We recently connected with Autumn Shelton and have shared our conversation below.
Autumn , thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
The biggest challenge was meeting the strict regulations with getting our California Cannabis Cultivation licensing, Land Use Permitting & Cannabis Business licenses in Santa Barbara County. The applications are very labor intensive and detailed where we also need to demonstrate proof of compliance with all state and local cannabis laws. A partial list of agencies signing off includes CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act), Fish and Wildlife, Regional Water Board, fire departments, law enforcement, planning and development, flood control …This extensive and exhaustive process took us 4 ½ years, spending over $2,000,000 to be fully permitted. There is a strong anti-cannabis sentiment across a few groups in our area that was issuing appeals and convincing local government to make the process as difficult as possible to the point of losing the business altogether. And then the California Cannabis Market crashed reducing sales prices by more than 60%. I have never experienced anything more difficult than the years between 2017 to 2022 fighting to be in this industry and to have a business we believe in. We are still fighting to keep our business alive, but I do feel like I can finally come up for air and that we got through the worst of it. Myintent.org word is Resilience. It’s important to always continue to look forward, learn from past, pivot as needed and continue to grow and that is what I will always do.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
As CFO of Autumn Brands, I oversee strategic planning, marketing, compliance, legal, human resources, and finance. I’ve been successfully navigating the unchartered waters of California’s Prop 215 and the Regulated California Cannabis industry (Prop 64) since 2015 and I’m a sought-after panelist and public speaker on the nuts and bolts of operating a licensed California cannabis cultivation business. In 2021, under my leadership as President of CARP Growers, the Cannabis Association for Responsible Producers concluded a year-long negotiation and reached a historic agreement between the CARP Growers and the Santa Barbara Coalition for Responsible Cannabis on a cooperative agreement for odor abatement. Currently, I am on the Board and Treasurer of the California Cannabis Industry Association (CCIA). As an association and Board Member, we promote the growth of a responsible and legitimate cannabis industry and work for a favorable social, economic, and legal environment for our industry in the state of California. Before moving to the agriculture sector, I was focused on a career in commercial property development and management utilizing my CA Brokers License. Today, Autumn Brands provides multiple high quality products including Cannabis flower, pre-rolls, Nourishing Muscle and Joint Salve and two Elixirs (additive-free tinctures).
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Being a women and family owned and operated business that stays true to its values and provides a consistent product are qualities that shape Autumn Brands. Along with running a large-scale cannabis operation presents a variety of challenges for any commercial grower. Every aspect of cultivation requires strategic precision, from selecting the hardiest strains to keeping up with increasing demand for products. In a notoriously competitive market, many sellers rely on organic or inorganic pesticides to speed the growth process and obtain more weight to their plants. Under the watchful eye of our Head Grower Johnny Brand, we far surpass state regulatory standards, offering powerfully potent strains of clean, pesticide-free cannabis from a name customers trust for quality and consistency.
“You can wash your lettuce but not your weed” – the saying is a regular reminder that drives our team toward an uncompromising approach to clean, safe practices. While other growers may claim a “pesticide-free” process relying on neem and similar oils, Autumn Brands’ “no spray” policy means just that… and customers can look for the ladybug PURE stamp of approval as the gold standard in integrative growing techniques ensuring clean, pesticide-free cannabis products they can count on for quality and safety. The brand’s PURE guarantee marks a product that is:
● Pesticide-free, grown and nurtured by hand according to integrative, no-spray techniques that allow beneficial creatures like ladybugs to coexist peacefully
● User-first, always keeping the safety and experience of customers top-of-mind during every step of the process
● Responsibly-grown, using hydroponic methods and natural well water on a closed-loop system
● Eco-friendly, incorporating into the grow process earth elements like sustainably sourced coco noir that keep the brand’s carbon footprint small
My advice to others is to always stay true to your values, be ready to pivot as needed and always remember that self-care is a priority in whatever you do.
What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
One of the biggest obstacles in the cannabis industry is the stigma and negative perception surrounding it. Despite the growing legalization and acceptance of cannabis, there is still a lot of misinformation and social stigma that hinders its progress. To overcome this challenge, various efforts are being made to educate the public and change their perception through advocating for responsible and safe usage, conducting research, and promoting the benefits of cannabis. The industry is also working towards implementing regulations and standards to ensure quality and safety, which can help build trust and credibility among consumers. It will take time and continuous efforts, but the industry is actively working towards breaking down this obstacle and creating a more positive perception of cannabis.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://autumnbrands.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/autumnbrands_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autumnbrands/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autumnbrands/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/autumnbrands/
Image Credits
Autumn Brands
