Interview With Spencer Belz – Chief Operating Officer of Sunny Tien Dispensary & Lounge

How or why did you choose the cannabis industry? Was it a pivot from a previous career? 

I entered the regulated industry after being involved with the traditional market for years. I saw the positive impact cannabis had on people’s health and wellbeing, I saw the community and culture this plant builds, and the potential it has in NJ and throughout the country. Before entering cannabis, I was a full-time musician. Going from one dream job to another is still surreal even almost 8 years into cannabis.

You wear a ton of hats each day, how do you juggle so many parts of operating a business each day?

Wearing countless hats is part of cannabis no matter the position. I started as a budtender, which is objectively one of the most dynamic roles in the cannabis supply chain. But juggling so many different things is what keeps this industry fun. As soon as I’m bored with cannabis, I know my time here is done. nimble, and rooted in your own vision with 100% of the upside. 

You speak with customers on a daily basis, any consistent feedback that might help vendors overall?

Vendors need to ask more questions. It’s not about hearing from customers – you need to initiate and engage with them. Why do they like certain categories and not others? Why do they shop at certain stores and not others? What type of education are they looking for? How do they want to experience products.

Sunny Tien does an amazing job at marketing, with all the challenges cannabis businesses face with advertising and socials, any tips and tricks?

There’s no easy way to market cannabis. Consistency is key – you need to create an identity and maintain that voice so your customers know what they’re getting. Social Media is tricky with cannabis, it’s best to try and talk to your customers directly. Have flyers and signs in store, add their phone numbers and emails to your loyalty outlets, and keep your website up to date. Your website is the only place you can say what you want, how you want, without any concern of IG community guidelines or people reporting your content.

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