There are a number of different career paths for students after graduating from a cannabis course. You could go on to work in quality assurance, product control, packaging, branding, and more. Or, if you have an entrepreneurial spirit, you could open your own cannabis retail business.
As part of the program at AAPS, students will study Cannabis Business Management. This will teach them about:
- Operations management
- Marketing strategies
- Business plan development
- Financial plan development
This means that graduates will leave ready with the know-how to write their own business plan. Read on to find out some of the major elements that students should consider in order to open a successful first cannabis retail business.
Do Your Business Research After a Cannabis Retail Course
The first and most important step in any business plan is research. If you are thinking about opening a cannabis retail business, you need to first make sure that the opportunity for success is there. Research the location and the current market, and identify what would be your competitive advantage.
It is very rare for a business to succeed without a clear USP (unique selling point), as this is what will attract investors. Is it your product, your location, or something else? Your research should cover three key things:
- Competitors
- Market
- Demographic
There is no such thing as too much research and even after your doors open, you should continue to keep an eye on your competitors and target market by reading industry news and checking social media. This will help you to stay one step ahead.
Research is the first step to opening any retail business
Learn the Rules and Regulations
As anyone with a cannabis retail diploma will tell you, it is a heavily regulated industry. This means that all professionals need to have a good understanding of the regulations and compliance requirements surrounding the product.
In a cannabis training program, you will have the opportunity to learn about these regulations so that you are prepared to work in the industry.
It might be a good idea to hire a lawyer or consultant when you’re developing your business plan. Compliance is critical to the success of any cannabis business, so taking extra steps to make sure that you have all the correct licensing is never a bad idea.
Make sure that your business plan adheres to all the correct regulations and requirements
Decide Whether to Go Independent or Partner Up
When you start out in the cannabis industry, you will have two choices: partner up with a licensed supplier or go independent. There are pros and cons to each of the options:
Partnership with a licensed supplier
- All the design and branding guidelines have already been decided
- The brand already meets the compliance requirements
Independent business
- Opportunity to make it your own and decide on the name and design
- Could be more rewarding
If you choose to go independent, you will have more choice of branding
Are you interested in taking a cannabis retail course?
Contact AAPS to find out more!