Mitchell Osak

When we invest, there is power in looking beyond the commercial metrics alone. In fact, this is how we drive toward maximizing ROI Squared - Return on Investment and Return on Impact. Raven Indigenous Capital Partners is a fund that leads this movement, in mindset, worldview, approach, and actions. As partner Stephen Nairne shares in this The Globe and Mail piece by Ayesha Habib, “We take on the same level of risk as the founders and we tend to work together for five to seven years to build and scale businesses with cultural integrity.” That is a powerful statement - sharing the risk; working together; cultural integrity. This goes beyond a traditional approach to capital. To acknowledge that Indigenous people are not suddenly becoming entrepreneurs, but that there have always been Indigenous entrepreneurs shifts the context for how they approach their deals, and it signals to all of us that we can think of new approaches and worldviews that help us better support our portfolio companies and the incredible founders who lead them. As a partner in Spring Impact Capital, I know Olivia, Graham, and I need our worldviews challenged regularly to help us not only select, but walk with, the founders who will scale their impact with us. https://lnkd.in/d8Kr_YEn #indigenousentrepreneurs #economicreconciliation #impactinvesting #venturecapital

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Building Partnerships with Retailers: The Key to Brand Success in Cannabis. In the competitive cannabis market, simply advertising and hoping retailers will carry your products isn’t enough. That approach only works if you have a fantastic product at an extremely low price, but that’s not a sustainable business model. Making a decent margin on your products should be the goal. With well over 5,000 products available on the OCS Ontario Cannabis Store, a more effective strategy is to work closely with key retailers who believe in your brand. Building these partnerships and supporting them to boost sales velocity is a win-win for both sides. Brands without strong sales teams are often struggling to survive. It’s no surprise—the market is oversaturated, and the brands that thrive are those that create strong relationships with retailers. Retailers are the kingmakers of our industry. They’re the ones who bring products from OCS Ontario Cannabis Store into customers’ hands. Supporting each other is not just smart business; it’s essential for long-term success. When I host events, I always feature the products of our sponsors at my Sativa Bliss Cannabis Boutique locations, ensuring they see a return on investment. This reciprocity is how I believe business should be done. Supporting those who support you isn’t just good sense; it’s good business. So if you're a brand talking to a retailer about carrying your products, before you ask them to support you, ask yourself, how are you supporting them? Next week, at the Cannabis Retailer Summit we will be introducing exciting new opportunities for brands to work directly with retailers to grow their business. Stay tuned for some exciting new announcements at the Cannabis Retailer Summit! 🌟 #CannabisRetail #RetailPartnerships #CannabisBranding #SupportEachOther #CannabisRetailerSummit

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Unlocking Potential in the Cannabis Industry: Discover the AI Business Cannabis Advisor By John Berfelo In an industry as dynamic and fast-growing as cannabis, staying ahead means leveraging every tool at your disposal. This is where the AI Business Cannabis Advisor steps in, designed specifically to empower cannabis business owners, operators, and professionals. Here’s why integrating AI, health, and business strategies through this platform can be a game-changer for your cannabis enterprise: Innovative AI Integration: The AI Business Cannabis Advisor uses advanced artificial intelligence to analyze market trends, optimize operations, and predict customer behavior, enabling businesses to make smarter, data-driven decisions. Health-Oriented Strategies: Recognizing the unique health implications of cannabis, the platform provides insights into health-centric product development and customer education, ensuring your business stays aligned with health and safety standards. Business Growth: From improving supply chain logistics to refining customer engagement strategies, the advisor helps enhance every aspect of your business. This holistic approach ensures not just survival but thriving in a competitive market. Personalized Coaching Programs: The AI Business Cannabis Advisor isn’t just about business analytics; it’s also about personal growth. With tiered coaching programs, you can gain deeper insights into both professional development and personal well-being. Community and Collaboration: By fostering a community of like-minded professionals, the platform encourages collaboration and mutual support, vital for fostering innovation and integrity within the industry. Empower yourself and your cannabis business today by integrating AI into your operations. Learn more about how the AI Business Cannabis Advisor can help you realize your mission and purpose in the cannabis industry. For more information, visit Greenway AI. https://lnkd.in/gqba2mJ7

