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Get to know how I can achieve similar and better for your cannabis brand with my case studies below. These projects set the foundation for my 3 signature services.
Click on the respective link in the Table of Contents below to envision how my services can work for you.
If you click on client's logo or name, you'll be directed to their company site or individual page. Feel free to reach out to them directly for questions and to expand your network!
Explore details of my Services Here
CANNA-HOUSE: Dirty Lemonade
CANNA-HOUSE: Dirty Lemonade
Canna-House is a lifestyle cannabis brand and parent company of the beverage "Dirty Lemonade." Led by the Black male collective of Reggie Keith, Valentino Shine, Rich + James, they successfully transitioned from a Legacy to Legal company in New York's Cannabis Industry.
PROBLEM
Though business was booming for Reggie, he + accounting partner Kenya Alexander-Davis of Green to Green Solutions struggled to set up Canna-House's Bookkeeping System. Reggie is the CEO + Founder, but also picks up + delivers Dirty Lemonade orders to New York dispensaries.
They had trouble conceptualizing what the Accounting looked like for company. And given their demanding work schedules + home life, carving out time to focus on this task proved to be difficult.
SOLUTION
WORKFLOW + Vibe
(this was the prototype that shaped this service)
Kenya reached out to me for help after I got things rolling with our startup Stash Bag Data.
After an introductory call with Reggie, we scheduled 3 days + blocked out 3 hours for each day to setup Canna-House's Accounting Department.
Once we got started in October 2024, we met via Google Meet to discuss all the documents, deadlines, tools + necessary partnerships Canna-House needed to get their books in order.
I led the call while screensharing Asana to organize our thoughts + maintain inventory of required tasks.
RESULTS
The long + short is that Canna-House now has an established Accounting System! At the end of our Sprints, we scheduled a 30-minute check-in call for November 2024 to ensure the system was still flowing properly.
Kenya's assistant became Reggie's go-to bookkeeper for weekly expense tracking. We established the frequency of Reggie submitting documents. And necessary tax deadlines were placed on Canna-House's calendar.
"Bast really brings a playful but thoughtful perspective to any project. Besides having an insane depth of creativity, she also has the ability to harness that creativity. She’s been instrumental in making sure our project moves forward by providing a structure that holds us accountable while also allowing flexibility when plans or ideas change.
"Every conversation that I’ve ever had with Bast has empowered me and given me the confidence that I need to keep moving forward. And not in a fake, motivational way because she’s not the type to tell you what you want to hear. But she sees things from a lens of realistic possibility and that’s amazing.
"I VERY HIGHLY RECOMMEND BAST’S SERVICES! If you’re serious about moving a project forward, this is the person to bring on board."
Kenya Alexander-Davis, Chief Executive Officer + Co-Founder
Peake ReLeaf is an independent and locally owned medical cannabis dispensary in Rockville, Maryland. Founded by 3 friends and Maryland natives Tracey, Nate and Warren with the marketing leadership of Kevin, Peake cultivates a friendly, transparent relationship with patients and influences policies that foster a Colorado-like experience in the Crab State.
PROBLEM
Kevin, Peake's Director of Creative Marketing, had plenty of great ideas, but lacked the structure, C-suite buy-in + resources to get them off the ground. From unclear Brand Messaging to an inconsistent video series to an apparel line that wasn't generating revenue, their Marketing Department of 1 was highly dissatisfied.
SOLUTION
Strategize + CHILL
(this was a prototype that shaped this service)
Peake ReLeaf was my marketing partner from December 2018 to November 2022, so I was very familiar with their strengths + limitations.
When I was hired in August 2021, I came in as Creative Strategist, then Campaign Director to craft the content marketing strategy for their video series "Inside the Industry" (ITI) + their merchandise line "Peake Apparel."
I brought the C-Suite together for bi-weekly meetings, cultivating their creativity + inclusion for both projects. I moved the Content Calendar to Asana so all team members knew what was going on.
I encouraged them to recruit their budtenders for marketing initiatives. And I established deadlines + production schedules for ITI, as well as suggested topics of interest.
I also provided Creative Direction + Quality Control for Apparel designs.
