We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sederia Gray. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sederia below.

Hi Sederia, thanks for joining us today. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

Taking a risk isn’t just about making a bold move—it’s about trusting yourself even when the outcome is uncertain. In December 2023, I took the biggest risk of my life. I left my career as Head of Communications for the COO of Google, walked away from corporate stability, and bet on myself.

At the time, my life in LA was comfortable. I bought a home and built a career working for some of the world’s top companies. But deep down, I wasn’t fulfilled. I had reached a ceiling, and I knew I had more to offer. Entrepreneurship wasn’t something I had originally planned for, even though I grew up watching my mother build her own business. More than anything, I wanted to be back in the South, closer to my family, and create something of my own.

The cannabis industry was a risky choice. It’s still federally illegal, and the industry itself is young and unpredictable. But I saw an opportunity to be part of something new, something with real potential. So, I took the leap. I invested my savings, put in the work, and opened my dispensary.

Every day, I remind myself why I took this risk. I believe in what I’m building, and I know that success doesn’t come without stepping into the unknown. No matter how uncertain things may seem, I trust that the work I’m putting in will pay off. Because the biggest risk isn’t failing—it’s never trying at all.

Sederia, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My journey into the cannabis industry was an unexpected but deeply meaningful transition. Before becoming the Owner of Far & Dotter in Olive Branch, MS, and the Founder of Lunara Wellness, I spent years building a career in public relations. I worked with some of the world’s largest corporations, leading communications, media relations, and corporate strategy. While my career was rewarding, I knew I had more to offer—especially in my community.

Entrepreneurship wasn’t initially my plan, even though I grew up watching my mother run her own business. But after years in corporate America, I felt a pull to create something of my own—something that truly made a difference. I wanted to move back to the South, be closer to family, and build a business that aligned with my passion for wellness. That’s when I decided to take a risk and enter the cannabis industry, an emerging field that still faces legal and social challenges but holds incredible potential for healing. In December 2023, I opened Far & Dotter in Olive Branch, becoming the first person to franchise the brand and securing investment from a fund. This dispensary isn’t just a business—it’s a space dedicated to helping patients access high-quality medical cannabis in a safe, informed, and welcoming environment.

At Far & Dotter, we offer a range of medical cannabis products, including flower, tinctures, edibles, topicals, and more. We carefully curate products to help patients manage chronic pain, anxiety, sleep disorders, and other health conditions—giving them alternatives to traditional pharmaceuticals. Beyond my dispensary, I also launched Lunara Wellness, a THC-based topicals line. Too often, women’s health—especially issues like menstrual pain, endometriosis, and menopause symptoms—is overlooked. I wanted to create products that specifically address these needs, giving women natural and effective solutions to reclaim their well-being. We also have products that treat pain and muscle relief for all genders.

One of my greatest accomplishments is breaking barriers in an industry where Black entrepreneurs face challenges. Cannabis is still a heavily regulated and stigmatized space, and access to capital, licensing, and resources isn’t equal. I’m proud to be one of the few Black women to own a dispensary in Mississippi and to be paving the way for others to follow. I’m also incredibly proud of the impact we’re making on patients. Seeing someone walk in, unsure or skeptical, and later return to tell us how our products have changed their quality of life is the most fulfilling part of this journey.

At the core of everything I do is education, advocacy, and access. Cannabis isn’t just about recreation—it’s about healing and improving lives. I want people to know that medical cannabis is a legitimate, science-backed option for those struggling with chronic conditions, and they deserve safe, professional, and compassionate care. I also want to encourage others to step into this industry. My journey is proof that taking a risk can lead to something truly transformative.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I had to unlearn was the idea that you always get what you deserve. For a long time, I thought that if you just worked hard enough, stayed committed, and put in the time and effort, things would automatically fall into place. But the truth is, that’s not always how life works. There are times when you give it your all and still don’t get the outcome you wanted, at least not right away. I had to learn that it’s not always a direct equation of effort in, reward out.

When I started in corporate, my plan was to become a corporate executive and retire at one of the major companies. I worked so hard, and did all the things I thought I needed to do to achieve this dream. After a few years in corporate, I realized that hard work isn’t the only factor to reaching that goal. Often times, there are more factors at play that are out of your control.

What I’ve realized is that trusting the process is just as important as the work itself. You have to stay focused on your goals, keep showing up, and believe that things will come together when they’re supposed to. It’s not always on our timeline, and it might not always look how we imagined, but that doesn’t mean it’s not working out in our favor. Letting go of the idea that you’re guaranteed success just because you “deserve” it helped me stay more grounded and patient. Now, I try to focus on staying consistent, learning along the way, and trusting that if I keep going, the right opportunities will meet me at the right time.

If I had always gotten what I thought I deserved, I think it would have made me complacent, and I wouldn’t have grown into the entrepreneur I am today.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

Managing a team in a medicinal cannabis dispensary starts with meeting people where they are. Every team member comes in with different strengths, communication styles, and career goals, and it’s essential to take the time to understand what motivates them from the beginning. Setting clear expectations at the start of their employment is key, but it’s just as important to continue those conversations as the business evolves. The medicinal cannabis industry moves fast—whether it’s changing regulations, new product lines, or shifting patient needs—so maintaining open communication ensures your team feels informed, supported, and part of the bigger picture.

One of the most effective ways to keep morale high is by helping your team flex and develop their strengths. Pay attention to what they enjoy and where they naturally excel, and find ways to incorporate those skills into their daily responsibilities. When people feel like they’re using their talents and contributing in meaningful ways, they’re more engaged and motivated. Beyond that, focus on developing your team professionally, even if that growth eventually leads them to opportunities outside your dispensary. Supporting their long-term success—whether through mentorship, additional training, or leadership development—shows that you truly value them as individuals, not just employees.

Ultimately, when you create a workplace that respects where people are, invests in where they want to go, and keeps them involved in the journey, you build a team that’s not only high-performing but deeply committed to your mission and the patients you serve.]

Contact Info:

• Website: https://fardotter.com/dispensaries/olive-branch-ms/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sederia/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sederiagray/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2uhlIgdvzGeTJ4s8YcM9vg

Image Credits

Tenola Plaxico
Charles Watkins