Managing Partner @ CannaBIZ Collects & CCA | 🌎 Travel | Innovative Disrupter | Helping companies collect their 💰

I’m driven by the challenge to build great businesses with great people to solve real problems. 

My career began in 2015 after being promoted to CEO of a vertically integrated cannabis company in Colorado, where I gained hands-on experience and deep insights into the industry.

Later, I co-founded a specialty child-resistant cannabis packaging business, where I served as CEO. In 2022, I sold my shares in the company, achieving a personal exit while the business continued operating independently.

Currently I’m the Founder & Managing Partner of CannaBIZ Collects, the nation’s first and leading cannabis-focused collection agency started in 2017. In this role, I work to support cannabis businesses in navigating the unique legal and financial challenges related to A/R and collections.

I’m also the founder of the Cannabiz Credit Association, the first trade credit group in the cannabis industry, where we provide tools for risk monitoring and credit assessments to help businesses make better financial decisions and manage risk effectively.

I earned a BBA in Finance from The University of Georgia, and today, I’m based in St. Petersburg, FL. I’m committed to exploring new opportunities, improving business practices in the industry, and mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs who are looking to make an impact.

Brett Gelfand

I can’t tell you how many times we hear this:

“We were waiting to see what happened.”
“We thought they’d turn it around.”
“We didn’t want to strain the relationship.”

Then the company closes.
Or goes into receivership.
And suddenly they want to collect.

Here’s the hard truth most operators don’t understand:

Once a cannabis company shuts down or enters receivership, collectability is basically zero.

At that point:
 • Cash is gone
 • Inventory is liquidated
 • Secured creditors are first in line
 • Unsecured vendors are last

And if there’s no personal guarantee, you cannot just “go after the owner.”

An LLC or corporation exists specifically to shield personal assets.
No PG = no personal exposure.

That means:
You extended trade credit to a legal entity that no longer has assets.

Game over.

In cannabis, this happens more than in most industries because:
 • Thin margins
 • Regulatory volatility
 • Cash flow constraints
 • Overleveraged operators

Waiting until collapse is not a strategy. It’s hope.

The operators who consistently reduce bad debt do three things differently:
1. They monitor payment behavior early.
2. They tighten terms at first signs of distress.
3. They escalate before insolvency, not after.

Collections is about timing.

If you’re placing accounts only after a closure announcement, you’re not managing credit risk. You’re documenting a loss.

And in this industry, prevention will always outperform recovery.

The goal isn’t to collect from bankrupt companies.

The goal is to never let it get there.

Founder @ CannaBIZ Collects & Cannabiz Credit Association (CCA) | Recovering unpaid 💰 and reducing credit risk for cannabis companies

Big news. And big moves with the team over at Cannabiz Credit Association.

View company: Cannabiz Credit Association

We’re excited to announce that TerrAscend has officially joined the Cannabiz Credit Association community!

TerrAscend is one of the leading vertically integrated cannabis operators in North America, with operations spanning multiple states and a reputation for disciplined growth.

Adding strong, established MSOs like TerrAscend to the CCA network continues to strengthen the quality of shared trade data across the industry. The more leading operators who participate, the more transparent and accountable cannabis credit becomes for everyone.

We’re proud to have them as part of the community.

#WelcomeMarijuanaVenture #CannabisMedia #CannabisIndustry #CannabisBusiness #CannabisInsights #CannabisCommunity #CCAMembers

“We already know who the good and bad payers are…”

We see this every day at Cannabiz Credit Association.

Then six months later they place $100,000+ in collections to CannaBIZ Collects.

Here’s the uncomfortable truth:

Anecdotal memory is not a credit policy.

In cannabis, most credit decisions are still made based on:
- A rep’s personal experience
- Word of mouth
- “They’ve always paid us”
- A relationship from three years ago

That’s not risk management. That’s optimism disguised as familiarity.

And in a capital-constrained market, optimism is expensive.

The operators who’ve been humble enough to adopt data-backed credit risk ratings have seen something very different:

- Reduced DSO
- Fewer surprise defaults
- More disciplined credit limits
- Faster approvals with less internal debate

Because they stopped relying on:

1. Traditional trade credit associations with long meetings and delayed decision-making or 2. Legacy credit bureaus or new credit risk startups with little to no meaningful cannabis payment data

And started leveraging real cannabis payment data built on over 10 years of credit and collections experience in the industry.

Cannabis is not CPG.
It’s not manufacturing.
It’s not distribution in any other vertical.

