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

probably #1 reason I see companies struggling with cash flow and AR issues today. way too much reactivity. when proactive solutions exist... finally.

Most cannabis companies still operate in reactive mode.

A retailer places an order? Ship it.
They ask for terms? Sure.
Need a little higher limit? No problem.
Everybody gets a loan.

And when they eventually don’t pay… that’s when action happens. The emails start. The calls get tense. Then it ends up in collections through @Cannabiz Collects.

That’s the old playbook.

The new age operator looks very different.
They check credit before extending terms.
They decide how much to extend based on actual trade data.
 And if they’re already doing business, they monitor credit exposure over time.

Because companies can go south quickly in this market. A license change. A tax issue. A cash crunch. One bad quarter and suddenly everyone’s chasing the same dollars.

You don’t want to be the last to know.

Reactive businesses send accounts to collections.

Proactive businesses adjust limits before there’s a problem.

The industry is maturing. The question is whether your credit process is.

#CannabisIndustry #CannabisBusiness #CannabisFinance #CannabisCredit #TradeCredit #CreditRisk #AccountsReceivable #ARManagement #CashFlow #RiskManagement

Terpli Inc. (acquired by AIQ)

- AI-powered product recommendation engine for cannabis e-commerce, designed to personalize and optimize the dispensary shopping experience.
- Advised Terpli from inception—supporting fundraising, GTM strategy, key hires, and a major pivot that fueled scale and profitability.
- Acquired by AIQ, June 2025.

Investor/Advisor

SmartWork Media

- A global media platform focused on elevating the cannabis industry through journalism, storytelling, and insights on policy, business, and culture. 
- Editorial features spotlighting emerging trends, regulatory shifts, and market innovation. 
- Shaped content strategy to engage founders and expand cross-channel audience reach.

Editorial Board- Global Cannabis Times

FlowerHire

- Talent and strategic advisory firm serving the high-growth and regulated cannabis industry.
- Founding Member & Managing Partner — Scaled firm and revenue across 30 states. 
- Led organizational design, exec comp strategy, and advisory for hundreds of companies from startup to IPO. Built compensation models, board dashboards, and operational systems that shaped hiring, budgeting, and growth.

Managing Partner

engin sciences inc

- AI-powered platform transforming recruiting workflows with voice tech and intelligent automation.
- Founding team member and board advisor—supported product direction, early adoption strategy, and go-to-market partnerships.
- Driving 2–3x recruiter productivity and faster, smarter hiring at scale.

Board Member

Fortis Partners

- Executive search and advisory for venture-backed tech firms.
- Partner  — Advised Series A-C companies on org design, hiring roadmaps, and compensation frameworks.
- Created lightweight leveling structures, functional org maps, and hiring systems aligned to scaling plans.

Partner

Team(You), Inc.

- Digital incentive platform advancing student learning outcomes through gamified engagement and curriculum integration.
- Led go-to-market expansion into major school systems across LA and NY, scaling usage from hundreds to 5,000+ students in under two months. Managed offshore development team to implement UX and data architecture upgrades. 
- Built strategic partnerships with education authorities and delivered talks nationwide on the future of edtech innovation.

Managing Director

The Big Apple Pie Baking Co., S'more Bakery

- Premium CPG dessert brand scaling into national distribution.
- Co-Founder, COO & CSO (2016–2018) — Bootstrapped to 7-figure revenue. Led sourcing, logistics, fulfillment, and CX.
- Secured enterprise clients (Spotify, BuzzFeed), built scalable systems.

Co-Founder, Chief Operating Officer

Quantum Designs, LLC

Senior Associate for Domestic Distribution, Sales Operation Coordinator 

Goldcrest Films

Assistant to COO, Junior Production Coordinator

Board Member at engin sciences inc

I work where business gets built from scratch: new markets, unfamiliar rules, scaling teams, tight margins. Cannabis. Tech. Talent. CPG. Startups to public companies. One-location founders to domestic operators. I’ve seen exits and I’ve seen flameouts. Both teach you something.

My focus is on organizational design, compensation architecture, and operational alignment. I help companies translate complexity into forward motion and build structures that don’t collapse under growth.

