Law and Venture Capital with Craig Weiss of Flagstaff Ventures

Craig Weiss, founder and managing partner of Flagstaff Ventures, shares his journey from patent attorney to venture capitalist. The name Flagstaff Ventures was inspired by Craig's love for Flagstaff, Arizona - a feeling shared by Brian as he dons his favorite hat from Flagstaff Ranch and shirt from Macy's Coffee House. Craig fell in love with the city during a summer visit and ended up buying a house there in addition to naming his venture capital firm after the city. Craig's transition to entrepreneurship was sparked by the passing of his father and a conversation with a mentor who encouraged him to explore the world of business. He took on the role of CEO at NJOY, a startup facing litigation with the FDA, and successfully navigated the challenges to turn the company into a billion dollar unicorn. Craig shares the legal battle with the FDA and how they won the case, establishing the legal framework for the vaping industry. He also discusses his experience raising money from high-profile investors like Sean Parker and Peter Thiel. Craig then transitions to his current role as a venture capitalist at Flagstaff Ventures, where he invests in early-stage consumer companies. He highlights the advantages of being an investor and the lessons he learned as an entrepreneur.