You cannot underwrite it with generic data.

The best operators don’t assume they “just know.”

They validate what they think with real data… and not just blind scoring/heresay they trust. 

That humility is what protects margins.

We see these credit mistakes every day in the cannabis industry, not because teams don’t care, but because structure is missing.

1. Extending credit without vetting - Trust isn’t credit data. Without visibility into payment behavior and existing trade debt, you’re guessing and guessing is expensive.
2. No written escalation process - If there’s no clear plan for 30, 60, or 90 days past due, invoices stall. Delay weakens leverage and signals tolerance.
3. Waiting too long to act - The longer an invoice sits unpaid, the harder it is to recover. Early action protects both cash flow and relationships.
4. Confusing loyalty with risk tolerance - Familiar partners can still be high risk. Longevity doesn’t cancel financial reality.

In cannabis, credit discipline isn’t aggressive. It’s necessary. Good intentions don’t pay invoices.

Want to spot risk earlier? Cannabis-specific credit data makes the difference. 

#CannabisBusiness #CannabisFinance #TradeCredit #AccountsReceivable #CannabisCredit #CashFlowManagement #CannabisOperators #RiskManagement

Credit Mistakes - CannaBIZ Collects

When we started building CCA, the first thing we did was call the traditional credit bureaus. We assumed they already had cannabis credit data. They had few trade lines. Almost no verified payment history.

So we built the reporting network ourselves. And built a tech-forward SaaS platform specific to cannabis, with hundreds of CRB companies contributing real payment data. 

The only source of truth to know who pays and who doesn't.

When we first started building the CCA, we did what anyone would do.
We called the “normal” credit bureaus.

We asked about cannabis data. Trade lines. Payment history. Risk scoring.

And the answer was always some version of the same thing:
 “It’s limited.”
 “It is hard to collect.”
 “It’s difficult to verify back to companies.”

The reality is simple. For decades, cannabis operated in the shadows. Cash businesses. No traditional banking. No consistent reporting. A lot of legitimate operators, but very little structured credit data.

So, of course, the files were thin.

Instead of accepting that, we decided to build what didn’t exist.

We worked directly with D&B analysts. We partnered with operators. We built reporting pipelines. We standardized how trade data gets captured. And we kept going until the picture started to look real.

Today, the CCA captures payment and trade data from more than 200 companies nationwide.

Not guesses. Not vibes. Actual reported performance.

That’s how you build the most comprehensive credit bureau in cannabis.
Because this industry may have started in the black market, but its future runs on transparency, accountability, and real credit data.

And someone had to do the hard work to capture it.

To know more about how CCA works, visit us at - https://lnkd.in/gG58eey6

#CannabisIndustry #CannabisBusiness #CannabisFinance #CannabisCredit #TradeCredit
#CreditRisk #CreditData #ARManagement #AccountsReceivable

CCA is the strongest source of credit data and insights to know whose who in cannabis.

Our Michigan data set is getting stronger every day with leading operators and CRBs actively reporting verified trade lines.

If you’re in Michigan and feel a Facebook group or he says/she says is a better credit process… I’d love to challenge you and get a demo set up with our team. 

It’s time to move this industry forward together.

We’re excited to announce that Northwoods Cannabis has officially joined the Cannabiz Credit Association community!

Northwoods Cultivation is a mission-driven cannabis grower in Michigan focused on premium flower, clean cultivation practices, and thoughtful genetics. With a commitment to sustainable growing and careful attention to plant health at every stage, they produce consistent, high-quality cannabis that resonates with both patients and adult-use consumers alike.

Their craft-focused approach and dedication to excellence make them a valued new member of the CCA network.

We’re proud to welcome their passion, leadership, and commitment to quality.

#WelcomeNorthwoods #CannabisCultivation #PremiumCannabis #CraftCannabis #CannabisIndustry #CannabisBusiness #CCAMembers

Adam Meyn

For the last 15+ years I’ve been the guy companies call when their front door is chaos: phones ringing into the void, tickets piling up, teams drowning in tools.

Today I run @Telergent, where we layer AI on top of existing phone and CX systems so every call is answered, routed, and logged without ripping out what you already own.

In plain English: I help phone-heavy service businesses stop losing money at the front end. Most of my best work is with companies doing $1M+ in revenue that are tired of acting like a small shop at the front door.

