LeafLink

We’re honored to spotlight the women-owned brands and retailers driving the cannabis industry forward on LeafLink Marketplace—and Steep Slope Vape Supply is one of those industry rockstars! ?? With 16 years in vaping supplies, Steep Slope has built its reputation on exceptional customer service, accurate order fulfillment, and fast delivery. Originally starting in the e-cigarette industry, the company quickly recognized the transformative potential of cannabis vaping. “The addition of cartridges and concentrates led to an explosion in the use of vaping hardware.” Beyond innovation, women entrepreneurs are shaping the future of cannabis. Steep Slope highlights the power of mentorship and collaboration in fostering industry growth: “Women entrepreneurs foster collaboration and mentorship in the cannabis industry, driving professional growth for both men and women as the industry evolves from small dispensaries to large chains.” This Women’s History Month—and every month—let’s continue to support and uplift women-owned businesses that are redefining the cannabis space! ?? #LeafLink #WomensHistoryMonth #WomenInCannabis #CannabisIndustry #FemaleEntrepreneurs #EquityInCannabis #WomenOwned

?? The U.S. cannabis market is evolving fast, and these six key states are expected to drive growth through 2027: ? Minnesota ? New Jersey ? Ohio ? Maryland ? New York ? Illinois But while these markets are booming, inventory management is a major challenge facing the industry. The numbers are staggering: ?? $10B in lost cash flow due to poor inventory management. ?? The average cannabis retailer holds 100-120 days of inventory (compared to 20-30 days in other industries). ?? This excess stockpile ties up $8B in working capital. On a recent episode of Cultivated Media Live, LeafLink’s Ben Burstein and Jay Rosenthal break down these critical insights and what they mean for the future of cannabis retail. Is inventory mismanagement a bigger financial burden than 280E or federal rescheduling? Watch the full conversation to find out more: LINK. #LeafLink #CannabisIndustry #CannabisRetail #CultivatedLive

Let’s go, girls! ?? This month, we’re shining a light on the women-owned brands and retailers driving the cannabis industry forward—like Farmers First. A woman-owned wholesaler, Farmers First is committed to transparency, equity, and premium quality, building strong relationships with their farm and extraction partners to uphold these values. Farmers First believes that female entrepreneurship is key to creating a more inclusive cannabis ecosystem because “women bring unique perspectives that often transform how a business is managed, how products are created, and how partnerships are built.” Farmers First credits their ability to connect differently with customers, creating products that address needs that might otherwise be overlooked, to their female-led approach to business. “Women can approach business differently - emphasizing collaboration over competition, focusing on long-term sustainability rather than just quick profits, and bringing empathy to product development that addresses diverse consumer needs.” For Farmers First, being a woman-owned business is about more than success—it’s about reshaping the industry. "Our presence isn't just about business success—it's about ensuring that the cannabis industry develops in a way that reflects and serves the diversity of its consumer base.” As the industry progresses, Farmers First hopes to see significant overdue progress for women entrepreneurs in the future, from capital to greater recognition of women’s experience and expertise throughout the industry. “Despite a proven track record, women-owned cannabis businesses consistently receive a disproportionately small percentage of investment capital. We'd like to see more equitable funding opportunities that recognize the intrinsic value and market understanding women bring to this space.” “Farmers First is also advocating for more women in decision-making positions across the entire supply chain - from cultivation to retail and everything in between. Creating supportive networks and mentorship opportunities for women entering the industry is essential for sustainable change. By fostering these connections, we're working to ensure that the future of cannabis includes strong female voices helping to shape industry standards, regulations, and culture in ways that benefit everyone.” - Karen Osovsky, Farmers First CEO. Let’s celebrate and support the women-owned brands and retailers shaping the future of cannabis—not just this month, but every day!?? #LeafLink #WomensHistoryMonth #WomenInCannabis #CannabisIndustry #FemaleRepresentation #WomenInLeadership

Big thanks to MyCannabis for spotlighting LeafLink’s Chief Technology Officer, Steffne (Stevie) Palmateer! ??? In this interview with Josh Kasoff, Stevie shares insights from their unique career shift—from Wall Street to weed tech—and how fintech innovation is shaping the cannabis industry. Dive into the full interview, where Stevie breaks down:?? ?? How Stevie’s fintech background helped shape LeafLink’s Payments & Banking solutions. ?? The biggest tech challenges facing cannabis businesses—and how LeafLink is solving them. ? Why platforms like Stripe and Plaid initially rejected cannabis, forcing LeafLink to build new solutions. ?? What federal rescheduling really means for the future of cannabis finance. #LeafLink #CannabisTech #Fintech #CannabisIndustry #CannabisBanking

At LeafLink, we’re proud to support women-owned brands and retailers shaping the cannabis industry. Stash Mountain, a premier Oregon cultivator dedicated to producing premium cannabis across all tiers, is one of the outstanding women-owned brands on LeafLink Marketplace. With multiple cultivation methods, Stash Mountain focuses on consistency, authenticity, and delivering an elevated cannabis experience. Stash Mountain believes the key to the growth and success of the cannabis industry is female entrepreneurship. “Women bring vision, adaptability, and leadership, creating a more balanced and innovative space. A strong female presence drives progress and opens the door for a more diverse and inclusive future.” In the future, as the industry continues to evolve, Stash Mountain believes “women must receive the recognition, funding, opportunities, and support needed to scale, lead, and thrive.”?- Jessica Larrucea When asked about the importance of having a strong female presence in male-dominated industries such as the cannabis industry, Stash Mountain believes women have proven they belong as cultivators, entrepreneurs, and leaders. “We bring innovation, resilience, and a different perspective—driving the industry toward a stronger, more competitive, and sustainable future.” Stash Mountain believes women play a major role in shaping the future of the cannabis industry. “Women bring leadership, a commitment to quality, and the ability to foster strong relationships while creating space for future generations to thrive. As more women lead, we push the industry forward with fresh perspectives.” LeafLink is honored to support incredible women-owned brands and retailers like Stash Mountain. We were even lucky enough to feature Stash Mountain in our Customer Spotlight series last year. Check it out: https://lnkd.in/d25CZTsC. Here’s to the female leaders redefining cannabis—this month and beyond! ?? #LeafLink #WomensHistoryMonth #WomenInCannabis #CannabisIndustry #FemaleRepresentation #WomenInLeadership