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I initially thought why didn't anyone (internally) raise the red flag? Is it because no one knew it was illegal? Isn't "How to protect our LTO?" part of all employees' onboarding musts? If not, why didn't any veteran pharma employee think that talking about this may create the change needed? But then, I realized that there is nothing anyone could have done to correct this because it's the path chosen by the leaders. I would resign if I am employed to do something I know that is illegal, either directly or indirectly. Imagine there may have been employee resignations brought about by acute moral conflict because of this. I also understand others staying on because hey, no one wants to be destitute. Lesson: - We have laws, though perceived basic compared to other nations, that govern this. Case in point: DOH AO 2015-0053 where FDA is the lead agency. I will not mince words and say that this is a failure of the FDA as its compliance monitoring is clearly not working. It's approach is reactive than proactive (e g. read articles 18 and 19 of the AO to understand why I say so). - Bell-Kenz may think this is an attack to them by those who envy them. I agree. But those who envy them is right to expose this regardless of their motives. What I think must be done next: For once, let's comply with the law: prosecute. Honestly, I would be very concerned if I get hired in a company where I am called a JEDI or if urgent decisions are made though a Viber Group Chat. Lastly, "rebates" are given to those who made the payment. But here patients pay and doctors get the "rebates." That is commission. Shame on those who enrich themselves at the expense of sick Filipinos.

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Health Canada has floated some changes to the cannabis act. Some are changes our sector has been advocating for for quite some time.   There hasn’t been a lot of talk about this. Interesting. Is everyone tired of advocating? Too busy to consider it? Not wanting to get your hopes up only to have them dashed once again?   Here’s a list from David Brown at StratCann.   ➡️ Curious what you think. What top 3 changes would have the biggest positive impact on your business? Are there any you feel would have a negative impact? Share your numbers in the comments.   1-    Increasing the threshold for micros from 200m2 to 800 m2 and the micro processing licence possession threshold from 600 kg to 2,400 kg of dried cannabis or its equivalent. 2-    Removing the requirement for actual THC and CBD on product labels, only total THC and CBD. 3-    Increasing the number of permitted alternate Quality Assurance Persons (QAPs) to “one or more” from the current allowance of “up to two”. 4-    Licensed processors would no longer be required to provide printed copies of the consumer information document with every cannabis product package sent. 5-    Formalizing COVID-19 era “flexibilities”. 6-    Adding grounds for suspension of any licences held by the same licence holder, should they have unpaid fees or have failed to submit a required statement of cannabis revenue for a licence as required under the Cannabis Fees Order. 7-    Amending the Industrial Hemp Regulations to remove the maximum THC concentration of 10 parts per million for industrial hemp grain derivatives; the testing requirement; labelling for wholesale; and import and export requirements. 8-    Allowing for differentiation in colour between the lid or cap of a container and the container itself. 9-    Permitting cut-out windows on packaging for dried or fresh cannabis products and cannabis seeds, while upholding the exclusion of cut-out windows for all other classes of cannabis. 10- Allowing dried or fresh cannabis products, in addition to cannabis plants and cannabis seeds, to be packaged in transparent containers while maintaining existing rules prescribing opaque or translucent packaging of all other classes of cannabis. 11- Removing the cumulative 10 mg THC limit for an outermost container of edible cannabis product to allow greater flexibility in packing multiple immediate containers, as long as the immediate containers do not have more than 10 mg of THC each. 12- Removing the requirement to file an NNCP to Health Canada for dried and fresh cannabis products. . #craftcannabis #cannabisindustry #cannabisbusiness #phenologic

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What are the biggest mistakes that rookie business owners make? Listen to my conversation with Deb Boulanger below for advice on how to build a successful business. #entrepreneurship #leadership https://lnkd.in/eA7R9WqZ

