Last Thursday, cannabis entrepreneurs, Cookies University students, and marketing experts came together in a community-style mixer to share knowledge about the cannabis industry.
The conspicuous brand is known for its global domination of its cannabis products. Most consumers, however, aren’t familiar with the brand’s programs to help change the dynamics of the inequitable industry. Known as the Cookies Social Impact, the brand launched a website detailing everything about the inequities of cannabis and how they are offering support. In a study conducted, the brand revealed that 72% of cannabis shops are White-owned. The remaining 28% are BIPOC-owned, with 2% out of that 28% being Black-owned.
In its continuous effort, the brand launched Cookies University to offer free, hands-on cannabis training for those historically marginalized. Two former students, Maleek and Menes, are graduates of this year’s program. After the program, the student duo wanted to continue to pay it forward by hosting a community-style mixer in the Cookies Clothing NYC flagship store. Bringing together upcoming cannabis entrepreneurs and marketing experts to network, spread knowledge, and encourage others to apply for the program. Before the event kick-offed, attendees mingled with one another, checked out the velvety blue space, and of course– smoked.
During his slide-show presentation, Menes shared what he’s learned and witnessed at the university. “It took me out of my comfort zone.” He shares. “I got to see people who’ve grown weed for generations.” “I got to go on the farms, learn how they grow it, branding weed, what it takes to have your cannabis business, and even how to market it.” Weighing in on the discussion, Maleek shares the importance of creating community by sharing knowledge on cannabis and having this event. “A lot of the times in New York, it’s like survival of the fittest, every man for themselves,” he says. “With weed, it doesn’t necessarily have to be like that because it’s not beneficial to anyone if we’re stingy.”
“We’re just going to soak in all the information we can from them,” says Joel Ramirez. Joel shares that he is a home grower and 1/2 of his brand, Fabricated Lifestyles. The pair own a smoke shop with two locations in Puerto Rico and New Jersey. The shop provides cannabis supplies, gummies, exotic papers, etc. Willow, 2/2 of Fabricated Lifestyles described. “We want to get into the cannabis space and see what it takes to build a small business,” he adds. “There’s barely any information online about the business on the internet. It’s brand new territory. It just became available in NY and NJ.” Ramirez said.
A huge part of successful cannabis selling is marketing. The student duo learned this and featured Career & Personal Brand Expert Sean Koppelman to speak at their event. “I’m so proud to be a partner to the Cookies Social Impact Program,” Koppelman says. Known as the “talent magnet” and owner of 420 Career Connect, Sean has worked building a career in personal branding for the most talented marketers to work for clients, Chanel, LVMH, L’Oréal, Estée Lauder, HBO, and Taco Bell (to name a few). “What I have tried to do, in the last four years, is take all of the knowledge I have in working with these incredibly talented people and use that for a purpose that I feel is serving the greater good.” He says when describing the launch of 420 Career Connect. Which is his talent portal to help people find jobs and brands find talent.
Closing the event, many attendees mingled with one another, sharing their products, exchanging information, and speaking about key takeaways from the event. “Building my brand, making a Linkedin, and documenting everything I do so that other people can see it and how that it can prospectively help me in my future and what realistically spot that can put me in.” Marc Summerson said as one of his key takeaways. The event ended with a celebration on the rooftop with a DJ, continuous conversation, and more weed.
For more information on the Cookies Social Impact, head on to their website. Applications for the Cookies University are now open until August 5th. Follow both initiatives on their Instagrams @420_careerconnect @cookiesimpact
