Tell us about Black Bear Hemp Dispensary.
Black Bear Hemp Dispensary is a retail chain of stores located in Meadville, Grove City, and Clarion. We offer customers high quality hemp products and offer a true dispensary experience. We are able to assist a wide array of customers from those suffering with debilitating conditions, to people who could use support sleeping or dealing with anxiety, and even those who are looking to just enjoy the recreational side of the plant as well. Our staff is highly experienced in the medical marijuana industry and has applied the lessons learned from that industry to Black Bear.

What is your role at Black Bear?
I am the CEO, I wear many hats from developing overall business strategy, to installing compliance practices, operational excellence initiatives, and of course lead janitor. Overall, “leading the team toward our mission of becoming the local trusted resource for cannabis products” is probably how I would best describe it.

What is your favorite part about your job?
Building a business with my family, Carrie, my wife is my right hand with the business. Black Bear would not make it far without her. She leads all of our marketing and educational materials and is really the heart and soul of the team. We have been very blessed with great employees and even though are other employees are not related they definitely feel like part of the family.

What would surprise people about Black Bear?
Black Bear has really been able to help out the community. The people who shop our stores are friends and neighbors that I have grown up around my entire life. Being able to help residents of Venango and surrounding counties feel better though the knowledge I have gained has been amazing. We have been able to improve many people’s health. On top of that we donate hours each month volunteering and funds to support local charities when we can.

Is there anything else you’d like to share about your business?
After nearly two years of being open for business, we still haven’t found anywhere else you can get a THC slushie. Come visit us and try one!

This article was published in the Future Leaders & Entrepreneurs Exchange’s (FLEX) July 2023 edition of the FLEX Your Ideas (FYI) Newsletter.