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"We had spreadsheets by then, we weren't apes." Is your MBA worth two cases of beer? Did my roommate at McMaster University invent Fantasy Football? How great is the City of Barrie? Is living in a YMCA youth hostel a direct path to becoming a CEO? How does Pelosi pick so many great stocks? How cool is it to be in a heavy metal fan club? To say we covered a lot of ground is an understatement. Skip your meds and fire up your ADD as I team up with fellow Simon Fraser University alum, Caleb Clark from Hook + Ladder Digital, for a late-night conversation. Inspired by an evening of YETI documentaries on being "free" (maybe too free) at the amazing The Gathering Summit branding conference in Banff. We discuss Metallica – they're not just rock legends; they're the epitome of loyalty marketing in the music industry. I'm not just saying that because I spend a small fortune on them each year; they truly know how to keep fans engaged and loyal. We also discussed: The Art of Branding: Why a strong brand is your business's heartbeat and the importance of an emotional connection. Gut instinct matters. The OGs of Fantasy Football: Sharing stories from when fantasy football was played with pen, paper, and pure passion, long before the digital age. Let's just say I was there when it was still in diapers and long before it was cool!!! Understanding Your Target Market: Delving into the importance of knowing who your customers are and what they truly value. How to avoid getting caught up in the excitement that what you love personally is aligned with your target market? Don't worry, we don't talk about the disaster that was the Harris Waltz brand campaign...that will be a different blog!!! Building a Business with the Right Partner: Why choosing the right business partner is as crucial as any other decision in your entrepreneurial journey. Tune in for some laughs, insights, and maybe a bit of history revision. And remember, my friendship with Caleb has nothing to do with his firsthand Div 1 knowledge and my desire to keep stacking EA College Football 25 Naty's. https://lnkd.in/dp5JbxrP Or where all great podcasts are found🤣 #Branding101 #FantasyFootballHistory #TargetMarket #BusinessPartners #Metallica #LoyaltyMarketing #Marketing #HookAndLadder #PodcastGuest

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Are you stuck in your business — trying to figure out what to sell that will attract the right clients instead of ones that drive you nuts? It’s time to shift gears and unlock a clear path to sustainable success. My new BLUEprint Starter Kit FREE course is open for enrollment, and it’s designed specifically for entrepreneurs who are done settling and ready to level up! In this program, you’ll learn to: ✨ Position Yourself as an Industry Leader – Establish your voice, showcase your expertise, and attract the right audience with strategies that build credibility fast. 🛤️ Guide Your Ideal Clients on a Transformative Journey – Understand their needs at each stage, and learn to guide them from curious onlookers to raving fans. 🧩 Create a Scalable Productized Product Stack – Design offerings that grow with your clients and maximize value at every level. 🎁 BONUS ALERT: The first 10 people to enroll will receive a FREE 1:1 Strategy Call with me to personalize your growth plan. Get instant access today at https://lnkd.in/ertNqy9q Trust me, you won’t want to miss this! Already excited? Share why you’re ready for a breakthrough in the comments below! 👇 Let’s make your vision a reality. Trust

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Attention all #cannabismarketers! This is for you. I spoke to branding power house David Paleschuck (who literally wrote the book on cannabis branding) about how to develop a lasting brand in #cannabis. We also discuss his latest book, which everyone needs to check out: Cannabis vs Marijuana: Language, Landscape and Context. Word choice matters, and he breaks down why it's important in cannabis. Enjoy!

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What if the secret to unlocking your cannabis business's full potential is hidden in data? 📊 In a rapidly evolving industry like cannabis, staying ahead means more than just intuition—it requires informed decisions powered by real insights. But how can consumer behavioral data be the game changer for cannabis operators, dispensaries, and even medical professionals? Join us for "Data is the New Dope: How Analytics are Fueling the Future of Cannabis Success," where we'll dive into how data can transform profitability, patient care, and customer experiences across the cannabis ecosystem. Get ready to discover how analytics is not just about numbers—it's the fuel for growth and innovation in cannabis. #CannabisIndustry #DataAnalytics #CannabisTech #CannabisSuccess #ConsumerData #MedicalCannabis #CannabisBusiness #DataDriven #Tetragram

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The cannabis industry, once hailed for its potential to revolutionize medicine, recreation, and agriculture, is now facing scrutiny as some companies employ deceptive practices to mislead consumers. By blaming laboratories for inaccurate test results and dismissing critical reporting, these companies are undermining trust and jeopardizing public health. The Blame Game: Pointing Fingers at Labs I am not a psychic, I know history. In recent months, several cannabis companies have been called out for misleading consumers about the potency and purity of their products. Instead of taking responsibility, these companies often shift the blame onto the labs conducting their tests. By accusing labs of inaccuracies or incompetence, they deflect attention from their own questionable practices. This tactic not only damages the reputation of legitimate laboratories but also leaves consumers in a state of confusion and distrust. "Check Your Sources": Discrediting Reporters READ MORE ABOUT THE PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE OF THIS KIND OF BEHAVIOR!! LINK IN BIO. #Business #Cannabis #News #Reporter #Report #Scandle