The industries change. The tension doesn’t. How do you build something sustainable inside systems that weren’t designed for you to win? What should scale, and what shouldn’t? Where’s the real leverage and who benefits from it?

Strategy is often just interpretation. Business competition isn’t just strength or stamina. It’s a competition over insights and competencies. You need models that match the moment, not just what worked last time.

My role isn’t to predict the future. It’s to prepare for it. I work with teams to acquire new salience, raise their perspective, and make decisions they’ll still believe in under pressure.

AI is leverage, not liberation. Scale is not strategy. And being underestimated is a valuable thing. I’ve built a career making the most of it.

Mike Siebold

I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as Advisor at Kria!

Structure and scale | Systems that endure | From startup grit to public complexity | Designing teams that work and last

Vocational stereotypes in cannabis are mostly wrong and mostly useful.

Every industry develops its characters. Finance has quants and cowboys, Tech has its founders and forum trolls. Cannabis is a fascination, still small enough that personalities don’t dissolve into abstraction. The space is intimate, verging on incestuous. Everyone knows everyone, or at least thinks they do. Both rumor and echo chamber. What follows is a narrow cross-section of recurring stereotypes, incomplete by design and broad by necessity.

Growers, traditional and nontraditional, whatever that means. They measure time in harvests, not quarters. Their authority comes from placing literal hands on literal living things. They trust plants and are right to be suspicious of people.

Geeks, self-declared and closeted. They relish the ability to trace market cycles back three regimes, and enjoy telling you which state made the same mistake twice. Occasionally, they’re correct, which is not the same thing as being influential.

Suits, numerate, not native. Spreadsheet literate. Fluent in formulas and weighted averages. They are often right about the math and often accused of not understanding “the culture.”

Virgins, necessary, naive. They ask obvious questions everyone else stopped asking. They don’t know what’s “impossible,” which makes them dangerous in useful ways, and have a firm belief that rules are rational. They give and also sap people of hope.

Chads, a mild derogatory shorthand that, in my view, applies to a large swath of all of the above and more. Strong belief that momentum is the only relevant strategy. Over-indexed on vibes. Viewed as incapable of sincerity.

The mistake is thinking any one of these archetypes can run the table. Cannabis punishes monoculture, and it’s strange, debilitating even, how much energy is spent pretending these groups are incompatible. In reality, they are symbiotic, whether they want that or not.

Ultimately, the people and companies that last aren’t purists or pure types. They absorb traits from the others without fully surrendering their core. Like most plants in this space, eventually you end up a hybrid.

#jobsandpersonalities #cannabis #sweepinggeneralization

What if cannabis had always been the baseline and alcohol the insurgent category we were still debating?

Imagine an America where cannabis never carried stigma, was folded into routine commerce, treated as a consumer good with risk, but not existential risk. The public health conversation is clinical, not moral. Intoxication is acknowledged, studied, priced, and largely unremarkable. The culture long ago metabolized it. 

Now introduce alcohol.

A brackish and bitter substance, a chemical companion and byproduct of agriculture itself. Historically ceremonial, it has only ever been a liquid, and in this parallel universe, it's made by hobbyists creating cheap hooch sold locally but almost impossible to traffic. Here, it is newly industrialized.

It works fast. It escalates. Consumption concentrates inside locations engineered for velocity. There is mass and rapid impairment. People get louder. Coordination degrades in real time. Fights become statistically predictable. Sexual performance is significantly downgraded. 

Hospitals notice. Insurance companies notice. Zoning boards definitely notice.

Should this substance be taxed at punitive levels? Restricted to private consumption? Banned from sidewalks? Limited to certain hours so citizens don’t wander into daylight chemically rearranged?

Advocates argue for liberty, critics cite health risk. Bankers hesitate. Municipalities host emergency hearings about whether concentrated public impairment is a feature or a flaw.

If alcohol were the newcomer, its business model likely would be framed as corrosive. Its distribution would be debated. Its lobbyists would be profiled like antagonists.

But, alas, it predates our arguments. History does not eliminate contradiction. Rather, it normalizes it. And normalcy is a controversy that survived long enough to become boring.

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