420: INTERVIEW WITH CEO OF MAZOR COLLECTIVE CANNABIS

The cannabis industry is growing faster than you think, with an estimated market size of $38.5 Billion in 2024, and a projected annual growth rate of 11.5%, according to a report from Grand View Research.

This year, for ‘4/20,’ we connected with impressive, woman entrepreneur, Lilach Mazor Power – founder and CEO of Mazor Collective, a Phoenix-based Cannabis aggregate – to discuss business ownership in this rapidly growing industry.

Lilach has proudly built a thriving and extensive business that is one of the last independently owned cannabis licensees in the state of Arizona.  Mazor Collective is home to Kindred Cannabis, Revelry, Sneakers, and Giving Tree Dispensary; and has earned a reputation for its diverse portfolio, as well as its contributions to the Phoenix-area and state-wide cannabis industry.

Lilach’s experience and longevity in the Cannabis industry has given her next-level insight on how to build a business and brand, face and overcome challenges, and develop a rewarding experience for consumers and staff; all while actively supporting her community with a passion for philanthropy.  Lilach shared what she learned about starting, growing, and running a successful woman-owned business in the Cannabis industry, tips for those just starting out as business owners, and the importance of working with trusted advisors.  Continue below to read Lilach’s interview responses!

 

WHAT ARE 3 KEY COMPONENTS TO STARTING, RUNNING, AND GROWING A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS IN THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY?

1.  Resilience and Adaptability
This industry changes constantly—regulations, pricing, consumer trends, access to capital.  You have to be willing to pivot, to keep learning, and to not let setbacks stop you.  What worked yesterday might not work tomorrow.  You need to stay calm under pressure, make bold decisions, and course-correct quickly without losing sight of your bigger vision.

2.  Deep Operational Discipline
This is a high-compliance, high-cost, low-margin industry.  The path to long-term survival and growth isn’t just hype or branding—it’s strong systems.  From cultivation to retail, inventory to customer experience, you need operational precision, team alignment, and constant performance evaluation.  Being a great brand in cannabis isn’t enough—you have to be a great business.

3.   Building a Brand with Purpose
In a crowded market, especially post-legalization, cannabis has become a commodity. What separates the successful businesses from the forgettable ones is clarity of purpose and real connection with your customer. That means being intentional with your voice, your values, and your community presence. People remember how you make them feel—and in cannabis, brand trust is everything.

 

WHAT RECOMMENDATIONS DO YOU HAVE TO SOMEONE JUST STARTING OUT?

Start with clarity.  Know why you’re getting into this industry—and make sure it’s more than just the hype.  This is a tough space.  The barriers to entry are high, and the road isn’t easy.  Your purpose needs to be clear enough to carry you through the uncertainty, the financial pressure, and the constant pivots.

Build smart, not fast.  Everyone’s in a rush to grow, scale, and launch the next big thing.  But in cannabis, sustainable success is built through patience, operational discipline, and constant learning.  Take your time to build the right foundation—your compliance, your systems, your team—because those are what will keep you standing when the market shifts (and it will.)

Surround yourself with people who know more than you.  This is not the place to fake it until you make it.  Find a great CPA.  Find legal counsel that understands the nuances.  Hire people who bring real knowledge to the table.  The smartest thing I ever did was admit what I didn’t know and build a team that could help me get it right.

And finally—don’t forget why you started.  If you’re doing it with integrity, for the right reasons, and with the right people around you—you’ve already got a better shot than most.

 

Integrity and purpose – True words of wisdom.

This year, to celebrate ‘4/20,’ Giving Tree Dispensary is hosting a 5-week long campaign, ending April 20th, called “420 Acts of Kindness.”  Lilach and her team members, along with members of the community, are tracking their acts of kindness with the goal of reaching 420 Acts by 4/20.  The Giving Tree Dispensary website is regularly updating to track progress and share the acts of kindness that have been shown across North Phoenix – and no act is too large or too small.  Acts of kindness range from helping a stranger change their tire, monetary donations to various foundations, helping a neighbor do yard-work, volunteering time at various non-profits, and giving up a seat for a stranger on the train.

A special ‘thank you’ to Lilach for taking the time to share her insights with us!  We are thrilled to have had this wonderful opportunity to chat with her.  Want to learn more about Lilach Mazor Power, and Mazor Collective?  Click here!