Women's Cannabis Chamber of Commerce WCCC Vanessa Palacios

Vanessa Palacios COO & Co-Owner

Vanessa Palacios had a successful 20 year career with the Public Service Company (PNM) Her entrepreneurial husband, Oscar, encouraged her to make a career change and to consider opening a business. 

Vanessa’s career with PNM gave her the opportunity to develop and perfect skill sets that would secure her an executive position with any company. She coordinated program implementation, including developing participation forecasts, designing promotions, managing contracts, tracking participation and budget, working with participating vendors, retailers, and contractors, and preparing regulatory compliance reports on programs.

Vanessa’s skill sets are the skill sets needed to develop a business plan, s.o.p.’s, and launch a cannabis dispensary.

Vanessa Palacios is a co-owner and Chief of Operations for Lemon Cannabis Co, located in the Nob Hill Neighborhood of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Lemon Cannabis Co is an integrated microbusiness that has just opened their first dispensary storefront. Lemon Cannabis Co. focuses on premium products and knowledgeable Budtenders to ensure both the novice and the connoisseur finds the perfect product.

Lemon Cannabis Co is working towards a more sustainable cannabis industry. They use glass containers for single pre-rolls and sturdy boxes for pre-roll 6-packs. Lemon Cannabis Co has a refill program: Bring the glass container and/or the pre-roll box back to be refilled and receive 10% off the purchase. They were surprised by the lack of biodegradable packaging and have begun working with companies to develop biodegradable packaging for Lemon Cannabis Co products. 

Although Lemon Cannabis Co is new to the area, Vanessa and her team are native Albuquerqueans with strong ties to the community. 

Creating a positive experience is what Vanessa strives to do in all interactions. As a past customer satisfaction trainer and 20 years of interacting with consumers to understand their needs, she brings a wealth of knowledge to the cannabis industry to meet consumer needs. 

Her passion also lies within the community she serves, “I love Albuquerque! The people make it a beautiful place to live and I hope to be a part of all the wonderful and positive things happening here.” 

Vanessa has been involved with United Way Worldwide for over 20 years. She has been an

avid contributor and was selected as a PNM Co-Captain in 2013 and 2014 to assist in raising money for the Annual Campaign.

Vanessa and the Lemon Cannabis Co. team continue the commitment to serving their community. They are creating a foundation to improve the community and have pledged to donate 5% of all Lemon Cannabis Co. profits.

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Suzan Nickelson

Suzan Nickelson History Maker

Suzan Nickelson made history when she was awarded a New Jersey medicinal dispensary license in the NJ RFP 2019 round. Then she made news when Holistic Solutions opened on February 10th, 2023, in Waterford Township N.J.

Holistic Solutions is a 4,000 square foot dispensary with 11 POS stations for seamless purchasing, a private consultation room for discussions with onsite medical professionals, and a drive-thru window. Holistic Solutions provides compassionate care and education to patients enrolled in New Jersey’s Medicinal Cannabis Program. 

Suzan Nickelson has curated an assortment of THC and CBD products, including flower, pre-rolls, edibles, tinctures, vaporizers, concentrates, ingestible, topicals, accessories, its own strain called “Girlie” after Suzan’s mother, Elaine Campbell-Cohen.

Holistic Solutions stocks its shelves with products from independent entrepreneurs such as Miss Grass cannabis, artisan jewelry from Jamaican designer Kristie Stephenson, and women and BIPOC-owned cannabis brands.

“When you walk in, you’ll see art, culture—you’ll see some great cannabis and you’ll feel welcome,” Suzan said. “Cannabis teaches that out of many people we are one. We believe cannabis is a universal incubator. It’s a connector and we’re looking to connect.”

Holistic Solutions opened with 10 employees including women, minorities, veterans, and others who are normally underrepresented in the workforce. Suzan’s business plans include keeping about a third of its payroll for people living in the immediate area. She understands the value of investing in the community and in people.

Suzan started developing Holistic Solutions five years ago while working full time and raising three children as a single mother. She had been working in the cannabis market for over twenty years. And is the CEO of Ital Daughters LLC, a cannabis and hemp consulting company that helps minorities, women, and veterans understand the compliance and regulatory aspects of the industry.

