#45 - S6:E1 - Annie Fleshman: From SaaS Startup to Founding Marketer at Cannabis Tech Leader Flowhub

#50 - S6:E6 - Wendy Baker: From Humboldt Grower to Award-Winning Solventless Edibles

In Episode 50, Season 6 Episode 6 of the Women in Cannabusiness Podcast, Olivia sits down with Wendy Baker, Founder and CEO of Love Gem Inc., DBA Space Gem, an award-winning cannabis edibles company rooted in Humboldt County while at Hall of Flowers Ventura 2026. Wendy shares how she began building Space Gem in 2013 and why she chose to focus on premium solventless edibles made with ice water hash. She discusses the intentional approach behind Space Gem’s products, including thoughtfully formulated edibles featuring functional mushrooms designed around focus, vitality, wellness, and sleep. The conversation explores what it takes to build an edibles brand centered on product quality, innovation, and responsible cannabis use. Wendy also speaks about preserving Humboldt County’s craft cannabis heritage, creating local jobs, educating consumers, and maintaining a commitment to the community that helped shape the brand. Wendy reflects on Space Gem’s recognition at the California State Fair Cannabis Awards, the realities of growing a company in an evolving industry, and her experience building a cannabis business as a woman founder. From honoring Humboldt’s legacy to creating products for the modern cannabis consumer, Wendy’s story demonstrates how innovation, intention, and craft can come together to build an award-winning brand with staying power. Listen to hear Wendy’s journey, the story behind Space Gem, and her advice for the next generation of women entrepreneurs entering the cannabis industry. Follow Wendy Baker: Instagram: @wendythespacegem [https://www.instagram.com/wendythespacegem/] Follow Space Gem: Instagram: @space_gem_ca [https://www.instagram.com/space_gem_ca/] Website: spacegemcandy.com [https://www.spacegemcandy.com/]

#49 - S6:E5 - Maha Haq - From Oaksterdam to VICE: Building a Career Through Cannabis Education

How do you build a career that spans nearly every corner of the cannabis industry? In this episode of Women in CannaBusiness, Olivia Castaldy sits down with Maha Haq, cannabis journalist, educator, researcher, and industry advocate, to explore the career that has taken her from budtender to one of the industry's most respected educational voices. With experience across retail, testing labs, consulting, higher education, research, media, and social equity, Maha shares why understanding the entire cannabis supply chain has been one of the greatest advantages in her career. She reflects on founding CannaClub at UCLA, teaching the next generation of cannabis professionals at Oaksterdam University, mentoring entrepreneurs through Los Angeles' Social Equity Program, and writing about cannabis culture, products, and consumer trends as a contributor for VICE. The conversation also takes a personal turn as Maha opens up about her experience using medicinal cannabis during postpartum, how it supported her mental health, and why honest conversations around women's health and cannabis are so important. Whether you're looking to break into the industry, grow your career, or simply better understand where cannabis is headed, this episode is filled with practical advice, thoughtful perspectives, and inspiration from someone who has helped shape the industry through education and community. In this episode, you'll learn: * How Maha built a career across nearly every sector of cannabis * Why education and mentorship are essential for industry growth * The value of understanding the full cannabis supply chain * Cannabis, postpartum recovery, and mental health * Social equity, community building, and creating opportunities for others * Actionable advice for anyone pursuing a career in cannabis About Maha Haq Maha Haq has spent more than a decade working throughout the commercial cannabis industry, consulting for retailers, consumption lounges, brands, and events. She is currently a Cannabis Staff Writer at VICE, covering cannabis products, consumer trends, shopping news, and culture. She serves on the Los Angeles chapter boards of NORML and the Cannabis Chamber of Commerce, teaches at Oaksterdam University, and coaches entrepreneurs through the Los Angeles Department of Cannabis Regulation's Social Equity Program. After beginning her cannabis career in Los Angeles in 2012, Maha gained experience across nearly every stage of the supply chain, including cannabis testing laboratories. She later founded CannaClub at UCLA, growing it into a national student organization spanning more than 60 universities and over 9,000 members. She also conducted research through the UCLA Cannabis Research Initiative and earned her M.S. in Medical Cannabis Science & Therapeutics from the University of Maryland. Connect with Maha Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/highmaha/ [https://www.instagram.com/highmaha/]  Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/highmaha/ [https://www.twitch.tv/highmaha/]

#48 - S6:E4 - Shelbie Vasquez: From Brand Ambassador to Multi-Brand Sales & Marketing Leader

