We were lucky to catch up with Thunder Walker recently and have shared our conversation below.
Thunder, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What do you think it takes to be successful?
Success is the ability to create. Success is really measured by how you see failure. I have had to reinvent myself several times throughout my life. Each failure taught me and brought me closer to who I am today. I have been at the point of “I have nothing to lose and that’s my greatest achievement!” When you have nothing to lose you will take risk, focus and listen to people that have been successful before you. It makes you like clay! It makes you stretch your imagination and your vision. There is really nothing new under sun just find the person or thing that did a good job at the one thing you want to do… then Do It Better. Admit to the problem or failure and reinvent and repeat. Add your flavor and make it drip with sauce. Then sit back and teach what you know and created to the next generation.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Thunder Walker has over 40 years in real estate, finance and construction experience. With 9 years of cannabis and cbd legacy experience. She currently the licensed owner of 7 dispensary; Proud Mary Cannabis; and processing company in the United States. With her own CBD products; Proud Mary Botanicals; also in other countries. Ms. Walker has developed concept and lead the team of creatives to develop commercial retail clothing stores in several states. Developed several real estate properties and owner of three successful Airbnbs. Creating a real estate wellness business. She has also helped developed a very successful vegan restaurant and food trucks. The trucking industry also called her to help them strategies future growth of their fleet of trucks by successfully helping them receive cannabis transport license and obtained and consult on a government trucking contract netting over $7,000,000. She owns a digital magazine Women Pushing Dirt. Thunder also holds a coveted liquor and tobacco license in Texas. Thunder and her team of developers are developing an Agri-Hood with a budget of $875 + million in Texas and Colorado. She won Woman on the Rise In Cannabis in Atlantic City New Jersey and San Francisco, California at Women In Cannabis Conference. She spoke on Cannabis Real Estate topic Damn The Man Save The Dirt
And the Diversity and Inclusion Panel Women Of Color in Cannabis while speaking in Las Vegas on Not One Word About My Dirt! Thunder Walker became the first Black Woman to judge a Cannabis Cup! And actively lobbied in the Hawaiian Legislative meeting.
Thunder covered Consumption Park at Super Bowl 57 in Phoenix, AZ unleashing The Thunder Walker Experience! Thunder interviewed several celebrities, politicians and entrepreneurs. She gave out solid Green Zone advice as she graced the stage with thousands of people attended this history making event.
She also spoke at KushCon in Tampa the topic was On the 3rd Day God created Dirt!
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And again on the Diversity Panel speaking about the special population that are not only our patients but can also be diligent workers. Though her nonprofit I Need A Voice! LLC. She is a Cannabis and Special Needs Lobbyist
From Cannabis Banking to Cannabis Real Estate to Cannabis Appraisal
I set the Value of the Dirt and the Smoke
Thunder Walker is the Regional Director of Cannabis for Women In Cannabis Chamber Of Commerce.
She is also an Executive Member of National Society Of Real Estate Appraiser.
And a Member of National Association Real Estate Brokers
Both are African American Real Estate Trade Organization with over 75 years in the industry
She is a leader in the Minorities 4 Medical Marijuana Association
Thunder is a guest on several leading podcast and radio programs.
She has her own Brand of CBD and Cannabis – Proud Mary Botanicals and Proud Mary Cannabis.
She believes in Wellness as a Lifestyle
Thunder is a Cannabis and CBD Influencer
Ms. Walker is a mom.
She creates turn key businesses for others wanting to start their own business
She sometimes amaze herself that she has been able to accomplish the things She has over her lifetime and believe that her spiritual awakening has allowed her to reach heights that others can only imagine.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
There are things that will stop you in your tracks and then there’s things that will make you put on a tracksuit! My daughter Pystol was the one event in my life that changed me and made me a humanitarian. My daughter was born and left the hospital in perfect health or so I believed. But I quickly realized around 18 months I notice she was not developing language and was ignoring my request on a regular basis. After testing and going to multiple specialist we discovered she was nonverbal, slightly deaf, had apraxia and autistic. I believed I could changed her prognosis by working with her directly, even though I had never been formally trained in special education. I relied on the public school system to educate my child and me. But nothing was working. The school district even forged documents stating my daughter knew Spanish. She wasn’t treated fairly neither. They put her pants on backwards so she couldn’t go to the bathroom and she sat soiled clothing all day. She was also not allowed to go to the lunchroom with other kids. She developed a staphylococcus infection on her vaginal. And to much of my chagrin I had to sue the school district. I talked to several attorneys and they were all very very expensive. I had to represent myself and Pystol. I filed all the paperwork, using the same principle as real estate appraisal. I appraised my daughter’s education and lack of. I filed what’s called a due process, in the state of Texas. I had to practice law even though I just had a high school diploma. The school filed a police report against me and tried to have me arrested. They would not let me on campus without the police escort. They tried everything to intimidate me and my children. I went up against one of the most seasoned attorneys in the state. While waiting on the hearing I started a nonprofit called I Need A Voice. I purchased bracelets with Pystol’s name on it. Stating “I Am Pystol’s Voice”. I went public on Facebook sharing Pystol’s story. I purchased a table at the Abilities Expo and invited her school and their entire legal team to join me in support of Pystol. And they saw my case and settled with me. That’s when I knew she was the greatest change in my life. She stopped me in my tracks and also was my reason to put on a tracksuit and run this marathon of being a special needs parent.
Let’s move on to buying businesses – can you talk to us about your experience with business acquisitions?
I am a cannabis appraiser some would say I set the value for the dirt and the smoke. So when I decided to get into the legal medical marijuana market, my partners and I decided to buy a cannabis business. We agreed to take up the lease on a property and pay $12,000 for a $2500 license in the state of Oklahoma. We were told by our attorney that we would be able to start selling cannabis day one even before the license was transferred into our name. If we were to buy the license from the state it would be a 3 month wait before we could do business. We were told that it was away to scale the Oklahoma market quickly.. My background is real estate and the transaction did not feel right to me, but my partners wanted to proceed. Well after doing my due diligence I discovered I was right that the $12,000 was too much and the seller did not even have his security clearance to sell their business. We pulled out of the deal. Lost our deposit but I’m glad I didn’t lose the experience. I went on to secure 6 other locations and licenses. Me and my business partners parted ways and looking back this was the best decision for me. I now have a successful cannabis business and feel free to teach others from my own experiences. So if you wanted to buy someone’s business, great but make sure they can sell it. And just because an attorney tells you something it doesn’t mean it’s law. Do you own research. Third don’t just agree with your partners because you don’t want to rock the boat. Turn the boat over if it’s best for the business!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.Thethunderwalkerexperience.com
- Instagram: @iamThunderWalker
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thunder-walker-a28871131
Image Credits
All pictures Belong to Thunder Walker