Frank Perullo, Co-founder and President of Ascend Wellness Holdings, entered cannabis in 2012, during the Green Rush. Capital was flowing in, companies were trying to expand at any cost, and simply getting a license could provide an opportunity.
Since the Green Rush, companies have had to become sharper, leaner, and much more intentional about how they operate. That’s exactly what Ascend Wellness did. And it got them from a single-state vertically integrated business to a seven-state MSO with 60 stores.
In this episode of the Talent in Cannabis Podcast, Frank Perullo joins David Belsky to talk about what it takes to build in an industry that has changed dramatically over the past decade. Frank shares what he’s learned from navigating growth, pressure, setbacks, and the constant need to adapt.
Frank shares:
- What changed between the early “green rush” years and today’s more disciplined cannabis market, and what companies need to do to make it
- The hiring mistakes Ascend made early on, especially around cultivation and manufacturing talent
- Why Ascend has kept a decentralized leadership model instead of forcing corporate teams back into an office
- How talent reviews, performance management, and clear goals help Ascend develop and retain employees
Frank PerulloGuest
David BelskyHost