In this episode of the Women in Cannabusiness Podcast, Olivia sits down with Shelbie Vasquez, Sales and Marketing professional at Beyond Legends Distribution, to discuss building a career fueled by passion, authentic relationships, and community. Shelbie shares her journey from starting as a Brand Ambassador with Yummi Karma in 2018 to representing a growing portfolio of cannabis brands through Beyond Legends Distribution, including Pretty Dope, Side Hustle, Crave, Daily Dose, Yummi Karma, and High Gorgeous. Along the way, she reflects on how sales, marketing, networking, and storytelling have shaped her career and opened doors throughout the industry. In addition to her work in distribution and brand development, Shelbie is also a podcast host with Respect My Region, where she spotlights the people, brands, and stories driving cannabis culture forward. Together, Olivia and Shelbie discuss balancing full-time work with podcasting, the importance of building genuine connections, and what it means to create opportunities for women in a traditionally male-dominated industry. Shelbie also shares the advice she would give her younger self and why staying passionate about the plant and the community has led to a career she truly loves. Whether you're just entering the cannabis industry, building your personal brand, or looking to grow your career, this episode is a reminder that curiosity, consistency, and authentic relationships can take you further than you ever imagined. In this episode, you'll hear about: * Shelbie's career journey from Brand Ambassador to Sales & Marketing * Working with brands including Pretty Dope, High Gorgeous, Yummi Karma, and more * Building a career across multiple cannabis brands through Beyond Legends Distribution * Balancing a full-time career while hosting an industry podcast * The value of networking and authentic relationship-building * Supporting women and creating community within cannabis * Advice for young professionals entering the industry * Why staying passionate about your work can open unexpected doors If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who is building their own career in cannabis. About Beyond Legends Distribution Beyond Legends Distribution connects innovative cannabis brands with retailers across California through wholesale distribution, sales, and strategic marketing support. Their family of brands includes Pretty Dope, Side Hustle, Crave, Daily Dose, Yummi Karma, and High Gorgeous, helping consumers discover premium products while giving emerging brands the support they need to grow. Follow Shelbie: @shlebie.xoxo [https://www.instagram.com/shelbie.xoxo] Follow We R Legends: @beprettydope [https://www.instagram.com/beprettydope/?hl=en]   This episode is sponsored by CannaWorld Launching a cannabis brand is hard. Driving sell-through and securing re-orders is even harder. CannaWorld is a premier wholesale brokerage and cannabis marketing agency dedicated to helping brands successfully launch and scale in legal markets. Beyond traditional brokerage, CannaWorld provides experienced brand ambassadors, sales representatives, budtender education, retail activations, and consumer marketing that help products move off the shelf—not just onto it. By integrating directly with retailers, dispensary staff, budtenders, and consumers, CannaWorld creates the awareness and urgency brands need to drive long-term retail success. The team proudly prioritizes women-owned, LGBTQ+, local, and minority-owned brands across every legal market. Learn more at ShopCannaWorld.com [https://shopcannaworld.com/] or call 508-813-7963.

#47 - S6:E3 - Sue Carlton AKA Ranchera Mami: From Oregon Pioneer Days to Building a Legacy Farm in California

What does it take to build a lasting career in cultivation while staying true to the plant, the science, and the culture? In this episode of Women in CannaBusiness, Olivia sits down with Sue Carlton (@rancheramami), cultivator, educator, and advocate whose journey spans Oregon's early medical market, large-scale cultivation, genetics preservation, and building a family-run farm in Central Valley California. Known for making complex cultivation topics accessible, Sue shares how she got her start with a small grow license, what she's learned from decades of hands-on experience, and why education remains one of the most powerful tools in the industry today. Together, Olivia and Sue discuss the realities of working in cultivation, navigating spaces where women remain underrepresented, the importance of mentorship, preserving legacy genetics, and how the next generation of growers can build sustainable careers in agriculture. Whether you're a cultivator, entrepreneur, industry professional, or simply fascinated by the people behind the plant, Sue's story is a powerful reminder that success is built through persistence, curiosity, and a willingness to keep growing. In this episode, you'll learn: • How Sue got her start in Oregon's early cultivation market • Lessons from scaling from a small grow license to larger cultivation operations • Why preserving genetics matters for the future of the industry • The realities of being a woman in cultivation • How mentorship and community can accelerate growth • Why education continues to shape the next generation of operators 🎙 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts. Follow Sue: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/Rancheramami/⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/Rancheramami/]

#46 - S6:E2 - Angie Macaraeg: From Door-to-Door Sales to VP of Sales & Marketing at a Leading Cannabis Testing Lab

Live from Hall of Flowers Ventura with Angie Macaraeg, VP of Sales & Marketing at Encore Labs Recorded onsite at the Hall of Flowers Pre-Show Mixer hosted by Beard Bros Pharms in Ventura, California, this episode features a conversation with Angie Macaraeg, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Encore Labs [https://www.encore-labs.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com]. Since entering the cannabis industry in 2018, Angie has worked her way from customer service to executive leadership, helping shape the growth of one of California's leading ISO-accredited cannabis testing laboratories. Today, she oversees sales strategy, client relationships, marketing initiatives, business development, and multi-state expansion efforts across California and Arizona. In this episode, Angie shares her journey through the cannabis industry, the evolving role of laboratory testing, and why quality assurance, compliance, and transparency are more important than ever for brands looking to succeed in today's market. We also discuss the challenges operators face navigating regulations, the importance of building trusted partnerships, and how education continues to drive industry progress. Whether you're a brand owner, operator, service provider, or simply curious about the behind-the-scenes systems that help keep the cannabis industry safe and compliant, this conversation offers valuable insights from a leader helping shape the future of cannabis testing. Connect with Angie & Encore Labs: 🌿 Instagram: @staygreenangeline 🌿 Instagram: @encorelabs 🌿 Website: Encore Labs [https://www.encore-labs.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com] About Women in CannaBusiness Women in CannaBusiness highlights the stories, experiences, and expertise of women shaping the future of cannabis through leadership, innovation, advocacy, and entrepreneurship. #WomenInCannaBusiness #HallOfFlowers #EncoreLabs #CannabisTesting #WomenInCannabis #CannabisIndustry #QualityAssurance #CannabisCompliance #LabTesting #BeardBrosPharms #HallOfFlowersVentura #CannabisLeadership