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

Marie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Do you have any thoughts about how to create a more inclusive workplace?

Creating an inclusive workplace is crucial for fostering a diverse environment where everyone can feel valued and empowered. It is important to engage in open communication, where employees can voice opinions and share any concerns they might have. Have some diversity in the employees that you hire. Not just in their skillset but also in elements like ethnicity, gender, etc. I think as a female owner in a heavily male-dominated industry, I find myself always being aware of how my employees might feel in their workplace. It’s important to me to celebrate the diversity of my employees, and recognize that they all come from various backgrounds and cultural identities. In workplaces, where I see that active listening and the perspectives of all being valued, I find it is in those moments where inclusivity is shining through.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am a first generation American and a dynamic and accomplished Hispanic professional known for my significant contributions in the field of cannabis, medical marijuana and dispensary operations. With a background that blends personal experience and hands-on industry education, I have made a notable impact through work as the founder and CEO of GreenPharms Dispensaries. My career has been marked by a commitment to being a leader in the Hispanic community, a devoted mother and wife, and being an educator in the cannabis community. I am particularly known for my resilience and confidence in my business models, which have led to the development of numerous brands like Cigaweeds, Primo, and Mad Terp. I also own and operate Marijuana Doctors, where the community can have access to reliable cannabis education and obtain a medical marijuana card. Beyond professional accomplishments, I am also passionate about philanthropy, cannabis education, family and actively engaging in community-related events, with my event business Trap Culture.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Building an audience on social media comes only from being two things, authentic and on-brand. If people see your content and feel like it’s too salesy, or doesn’t match the look of what you’re promoting, no one will engage with your account, and there won’t be any room for growth. Take for example the Instagram page that I have for my events company, Trap Culture. We have grown that page to an audience of over 10,000 people. Everything we post centers around ways for the community to be engaged with the industry, promotions of the brands we work with, and the content is on brand for who Trap Culture is trying to reach. For those who are starting to build their social media presence, my pieces of advice to them include being authentic, staying engaged with the audience, and making sure your content is consistent so your audience knows what to expect from your postings.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

Building my reputation in a male-dominated industry as a first-generation Hispanic female business owner has been a rewarding challenge. A few key factors have really contributed to my success at Greenpharms. First, authenticity has played a huge role. I’ve always believed in the power of sharing my personal story—my cultural background and my journey into the cannabis industry. This helped me connect with customers on a deeper level, showing them that I truly understand and value their experiences. Education and transparency have also been crucial. From the beginning, I prioritized educating our community about cannabis—its benefits, uses, and responsible consumption. Another important aspect has been networking and mentorship. I sought out connections with other women and minority leaders in the industry, which provided invaluable support and guidance. Collaborating with like-minded individuals helped amplify our message and expand our reach. Finally, community involvement has been key. I’ve actively participated in local events and initiatives. This not only strengthened our reputation but also established Greenpharms as a trusted community partner.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://greenpharms.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greenpharms.az?igsh=d2h5dnF1OWp0NmRl

Image Credits

Carl Schultz of Schultz Digital for first image of Marie