From Dispensary Manager to VP of Client Success: Katelyn Koskey's Story

Welcome to another episode of the Bodacious Women in Cannabis podcast! I'm your host, Susan Burns, a cannabis lawyer and founder of Botanicals for Boomers. Today, I had the pleasure of speaking with Katelyn Koskey, the Vice President of Client Success at Point7 Group, a leading cannabis business management firm.

Katelyn shared her journey in the cannabis industry, starting from her early days managing dispensaries to her current role at Point7 Group. She detailed the comprehensive services Point7 offers, from pre-legalization support to post-licensing operational guidance. Katelyn emphasized the importance of authenticity and human connection in their approach, which sets Point7 apart in the industry.

We delved into Katelyn's unique role as VP of Client Success, where she combines business development with project management to ensure clients' success from initial contact through to operationalization. Katelyn's favorite part of her job is the human interaction and the satisfaction of helping clients win licenses and start their businesses.

Katelyn also opened up about her personal challenges, including entering the industry without a college degree and overcoming barriers through hard work and networking. Her resilience, grit, and willingness to learn have been key to her success. She shared valuable advice on putting oneself out there and the importance of continuous learning in the ever-evolving cannabis industry.

We also discussed the fascinating science behind cannabis, the impact of different cannabinoids and terpenes, and the ongoing research that keeps the industry dynamic and exciting.

Katelyn's journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and passion. Her story is inspiring for anyone looking to make their mark in the cannabis industry. You can connect with Katelyn and follow Point7 Group on their social media platforms and website.

TIMESTAMP

00:00:16 - Introduction to Bodacious Women in Cannabis Podcast
00:00:31 - Meet Your Host: Susan Burns
00:01:04 - Guest Introduction: Katelyn Koski
00:01:24 - Working Together on License Applications
00:01:51 - Overview of Point7 Group
00:03:21 - Point7 Group's Services and Phases
00:04:42 - History and Growth of Point7 Group
00:05:18 - Role of VP of Client Success
00:06:53 - Favorite Part of the Job
00:08:23 - Katelyn's Background in Dispensary Management
00:09:50 - Overcoming Challenges Without a College Degree
00:13:01 - Advice for Job Seekers in the Cannabis Industry
00:13:47 - Why Katelyn Chose the Cannabis Industry
00:16:17 - The Science and Complexity of Cannabis
00:18:25 - The Versatility of the Cannabis Plant
00:18:48 - The Impact of Cannabis Prohibition
00:19:34 - Katelyn's Career Milestones
00:22:08 - Reflecting on Career Achievements
00:23:58 - What Makes Katelyn Bodacious
00:25:50 - How to Connect with Katelyn and Point7 Group

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In this episode of the Bodacious Women in Cannabis podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Catherine Sidman, a seasoned professional in laboratory equipment sales who has been focused on the cannabis industry since 2010. Catherine shared her unique journey into the cannabis space, highlighting how her technical sales background and people skills made her a perfect fit for this evolving industry.

We delved into the intricacies of laboratory equipment used in cannabis extraction, discussing how these tools, although not unique to cannabis, play a crucial role in ensuring product safety and quality. Katherine explained the importance of vacuum ovens in the extraction process, drawing parallels to their use in other industries like pharmaceuticals and medical devices.

Our conversation also touched on the challenges faced by cannabis businesses, particularly around access to monetary systems and the regulatory landscape. Katherine emphasized the resilience and passion of cannabis operators, many of whom are multi-generational and deeply committed to the plant.

We explored the differences and tensions between the hemp and regulated cannabis markets, especially in light of recent legislative changes and the potential rescheduling of cannabis to Schedule 3. Catherine shared her insights on how these developments might impact the industry and the importance of normalizing cannabis use.

One of the highlights of our discussion was Catherine's love for the cannabis industry culture. She spoke passionately about the sense of community and support that exists among industry professionals, particularly at in-person events and conferences.

