In the final month of the year 2022, I can think of no better woman who works harder in the Cannabiz than my friend, Rebecca Colett. She’s the co-founder of Calyxeum Cannabis brand and Calyxeum Catalyst non-profit organization based in the D, Detroit, Michigan. This female cannapreneur has created a lane of her own in a growing midwest cannabis market and is setting a path for future women in the industry. Meet Rebecca Colett.
What is your professional background? “I’m a serial entrepreneur with a background in technology and finance. I have led large engineering teams in software development and financial analysis.”
Why did you choose to start your business, or did it choose you?
“Cannabis is a passion. I have a personal connection with the plant and it chose me. I started to heal myself and others around me and the business side just came naturally. Our brand stemmed from the lack of black women being represented on shelves in dispensaries around the country.”
What were your first objectives when you started your business? “Build a community, community creates culture.”
How many people work for your business? “Ten, and we have several freelancers and ancillary partners.”
What products or services do you offer? “High quality boutique flower, pre-rolls, and edibles.”
What methods do you use to promote your business? “Through our social media, our website, local and national events, grassroots in the community, and word of mouth.”
What are your business goals? “To expand to more stores throughout Michigan, create more loyal customers, and expand our community projects.”
Why did you choose to start a business in the cannabis industry? “Cannabis is healing and people of color represent less than 2% of ownership in the space.”
As a female business owner in the cannabis industry, is there anything that has surprised you or that you didn’t expect? “Many women are not respected in their leadership roles because they are women. This is a very male dominated industry, a boys club, they do not make it easy for us to succeed.”
What is your greatest struggle as a business owner? “Raising capital.”
How would you characterize the working culture at your company? “I would say startup, entrepreneurial, creative, and inclusive.”
How does your business give back to the community? “We have a non-profit, Calyxeum Catalyst, where we have a community garden, and training program.”
What makes your company unique from its competitors? “We are black women owned. We appeal to professionals, we do not sell rapper weed.”
How many hours per day do you spend working on your business? “16-18 hours per day.”
How would you characterize your business’s success thus far? “We are in a high-growth phase focused on expansion.”
What’s next on the horizon for you and your company? “We are releasing new product lines and expanding to more stores around Michigan and beyond.”
What’s your advice for other women who want to enter into the cannabis industry? “Be very persistent, assertive and form loyal relationships.”
How do you see your business growing/expanding in the next five years? “Throughout Michigan and the east coast.”
How do you see women in the cannabis industry growing in the upcoming years? “I see us creating more companies, more narratives, more operators, more growers, more ancillary services. We just need to be represented on more than the advocacy side.”
If you want to learn more about Rebecca’s brand Calyxuem, or her non-profit Calyxeum Catalyst, you can visit them online at www.Calyxeum.com.
