In this insightful episode of the Kaya Cast Podcast, we welcome Michael Ziegler, an esteemed CPA, President of Cannabiz Advisor and owner-operator of the highly successful Indigo Dispensary in New Jersey.

As both an accountant and a dispensary owner, Michael brings a unique and invaluable perspective to navigating the financial and operational challenges within the cannabis industry. Tune in as Michael shares his journey from opening his dispensary to optimizing its day-to-day operations. He dives deep into essential strategies for budgeting, particularly during the crucial build-up phase and the initial months post-launch. Learn why meticulous planning and conservative inventory management can make or break your cannabis business. Michael discusses the dangers of overstaffing and overordering, offering practical tips to enhance operational efficiency without compromising customer satisfaction.

Michael also touches on the importance of understanding sales forecasting, especially when historical data is lacking, and how to adjust your strategies based on real-time business dynamics. He reveals how building a loyal team and fostering a customer-oriented culture contributed to his dispensary being named one of the best dispensaries to work by Cannabis Business Times.

Whether you're a new entrepreneur in the cannabis market or looking to refine the operations of an existing dispensary, this episode is packed with actionable insights. From managing cash flow and inventory to enhancing customer loyalty and staff engagement, learn from Michael's experience and expertise to steer your business towards success. Don't miss this episode full of hands-on advice and industry wisdom that could help you streamline your operations, optimize staffing, and create an unrivaled customer experience in the competitive cannabis marketplace.

Michael doesn’t just talk the talk—he’s lived it. As the President of Cannabiz Advisor, a cannabis-focused accounting and advisory firm, Michael leads a team that supports cannabis entrepreneurs across the U.S. with compliance, financial management, CFO services, and tax planning. Whether you’re in your startup phase or scaling for multi-state growth, Michael’s advice is grounded in real-world results.

🔗 Want to learn more about Michael’s work and how Cannabiz Advisor can help your cannabis business grow?

Learn more about Cannabiz Advisor https://www.cannabizadvisor.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/cannabiz-advisor/about/

Explore Indigo Dispensary https://www.indigodispensary.com/

Follow Michael on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelzieglercpa/

https://business.chambersnj.com/directory/Details/indigo-dispensary-2602927

https://www.linkedin.com/company/chamber-of-commerce-southern-new-jersey/?trk=company_name

Highlights:
00:00 Introduction and Background
00:22 Budgeting Tips for New Dispensary Owners
01:12 Inventory Management Strategies
04:43 Staffing and Hiring Insights
07:39 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Metrics
10:29 Importance of Customer Reviews
17:56 Preparing for 420: Customer Appreciation Day
19:34 Preparing for a Big Event
20:37 Inventory Management Strategies
21:03 Guiding New Businesses
22:10 Launching a Wholesaler Business
27:34 Importance of Customer Loyalty
32:09 Employee Experience and Retention
35:47 Financial Planning and Employee Benefits
37:53 Conclusion and Contact Information

#cannabis #kayacast