While most multi-state operators are racing to build massive houses of brands, one independent Ohio operator made the exact opposite bet—and won. About This Episode: In this episode of High Spirits, hosts Ben Larson & AnnaRae Grabstein sit down with Zach Weprin, President of Certified Cultivators, to unpack how his family-owned, vertically integrated company captured an impressive 7% market share in Ohio. Zach shares the raw, behind-the-scenes journey of transforming a former auto parts warehouse into a top-tier cultivation facility, navigating the shift from medical to adult-use, and why they choose to double down on a single brand name across flower, vapes, edibles, and beverages. What You’ll Learn: The Single-Brand Strategy: Why Certified rejected the "house of brands" model and how putting all their equity into one name drove massive consumer trust.Wholesale vs. Retail Economics: Why Zach is prioritizing a robust wholesale engine over retail footprint saturation in a limited-license market.The Three Pillars of Cultivation Success: How balancing genetics, environmental control, and team culture creates "lightning in a bottle."Bootcamp for Cannabis: Why a background in the high-stakes hospitality and restaurant industry is the ultimate foundation for scaling a cannabis business. Meet the Guest: Zach Weprin is the co-founder and President of Certified Cultivators, one of the premier independently owned, vertically integrated cannabis companies in Ohio. Before entering the cannabis industry in 2017 alongside his father, Zach spent a decade building a highly successful fast-casual sushi chain. His deep hospitality background shapes Certified’s focus on culture, operational efficiency, and community-driven brand building, cementing their spot at the top of the rapidly growing Ohio market. Why Tune In? If you are an operator, entrepreneur, or investor trying to navigate market compression and brand differentiation, this conversation provides a masterclass on capital efficiency, vertical integration tactics, and true brand discipline in a shifting regulatory landscape. Have a question for us? Send us a text. We may answer it in the next show! -- High Spirits is brought to you by Vertosa and Wolf Meyer. Your hosts are Ben Larson and AnnaRae Grabstein. Follow High Spirits on LinkedIn. We'd love to hear your thoughts. Who would you like to see on the show? What topics would you like to have us cover? Visit our website www.highspiritspod.com and listen to all of our past shows. THANK YOU to our audience. Your engagement encourages us to keep bringing you these thought-provoking conversations. Remember to always stay curious, stay informed, and most importantly, keep your spirits high.