What I do
• AI for phones and CX – 24/7 call answering, smart routing, and transcripts that plug into the tools your teams already use.
• Telecom and network clean-up – Wi-Fi, connectivity, SD-WAN, and security tuned so they stop dragging operations down.
• Practical automation – AI as a second set of eyes for checks, reconciliations, and workflows. No science projects.

Proof
• Helped a quoting team hit up to 40× efficiency with targeted automation.
• Drove $3M+ in annual sales for Seabright Distribution via strategic partnerships, including a landmark deal with Grammy-nominated Slightly Stoopid.
• Supported infrastructure projects for brands like the WNBA, Hilton, Marriott, and W Hotel, plus large healthcare and construction firms.

How I work
Confident Kindness: direct conversations, clear expectations, no hype.
• We start with real bottlenecks: missed calls, slow quoting, scattered data.
• We design a focused pilot that proves value in weeks, not years.
• We scale what works and kill what doesn’t.

I care about efficiency and sustainability: less waste, less rework, fewer pointless systems burning time and power. If we have to leave a trace, we make it a better one.

If you’re running a growing service business in construction, field services, hospitality, healthcare, or similar; you’re tired of missed calls and tool sprawl; and you want AI as a second set of eyes, not a replacement for your people — we should talk.

Founder


#changetheAlgorithm
#cannawehelpyou

Family before business.

Customer service before profits!

Technology must be harmonious with nature.

https://www.cannatechnetwork.com

Www.rethinkbank.com

Cannabis Technology Network

Long Beach / San Pedro CA

  

CO-OP Supportive network.

- Payment Processing 

- Green and Alternative energy

- Plant-based plastic and hemp solutions

- Telecom, Microgrids, and Infrastructure

- Cannabis, Hemp Shipping, and Distribution 

guides@cannatechnetwork.com

Adam@cannatechnetwork.com

We will connect the good "suits" and the good "birks" at all ends of the spectrum. Collaboration and alliance at all levels and all demographics. Creative-compassionate-technology-collaborations. 

We like "craft," care, and compassion!

"Co-op collaboration is the only way!"

🌀Empathic Capitalism 

Anything you need, we are a full-service-support network. We have 20+ partners under our belt, ranging from Seed-to-sales software to LED grow lights. We are here to help in any way we can. Usually in an elegant and timely manner. 

Connectors and Solutions Guides. Professional Sales and Support.

Peer review and Accountability in CannaTech! 


Partnerships only. NO competition. 



Let's Grow Together!

- Cookies Maywood: IT management

- Captain Jacks 420: Construction, IT, and infrastructure 

- Seabright Distribution: Partnership Director, Co-Creator "Slightly Stoopid" Stoopid Head Hammerhead. 


It's a #CannaWeHelpYou mentality.

Kindness gets beat up at school.

Always has. The kind kid, the honest one, the one who wouldn't compromise even when it cost them. They got laughed at, left out, and worn down. The system was built by the bullies, and the trolls learned the same playbook.
I'm not interested in fighting them.

I'm interested in finding the people who are tired of it.

The ones who heard "leave a better trace" and felt something. The ones who took the moral high road and paid for it. The ones who still believe that nice humans working together for the greater good is not naive, it's the only thing that actually works long term.

I want to build an AI bodyguard for the kind.

Not a weapon. A shield. Technology that protects good people, amplifies honest voices, and makes it harder for the noise machine to drown out the ones worth hearing.

If that's you, say something. Share this. Tag someone who needs to hear it.

The kind kids need to find each other.

In an Ohana family, nobody gets left behind or forgotten.

Leave a better trace.
#AI #EthicalAI #Kindness #Ohana #AIForGood #WildRobot #ArtificialIntelligence #TechForGood #Telergent #VirtualHug #2ndStream
Telergent Virtual Hug

Image: The Wild Robot. DreamWorks Animation. 2024.

Channel & Partner Sales Manager | AI & SaaS Solutions | Founder, Telergent & Virtualhug.io | “Tech Must Be Harmonious with Nature.”

Cautious optimism is not fear. It is discipline.

It is believing something good can happen while still respecting the cost of being wrong.

In a corporate job, cautious optimism looks like getting a new title and more responsibility, while being honest enough to ask whether the pay and path are real or just another “prove yourself first” loop.

As an independent operator, it looks like putting in effort without guaranteed reward and knowing the risk is not just time, it is money, energy, and momentum. It means using your network and your instincts to double-check everything before you go too far down the rabbit hole.

The goal is always win-win. Both sides benefit. Both sides bring value. Both sides carry real weight.

