Cannabis Business Consulting
Starting a retail cannabis business has it’s challenges, but being a pioneer doesn’t mean you need to go it alone.
Helping retail cannabis stores and dispensaries win and keep their licenses
Along with advice and strategies to help your retail cannabis storefront thrive.
Retail Cannabis Licensing
Step by step help with the application process to win a cannabis license in your respective state. Whether you’re seeking a license in Illinois, Mainee, or elsewhere, I can help.
Retail Cannabis Inventory Management
Best practices for finding reputable cannabis vendors, and keeping your shelves stocked with product customers actually want.
Cannabis Compliance
Getting a license for your dispensary is one thing, but being able to remain violation free and compliant is another. I’ll teach you how to follow regulations you didn’t know existed.
Dispensary Financing & Banking
Getting financing and banking is much different in the cannabis industry than in traditional business. But, that doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to get funding.
Retail Cannabis Design & Development
I’ll share with you my experience on designing a dispensary that people feel welcome at, and can’t wait to return to. After all, developing your store relies on return customers.
Dispensary Hiring & Staffing
Hiring the right people will allow you to work on the business instead of in the business. Your dispensary is only good as your employees, and I can share my strategies with you.
Cannabis Education
An educated customer is one that is ready to make a purchase. Cut down on wait times and provide the best experience to your customers with cannabis education.
Retail Cannabis Store Security
Whether your state requires security guards or you are just interested in preventing break-ins, employee theft, or any other aspect of security, I can help.
Dispensary Advertising & Marketing
Advertising and marketing your dispensary is not as easy as with other industries. But, there are lots of ways you can reach your customers and build profitable relationships.
Cannabis Consulting For Retail Businesses
With first hand experience building a successful legally-compliant cannabis retail store in the state of Washington, I can help you navigate the complex process of starting your own.
Cannabis consulting firms are not always qualified to be giving anyone advice on how to get licensed and start a dispensary – they haven’t done it themselves!
What sets me apart is I’ve been there, done that. Why would you want cannabis business consulting from someone who hasn’t started a dispensary themselves?
I’ve seen just how complex this industry is, and can make sure you are prepared for every part of the process – from starting your application, to hiring staff, to inventory control – you name it.
Don’t just take my word for it. See what others have to say about my services.
What one of Cannabis Consulting Nationwide’s clients had to say…
“As CEO of Fox River Gardens, I personally worked with Rob Hendrix of Cannabis Consulting Nationwide on the strictest Cannabis Application in the U.S. In the fall of 2019 we completed the Illinois Adult Use Cannabis Dispensary Application with the assistance of Cannabis Consulting Nationwide.
We were extremely impressed with Rob’s professionalism, quality, and moreover, the commitment to the project as a whole. Rob is easy to communicate with, thorough and went above and beyond the general requirements of the project on many occasions. The project was completed on time and within my companies expectations.
I believe Rob Hendrix to be a very capable cannabis business consultant and would have no reservations in hiring CCN for any future work. Please feel free to contact me on Rob Hendrix’s past performance or project history.”
–Salvatore Giovingo (Chief Operating Officer of Fox River Gardens)
Work With Cannabis Consulting Nationwide
Whether you are just interested in the cannabis industry or you are getting ready to apply for a license or you are struggling to scale your dispensary. Reach out to me and ask whatever questions you have. I’m an open book, and the first hour of my time is always free!
Free Cannabis Business Resources
The best articles on cannabis business based on real-world experiences at my own retail cannabis storefront or those that I’ve worked with. From cannabis licensing to financing, this is a great place to start.
How To Start A Cannabis Business
Many entrepreneurs are wondering how to start a cannabis business, as this industry reminds some...
Who is Cannabis Consulting Nationwide?
Cannabis Consulting Nationwide is a leading resource and consultant for new retail cannabis stores and owners.
My name is Rob, and I am the proud owner and operator of not just CCN, but Cannabis Central – a legally compliant retail cannabis store in Ellensburg, Washington.
Using my first-hand experience building a successful and legally compliant store in Ellensburg Washington, I can help you navigate the murky waters of starting your own cannabis business.
I offer full service retail cannabis store consulting to help you through the rigorous application process, choose a location, manage community relations, purchase inventory, and much more.
Everything hinges on a great relationship.
Full List Of Cannabis Business Consulting Services
Cannabis Industry Preparedness
The cannabis industry is unlike any in the world. It’s new, misunderstood, controversial, loved by some, despised by others.
We’ll help you develop systems and processes to keep things organized and running smoothly, so you aren’t spending every day putting out a new fire.
If you don’t put these systems in place at the start, then by the time you realize there is a problem, you’ll be unable to untangle the mess that is your cannabis business.
We can help make sure you are prepared for anything the cannabis industry has to throw at you on your journey.
Retail Cannabis Store Product Inventory
Inventory control and cash management is critical to all businesses, especially so in the cannabis industry.
Due to the nature of the product you keep inventory of (cannabis), there are nuances you need to be prepared for.
Our professional background in the retail automobile business helped us succeed in retail cannabis, but we also learned the do’s and do not’s of retail cannabis product inventory.
