at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. He knows the state of cannabis is hard! From enduring market oversaturation, lack of regulation, and misinformation, his products and customer service must be top-notch! Learn how David embraces the Move the Stairs mentality by actively involving his loyal customers, embracing media inquiries, and using a strong foundation of employee training to maintain the resiliency of his company.

CBD/Hemp events are experiencing a resurgence, reclaiming their spotlight following the challenges of the pandemic. In this episode of Move The Stairs, we talk with Morris Beegle from Colorado Hemp Company. Join us as we uncover the strategies to select the perfect events for your business and, more crucially, how to captivate the attention of customers, businesses, and the media alike. Beegle, a seasoned expert in the CBD and hemp realm, takes center stage to share his insights on what to consider for event selection and the value of the timeless approach of face-to-face relationship building, reminding us that amidst the digital age, genuine human interaction remains an unparalleled tool for building a resilient brand.

Coverage in the press is a great tactic to supercharge your thought leadership while getting noticed by new consumers. Both of which are positive for your cannabis brand. Veteran journalist Omar Sacirbey of MJBizDaily joins us on today's episode of the Move the Stairs podcast to discuss how he chooses which business leaders to interview, large and small, for features, how these features move the needle for brands, and what company leaders should be doing now so that Omar calls them for story comment or profiles over the next 3-6 months.

Delta-9 can be a scary term for CBD companies. Not Chris Fontes and his brand, Trojan Horse. In the early days of CBD legalization, his competitors zigged when it came to using the compound in marketing while he zagged. This created a niche but also a challenge to convince consumers and distributors that his operation was legal. As a long-time cannabis pioneer, Chris realized early how powerful it is for both sides of the cannabis plant to advocate for the same principles; education, regulation, and legalization. This rings true today, despite a rift between the two industries. Hear his thoughts on how the cannabis industry, marijuana, and hemp companies, need to come together again, to move the industry forward, build great businesses and provide the excellent, safe experience customers need and deserve.

When you operate in an industry where far more can go wrong than goes right, the financial side of business management is seldom a cakewalk. That's why we invited cannabis expert and reporter for Green Market Report, Jenel Stelton-Holtmeier to join us on the Move the Stairs podcast to discuss the economic status of the industry on the precipice of the Farm Bill and how principles of Brand Protection PR™ can help cannabis companies across all sectors in spite of current challenges.

Meet Ashley Jenkins, the latest guest on our Move the Stairs podcast. Years ago, as a college student, she faced the threat of 20+ years in prison for possessing a small amount of marijuana. Today, she is the successful owner of MT Growers in Denver and the first Black woman to obtain a cannabis manufacturing license through Denver's Social Equity Program. Ashley's inspiring journey from potential incarceration to entrepreneur embodies the perseverance of a true pioneer in the cannabis industry. Listen in to hear her story and discover how being true to herself, while unknowingly embracing Brand Protection PR™ principles, has fostered strong media relations, brand resilience, and customer loyalty.