Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on my interview with Go Solo to know a little more about how I got my start!
What’s your business, and who are your customers?
Say Hello To…Dr. May! This woman-owned and small-operated brand provides simple, clean cannabis to those who need it. Dr. May is named after the three strong women that own and operate the brand (Meghan, Amy, and Yazi). Dr. May creates award-winning cannabis-infused topicals and tinctures that are vegan, gluten-free, and non-GMO. Dr. May products are sold throughout CA in licensed retail and delivery locations.
We are dedicated to providing cannabis education and supporting compassionate care events throughout California. With our three iconic formulas (Focus, Balance, and Relax), our products are designed for anyone seeking a higher quality of life. From soccer moms to sweet grandmas to professional athletes, there is a product for everyone.
Tell us about yourself
Since my first joint at a Shania Twain concert at the age of 14, I have had a deep connection with cannabis. My naive inspiration for joining this industry over ten years ago was to use my skills in the kitchen to create clean, consistent, effective products that tasted great. Throughout the first year, my interactions with medical cannabis patients changed everything about how I viewed my work and lived my life. Getting to know the individuals who were using our products was life-altering and mind-opening and fueled my partner and me to fully commit to the plant and all it can offer. Our patients showed us the true meaning of compassionate care and the miracles we have at our fingertips. It quickly became evident how crucial it was to maintain our values in this industry. I realized this wasn’t just a job – I realized we could change people’s lives with our products.
What’s your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Operating in the cannabis space is like swimming upstream in the freezing cold with your feet tied together. Luckily, I have 16 years of competitive swimming under my belt. I feel that one of our biggest accomplishments was successfully navigating from the prop 215 medical cannabis industry into the adult-use licensed market with zero funding. Also, winning three back-to-back People’s Choice High Times Cup awards for our topical products feels pretty awesome as well.
What’s one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Maintaining a work-life balance. Your business becomes your child, your everything, especially when you hit rough patches. It is a constant struggle and requires continuous effort and reminders to take care of yourself. I have been an entrepreneur for almost 12 years now, and I still struggle with this. Having a routine, especially in the mornings, is helpful and a visual reminder that you not only need but deserve self-care and downtime.
What are the top tips you’d give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- As Gary V says, “Hire fast, fire faster, promote fastest.”
- Trademarks might not seem that important when starting out, but trust me, take time to trademark the brand name.
- Empower your employees! Train them and then trust them. You cannot do everything yourself.
If you like what you’ve read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you’d like to share on Go Solo, then please answer these interview questions to feature your journey on their pages.
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