“Like the women who raised me, I believe cannabis is a plant of reverence and spirituality that has been given to people to heal – however intentional stigmatization led to what we went through in the War on Drugs that disproportionately hurt entire communities of Black and brown people. This is what fueled me to work relentlessly to open the doors of Holistic Solutions,” stated Suzan Nickelson. “The women in my family passed down generational knowledge of working with various herbs for healing and spirituality to me, and I look forward to using that knowledge to run my own cannabis business so others can understand just how powerful this plant can be in a pursuit of wellness and healing.”

“I used my own seed money and started my company on my iPhone 6,” Nickelson told MarketWatch. “We felt that plant-based medicine was an option that many people should have, so we pursued that.”

Suzan, attributes Marissa Edmonds, chairwoman of New Jersey-based optical components maker Edmund Optics Inc. with helping to open doors for her in the business community. 

Holistic Solutions also received backing from The Collective. The Collective was launched in April 2022, by Patrick Jonsson, a former Northeast Regional President for Curaleaf.

Suzan  has done more than opening a dispensary; she is dispelling the myths and stigma around cannabis and paving the way for women entrepreneurs. She is honoring her rich Jamaican heritage and the generations of women herbalists in her family. Suzan Nickelson has just begun her journey into the history of women of color trailblazers in the cannabis industry.

Read more about Suzan in:

NJ.com

Market Watch

Black Cannabis Magazine

Ganjapreneur

Benzinga

Shine My Crown

Cannabis & Tech Today

MJ News Networ

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Madison and Montana Marzario

Madison and Montana

Madison and Montana Marzario story of what inspired them to enter the cannabis industry begins like most women’s stories, with a health crisis. Sisters, Madison and Montana learned first hand there was nothing natural that could help with all the trauma that comes with a head injury. 

Montana grew up as a competitive ski racer and eventually competed at a D1 level. She was an All-Star and Athlete of the Year for the Alpine skiing team at the Vail Ski and Snowboard Academy in Colorado…She had 11 top-five finishes in FIS events in 2014-15, including a first-place finish in the National Junior Slalom race in December 2014. After suffering from an injury, she came across CBD, this is when she gained the passion and desire to give people more knowledge about it.

During this time, she earned a double major in Business and Economics. at St. Lawrence University, providing her with the framework and passion to open a company. After seeing incredible and promising benefits from CBD, Madison and Montana knew they needed to share this discovery with others. This is when the Care Division was created, based on a mission to create the highest quality products and an affordable price.

Inspired by traditional herbalism, utilizing modern science with development in a CGMP facility, Care Division creates all of their products using pure CBD isolate sourced and processed in Colorado. Care Division formulas are designed to enhance the effects of hemp by blending it with synergistic compounds from plants, nootropics, and nutraceuticals while ensuring affordability. 

“Care Division tinctures are handcrafted to enhance the effects of THC and CBD by pairing them with synergistic compounds from other herbal extracts, nootropics, and nutraceuticals. Our products aren’t about getting you high, we are trying to improve your quality of life. Not your standard tincture.”

FYI:  Montana’s favorite Care Division product is the Dream tincture.

Madison was first introduced to the legal Cannabis industry in 2011 when her parents became owners/operators in the legal Colorado market. This early exposure to navigating the emerging legal cannabis ignited her passion for industry.  Madison began her career by disrupting the market with a product line focused specifically on health and wellness, Care Division. She had played on her high school ice hockey team and was aware of the chronic pain endured by active adults. Madison and Montana understand the importance of high quality, effective, natural pain relief. Care Division has become one of the most reputable brands based on their innovation, transparency and partnerships with several Doctors, Professional Sports Teams and pharmacies.  

Madison co-founded Wyldfire Concentrates in Colorado with the same goal in mind, quality, and affordability.  Wyldfire Concentrates became the first female-owned/operated extraction company in the state of Colorado with an emphasis on proceeds towards wildfire containment in the state.  

Wyldfire Concentrates was founded  in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, with a mission to help the Forest Service prevent and remediate wildfires.  In doing so, Wyldfire proceeds benefit National Forests and Firefighter Relief Funds. Protect the forest we all love, smoke Wyldfire.”

Their state-of-the-art facilities located in Colorado and Michigan are equipped with the highest grade machinery, including closed-loop-hydrocarbon systems, proprietary techniques and high production standards. Wyldfire Concentrates pride themselves on producing clean, high potency, flavorful concentrates with the highest quality starting material and cannabis-derived terpenes to ensure a smooth draw, however, you consume. Wyldfire Concentrates contain no additives, such as MCT Oil or Vitamin E Derivatives and are thoroughly tested to ensure potency and the absence of any harmful compounds.

