“Within this space, it is especially important that we continue to disprove the inaccurate information and stigma that has plagued the beauty and possibility of this plant.” with Alexis Rosenbaum and Fotis Georgiadis
Large legacy companies may show less of their face and their team. Within this space, it is especially important that we continue to disprove the inaccurate information and stigma that has plagued the beauty and possibility of this plant. One strategy Rosebud uses is to regularly show the face behind the brand. I want my customers to know me, to understand my struggles and to connect with my love for CBD and cannabis. I try not to hold anything back and keep things real when it comes to the behind-the-scenes reality of being an entrepreneur.
I had the pleasure of interviewing Alexis Rosenbaum, Cannabis professional, Founder & CEO of Rosebud CBD. Alexis was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. She graduated from Morehead State University in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in social work and women’s studies. In 2017, Alexis’ sold her first entrepreneurial endeavor after generating over $500k in sales. While building her first business, Alexis began experimenting with cannabis and CBD to reduce stress and anxiety. She struggled to find a CBD product on the market that met her standards: oil extracted from hemp organically sun-grown in the U.S., consistent and transparent lab testing and, of course, compelling and relatable branding. Alexis developed a passion for CBD and soon began a mission to set the bar in the rapidly-growing industry. After discovering a small U.S. hemp farm whose values aligned with her own, Alexis founded Rosebud CBD. Launching in April 2018, Rosebud generated over six figures in the first year of business. Today, Rosebud is pioneering the CBD space with an elevated design that matches the integrity and sheer quality of its products.
Can you share with the ‘backstory” about what brought you to the cannabis space?
I was going through a personal identity crisis while my husband’s professional baseball career was coming to an end. I had reached a point where it felt as if I had tried all options for managing my stress and kept coming up empty-handed until my sister suggested I try cannabis. Knowing the impact cannabis and CBD have played on my mental and physical health really fueled my passion for wanting others to have access to those same life-changing benefits.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began leading your company?
I made the trip to our supplier’s farm in early September of last year. I had experienced the benefits of cannabis by consuming but had never been around such a huge amount of the cannabis plant in bloom. The farm is situated in a bucolic valley with nearly no one around and a nearby creek that’s rushing with water. It was a truly magical experience to see this plant with so many potential healing benefits in full bloom, to walk between the rows in the fields smelling the flower so alive, and seeing the crystals glistening on my skin.
Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
We live in a 1000 square foot second-floor apartment that’s very old. I was preparing for our first holiday season with Rosebud placing bulk inventory orders. I ordered about 2,000 boxes to be delivered to my apartment. I hadn’t thought out how a semi truck would get down my car-lined street, how I would get all of these boxes up the staircase without a loading dock, and where I was planning to store this massive amount of cardboard.
I ran stacks of our shippers up and down my stairs. We stuffed them under both of our beds, along the walls, and on top of shelving. My entire apartment felt like a fulfillment center. Rosebud HQ took on a whole new meaning that day.
Are you working on any exciting projects now?
We are hard at work to finalize a major brand refresh. Since launching Rosebud, we have grown so much and we want to continue to push the envelope for elevated design within this space. We believe pairing good design that feels welcoming and exciting with high-quality products will continue to help change the stigma around cannabis.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story?
I have a whole team of powerful creative women that I really rely on — from my advisor, my sisters, my mom, and the many amazing women in the cannabis space. But the one person who has really helped along the way is my partner and husband, Danny. He is the original creator of the name Rosebud and has been my sidekick since day one. He feeds me when I forget to eat, carries me to bed when I’m passing out in front of my laptop, reassures me during moments of doubt and provides feedback when I need it most. He is also the head folder of most of our shipping boxes. Without him, I wouldn’t be able to dedicate the energy I have to grow Rosebud to where it is in one year.
This industry is young dynamic and creative. Do you use any clever and innovative marketing strategies that you think large legacy companies should consider adopting?
Large legacy companies may show less of their face and their team. Within this space, it is especially important that we continue to disprove the inaccurate information and stigma that has plagued the beauty and possibility of this plant. One strategy Rosebud uses is to regularly show the face behind the brand. I want my customers to know me, to understand my struggles and to connect with my love for CBD and cannabis. I try not to hold anything back and keep things real when it comes to the behind-the-scenes reality of being an entrepreneur.
Can you share 3 things that most excite you about the cannabis industry? Can you share 3 things that most concern you?
Excite:
1. It’s an entirely new industry that will greatly impact our job sector. According to a CNBC article, the cannabis space is expected to create more than 250,000 new jobs by 2020.
2. Cannabis has the opportunity to be a female-dominated industry. Women have been our healers and caretakers since the beginning of time and finally, we are turning to listen to them as leaders with our medicine.
3. This industry legitimizes what we have all known for so long — that cannabis heals and will forever transform our world’s overall health and wellness.
Concern:
1. Big pharma and large corporations stepping in to control a crop we should all have access to.
2. How do we handle the gross incarceration of historically African-American males and minorities?
3. Lack of regulation and laws around hemp and CBD means the industry is constantly changing and shifting. This is not sustainable.
Can you share your “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Started Leading a Cannabis Business”? Please share a story or example for each.
1. A legal team within the cannabis space is necessary. Find a team you can afford and rely on to keep you updated.
2. Credit card processing companies and banks will constantly evaluate and shut down accounts — always have a backup account prepared.
3. Invest the money to build a website you own entirely instead of using mainstream platforms like Shopify or Squarespace. Those companies can shut you down and restrict your business whenever they want.
4. While regulations within the CBD/hemp space are non-existent, follow the guidelines established for other food and dietary supplements to prepare for a regulated market.
5. The cannabis space can be lucrative, but it will not be an overnight success, especially if you run your business with integrity. Don’t expect to turn and burn. Though the industry is rapidly growing and there are some exceptions to the rule, you will inevitably face a lot of unexpected challenges and setbacks. If you truly believe in this plant and its myriad benefits, just do it. Take the risk and deal with hardship. The world needs cannabis and it takes bold, courageous people to bring this plant into the light.
What advice would you give to other CEOs or founders to help their employees to thrive?
Work remotely when you can (it’s good to take a break from the hustle and bustle), and of course, take mental health days. This first year of business, I’ve experienced major burn-out by trying to do everything myself. Trust your own intuition. You hired skilled, competent people to work with who believe in your vision. Let go of the reins a little bit and let them do their thing. Delegation can be hard, but it is key to any businesses’ success.
You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
A legal cannabis home grow program to make sure the plant is accessible to anyone and everyone. Plus, growing your own cannabis is a therapeutic experience in its own right.
What is the best way our readers can follow you on social media?
@RosebudCBD
Thank you for joining us!
“Within this space, it is especially important that we continue to disprove the inaccurate… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.
