Watch our episode of Conversations with Kush!

MEET KENNEBIS

ABOUT US

How did the two of you (Tara & Kit) meet?

Picture this: 2021, a volunteer hair event at Haven Housing in Minneapolis. Two entrepreneurs cross paths and sparks fly! Fast forward to early 2023, the lovely Tara joins Kit's team, bringing her social media smarts to the table. By July, these two powerhouses put their heads together and boom! A business plan for their company was born.

What inspired the founding of your cannabis consulting firm?

The cannabis world is overflowing with passion and ideas, yet there was a lack of structure and organization. How can we transform these incredible visions into a solid plan that nurtures business growth? Kit had always dreamed of a venture that blended her love for people, wellness products, cannabis, and business. Meanwhile, Tara had a knack for relieving stress by crafting smooth and tidy systems that looked as good as they worked. Together, they saw an opportunity to combine their superpowers and create something truly special.

How does your expertise in retail management, customer service, and business building set you apart in the cannabis industry?

Between us, we've racked up over 35 years of retail know-how, living and breathing the hustle and bustle of the industry. We’re two gals with experience in the wellness, fashion, hemp, and cannabis industries, and we've poured our hearts into crafting unforgettable customer experiences.

What challenges are currently faced by cannabis retailers and how does your firm help address them?

The land of 10,000 lakes is about to change, and we're ready to take on the challenge! Our team knows the importance of staying ahead of the game and keeping clients happy. That's why we strive to curate products and experiences that align with your vision and help tell your story. Whether it's defining your brand's purpose, setting goals, or connecting you with resources, we've got your back! Let's dive in and shape the future together.

What is your approach to business building in a consultancy context?

We believe in working smarter, not harder, and having a laugh while we're at it - aka Keep it Fun, Get Shit Done. Our easy organizational tools help you grow your biz without getting bogged down in the nitty-gritty. We're all about keeping it real, partnering with people and companies who share our values. Our love for people and the plant fuels us to keep pushing boundaries and improving every day. And, we live by one motto: "Keep it Simple, Silly!"

How does your team contribute to the cannabis community beyond business consulting?

We're not just your average Mary Jane’s, we're out there every week giving customers the low-down on all things cannabis, in person! We're like a secret hideout where folks can chat with us and get all the juicy deets on the latest cannabis trends. And if that wasn't enough, we're Instagram micro-influencers too! You can find us on our personal accounts where we share insider tips, the best product picks, and all the cool know-how on cannabis.

Kit Kenney

CEO, Visionary, Cannabis Business Consultant

HEY YA’LL, yes I'm a Minnesotan and proud of it! My name is Kit Kenney, and I'm the visionary behind Kennebis Consulting. I'm thrilled to be part of the wild and wonderful world of cannabis and business. Other than helping businesses thrive, if I could be doing anything in this world- money doesn’t matter- I would have my own talk show where I intimately discuss life’s ups and downs with other entrepreneurs to shed light on different business industries.

With over 15 years in the wellness industry, I've been a salon owner, or as I like to say, a DAY MAKER. I’ve curated multiple salons retail programs including my own salon which is soooo satisfying to me. My secret to success? Listening to my clients' hair woes and turning them into hair goals with a top-notch service and killer advice on how to keep their hair looking fabulous between salon visits. By giving people space to discuss their hair issues I was able to come up with short and long term goals and solutions to have the hair of their dreams.

As much as I adored the beauty industry, my heart loved cannabis more.

I started Kennebis Consulting working in the traditional cannabis market in 2019, working with individuals who shared my passion for cannabis. Fast forward to 2020, and I closed my salon to pursue my dream of canna-consulting full-time. From there I arranged my own education program to give me the knowledge and tools I needed for the industry and now I am a proud Ganjier Student. Ever hear of a wine sommelier? The Ganjier Program is similar but for cannabis (but obviously better!)

Now, it's finally time to take Kennebis Consulting to the public! I'm bringing together my love for people, products, weed, and business to help canna retail businesses thrive. My goal is to help these businesses manage their products while providing top-notch customer service and safe cannabis use.

Tara Ferro Eck

Highly Organized Creative Director

First Entrepreneurial Experience:

Age 6- Director, Producer, Choreographer, and Actress of a play featuring all the kids in the neighborhood. Parents were charged admission that provided post-show ice cream for the cast and crew.

Most Loved Entrepreneurial Experience:

Creating custom apparel. My projects include covering graduation caps in rhinestones (see UNLV’s 60 Year Anniversary for a taste), creating highly detailed top hats, canvas shoes, and jackets.

Teacher Tara:

Bachelor’s in Education, K-12 Art focus, Master’s in Education, Advanced Certificate in Technology in Education
10 years of high school education- created an award winning photography program (nationally recognized!), assisted with rewriting the district’s photography curriculum, advised several extra-curricular clubs, and coached Men's Swim and Women's Softball.
3 years of K-5 art and technology education- created a memorable program encouraging creative thinking and problem-solving.
Curated and installed multiple art shows within the school and district.

Where I Shine:

Decades of retail experience in fashion, hair products, cosmetics, and music, specializing in customer service, leadership, and merchandising.
Owned and operated a small clothing and beauty business for 6 years. Utilized social media to promote, sell, create community, and became a micro-influencer.
Managed social media for a hair salon and nonprofit organization, increasing engagement 1200% within 6 months. Lead the front desk team, created systems to improve business operations and implemented a new booking system.
Hemp dispensary manager and co-manager of social media. Within 3 months, engagement increased 300%. Well-versed in product and packaging compliance, vendor relations, and extensive Minnesota cannabis product knowledge.