Zac Coombs on Mentorship, Growth, and Purpose
Cannabis Employee Spotlight
Zac Coombs on Mentorship, Growth, and Purpose
His journey from cashier to director of retail isn’ t just about climbing the professional ladder.
by Kassie Ferrero, contributing writer
Zac Coombs did not begin his career with a perfectly mappedout plan. Like many young professionals, he entered the workforce still trying to determine where his strengths, interests, and ambitions might lead him. What he did have was curiosity, a strong work ethic, and a willingness to learn.
Those qualities would eventually take Coombs from an entry-level cashier position to increasingly influential leadership roles, giving him the experience and perspective he now brings to the cannabis industry.
Zac Coombs, director of retail for Key Dispensaries.
“ I started working with the Freddy’ s team when I was college-aged and had an undeclared major,” Coombs recalled.“ I didn’ t know what I wanted to study, and I started working with them as a cashier.”
What could have remained a temporary job quickly became the beginning of a meaningful career. Coombs found himself surrounded by leaders who recognized his potential and were willing to invest in his development. Through hands-on experience, mentorship, and increasing responsibility, he began learning the mechanics of restaurant operations while also discovering his ability to lead people.
“ I had a really great experience with leadership and mentorship, and I was able to work my way through the ranks,” he said.
By his early twenties, Coombs was already gaining exposure to operations, team development, and the demands of growing a successful retail business. He eventually helped open and support locations in different markets, experiences that required adaptability, communication, and an understanding of how company goals translate into daily execution.
Rather than viewing his advancement as the result of individual ambition alone, Coombs consistently credits the mentors who helped him identify opportunities he may not have initially imagined for himself.
“ I got lucky with a company that had great mentorship, spoke to entrepreneurship, and interested me,” he said. That early investment shaped more than his career trajectory. It also shaped the kind of leader he wanted to become.
Coombs’ leadership philosophy is grounded in clarity, accountability, and genuine employee development. He believes people are more likely to succeed when they understand not only what they are being asked to accomplish, but why the goal matters and how their work contributes to the larger mission.
“ You have to shed light on where we’ re going, explain why and how we’ re going to get there, and then do it,” he explained.
For Coombs, leadership is not simply about assigning tasks or measuring performance. It requires creating an environment where employees feel equipped, supported, and trusted. That means setting clear expectations, providing meaningful training, and offering honest feedback that helps people improve.
“ A good leader has to communicate what is expected, provide training and support, and give honest feedback,” he said.
His enthusiasm is especially apparent when he discusses helping others grow. Coombs understands that an entry-level position can become much more than a temporary source of income when the right person receives encouragement, education, and opportunity.
“ I want everybody to learn,” he said.“ I like to watch someone spread their wings and fly.”
Today, Coombs, director of retail for the 12 Missouri locations of Key Dispensaries and the Elevate brand, believes a people-centered approach has become particularly valuable in cannabis, an industry still defining its standards, culture, and relationship with the public.
28 October 2026