Madison’s relationships and experience led her to start her own consulting company, Vedas Consulting.  Since launching Vedas Consulting, Madison has supported over 30 unique licenses, including cultivation, manufacturing, and retail.  Her projects have consisted of, SPACs, acquisitions, lease agreements, Cannabis real estate buy/sell, internal audits, granted license to operate, Metrc/POS training, compliance, SOPs, restructuring business models, license buying/selling and more. Madison continues to expand their brands in multiple states while encouraging those who are less familiar in the industry to seek her support.  

Both Madison and Montana Marzario embody the entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to creating cannabis products and companies built on integrity. Madison echoes the sentiments of other young women in the cannabis industry –  

“We are a female-founded, locally owned and operated company,” Madison said. “This is our whole life. I used to work in a corporate office and Montana graduated from an amazing college with connections to work anywhere. We took a risk to jump into this industry because we believe in it. We’re a family that’s built our health and lifestyle around these products.”

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Join the conversation with Madison and Montana Marzario, Wednesday, October 05, 6:30 Est

Women Cultivating Success – Conversations with Women in the Cannabis Industry Details & Registration

Madison and Montana Marzario

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Lisa Pickett Women Cultivating Success

Lisa Pickett Winning llc

Lisa Pickett (CLDP, CMT, CLC) was born and raised in Queens, New York, and has been bi-coastal for many years until finally making Los Angeles her home. 

Lisa is an active Learning & Development specialist with years of experience, multiple certifications, and the necessary empathetic sensibilities needed to lead in today’s complex workplace. She maintains her deep interest in the following: Employee development, modern workplace learning strategies, social and self-directed learning, design of online learning experiences, and interactive workshops.  Lisa is a master collaborator, aligning L&D strategy, employee skill sets, and an organization’s driving goals and initiatives.  

Lisa P. creates effective and impactful HR, coaching, and workshops as part of Winning Coaching.  Lisa’s intention is to leave every person and place she encounters better than before they met, or she arrived. lisa@winning-1.com

Coach Ash and Lisa Pickett developed and facilitate the HIGHer Executive Leadership Development Course. 

Join guest, Lisa Pickett, September 28th, 6:30 est at Women Cultivating Success Conversations with Women in the Cannabis Industry Online – Interactive – Free. Hosted by the Women’s Cannabis Chamber of Commerce.

Join In The Conversation. Register Here

 

Lisa Pickett Women Cultivating Success

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Ashley Hill Women Cultivating Success

Coach Ash Winning llc

Ashley Hill, founder of Winning Coaching, is a native Californian who has been in the cannabis industry since 2013. After obtaining her B.S. Degree in Hospitality and Tourism, she has boldly transitioned and become an influencer into the Cannabis Industry. She now seeks to educate and empower people into this industry and business through her frequent media outlets.

Hill gained 51⁄2 years of experience in cannabis cultivation and shares the behind the scene operations. She has managed several multi – million dollar commercial indoor and greenhouse facilities and produced a flower product entered into the High Times Awards. She subsequently has transitioned to the culinary aspect of the industry as a Cannabis Entrepreneur, International Selling Author, and the Co-Owner of Green Light Project (an infused catering and event service).

A Domestic & Global Extreme Execution Coach certified by the No 1 Speaker in the world, Dr. Eric Thomas (also known as E.T. the Hip-Hop Preacher). Coach Hill is a results-driven leader who seeks to empower others to increase self-awareness, create alignment, and execute at a high level. She has been considered by many in Leadership as a Coach’s Coach within the Extreme Execution Leadership.

Ms. Hill continues to advance her scientific research by enrolling in the Medical Cannabis Science and Therapeutics Master’s Degree program. This is the first and only M.S. program of its kind in the United States of America.

She is also the Southern California meetup coordinator and West Coast Accountability Lead for Dr. Eric Thomas’s Breathe University. She hosts and moderates calls with community leaders, business owners and multimillionaires giving her the opportunity not only to be exposed to their success habits but she has created her own along the way. She continues to expose and share with her personal clients – so they too, can operate, perform and execute like the top 1% of our world. coachash@winning-1.com

Coach Ash and Lisa Pickett developed and facilitate the HIGHer Executive Leadership Development Course.

Join guest, Coach Ash, September 28th, 6:30 est at Women Cultivating Success Conversations with Women in the Cannabis Industry Online – Interactive – Free. Hosted by the Women’s Cannabis Chamber of Commerce.

Join In The Conversation. Register Here

 

 Women Cultivating Success

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