What I've learned this last year
Tomorrow, I'm one year older.
This is always when I like to reflect. On life. On business. On what I've learned in the last year. And for some reason, I felt compelled to share it with you.
Truth is, this last year was a doozy.
On the positive, I raised over $3.5 million dollars for Green Flower from 40+ different investors. We built an amazing 10,000 sq foot production studio in Ventura, CA. Our team and culture is the strongest I've ever experienced. And I'm proud of the vision, passion, and purpose behind this incredible company that's making such a large global impact on the cannabis industry.
At the same time, I've failed more in this last year than anytime in my entire life.
For every yes I got from an investor, I got 7-10 NO's before it. For every great team member or partner we signed on, I had 2-3 disappointing / frustrating experiences right behind it. And every time I felt some certainty that we were going in the right direction, SOMETHING would knock me back on my ass again.
So with all sincerity and humbleness, here's what I've learned from this last year (in no particular order):
- Execution is way more important than ideas. I don't think people realize just how much resilience, courage, and grit is needed to execute day in and day out. People talk a big game, but very few really put in the real time, energy, and consistency to build something great.
- You need way more money, and it will take more time than you think. The higher level I play, the more you see just how much capital is needed, and how much time it takes, to REALLY build a large global company. I've never seen my impatience as clearly as I have this year.
- You have to surround yourself with the absolute best people, or else you'll hit a ceiling. I can't tell you what a difference it makes to have A-players all around you at every level. But that requires you to put down your arrogance and realize what you are and are NOT good at. Most people can't drop their ego enough to see that, which is why so many leaders are lonely at the top.
- You must have deep, unwavering faith in your purpose and vision... even when everything looks bleak. There have been so MANY times this year where I had moments of thinking everything was going to crumble. Maybe I was just being emotional, but that's how it felt. And at the same time, I never lost faith around what I knew we were capable of or where we were going. This faith carried us through some pretty challenging times, and it made me understand how important it is when you're going through the inevitable ups and downs of life and business.
I have a lot more I could say, but this feels like a good place to cut it.
Let me know your thoughts on this post, and also if you had any profound learning lessons from this past year. Seems like everyone has been in a state of transformation lately.
No shit Hip Crip. From where I sit
5 年Good on ya Max, business sales is just a numbers game, and persistence will out way resistance you’ve done well proud of you, I’ve learnt heaps. Thanks, just have to work out how to convince the rest of Australia.
CBD Rich, hemp consultancy for Louisiana farmers.
5 年The most important lesson I learned this year was that I am highly sensitive to THC, and have always been so, and any sort of prolonged use is not good for me, for many reasons, primarily the heightening of anxiety and PTSD I suffer in relation to cannabis because of the barbaric, deep south war on drugs and the deep wounds from the Antagonists of Cannabis Stigma I have endured while pursuing the wonderful pleasures of high THC cannabis in Louisiana, in the deep south, and other PTSD and wounds that are aggravated by THC. For me, there is a distinct place and time for high THC cannabis, when I'm in a safe place with good friends and can literally "trip" on some Trainwreck or Mandarin Cookies mixed with Skywalker. Hand in hand with this discovery, while living in Colorado over this past winter, I learned I respond very, very positively to CBD and that the only high THC strain I should be smoking is Harlequin or something very, very similar for casual medication. CBD modulates my THC uptake very, very effectively. Native roots has an incredibly consistent harlequin phenotype that I enjoyed greatly while hiking the Front Range Trail, practicing yoga out in the winter weather, biking and working and thinking. Best of all, harlequin is dirt cheap and always fresh as it appears to be quite popular! I still cannot tolerate prolonged use because of the THC but I'm grateful I found something that I can enjoy, when appropriate. Good quality, CBD Rich hemp is now a favorite, it's effect is profound on me as it relieves anxiety, encourages exercise helps my L5-S1 deadlifting injury from a few years ago and some RSD I've always had from playing violin and viola since childhood, and typing, etc ... standalone CBD really is fascinating as a mild medication. I am now learning what you have discussed in this article, that a long, difficult road lies ahead of me? here in Louisiana to make my goals come true in the business of hemp and assist in bringing cannabis plant based medications to those who will benefit. I am experiencing many of the ups and downs you allude to as I build CBD RICH LOUISIANA LLC, and linkedin and the freedom our community has here is a huge help. Thankfully, the ups are much, much more fulfilling than any stress that might bring me down. I've also learned recently that I'm too cautious, I need to take more risks and experience and examine failures closely and learn to adapt and move forward. Oddly, I want to fail now, (giggling), so that I can achieve some business goals more efficiently rather than being so damn careful. I look forward to absorbing as much as I can from the Green Flower, thanks for your hard work and risks?Max Simon
Technical Sales at Ecodyst
6 年Very encouraging to read! Enjoyed hearing that top leaders also face the everyday battles, the rejections and have to find the inner grit to get things done.
Executive Assistant
6 年Wonderful article! And a great reminder not to get bogged down in the negative and to keep believing in yourself and your idea. Thank you Max. You're such an amazing generous person! I wish all the very best for you!?