Learning to Pitch: Retrospective Lesson from Codie Sanchez

Hey Guys,

So, buckle up because I've got a tale that's part rollercoaster, part facepalm, and all about how I learned to stop worrying and love the pitch, let’s dive in.

Picture this: me, in the thick of the cannabis biz, thinking I've got it somewhat figured out. Enter Codie Sanchez, the kind of VC legend that makes you wanna up your LinkedIn game. My buddy's CBD gig got her attention, and I'm over here, skeptical but intrigued. Fast forward, and I'm at this tradeshow in Vegas, right? Lights, camera, action, and somehow, I manage to snag a one-on-one with Codie. This is it, my Hollywood moment.

Except, it wasn't. When the big moment came to pitch, I choked. I mean, full-on deer-in-headlights. Instead of selling her the next big thing, I asked when I could maybe, possibly, if the stars align, pitch her. She's cool about it, hands me her card, tells me to email. But let's be real, I dropped the ball.

Now, here's where it gets interesting. This could've been just another "what if" story, but it wasn't. That flop haunted me—like, replaying in my mind before every meeting, every conference. It was my entrepreneurial ghost.

But then, something clicked. After stewing in my own juices for a bit, I started diving into Codie’s world—videos, interviews, the works. And man, did it hit me. My approach was all wrong. In the uber-competitive, kinda-legal, totally wild west of the cannabis market, you can't wait for permission to shoot your shot. Codie was teaching me, in her own way, that if you're not a bit uncomfortable, you're not pushing hard enough.

So, here's the pivot in our story. Armed with this new mindset, I started seeing opportunities everywhere. Pitching wasn’t just something you did in meetings; it was every conversation, every email, every chance encounter. And guess what? It started working.

Now, before you think this is just another success story, let me loop back. The real lesson here isn’t just about being bold (though, sure, that’s part of it). It’s about learning from every misstep, every awkward silence in a pitch meeting, and every "no" you get. Because, in this crazy cannabis game, those moments are gold.

I’m not saying I’ve got it all figured out now. Far from it. But thanks to that Vegas misfire and a lot of Codie Sanchez deep dives, I’m playing a different game. It’s messier, sure, and my pitch might not be everyone’s cup of tea. But I’m out here, swinging for the fences, making waves in the CBD space.

So, what’s the takeaway for you, dear reader, navigating the highs (pun intended) and lows of the cannabis industry? It’s this: Embrace the chaos. Learn from the legends. And never, ever wait for someone to give you the mic—grab that thing and start talking.

Let’s keep the conversation going. Hit me up in the comments with your pitch disasters, your big wins, and everything in between. This is a wild ride, but hey, it’s all part of the journey.

Catch you on the flip side,

Gil Luxebourg.

P.S. Codie, if you’re reading this, thanks for the lesson. Round two, I promise I’ll bring my A-game.

Codie A. Sanchez