RESULTS
After working together from August 2021 to November 2022, I parted ways with Peake ReLeaf to focus on my business, referring them to my partner agency PufCreativ. Their web presence was completely revamped with the structure I co-created with their Marketing Director Kevin.
Inside the Industry became a consistent content series. From sporadic uploads, they rolled out 2 new episodes per month on Instagram and YouTube. I got them to start using Reels in 2022: ITI episodes were cut into short-form clips.
The Peake Apparel shop, once a disorganized hodge-podge of designs in too many colors on too many products, was upgraded to increase sales. The once hesitant executive team invested in products to sell in their physical shop and was enthusiastically received by staff and customers.
"We approached Alaina because we needed additional support with our content strategy and distribution. Her robust and sustainable marketing strategy has fueled our efforts—enhancing our community engagement and brand visibility efforts.
We’ve been extremely happy with the leveel of professionalism, and overall genuine care, that Alaina has for her clients’ interests."
Tracey Lancaster-Miller, Executive Vice President + Co-Founder
Kevin Johnson, Jr., Director of Creative Marketing
Stash Bag Data
Stash Bag Data
Stash Bag Data is a consumer insights company bridging the gap between consumers + brands in the Cannabis Beverage Segment of the industry. I was recruited to co-found the company with Kenya Alexander-Davis + Ryan Resnick in August 2024.
PROBLEM
When Kenya introduced me to Ryan, they were playing with the idea of a unique way to connect data with cannabis consumers. Initially, they had reached out for my visual art skills. However, the company-to-be lacked structure + focus to make it into a viable business.
SOLUTION
Strategize + CHILL
(this is the prototype that shaped this service)
After a handful of meetings, I decided to step up + apply my expertise in project management to bring this startup into a reality.
I recorded our thoughts, ideas, availability + professional connections in Asana. This was a gradual process of bringing clarity + structure through the end of 2024.
I helped get us on track for the necessities for this to be a profitable business: we came up with the name "Stash Bag Data," developed a contract for our partnership, legally registered the business + set up our unique service.
We since moved over to work management platform ClickUp.
RESULTS
I tested our initial concept at On the Revel's RevelryFest by interviewing 4 cannabis consumers. This inspired confidence in the team.
Then our foundational tasks, Kenya was able to introduce Stash Bag Data at the world's largest Cannabis Conference MJBizCon. From the discussions she had there + her own experience, we decided to narrow our focus to the burgeoning world of Cannabis Beverages in 2025.
Dodi Blunts is Oakland’s premier craft blunt founded by retired NFL Player Marshawn Lynch and Abacus Strategy Jeff Goldenberg. It’s the bridge uniting cannabis, sports and culture and is paired with its apparel brand Dodi Supply.
(This product was launched Spring 2021, but is no more. They rebranded in April 2024.)
PROBLEM
Needing clarity, Jeff sought help solidifying Dodi's brand (tied to Marshawn Lynch) as its own entity. He aimed for website copy and PR to exude inclusive cannabis culture and quality, but lacked concrete ideas for archetype, persona, and inspiration.
He requested that I build a Key Messaging Strategy that would establish the brand archtype and voice for the PR, website and social media copy upon launch.
SOLUTION
WORKFLOW + Vibe
(this was a prototype that shaped this service)
I had an in-depth discussion with Jeff + the team's PR Specialist Crystal to get a clear idea of what they wanted to communicate with this product + the overall brand.
After having the opportunity to interview Marshawn Lynch with them on Zoom, I made a deck that clearly laid out the Key Messaging Strategy for the website, social media + press releases.
RESULTS
My resonating copy defined the product as "Oakland’s premier craft blunt."
When it was first launched, all my written work was paired with stellar photographs for the first batch of Instagram posts.
"It was a pleasure working with Alaina. Her ability to translate our ideas and our aesthetic into words was critical to the creation and launch of the Dodi brand.
"By understanding our strategy objectives, Alaina was able to craft language that created the mood and the vibe of our brand, which was a very challenging task. Would definitely recommend Alaina for your project"
Jeff Goldenberg, Strategy Director + Co-Founder
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