Client: SEED Dispensary
Industry: Cannabis Retail Operations
Location: Massachusetts
Services Provided: FULL SUITE: Operational Strategy, Procurement, Human Resources, Training & Development, Branding & Marketing, Events & Experiences
Background
SEED is a cannabis retail dispensary located in Jamaica Plain, Boston, operating within Massachusetts’ highly regulated cannabis market.
When The Weedaker Group was engaged, SEED had secured its provisional license but had not yet opened its doors. The business required full operational buildout, team development, and regulatory navigation to move from provisional approval to an active, revenue-generating retail operation.
Without established systems, staffing, or workflows in place, SEED needed a comprehensive partner to transform a licensed concept into a fully functioning dispensary, with a tight timeline of less than 60 days to targeting commence operations.
Objective
The primary goal was to successfully launch SEED as a fully operational, compliant cannabis dispensary.
Key objectives included:
- Build complete operational infrastructure from the ground up, security protocol, retail operations, customer service etc.
- Hire and train a full retail team
- Develop and implement all standard operating procedures (SOPs)
- Establish inventory and procurement systems
- Successfully navigate final licensing and open the store to the public
- Build a foundation of business practice to be transitioned to the management of the leadership team
The team at TWG took charge of navigating the necessary licenses and ensured compliance with state and local regulations. This involved managing paperwork, writing detailed applications, coordinating with local officials, and preparing the team for inspections. TWG also worked with the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) to ensure that Pure Oasis met all regulatory requirements before opening its doors.
The TWG Approach
Licensing & Compliance
Navigating the complex regulatory landscape was a top priority for SEED. The team at TWG took charge of navigating the necessary licenses and ensured compliance with state and local regulations. This involved managing paperwork, writing detailed applications, coordinating with local officials, and preparing the team for inspections. TWG also worked with the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) to ensure that SEED met all regulatory requirements before opening its doors.
Results:
- Secured all necessary licenses within 3 months, ahead of original schedule.
- Successfully passed all regulatory inspections without issue.
- Provided Pure Oasis with ongoing compliance guidance, reducing the risk of future regulatory issues.
Business Operations Optimization
TWG worked closely with the SEED ownership team to develop their internal systems, processes, retail operations, inventory, packaging and procurement, security & staffing plan. TWG identified key factors in workflow, communication, and task delegation. Using a project management approach, TWG built the foundation of streamlined operational procedures, ensuring that departments—such as sales, inventory management, customer service, and security—were properly aligned. This helped SEED reduce operational friction, increase efficiency, and lay the groundwork for growth.
Results:
- Established timeline for license approval, streamlined for grand opening in March 2021
- Provisional to Final License in less than 3 Months
- Built management & staff team
- Established departments; Management, marketing & sales, procurement, packing & inventory, security, front and back of house operations
- Built out optimal retail flow, customer experience on the sales floor, and order fulfillment
- Established clear roles and responsibilities, allowing staff to operate more autonomously and focus on customer experience
Human Resources, Training & Development
Supporting oversight in the roles of Director of Operations: TWG developed a staffing plan for 5 departments; security, retail, procurement, packaging and inventory. This included a deep understanding of the needs to roll out the recruitment and hiring process for management. With strong foundational SOPs, TWG deployed a train the trainer model, and then further developed the rest of the roster with recruiting, hiring and training.
Results:
- Efficient Full time equivalency model
- Scheduling to support various departments and operational flow
- Strong foundation of training & education as a critical component of success in opening for business
