The EVOLUTION Magazine July-2023 | Page 45

workday . Still , there is more left for him to accomplish before he rides off into the sunset .
“ I ’ d like to make my way into sales and brand marketing , but eventually ,” Suydam says , “ I can ’ t help but say I ’ d like to be CEO of a cannabis company .”
EXP . 08 / 01 / 23 ( evolu )
If the success Suydam has seen in his short tenure in the industry says anything about his resolve to get things done , then don ’ t be surprised to see him eventually hit his end goal . After all , it took only one year for Suydam to become a 2022 nominee for Budtender of the Year . While he didn ’ t take home the award , the nomination itself meant a lot to the young man from Raytown .
“ I was very surprised to be nominated . We have a pretty small store on the east side of Kansas City , so I didn ’ t really think anyone would know my name — let alone take the time to nominate me . I felt pretty honored , and I appreciated the appreciation . I guess it put into perspective how early we are in this modern cannabis industry and how much further it could grow .”
Jesse Suydam is flying high enjoying his new career path with Elevate Missouri dispensaries . ( Photo contributed .)
While there isn ’ t much that Suydam enjoys more than loading a Chocolate Dutch with Hell ’ s OG and cruising a blunt with his homies , he also watches a ton of YouTube videos on cannabis . He recommends anyone who wants to break into the industry or learn more about the industry to do the same , including reading this educational magazine .
While Suydam hasn ’ t spent nearly as much time in the cannabis industry as he had spent working restaurant jobs , he has arguably accomplished more already . At this pace , it won ’ t be long before Suydam is earning himself “ Executive of the Year ” nominations — and the trophies as well .
Rocco Scarcello is a production floater for Elevate Missouri . He is a former college baseball player , graduating from Missouri Valley College in 2017 before getting into newspaper and radio news / sports broadcasting in north central Missouri , youth baseball tournament coordination in Kansas City , and eventually into the medical marijuana field . He is also a studio artist currently releasing music and working on his first album .
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