From Bud to Boardroom

In the final episode of this miniseries, Shipman partner Sarah Westby sits down with Michelle Bodian, General Counsel at Nowadays and outside counsel to the Hemp Beverage Alliance, to discuss her unique journey from environmental law to cannabis regulation. They explore the shifting regulatory landscape, the challenges of navigating the legal patchwork of state laws, and the future of hemp-infused...

In this episode, Shipman partner Sarah Westby speaks with Nevil Patel, CEO of Shangri-La, a multi-state cannabis operator with retail, manufacturing, and cultivation operations across Missouri, Ohio, Illinois, and Connecticut. Nevil shares his journey from running convenience stores to leading one of the fastest-growing cannabis brands in the region. They dive into the challenges of launching in C...

In Episode 4 of From Bud to Boardroom , Shipman partner Sarah Westby sits down with Justin Frytz, co-founder and CEO of The White Oak Bridge, Connecticut’s first operational cannabis transporter. Justin shares his unconventional journey from retail and real estate into cannabis, and how a regulatory curveball forced a hard pivot in his business model. He discusses the hurdles of operating in an ev...

In Episode 3 of From Bud to Boardroom , Shipman partner Sarah Westby talks with Gordon Whelpley, founder and CEO of Float House, Connecticut’s first non-alcoholic, hemp-infused beverage manufacturer. With deep roots in the brewing industry, Gordon shares how he transitioned from beer to cannabis, the regulatory headaches of launching a new product category, and why legislative advocacy is essentia...

In the second episode of From Bud to Boardroom , Shipman partner Sarah Westby sits down with Ben Zachs, COO of Fine Fettle, one of Connecticut’s largest cannabis operators. Ben shares his journey from education and finance to cannabis entrepreneurship, the challenges of launching in a regulated market, and the lessons he’s learned leading a 300-person company through rapid industry shifts. From zo...

In the debut episode of From Bud to Boardroom , Shipman partner Sarah Westby welcomes Tiana Hercules—attorney, social justice advocate, and co-owner of a hybrid cannabis retail store in Manchester, Connecticut. Tiana shares how her work in criminal defense, public health, and local government inspired her to enter the cannabis industry. From launching a cannabis business to leading pardon clinics...