Rod Santos is Innovating the Future of Cannabis Vaping

Rod Santos, Founder, Stache Products

I was born in Sao Paulo, Brazil. My family moved to the Greenbelt, Maryland area, right behind Beltway Plaza, in 1989.  

As a kid I was always entrepreneurial and inspired to prototype and create new things. I took that passion into my adulthood, eventually opening Bethesda Vapor Company. Through my time owning and managing the shop, selecting our products and talking to our customersI soon realized there was  a lack in the function and capability of the vaporizer products on the market in the marijuana industry.

“I knocked on doors for 5 years and got no answers. I've cried a lot more than I have smiled in this industry, but I have so much passion for what I do.”

I’m not going to lie, establishing my business was a very hard experience. I knocked on doors for 5 years and got no answers. I've cried a lot more than I have smiled in this industry, but I have so much passion for what I do. Every product I have put out is my baby from start to finish, and seeing our customers' reactions and their excitement for our products and our company pushes me to continue to do what I do.   

When I first started Stache Products we were originally called “Stache Pen,” based on our first design, The Stache Pen. Financials were a huge struggle as I started the company. The cost of getting products made, and getting patents put together is not cheap. I borrowed money from friends, coworkers, and family (paid them all back!), and it helped me get my first 500 Stache Pen units. It took me a year and a half to sell the first 500 units. Since those early days we’ve gained a following and expanded our product line. Thankfully, our cashflow problems are behind us.

Stache Products fam

Once we released The Stache Pen, we had to pursue a lot of other companies for infringing on our designs and trying to copy our work. Despite my best efforts to defend our original designs, some companies managed to get products onto store shelves and ended up being extremely successful. It was disheartening to see known brands with a lot of money taking advantage of our designs, but I learned a lot about my own process and have gotten smarter about how I launch and market our products. No I take steps like making sure I have patent dates before showing my designs to a single soul. This level of discretion has resulted in 5 awarded patents and over 9 pending.

“People like my best friend Reza, who does all of the packaging and design work for Stache Products, they are the real mentors and allies in my life. “

I’m lucky to have a network of people who’ve been with me from the beginning and have always pushed me to keep trying and never stop. People like my best friend Reza, who does all of the packaging and design work for Stache Products, they are the real mentors and allies in my life. There's also my best friend Jesse who has gone to countless trade shows and has always been there to support and whenever I needed anything. They were both partners with me at Bethesda Vapor Company and they currently still own and run the store.

Then there's my Stache Products C.O.O., Alex who has been with me from the beginning. From being the girl in our Stache Pen photos, to coming to our first NCF event, and  working the booth at trade shows across the country to now pretty much running the company. These people have been huge in helping push/mentor me to never give up.

 There are also people in the industry that I don’t know personally, but have always really looked up to. Puffco and Gpen have been brands that I have always been inspired by, and I think a lot of Roger who runs those brands. I have made a lot of great friends along the way like Davis from Myster/Octave (also a local Maryland brand) and Graham from KandyPens who has given me great advice over the years and helped me see the bigger picture.

We 100% plan on expanding Stache and expanding our work into other areas of the cannabis industry. I have 9 pending patents we plan on releasing as soon as things are finalized. They are currently going through the prototype and developing stage and we believe they are revolutionary.

Rod and Alex, Stache Products C.O.O.

“I hope to see legislation that says that the marijuana industry should be treated like any other industry. We have seen how much it has grown and developed and brought money into the states where it's legal.”

 I’m also watching the progress in marijuana policy. I hope to see legislation that says that the marijuana industry should be treated like any other industry. We have seen how much it has grown and developed and brought money into the states where it's legal. The federal government should be opening their arms to legal marijuana instead of creating so many restrictions.

 I’ve spent years learning the industry through a lot of trial and error. I like to tell other aspiring entrepreneurs out there not to let the current industry obstacles get in the way of cultivating your dreams. This industry can be really hard. If you’re not ready to be optimistic and tackle the challenges, marijuana may not be the route you want to go.