But when you are financially stressed, it is easy to lie to yourself. You start accepting “lose now, win later” deals because you want to believe the upside is on the way. I have done that. More than once. It never works.

The painful truth is that the time you spend losing for someone else is time you could have spent building real wins for yourself and the people who actually value you.

Cautious optimism is not being negative. It is trusting your gut faster. It is knowing hope still matters, but structure matters too. It protects your time, energy, team, and reputation while still staying open to the right opportunities.

It took me 42 years to really understand that. 

Analog blood in a digital age 💫🔆

https://telergent.com/ virtualhug.io

#Leadership #Business #Entrepreneurship #Sales #Partnerships #Mindset #AI #Telergent #AnalogBloodInADigitalAge Joe Partise Ivan Fernandez, CISSP Jake Tital Rudy Roma Khushi Agarwal

Speak your genuine truth.

Live your genuine self.

Cautiously optimistic based on effort and facts.

Intelligent Orchestration | CX & Custom AI | “Customer Service Keeps Profits” | “Tech Must Be Harmonious with Nature.”

Analog Blood in a Digital Age.

A lot of younger builders can move fast and build with real confidence, and I respect that. But speed without history creates blind spots, and speed without foundations creates bad habits.

Most people are not behind on AI. They’re just getting hit with nonstop noise from people selling urgency instead of understanding. So teams jump straight into tools, skip the basics, and end up with random experiments, weak habits, and zero ROI. Then leadership says “AI didn’t work,” when they never built the muscle.

The people who came up in the 80s and 90s built networks, touched T1s, helped stand up data centers, and learned business before everything was drag-and-drop. They understand that every system has a history. Every workflow has scar tissue. Every shortcut has a cost.

That doesn’t make the next generation wrong. It just means the future belongs to hybrid builders.

Speed plus context.
AI plus fundamentals.
Modern tools plus people who know what’s underneath the hood.

That’s where the real leverage is.

Analog Blood in a Digital Age.

#AI #ArtificialIntelligence #Leadership #DigitalTransformation #Innovation #BusinessStrategy #Automation #FutureOfWork #SystemsThinking #AIOps #PromptEngineering #AgenticAI #Telergent Meenu Howland, CPBI, CSM, CDMP Phillip Swan Ernie McIlquham Robert Danese Ruby D. Michael Ogorek Ivan Fernandez, CISSP Natalie Atkins Matt Hampton Rudy Roma Jake Tital Youthea Pich Danica Niketic Omar Sayed Subir Chowdhury Swapnil Amin John Caleb Marks Cat Valverde Sandeep Kumar

Head of Learning & Development | AI for Workforce Transformation | Shaping the Future of Work & Work Optimization

View Janet Perez (PHR, Prosci, DiSC)’s profile

You think you’re late to AI?
Not even close.

Don’t let the noise convince you you’re behind.

This graphic has been circulating on LinkedIn, and here is what it highlights:

• 84% have never used AI (gray dots)
• 16% have tried a free chatbot (green)
• 0.3% pay $20/month for AI tools (orange)
• 0.04% use coding assistants (red)

Each dot in this visualization represents 3.2 million people.

We’re not in a revolution.

We’re in the pre-game.

If you want to prepare yourself and your team, don’t start with tools.

1) Learn how AI actually works (at a high level).
Understand:
• What a model is (a system trained on patterns in massive datasets)
• What training vs. inference means
• Why outputs are probabilistic, not “facts”
• What hallucinations actually are
• The difference between generative AI and predictive AI
When you understand this, hype becomes obvious.

2) Learn the language of AI.
Know the difference between:
• AI vs. machine learning vs. deep learning
• LLMs vs. traditional automation
• Fine-tuning vs. prompting
• Retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) vs. training a new model
• APIs vs. standalone tools
When vendors speak, you’ll know what they’re actually selling.

3) Learn prompt architecture, not prompt tricks.
Teach teams to:
• Define the objective
• Add context
• Specify audience
• Set constraints
• Ask for structured output
• Iterate intentionally
That’s a transferable skill across every model.

4) Understand risk and governance early.
Before scaling:
• Data privacy rules
• What data should never be pasted into public tools
• Bias awareness
• Human review checkpoints
Maturity in governance builds trust internally.

When leaders understand foundations, vendor demos stop feeling magical.

The advantage right now isn’t speed.
It’s clarity.

——— ✦ ———
🌱 More on AI + Workforce Development → Janet Perez

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The Battle

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