#39 - S5:E3 – Jane West: From UN and Social Worker to Cannabis Pioneer, Building Women Grow & a Global Lifestyle Brand

Jane West is one of the most recognizable names in the cannabis industry, and for good reason. In this episode of Women in CannaBusiness, host Olivia Castaldy sits down with trailblazing entrepreneur, advocate, and founder Jane West to discuss her journey from working in international relations and event planning to becoming one of the most influential women in cannabis. After appearing on CNBC during the early days of Colorado’s legalization, Jane unexpectedly lost her corporate job, a turning point that ultimately launched her career in cannabis entrepreneurship. From there, she founded Women Grow, the national networking organization that helped bring thousands of women into the cannabis industry. Today, Jane leads the Jane West lifestyle brand, known for sophisticated, design-forward cannabis accessories created for the modern consumer. In this conversation, Jane shares the realities of building a business in an emerging industry, the power of community and networking, and the lessons she’s learned over a decade of leadership in cannabis. If you're interested in entrepreneurship, cannabis advocacy, women in business, or building meaningful brands, this episode is full of insights and inspiration. What We Cover in This Episode Jane West’s career before cannabis and her work in international relations • The moment that changed everything after appearing on CNBC • How Edible Events and early cannabis dinners helped spark a movement • The creation and rapid growth of Women Grow • Building the Jane West lifestyle brand and product innovation • The importance of community and networking in emerging industries • Advice for aspiring cannabis entrepreneurs • Navigating stigma, stereotypes, and evolving perceptions of cannabis • Finding balance between business, creativity, and family life Episode Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Jane West and Her Journey 02:45 From International Relations to Cannabis Events 05:27 The Birth of Edible Events Company 08:05 Challenges and Media Attention 10:35 The Inception of Women Grow 13:29 Building a Community and Expanding Women Grow 16:22 Transitioning to the Jane West Brand 19:00 Advice for Aspiring Cannabis Entrepreneurs 32:00 Pursuing Your Vision 32:39 Navigating Challenges in the Cannabis Industry 33:32 Questioning Norms in Business 34:12 Reflections on Cannabis Industry Events 36:00 The Role of Women in Cannabis 38:30 Gender Stereotypes in the Industry 40:30 Evolving Perspectives on Women’s Events 43:31 A Day in the Life in Cannabis 52:18 Maintaining Work-Life Balance 56:58 Inspiration from the Next Generation Connect with Jane West Website: https://www.janewest.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thejanewest Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janewestofficial This Episode is Sponsored by OCM Digital Marketing OCM Digital Marketing is a full-service digital marketing agency helping brands grow through strategic storytelling, paid media, SEO, social media, and website development. From emerging startups to established brands, OCM Digital specializes in building marketing ecosystems that drive real results. Learn more: https://www.ocmdigitalmarketing.com Subscribe to Women in CannaBusiness Women in CannaBusiness highlights the leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators shaping the future of the cannabis industry. Subscribe so you never miss an episode. And if you enjoyed this conversation, please leave us a review and share the episode.