We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Brandon Robinson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Brandon below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Brandon with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
I have several role models in my life who exemplify what a hard worker is. I take pride in knowing that I put my best foot forward every day. I know that my work ethic has created opportunities for me to succeed. It has also created friendships and opened doors that I may have missed out on if I were not self-motivated or disciplined. I played basketball growing up so, even at a young age, I learned that those who consistently work hard tend to be the more experienced players. From my perspective, there are so many uncontrollable factors in life but, one thing I know I’m in complete control of is my work ethic. I believe work ethic speaks to one’s character and how they perceive themselves. This extends beyond a professional setting. A healthy work life balance is hard to achieve, so I praise those who bring intention and presence to several facets of their life.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself.
Everyday I’m on a mission to unlock the power of cannabis to improve people’s lives. I’ve followed this passion for the past 6 years working for a cannabis wellness company, Papa & Barkley. I hold a unique position in the company as I am the longest tenured employee. Currently, I manage many aspects of the business, but I am primarily responsible for overseeing logistics and operations in California.
As cannabis is becoming legalized in more states, one thing is for sure: California is the largest cannabis market in the industry. This year, the California market is projected to generate over $4B in legal medical and recreational sales. It excites me every day knowing that my team and I are responsible for final mile delivery to retailers and other distributors throughout the state. Papa & Barkley is available in over 85% of the dispensaries in California. Despite our success, it makes me happiest knowing that we are providing plant medicine to people all over the state. I receive countless testimonials from customers, old and new, who now swear by our products as life savers. This positive energy keeps me motivated because I know we’re actually improving people’s lives. We’re making a difference.
I’m responsible for distributing several brands at Papa & Barkley, including P&B Kitchen and Papa’s Select. The three brands carry over 100 SKU’s encompassing all methods of consumption. We’re most notable for our topicals and tinctures, but we also distribute edibles, concentrates, and skincare products too. My personal favorite is the Releaf Balm because of how much I exercise and play basketball. I also love our CBN Sleep gummies too. Both products are award winning, solventless, and full spectrum. In fact, all of our products are chemical free, and triple tested to ensure their compliance with the Department of Cannabis Control.
Although I’m not directly involved in the CBD side of our business, I’m excited to know that our brand is recognized nationally by large retailers such as Vitamin Shoppe. As an executive team, we’ve developed an innovative product pipeline in both THC and CBD markets that I’m excited about. We recently launched a new Berry Pineapple CBD gummy that I know people will enjoy. It is our ever CBD edible offered nationally. In the past year, our THC edibles have had great success, including winning 1st place at Emerald Cup for Best Alternative Edible.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I thrive in environments where I feel like I must listen and learn. I often find myself taking notes and reading the information over again so that I can apply the knowledge to my life. I try to use every day as an opportunity to learn and improve my character, thus, I always encourage constructive criticism. I appreciate honest feedback because it can point to areas in my life that could use improvement. That lets me know that people care. I consider myself coachable because I’ve played basketball for 20+ years and have learned the importance of this valuable characteristic as a part of that realm. I genuinely believe that my ability to remain objective has had a positive impact on my journey. I’ve been in leadership positions throughout my life so, as an adult, I get excited to tackle new challenges. I’m not afraid to make mistakes. In fact, I believe that is one of the most effective ways of learning. As it pertains to my career with Papa & Barkley, I believe that my ability to pivot and construct and communicate a game plan is my most utilized skill. I tell people all the time that for the past 6 years, not one day has been the same. And this remains true. A tenet that I stand by is treating others the way I would want to be treated. As the Head of Distribution, I realize that interpersonal skills are important too. I often work cross functionally, aligning department goals so that everyone is on one accord. Being respectful of everyone, regardless of their role, has made my job easier.
Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
I often journal and think about how my friends and family circle is continuing to grow. There is a long list of people that have helped me overcome specific challenges in my life. I believe my parents did a great job educating and developing my belief system while also allowing me enough space and autonomy to make my own decisions. To this day, I thank them for empowering me in this way at a young age. I’ve lived with different families for short periods of time throughout my life, experiencing their unique dynamic and version of a cohesive unit. I’m fortunate to have lived with many different cultures. I have gained a lot from each of these people and experiences. They each offered me a different perspective that I may not have had otherwise. Basketball also played a vital role in my personal development. I played for over 20 years with invaluable coaching from gurus such as Kenny Smith and William Middlebrooks. In retrospect, I am grateful to have constructive parenting, coaching, and mentoring my entire life.
My professional development has been accelerated thanks to the knowledge and selflessness from two great leaders at Papa & Barkley. First, I give thanks to our CEO and Co-Founder, Guy Rocourt for changing my perspective on cannabis. My personal relationship with cannabis lacked intention and knowledge until Guy introduced me to the science and the power of the plant. I quickly learned the medicinal benefits that cannabis and specific cannabinoids offer. I became fascinated and passionate about clean cannabis once I was able to see the positive impact it had in people’s lives. I enjoy making a meaningful difference.
As my career developed, our Founder and Chairman, Adam Grossman quickly became a primary mentor of mine who, in fact, continues to guide me with my development as an entrepreneur and executive leader. Adam has helped develop several skills of mine such as my ability to analyze data and delegate responsibilities effectively. Most importantly, I’ve found ways to apply his wisdom to my personal life so that I remain aligned with my definition of success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.papaandbarkley.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/4brobinson/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-robinson-8257b117a/