We’re thrilled to share that LeafLink has been recognized on Fast Company’s annual list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies! Innovation is at the core of everything we do. Over the past year, LeafLink has introduced groundbreaking solutions to revolutionize cannabis commerce, including: ? Payment on Sell-Through (PoST): The first-of-its-kind payment option tackling one of the industry’s biggest challenges—delinquent payments. ? LeafLink Plus: Optimizing retailer purchase decisions by providing insights into the retail supply chain including which products to buy, how much to buy, and when to buy them. ? Financial stability tools: Empowering customers with smarter cash flow management solutions. ? Productivity-boosting innovations: Enhancing sales rep efficiency and optimizing business operations. And we’re just getting started! Our 2025 product roadmap is packed with even more innovations to push the industry forward. We’re honored to be recognized alongside so many trailblazing companies and remain committed to shaping the future of cannabis commerce. ?? Check out Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies in the Business Services Category: https://lnkd.in/ei9uDtF5. #LeafLink #FastCompany #Innovation #CannabisCommerce #CannabisTech #CannabisBanking

"See her, be her"—this belief drives YumCloud’s mission to uplift and empower female entrepreneurs in the cannabis industry. By advocating for strong female role models, YumCloud is working toward greater representation in leadership and breaking down barriers that limit access to executive decision-making roles. Co-Founder Kendra Freeman has been part of the cannabis industry for over 15 years, starting as a trimmer in Humboldt County. "That was a time when the underground scene was so dreamy. You camped in the beautiful redwoods with madrone trees and manzanita bushes, and you lived on 400 acres of land off-grid with 30+ people who figured out how to live in harmony. I learned about travel, languages, music, artists, and just the most eclectic and brilliant people who have been part of that time." Throughout her career, Kendra has drawn inspiration and guidance from female mentors. "From lawyers, to folks that every day fight the good fight of equity and legislation in this industry, to some of my colleagues." At LeafLink, we’re proud to support incredible women-owned brands and retailers like YumCloud. Here’s to celebrating Women’s History Month and the leaders shaping the future of cannabis! ?? #LeafLink #WomensHistoryMonth #WomenInCannabis #CannabisIndustry #FemaleRepresentation #WomenInLeadership?

Accessing financial services in the cannabis industry comes with unique challenges, but ZZFLUX found a game-changing solution with the Dama Financial Premiere Business Account. ?? Before 2019, ZZFLUX CEO Sevan Derohanian managed business transactions entirely in cash—a security risk and a major operational burden. Between counting cash, handling paperwork, scheduling pickups, and confirming payments, bill pay was a time-consuming, costly process. A single cash payment could take 10+ minutes to process. ?? That all changed when ZZFLUX opened an account with Dama Business Solutions. By leveraging Dama by LeafLink, they eliminated cash from many B2B transactions, saved time and money, and enhanced financial security. "With Dama, we can now complete many of our payments digitally in about a minute. Plus, there’s a digital paper trail, so we can quickly settle disputes regarding vendor payments. It’s so much easier than handing cash to a driver – everyone feels more comfortable and confident." - Sevan Derohanian, CEO of ZZFLUX The Results Speak for Themselves: ?? 90% reduction in time spent on bill pay ?? 66% savings on back-office operations ?? Enhanced security with Smart Safe & digital paper trails ? Fewer errors & disputes in payables and receivables ?? Unlocked growth opportunities Want to streamline your operations like ZZFLUX? Request a free consultation today: https://lnkd.in/eb6KR3tf. #LeafLink #DamaFinancial #CannabisBanking #CannabisPayments

As we continue celebrating Women’s History Month, we’re shining a light on the incredible women-owned brands making an impact on LeafLink Marketplace. One standout is Shake Brands Corp., which prioritizes thoughtful formulation and chemical-free products. Shake Extractions drew inspiration from the Japanese art of Kintsugi—the practice of mending broken pottery with gold—when developing its brand identity. “This philosophy underscores what we do at Shake as artisans of infused products for everyday self-care and beauty. Each product is made lovingly with our own hands from original formulas using golden extracts & organic, health-centric inputs.” In honor of Women’s History Month, Shake’s featured product is SMEAR—a clean, potent concentrate designed for versatility and customization. Its nail polish-inspired packaging is “a nod to women and our role in speaking out against the stigma associated with medical cannabis use and reversing the ongoing 'smear campaigns' against stereotypes.” More than just a brand, Shake Extractions is a movement advocating for greater female representation in the cannabis industry. “Women need to be the face of cannabis. We need women to tell individual stories. We need female influence to happen in every stage and age of cannabis production so that others will see the value of cannabis as medicine.” We’re proud to support brands like Shake that are not only reshaping the industry but also challenging perceptions and empowering women along the way. ?? #WomensHistoryMonth #WomenInCannabis #LeafLink #ShakeExtractions

Thank you to everyone who submitted their draft picks for our March Dankness bracket. ?? We're excited to share our Top 8, which means we need YOU to help decide who makes the Top 4! Cast your vote now: https://lnkd.in/e-QM7aN3. #LeafLink #MarchDankness #CannabisIndustry?