“I grew up on the plains of Wyoming. Growing up in a small town (where everyone knows you) keeps you honest, real, and hard working. At the age of nine, I begged my mom to let me get a job. When she finally agreed, I would take my paper route money and purchase a bulk of bubble gum on sale. I started slinging bubble gum in grade school by breaking it down and selling pieces to friends. After that experience, I think the cannabis world really welcomed me!”

Before entering the cannabis industry, I was working for a large bank, crunching numbers and sitting under fluorescent lights. Life was so 9-5, and I worked with a bunch of stiff guys in ties. I grew tired of the monotony, so I left one summer and moved to Humboldt County to start trimming cannabis. I never looked back.  

Back then, the cannabis community in Humboldt County was an underground scene characterized by much love and compassion. I worked with people that spoke many languages, traveled to many countries, and met artists that keep the world in harmony. My introduction to the cannabis community was so positive. I’ve never regretted making the move. 

“One of my proudest moments in this industry was establishing my business… I’m the only woman of color that I know of that owns a licensed farm in Oregon. It takes true grit, and deep love to accomplish that.” 

One of my proudest moments in this industry was establishing my business by building a licensed farm (from literally nothing), adding two huge buildings, growing space, and hiring over 100 employees. I’m the only woman of color that I know of that owns a licensed farm in Oregon. It takes true grit, and deep love to accomplish that. 

My experience as a business owner is not like that of a lot of “entrepreneurs” in this space. In the new and expanding cannabis industry, many company owners have not experienced nurturing a living plant or growing it from seed to finish. And, most have never had the intrusion of law enforcement threatening their livelihoods with helicopters hovering their heads, while watering hundreds of plants in the hills. 

“While the experience of down-sizing of employees was humbling, it allowed me to show my team that I still have a lot of fight in me. I think that’s one thing that sets me apart from other owners in this industry. I’m not too proud to take a hit, but then roll up my sleeves and get to work.”

A challenge facing many cannabis companies in Oregon in recent years was the over-saturation of cannabis products, which caused the market to crash.  Pounds were selling for less than what it cost to produce so I had no choice but to scale back, and become a small farmer again growing and watering plants. While the experience of down-sizing of employees was humbling, it allowed me to show my team that I still have a lot of fight in me. I think that’s one thing that sets me apart from other owners in this industry. I’m not too proud to take a hit, but then roll up my sleeves and get to work.  

My intimate experience growing this plant and watching trends and changes over the last decade has given me insight about the industry that most do not have. It also highlights the importance, as the co-founder of Mendi, to create products that allow the best benefits from the cannabis plant to shine. 

I’ve received a lot of advice from friends and mentors over the years. Some I’ve listened to, and some I wish I listened to. My old boss in Humboldt always told me, “If you want to stay in the biz, you better find the best attorney and CPA, because they’ll keep you out of jail.” So that’s what I did.  My attorney, Amy Margolis not only opened many doors for me, and helped me get the confidence to crush challenges that arise in meetings, but she also advocates strongly for women and people of color to have a seat at the board room table. 

“It’s important to pause building, ‘smell the flowers’ you nurtured and to make time for hobbies…Knowing this has helped me create balance in my life as an entrepreneur. “

I try my best not to forget that there is life outside my passion for building.  It’s important to pause building, ‘smell the flowers’ you nurtured and to make time for hobbies.  I’ve learned it’s important to ask for help because there are a lot of people going down this path. Knowing this has helped me create balance in my life as an entrepreneur.

More About Kendra Freeman:

Kendra Freeman is the VP of Product & Business Development and the Offensive Coordinator at Mendi.

“Cannabis expert leveling the playing field for equality in cutthroat Oregon market.”

Freeman built Oso Verde Farms with co-Founder Britt Price from scratch in an effort to advocate not just for the public benefit of cannabis, but to also champion her vision for social justice and equal opportunities. Having led operations for one of the largest farms in Humboldt, Kendra has deep expertise she brings to Mendi connecting market opportunities with the supply-chain know-how needed to ship products. She has the magic ability to comprehend the nuances of plants at a molecular level while keeping her perspective elevated to keep Mendi’s eyes and ears on the horizon of a rapidly shifting market.