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Firstly, how long have you been working in the cannabis industry? Where and how did you start?
"My husband and I started in the cannabis almost 10 years ago in Augusta, Maine. We initially started small, in the basement of a home, and then began expanding through 3 more additional spaces after. The second space was a converted barn, the third was a small warehouse, and the fourth, and current space, is in a much larger warehouse."
How long has the Meowy Jane Boutique been in the works? I'm sure everything going on in the world made the process take a bit longer!
"We signed our lease on the Meowy Jane Boutique over 3 years ago. When we signed the lease, we weren’t even sure it would work out as there were so many factors at play. We began the build and design process, with hope that it would work out. After jumping through many hoops, we finally got all the necessary licensing and permits in order to open this past March!"
What has been your favorite thing about running the dispensary and really showing the world who you and your brand are?
"The dispensary has been the most exciting part of the journey so far. It feels like my vision for the brand has come to life in the form of the boutique. Everything I love is rolled up into one thing - cannabis, cats, art, fashion and people. I love meeting everyone who comes in and seeing firsthand the reaction when they walk through the door. It is truly fulfilling."
With the New England market being as competitive as it is, what do you feel sets Meowy Jane Boutique apart from the rest?
(Interview continued below)
The Meowy Jane Team
"I think what sets Meowy Jane apart from the rest of the dispensaries in the area is the overall atmosphere. Many who come in often comment on how inviting and un-intimidating our space is. I really wanted to create a store where people felt comfortable enough to shop around, ask questions and maybe even buy some cannabis to try for the first time without pressure. Cannabis has been highly stigmatized for so long, many new users are nervous to breach the barrier and give it a try. For years, even as a grower, I felt uncomfortable in the almost exclusively male- run glass shops, grow shops, and dispensaries. The atmosphere in a lot of these places was never welcoming or conducive to someone like myself-- anxious, introverted, and female. In a short time, I started attracting a large number of women as “patients” simply because they perceived my business name (Meowy Jane) as feminine and hoped they would be meeting up with another woman to purchase their cannabis from. This opened my eyes to how needed a woman-run and woman-oriented cannabis space was. Also, cats. We cat people are crazy for anything cat-themed."
What are your thoughts on what truly makes a business successful in this constantly evolving industry?
"Right now the cannabis industry is completely different than it was when I started. You really need to offer something unique in order to survive this “crunch time” as my husband and I have been calling it. At this point, so many people have the experience and knowledge to grow good cannabis, so having a good product alone just isn’t enough anymore. You need to offer people an overall experience that keeps them wanting to come back to you over the other dispensary 100 feet away. In our store, we want people to leave feeling better than when they came in. We want them to feel confident that they got a product that will work for them PERSONALLY. We want to offer fair prices and high-quality products."
Based on your experiences working in the cannabis industry, how do you feel the industry needs to change (or change more) so that marginalized communities such as BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and women, are more represented, treated equally, and given the same opportunities to be successful and thrive?
"Not only is it statistically more difficult to get loans in these communities, but it is ALSO difficult to get loans at all in the cannabis industry. As a community, we can make sure that we are cognizant of where we are sourcing our products from (both cannabis and non-cannabis) and making a concerted effort to support women, BIPOC, and LGBTQIA+ creators and business owners."
Do you have any advice for people who are trying to make their cannabis-career dreams come true?
"It won’t and doesn’t happen overnight, but if you really love what you do, work hard, and are authentic, people
will see it. Anyone can carve out their own little niche in the cannabis industry, I believe there is enough room for everyone."
What is your most favorite item you carry in your shop?
"Favorite Cannabis item: We were able to create a custom flavor for an edible with another woman-owned company called The Hashery. The Guava Passion Fruit Gummies have been our best seller! My favorite non-cannabis item: The Cannabis Jojo Roller by Botanica! It smells so good and I wear it every day!"
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