Meryl Montgomery & Valarie Sakota Founders of Barbari
Barbari is a craft cannabis lifestyle brand that doesn’t actually grow any cannabis. It is a product made for the ambitious cannabis consumer that likes to get lifted but keep their feet on the ground. Their carefully formulated herbal line supports a mindful dosing experience so you can own your elevation, and put the days of getting too high behind you. A curated collection of artist-made home goods and embellishments offers an elevated approach for today's design-forward consumer.
Barbari is most known for its herbal blends: the restorative and relaxing Airplane Mode (N.01) with rose and blue lotus petals, raspberry leaf, lavender and sage, and the invigorating Muse (N.02), containing peppermint jasmine flower, raspberry leaf and sage. They have created a new product for “cannasseurs” who can bring Barabari’s fragrant mixtures home with them and combine the herbs with their choosing.
Their mission is to show that ambition comes in many shapes and forms—you define what your own success is, and they support those that live to their own beat. Further, from collaborations with artists and makers to suppliers and partnerships, every choice at Barbari is made with social equity in mind. They are committed to supporting humanity through the efforts of groups and organizations that work towards community healing and rebuilding and pledge 5% of all purchases to organizations with shared values.
What was the best piece of advice you received or read when you decided to launch or grow your business?
The best piece of advice we've been given is to accept that a 1-year plan is nice but highly unlikely. In an industry that changes as rapidly as cannabis, plus being a new business, planning in 3-month increments and using data to inform what's working and what's not has been paramount in driving growth for us. It's allowed us to keep driving towards our "north star/pie in the sky" goals, while also remaining agile enough quickly to lean into our top-performing channels to get us there.
Favorite business book you have read?
"The 10% Entrepreneur: Live Your Startup Dream Without Quitting Your Day Job" by Patrick McGinnis. This book empowered me to work towards the goal of being fully self-employed while building the foundation of the company with the stability and resources of having a full-time job. It's especially relevant for those of us who are first time entrepreneurs with limited financial means.
What is your favorite motto or quote that keeps you inspired?
You define your own success. You don't fail until you quit.
Who or what was the biggest motivator for you when you started your business?
Seeing my own hard work move the needle forward for previous employers and realizing that I could be doing that work for myself. Once I had that realization, I was motivated by my co-founder who believed in my vision and added an additional layer of ambition and drive. She became my accountability buddy and a pillar to lean on when things felt discouraging or overwhelming.
Favorite business podcast?
Startup by Gimlet Media was regular programming for us as we began to build the foundation of our company. It was therapeutic and validating to hear the trials and tribulations of other companies in similar phases as us.
Favorite business tools?
What has been the biggest highlight running your own company?
Reflecting on the progress we've made each year. Seeing what we've built and how we have evolved as individuals and business partners in the process.
What are your top three goals for the this year? How can the LWL Community support you in accomplishing them?
1) Close our seed round of investment
2) Grow our community through our social channels to connect with more customers, makers, and collaborators
3) Bring our THC product to market in 3 states by end of year
Are there any other favorite women led businesses the LWL Community should know about?
Mendi, Limone Creative, Tokeativity, Broccoli Magazine, Rosebud CBD
What is one action you want every woman entrepreneur reading this to take this week?
In the ideation phase? Take your idea seriously and do something that legitimizes your vision, whether that's buying a domain name, writing out a business plan or talking to your friends about your idea. Legitimacy comes through growth and progress, but it's ok to take small steps towards a goal.
Already operating a business? Schedule time in your workday to turn off your work-brain and get outside or focus on something different. Maybe that's a 20-minute bike ride, take your lunch outside, go for a walk and listen to a podcast, or do some yoga in the other room. Most of us are working from home these days and it can be so much easier to blur the lines of work-life balance. It's important to take that seriously and for me, it means scheduling it into my calendar. Mental free space is where creative thought can blossom.