I have spent 20 years building businesses across the cannabis industry, from cultivation and hardware to retail and direct-to-consumer. I began as a cultivator in 2006, then moved into engineering, developing cannabis LED grow lights and post-harvest automation devices. In 2014 I founded Phoenician Engineering, a grinder company that took me into more than 10,000 smoke shops and dispensaries and gave me a view of retail that few in this industry have. I then built Hippie Butler into the #1 subscription box for smokers, reaching $6M in annual revenue. Today I lead Bear Rootz, a vape hardware and packaging supplier whose best year to date reached $11M. I would welcome the opportunity to help you build yours.
Hands-on help from someone who has grown it, built it, sold it and shipped it.
Find the right direction and build the structure to get there, whether you are launching a brand or scaling one that has stalled.
Take an idea from sketch to shelf, drawing on experience with grow lights, grinders, vape hardware and packaging.
Get your product onto counters. Built on first-hand knowledge of more than 10,000 smoke shops and dispensaries, plus the wholesale side behind them.
Build demand and keep customers coming back, using what worked to grow a subscription box to $6M a year.
Every recommendation comes from businesses Justin has built and run himself.
Working the industry since 2006, starting as a cultivator.
Walked into in person while building Phoenician Engineering.
Annual revenue as the #1 subscription box for smokers.
Best year so far, and still building.
Want this experience working on your business?
Book a ConsultationA straightforward process that moves from understanding your business to measurable results.
We talk through where your business is today, what is holding it back and where you want it to go.
You get a clear plan with priorities, numbers and a timeline, built around your budget and market.
We work alongside your team on the plan: introductions, sourcing, sales calls and launches.
We track results, adjust what is not working and double down on what is.
Each stage added a different piece of the business: growing, engineering, retail, subscription and brand building.
Started as a cultivator, learning the plant and the grow side of the business firsthand.
SinceDesigned and prototyped cannabis LED grow lights and post-harvest automation equipment.
7 yrsHardware R&DFounded his first grinder business and sold it shop by shop, setting foot in more than 10,000 smoke shops and dispensaries.
10,000+Shops & dispensariesBuilt the #1 subscription box for smokers.
$6MAnnual revenueSupplying vape hardware and packaging, and still growing.
$11MBest year so farPractical guides on the issues cannabis and hemp brands are facing right now.
A cannabis business consultant helps owners grow and fix their businesses. Hempioneers works in four areas: business development (growth strategy, unit economics, pricing, partnerships and distribution), product development (concept to shelf, manufacturer sourcing, packaging and compliance-ready labeling), sales (smoke shop and dispensary channel strategy, wholesale pricing, sales teams) and marketing (direct-to-consumer growth, retention and reaching customers despite cannabis ad restrictions).
Justin Cifelli is Hempioneers' head consultant and has worked in the cannabis industry since 2006. He started as a cultivator, developed cannabis LED grow lights and post-harvest automation, founded the grinder company Phoenician Engineering in 2014, built Hippie Butler into the #1 subscription box for smokers at $6M in annual revenue, and today leads vape hardware and packaging supplier Bear Rootz, whose best year reached $11M.
Yes. Sales strategy for smoke shops and dispensaries is a core service, built on Justin's first-hand experience walking into more than 10,000 smoke shops and dispensaries. For a head start, read How to Get Your Cannabis Brand on Dispensary Shelves.
It starts with a discovery call about where your business is today and where you want it to go. You then get a clear strategy with priorities, numbers and a timeline built around your budget, we work alongside your team to execute it, and we track results and adjust as you grow.
Use the contact form below or email services@hempioneers.com with a few details about your business. Justin reads every message personally and replies by email.
Tell us where you are and where you want to go. Justin reads every message personally.
Send a few details about your business and what you need help with. You'll hear back by email.
Thanks for reaching out. Justin will reply to your email soon. If it's urgent, you can also write directly to services@hempioneers.com.