Customer preferences are changing often, and right now, they are shifting towards more health conscious options. Don’t make the same mistakes we did. Let’s get your inventory under control.
Cannabis Business Licensing and Legal Compliance
The retail cannabis licensing process in Washington State is grueling and invasive. In total, it takes almost 6 months to complete.
Not knowing exactly what they need to see, and how to go about this process can result in added months, stress, and costs.
We can walk you through the myriad of demands from your home state’s regulatory body. It can seem overwhelming at times, but we can get through it together.
After all, we went through this process 4 years ago, and are still here to tell the tale! Let us help you with the application process for your retail cannabis store.
Cannabis Business Financing and Money Management
Finding good banking and getting a line of credit can make or break your business. Unfortunately, banking may be an issue in your state, and likely will be for some time.
Financial institutions are afraid to do business with people like us, due to the legal state of cannabis on a federal level.
Loans are not available via traditional lending sources, so “financing” will likely be restricted to savings, cashed in 401-Ks, loans from family, etc.
We believe in the motto “hope for the best, plan for the worst”. We can help you avoid the common financial pitfalls many experience when starting and operating a legal cannabis business.
Dispensary Staffing and Hiring Best Practices
The hiring process for a cannabis business is very unique. On one hand, you need budget-friendly employees, but you also need them to be dependable, ready to work, and to adhere to regulatory standards.
After all, the cannabis industry is one of the most heavily regulated industries around. This means there is a lot riding on your hiring practices, and your staff will make or break your business.
We’ll take the mystery out of dispensary staffing, hiring, and management. We can help you identify what to look for in an employee and what you can expect from them, how to manage them, and should it ever come, how to go about termination.
Cannabis Education For Employees & Customers
Education is critical to the success of your business – for you, your employees, and your customers. If your employees are unable to effectively communicate the uses, benefits, and features of the cannabis products you stock, they will be unable to create memorable experiences.
Furthermore, an educated customer is one that is ready to buy, and we can teach you how we know best to educate your customers and patients.
Whether it is in the form of a blog, a newsletter, in-store educational events, or just hiring good budtenders, you need to be able to do your part in teaching your customers and your employees about cannabis.
Retail Cannabis Store Design & Development
The aesthetics of your retail cannabis store can make or break your business.
Show some personality, effectively convey the message of your brand, and stand out from the crowd with our tried and true design methodologies.
After all, many customers base their decision on whether to return to a shop or not based on the design and layout
With the rising acquisition costs of getting customers in the store, you cannot afford for your customer base to be “one and done”.
Retail Cannabis Store Security
Security systems, employee theft prevention, shoplifting prevention, and other best practices are important assets to your retail cannabis store.
Thankfully, the industry is experiencing fewer legal issues than many expected, but we continually strive to create an environment that reduces the chances of a system compromise to zero.
The last thing you want is a call at 3 a.m. that your store has been robbed.
We can help you develop systems and a culture that mitigate theft or break-ins as much as possible. Like we mentioned earlier – expect the best, but prepare for the worst.
Dispensary Advertising and Marketing
Washington State has severely limited advertising as we know it; from outdoor sign size, content, location, and more. And, digital marketing via Facebook and Instagram is usually not possible – your account runs a high risk of getting shut down.
Your respective state will restrict advertising in similar ways, but we have many approved techniques that will build your brand, strengthen customer relationships, and foster customer loyalty.
The Truth About Cannabis Business Consulting
When starting your retail cannabis business, you will undoubtedly need cannabis business consulting. You are going to face adversity, roadblocks, frustration, and much more.
Due to the still controversial nature of cannabis, things will be more difficult for you than if you were starting a business in other industries. Is this fair? Probably not, but for the foreseeable future, it’s something we are going to deal with.
From the start of the application process to the day to day operation of your business, you will run into problems that seem insurmountable. You’ll struggle to find property, you’ll face high insurance rates, and you may even be judged my members of your community for taking part in this industry, especially if you are in a newly legal state.
Looking back at starting my dispensary in the state of Washington, what was the biggest challenge? I didn’t know what I didn’t know! If I had access to someone who had been through the process, and could prepare me for aspects of this journey I never would have thought of, it would have been invaluable.
What I learned is that trying to navigate this process by yourself could prove costly. You are likely aware of this, so you may be looking for cannabis business consulting. Let me give you a fair warning:
Many cannabis consulting firms in this industry do not have the experience of bootstrapping a retail cannabis store, and can’t prepare you for many of the intricacies you need to know about. They have fancy websites, nice suits, and can talk about SOPs all day, but have they ever started a retail cannabis business? Too often, they have not.
The only advice you should take is from people who not only talk the talk, but walk the walk. Taking cannabis business consulting advice from someone who hasn’t started their own would be like taking financial advice from a homeless person!
My retail cannabis store, Cannabis Central, has been operating for five years. While I would like to tell you I’ve seen it all, the reality is that I am constantly experiencing new challenges. That is just the nature of this industry!
But what I can tell you is that I can help guide you through some of the most challenging parts of this industry, and ensure that nothing shocks you. After talking with me, you will be prepared for anything the cannabis industry throws at you.
Reach Rob
I’m very easy to get in touch with, and I respond fast. Leave me a message in the box to the right, or email me directly.