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Can we agree that running a cannabis business isn’t just about growing plants, it’s about growing a stable, strong business, too! Managing money in this industry can get risky with all the rules, taxes, and the need to keep cash flowing smoothly. Having a clear money plan is a must. Cannabis businesses that take a closer look at their money habits like: 🌱 Keeping cash flow steady, 🌱 Using smart tax strategies, 🌱 Planning for the future, You'll find it easier to grow! For example, one of our businesses boosted their cash by 30% in just two months just by making a few simple changes to how they handle money each month. Imagine what could happen if your finances were more organized! Want to grow a business that’s built to last? Comment “Growth” to learn more about keeping your cannabis business money-smart and ready for the future! #CannabisBusiness #MoneyBasics #BusinessGrowth #CashFlow

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Cannabis sampling for budtenders works when it’s done right. If brands are simply handing out free samples at events, it becomes more like a “trick-or-treat” situation. The true value of sampling comes from engaging and educating budtenders about your product, its unique features, and how it stands out. It's essential to know who you’re giving your samples to and to capture their contact information for meaningful follow-up. I believe the most impactful sampling happens at stores that already carry your products. By equipping budtenders there with in-depth knowledge, you’re empowering them to confidently recommend and sell your products to customers. Sampling to budtenders at stores that rely solely on pay-to-play deals isn’t a good use of resources. If a chain won’t stock your products unless you pay, no amount of product quality or sampling is going to change that. Focus your efforts on where education and relationships can truly make a difference! 🌿💪 StratCann David Brown OCS Ontario Cannabis Store Legacies Podcast

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Investing in #cannabis or still thinking? Here's the one guy who will save you some pain and will shorten your learning curve - join Stephen Abraham at Benzinga Cannabis for some valuable insights and best practices #notjustvapor

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6 More Reasons Why Your Cannabis ‘Unicorn’ Isn’t Getting Funded A cannabis thought leader and capital markets maven Seth Yakatan wrote a terrific post (link in comments) on why some cannabis entrepreneurs and businesses are not getting funded, or even considered for that matter.  I want to add 6 other pitfalls to his list: 1. The investor materials are poor You are asking someone to review and hopefully give you a large sum of money and what you show them is incomplete, inaccurate, shabby looking and verbose. 'Nuff said. When the materials lack 2 vital prerequisites – a detailed financial model and use of proceeds – you are toast. 2. Unicorn claims are made Forget about using this cliche unless your firm is generating high growth, rich profits and fat margins in a rapidly expanding market. That also goes for the claim, ‘We are disruptive!”  Sorry, you probably aren’t.  A highly regulated and fragmented industry like cannabis is unlikely to birth a disruptive product or business model, at least in the short term. 3. Key expertise is missing There is an old investing saw that says you bet the jockey, not the horse. Sophisticated investors won’t give you a dime if you don’t have dedicated staff responsible for key value chain activities.  For example, a large grow operation should have a full time master grower/production lead, regulatory knowhow, and sales experience on the team - and these people better know how to execute. And throwing out well-known names as part time advisors often won’t convince anyone that your team is better than it really is. 4. The business is not differentiated in some meaningful and sustainable way You may not know this, but your company would be the umpteenth one to claim it grows the best weed at the lowest cost.  Prove it with 3rd party validation or go back to the drawing board and tell me again why you deserve the money. Otherwise, I’ll check out your peers, some of whom are farther along their business trajectory. 5. The business case has faulty strategic and financial assumptions To make their opportunity look enticing, entrepreneurs will stretch the bounds of credulity when discussing the TAM, level of competition, likely risks, and time to profitability.   Thats not prudent. Be ambitious yet realistic, including outlining your contingencies if the assumptions don’t pan out.  6. I don’t trust you with my money Funders need to be comfortable that you understand risk and will be a good steward of their capital.  However, the opposite is often conveyed implicitly in your deck or uncovered through some cursory questions. For example, what are your investor reporting plans?  Are key corporate & investor documents readily available?  And, how will you make big decisions around CapEx spend, market expansion and major hires? 🔔 Hit that follow bell to always get my unique, impactful content. #cannabisindustry #funding #capitalmarkets #duedilligence #seedinvesting #cannabis

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