Green Leaf Lab CEO Shares Tips For Women In Cannabis, Hemp
Rowshan Reordan is the founder and CEO of Green Leaf Lab, one of the nation’s top cannabis and hemp CBD testing labs. Established in 2011, Green Leaf Lab is the first woman-owned cannabis and hemp CBD laboratory in the United States.
The cannabis and hemp CBD industry continue to grow exponentially while the level of women in executive positions declines. A 2015 cannabis industry survey found that about 36% of executives in the United States in cannabis were women. That number dropped to 27% in 2017. A 2019 industry survey of 166 cannabis companies found that only 17.6% of women now hold an executive role.
There are many hurtles to jump while navigating success in the cannabis and hemp CBD industry. Green Leaf Lab’s founder and CEO Rowshan shares her top three tips that are designed to help women in the cannabis and hemp CBD industry succeed and expand their positioning in the executive space.
Top three tips for women in the cannabis and hemp CBD industry:
Be Heard: As a woman, your comments and viewpoints may get pushed aside. Be prepared and concise with your point. If you are interrupted, politely interrupt back, compliment their expertise, and redirect back to your points. If a colleague claims your insights as their own speak up and thank him for bringing up that point. Then follow up on a couple additional points that highlight your expertise in the subject.
Build your network: Your network is your support system. They help find solutions to issues you are faced with. Do not limit your network to your gender. Establish mentors who have proven success. They give insight to support your growth. Build up your team with people who want to see you succeed. Your team helps accomplish your goals.
Practice self-care: Self-care means something different to everyone. Find out what self-care means to you. Make the time and prioritize yourself. Habits are not built overnight. Be committed to your self-care with the same passion you give to your job. Regardless of what happened that day or the day before, stay committed to your self-care.
In February, Green Leaf Lab received national certification as a Woman-Owned Business by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC).
With roots in the Pacific North West, Rowshan grew up in the cannabis community. When a close friend and patient she grew for was battling HIV she saw the lack of access to clean, tested, and safe cannabis. Understanding the need for safe cannabis, she decided to open her first analytical testing laboratory in Portland Oregon. She then opened a second laboratory in Sacramento California. From 2011 to present, Green Leaf Lab has been committed to the safe consumption of cannabis and hemp CBD products.
As the nation’s first woman-owned cannabis lab, Green Leaf Lab is committed to making a future where the market is as diverse as the people it serves.
“As a woman-owned business, I believe in empowering other women,” said Rowshan.
Green Leaf Lab is a long-time contributor to Girls Inc, STEM, and other non-profits that are committed to diversity, equity and empowerment.
To learn more about Green Leaf lab, visit www.greenleaflabs.com.