To wrap up, Catherine shared her contact information and encouraged listeners to connect with her on Instagram, LinkedIn, and the Future 4200 forum.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherinesidman/

00:00:16 - Introduction to Bodacious Women in Cannabis Podcast
00:00:30 - Meet Your Host: Susan Burns
00:01:02 - Guest Introduction: Katherine Sidman
00:01:33 - Katherine's Journey into Laboratory Equipment Sales
00:02:27 - Transition to Cannabis Industry
00:03:11 - Unique Aspects of Cannabis Laboratory Equipment
00:04:05 - Challenges in Cannabis Business Transactions
00:04:49 - Learning from Industry Pioneers
00:05:32 - Importance of Vacuum Ovens in Cannabis Extraction
00:07:21 - Simplifying Extraction Processes
00:09:02 - Vacuum Processing Explained
00:10:16 - Introduction to Butane Honey Oil (BHO)
00:11:28 - Benefits of Non-Combustible Cannabis Products
00:12:57 - Safety and Regulation of Solvents
00:14:39 - Comparison with Other Industries
00:16:17 - Passion for the Cannabis Industry
00:18:33 - Reflections on the 2018 Farm Bill
00:20:00 - Challenges in Cannabis and Hemp Regulation
00:22:00 - Impact of Rescheduling to Schedule 3
00:24:26 - Market Demand for Low-Dose Products
00:25:46 - Regulatory Discrepancies Across States
00:26:31 - Passionate People in the Cannabis Industry
00:27:36 - Unique Bodaciousness in the Cannabis Industry
00:28:19 - Importance of In-Person Events
00:29:38 - Cannabis Industry Culture
00:31:19 - Where to Find Katherine Sidman

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Building a Cannabis Business: Insights from Point7 Group's Ashley Picillo

In this episode of the Bodacious Women in Cannabis podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Ashley Picillo, the Founder and CEO of Point7 Group and author of "Breaking the Grass Ceiling: Women, Weed, and Business." Ashley shared her fascinating journey into the cannabis industry, which began somewhat accidentally in 2014 when she was working on a non-cannabis project in Colorado. Her path led her to meet influential figures in the industry, and she eventually founded Point7 Group, a management consulting firm dedicated to cannabis.

Ashley discussed the challenges and opportunities she faced while building her business, emphasizing the importance of compliance in the cannabis industry. She highlighted how Point7 Group helps clients achieve licensure and maintain compliance, ensuring they have the knowledge to operate autonomously. Ashley also touched on her second business, Grove Cannabis, which provides fractional compliance services to small and mid-sized operators.

We delved into her book, "Breaking the Grass Ceiling," which explores the role of women in the cannabis industry. Ashley reflected on the progress and setbacks women have faced in this space, noting that while there are opportunities, the industry still mirrors many of the challenges seen in other sectors.

Throughout our conversation, Ashley's commitment to honesty, ethical business practices, and supporting women in the industry shone through. Her insights and experiences offer valuable lessons for anyone looking to navigate the ever-evolving world of cannabis.

Listeners can connect with Ashley and learn more about her work through the Point7 Group website and her social media channels. It was an inspiring and enlightening discussion, and I hope you find it as engaging as I did.

00:00:16 - Introduction to Bodacious Women in Cannabis Podcast
00:00:32 - Meet Your Host: Susan Burns
00:01:07 - Guest Introduction: Ashley Pacillo
00:01:43 - Early Collaboration and Insights
00:02:23 - Ashley's Journey into the Cannabis Industry
00:06:00 - Founding Point7 Group
00:09:26 - Core Focus of Point7 Group
00:11:08 - Importance of Compliance in Cannabis
00:13:58 - Challenges with Changing Regulations
00:15:14 - Educating Regulators and Social Equity Programs
00:22:19 - Inefficiencies in State Compliance
00:22:30 - Ashley's Book: Breaking the Grass Ceiling
00:28:00 - Women in Cannabis Industry: Challenges and Opportunities
00:30:01 - Overcoming Challenges and Building a Business
00:34:22 - Coping Skills and Support Systems
00:37:07 - Realities of the Cannabis Industry
00:38:22 - What Makes Ashley Bodacious
00:41:19 - Core Values and Leadership
00:44:50 - How to Connect with Ashley Pacillo

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