Real talk - I've been heads down building out some major upgrades for this community and I want to make sure I'm solving the RIGHT problems for you. Whether you're just starting out or already working on your brand, I want to hear from YOU: What's the #1 thing holding you back right now? Is it finding the right supplier or white-label partner? Understanding compliance in your state? Not knowing where to start with $0? Figuring out how to actually get product into stores? Building an online presence that converts? Something else entirely? Drop your answer in the comments. Be specific - don't just say "money" or "time." Tell me the REAL blocker. I'm going to use your answers to build out new free resources, classroom videos, and guides specifically for what this community actually needs. Let's go.

In this Q&A moment, Chris challenges a common strategy: starting with hemp first and “switching later” to cannabis. The reality? Building a $1M brand requires nearly the same effort, team, systems, and infrastructure as building a $10M, or even $100M company. You still need branding, packaging, marketing, websites, and operations. Cutting corners early doesn’t save time, it just delays progress. Smart operators think in phases, not shortcuts. They build multiple paths at once so they’re protected when laws shift and markets change. This isn’t about playing it safe. It’s about building something that can scale, adapt, and survive uncertainty.

Definitely excited to be here. I'm planning on joining Chris Cannabiz Academy courses at the end of this month, my question is before I even do that, What is the very first thing I need to do to get my brand/Brands up and running 🤔

I would like to share alittle bit of my experience with the gold package . 11 months ago I was confused and frustrated about what my next step was gonna be . I’ve been growing for over a decade and felt I needed to get into licensed market but had no idea where to start . Even with having many many friends in the industry , they still couldn’t give me the answers I was looking for . Chris and Cannabiz academy have given me everything I was looking for and more . I’ve have applied everything Chris has taught me and I just signed my licensing deal last week and will be in stores in January . On top of that all the introductions Chris has given me has put me from struggling cannepranuer to plugged in with the best in the game . It’s amazing being introduced to people and starting to work right away without having to build up a relationship because you know if Chris introduced you than they are solid to work with . I am not finished but I keep telling everyone if you are serious about your cannabis business and this is what you want to do as a career than you need to talk to Chris and get your brand on the path to success . I’m gonna share some of my previous 8th bags and my new current and compliant 8th packaging . Cannabiz academy is not just Chris , it is a team of people that care about your brand and work for you like they work for Chris’s own brand .

In this Q&A clip, Chris breaks down a hard truth most operators learn too late: even the best flower won’t sell itself everywhere. You might be winning in one location, selling out at premium pricing, but that doesn’t mean your brand is actually connecting with your target market. This isn’t about luck or temporary monopolies. It’s about building a brand that survives competition, scales beyond one city, and stays relevant as the market evolves. Real brands aren’t built on flukes. They’re built on systems, strategy, and experience.