Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Dr. Brendan Kelly of San Mateo

We recently had the chance to connect with Dr. Brendan Kelly and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Brendan, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
I have been getting back into music recently—DJing and music production. I even picked up the guitar again and started learning the piano. It’s been such a creative and joyful outlet! But as much as I love music, it also comes with its own set of challenges. One of the biggest being finding new and unique sounds to incorporate into my productions.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Brendan Kelly, the founder of CEAS Collective. My journey here wasn’t exactly conventional. With a Doctor of Pharmacy background in clinical research, my career path was pointed directly at the pharmaceutical industry. However, I saw a significant gap in the market for safe, reliable access to high-quality cannabis, coupled with a focus on its wellness benefits.

In 2014, I founded CEAS Collective to fill that need. We’re dedicated to bringing premium, lab-tested California cannabis directly to our community through fast, dependable delivery. Our model is built on transparency and trust, fully licensed operations, and a focus on quality-of-life outcomes for our customers. We source from trusted indoor growers and develop our own unique cultivars to ensure you always get the best.

We’re constantly working to expand access across the San Francisco Bay Area and in select regions World-Wide. We strive to raise safety standards and offer educational content that simplifies and informs the conversation around cannabis for wellness. More than a delivery service, we’re here to be Your Best Buds™. My door is always open—don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions!

Okay, so here’s a deep one: What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child, I absolutely bought into the traditional script for a successful life: go to college, get a respectable degree, land a secure job, and build a life with a white picket fence. I saw my future as a straight line, and I believed my purpose was to follow that well-paved road without any detours.

I no longer believe there is only one ‘right’ path or a universal definition of success. We each have the power to create our own destiny. My definition of success—making a tangible impact, building something with integrity, and serving a community—looks very different from the one I was taught. Choosing to leave a clear pharmaceutical career path to found CEAS Collective was my first major step in rejecting that one-size-fits-all model. It was a mission-led choice that didn’t fit the expected mold. I’m still learning and rewriting my own script every day.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Absolutely. There was a period when California’s legal cannabis market felt like it was collapsing. Price compression was squeezing margins to almost nothing, and we watched respected businesses close down almost daily. To make matters worse, the state increased tax rates right as inflation was climbing, and landlords were hitting cannabis businesses with excessive rent hikes because of the industry’s tax burdens. The pressure was immense, and I had a serious moment where I had to ask myself if pushing forward was sustainable.

During that time, I thought back to why I started CEAS in the first place: to provide safe, reliable access to cannabis for my community. I leaned heavily on my personal mantra of “Positivity and Persistence.” It forced me to focus not on the chaos, but on what we could control: our service, our quality, and our commitment to our customers. That discipline is what got us through. We learned that by staying true to our values and executing consistently, we could adapt and keep showing up for the people who depend on us.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
My long-term commitment, without a doubt, is the normalization of cannabis and psychedelics. This isn’t just about business; it’s about dismantling outdated stigmas and ensuring everyone who can benefit has safe, informed access to these powerful plant medicines. This is a mission I am committed to, no matter how long it takes.

This goal requires a foundation of safety, education, and responsible use. At CEAS Collective, we live this commitment by providing reliable, licensed delivery of premium, lab-tested products. We focus on evidence and quality-of-life outcomes, creating content that demystifies these plants and empowers our customers to make the best choices for their wellness.

The regulatory landscape is complex, and progress can feel slow. But with a long-term mindset built on positivity and persistence, I know we can continue to move the culture and policy forward, ensuring that more people get the relief and support they deserve.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Yes, without a doubt. From the very beginning, even people close to me have sometimes questioned if I’m on the right path, especially when things get hard. But my drive isn’t fueled by external validation. I’m committed to a mission, and I truly believe this work is my calling.

My goal isn’t to chase fame or applause. It’s to create a sustainable, positive impact on society by providing safe access to cannabis, delivering real education, and offering consistent service. At CEAS, our core values are positivity and persistence. We measure success by the well-being of our community, not by vanity metrics. The work itself—seeing the positive outcomes and knowing we are helping people—is the ultimate reward. Praise is nice, but it’s never been the reason I show up and give my best every single day.

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