Ariel Sanchez
Chief operations officer, Kush21
CATALYST FOR GROWTH | Kush21 chief operating officer Ariel Sanchez’s leadership transcends routine operational management, cultivating a culture rich in ambition and professional growth. Her role at Kush21 is not merely about leadership and strategy; it positions her as a key figure in the company’s continuing success story and its future achievements.
Women to Watch
Welcome to Marijuana Venture’s 10th annual feature highlighting women in the cannabis industry. This year we are proud to bring readers the stories of 13 influential professionals helping to shape the industry through their leadership, insights and visions for the future of cannabis. The following women hail from a variety of backgrounds and each bring their own unique skillsets, experience and perspectives for the betterment of the industry.
It is an honor to share their stories.
Ariel Sanchez’s rise in the cannabis industry is marked by unyielding ambition and insightful leadership. Her story commenced in late 2014 with Greenside Recreational in Des Moines, Washington. From the beginning, she was thoroughly engaged in every facet of the business, particularly handling marketing for Greenside. Her drive to influence the industry motivated her to earn an Associate of Arts in Business Management, skillfully integrating her hands-on experience with academic learning to advance her professional path.
“It significantly broadened my perspective on establishing structure within the cannabis industry,” Ariel says. “My aim was to enhance our time management and leadership skills, improve communication, and foster stronger connections between employees and management as a team.”
By 2021, Ariel had become part of the Kush21 team as a marketing manager, navigating the complex post-COVID-19 environment while also embracing the challenges of new motherhood.
Her skilled leadership soon shone through, leading to her rapid promotion to chief operations officer. In this capacity, she has catalyzed significant growth and heightened operational
efficiencies at all Kush21 locations. She led the formation of a robust e-commerce team, ventured into MSO accounts in Illinois and Missouri, launched a craft grow operation in Illinois and oversaw the opening of several new locations, each underscoring her innovative and adaptive approach.
“As a team, we assisted in acquiring new locations and developed their SOPs, ensuring everyone understood their roles,” she explains. “Together, we now manage 12 locations in Washington, one in Illinois and one in Missouri.”
Ariel’s influence extends beyond business performance; she has transformed the workplace into a dynamic center for growth and education. By deploying effective systems, she has notably enhanced operational efficiency, establishing new benchmarks for the company.
“When I first started, we had about 175 employees,” Ariel notes. “After merging with new shops and expanding our locations, we’re approaching the 400-employee mark now.”
Working in close collaboration with Kush21 CEO Michale Beraki, a mentor and respected leader, Ariel has been instrumental in developing Kush21 into an MSO that genuinely embodies the company’s mission. Her leadership transcends routine operational management, cultivating a culture rich in ambition and professional growth. Ariel Sanchez’s role at Kush21 is not merely about leadership and strategy; it positions her as a key figure in the company’s continuing success story and its future achievements.
“It’s a privilege to lead a team that is so in tune with our vision and committed to our collective goals.” she says. “We are incredibly fortunate to have strong leadership supporting the Kush21 vision, with dedicated backing from Michale Beraki, Daniel Beraki and Woldu Beraki as we work towards achieving our long-term goals.”