Zachary Pitts
Age: 37
Company: Ganja Goddess
Title: Co-founder and CEO
Zachary Pitts only got into cannabis to keep his head above water. The Ganja Goddess CEO graduated with a degree in urban planning right around the time the recession hit and cities stopped hiring. Returning home to Los Angeles in 2007 and needing work, Pitts began helping Tara Wells manufacture her edibles, which were growing in popularity. Together they founded Ganja Goddess Foods.
Looking to break away from the male-dominated dispensaries and create a platform where “women felt welcomed and where people who weren’t familiar with cannabis could feel safe,” the pair in 2011 formed their delivery service. Today, Ganja Goddess has two warehouses, more than 50 employees, delivers overnight to anywhere in California and has eyes on expansion throughout the Golden State and into new markets. The company also owns a retail storefront in Seattle.
“At some point I realized, ‘I guess I’m not looking for other jobs anymore. Is this my job now?’” Pitts says with a laugh.
As the company’s profile grew, so did business. In 2019, Ganja Goddess saw a 33% increase in orders and a 38% percent increase in monthly revenue. Then came COVID and delivery became the new normal.
“The pandemic increased our business by over 100%,” says Pitts.
It’s a long time coming for Ganja Goddess, and Pitts says he believes the company’s ability to adapt and change comes in part from the “scrappy, entrepreneurial nature” learned in those early days.
“I have to remind myself to trust my experience in the business,” he says, “because it continues to pay off.”