Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in cannabis but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Mike Drouin, co-founder of Reefertilizer Inc., located in Victoria, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I'm a cannabis grower and so are my customers. My brother and I went out and created the products we had always wanted to use. Simple affordable nutrients that were easy to use. The market was filled with products that only sold hype, we wanted to create something real. Our products were made to be accessible to beginners.
Tell us about yourself
I wanted to help people who knew very little about growing cannabis. When I was younger, many talented growers shared their knowledge with me and I want to pay that forward.
Every day I communicate to growers from all around the world who share my love for growing cannabis. Hearing their accomplishments makes me proud that I'm teaching more people about growing this amazing plant.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Being at the front of the new cannabis industry has brought some amazing opportunities. We have appeared on Dragon's Den and have won a prestigious Canadian Marketing Association award for cannabis advertising. It really blows my mind thinking about how many people have downloaded and read my Beginners Guide to Cannabis Cultivation. I give this book out for free so I can share my knowledge on the basics of growing cannabis.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Learning when to ask for help. I like to think I know a lot already or can learn it myself. I soon found myself trusted and overworked just trying to accomplish every aspect of our business.
Learning to ask for help from professionals I didn't know was scary at first. It's also been the biggest shortcut to finding new ways to improve our business.
You can't do it all yourself, building a team of professionals you can work with will make your life much easier.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
No idea is too big or small. If you think it's good, give it a try.
Don't be scared of failure. Failure is one of the best teachers. Learn from it and become a better person.
Don't be afraid to ask for a bit of help from time to time. We can't do it all ourselves no matter what we like to think.
Anything else you'd like to share?
Take your shot when you can, you never know when the right opportunity will come again.
Where can people find you and your business?
https://www.instagram.com/reefertilizer/
https://twitter.com/reefertilizer
https://www.facebook.com/reefertilizer
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.
