Adrienne Airhart

Cannabis, Comedy, Canon

 

Retail Operations
Cannabis, Hemp & Psychedelics

I specialize in building, stabilizing, and scaling retail operations within highly regulated and rapidly evolving industries. My work sits at the intersection of operations, marketing, systems, and customer experience—translating vision into execution while increasing efficiency, compliance, and revenue.

I’ve led retail operations across cannabis dispensaries, event-based commerce, and wellness-focused brands, often stepping in where structure, systems, or strategic direction were missing—and leaving behind processes that actually work.

Retail Operations Leadership

  • Day-to-day operational oversight for regulated retail environments

  • Workflow design, SOP creation, and operational efficiency audits

  • Staff coordination, role definition, and accountability systems

  • Vendor management and cross-business integrations

Systems, Technology & Infrastructure

  • POS setup, optimization, and integrations

  • Website design, maintenance, and conversion-focused UX

  • CRM, loyalty programs, and customer data strategy

  • Automation and tech solutions to reduce manual workload

Marketing & Merchandising

  • Retail merchandising strategy (in-store & digital)

  • Promotional planning, coupon strategy, and loyalty incentives

  • Brand-aligned visual systems and customer journey design

  • SEO, digital presence, and campaign execution

Regulated & Emerging Markets Expertise

  • Cannabis retail operations (compliance-aware execution)

  • Hemp and CBD product retail strategy

  • Psychedelics-adjacent education, events, and community models

  • Navigating ambiguity in emerging regulatory landscapes

Rather than operating in silos, I take a systems-level approach, connecting operations, marketing, technology, and customer experience so each supports the other.

My work has resulted in:

  • Increased operational efficiency and reduced friction across teams

  • Clearer internal structures in previously undefined roles

  • Stronger brand consistency across physical and digital touchpoints

  • Improved customer retention through loyalty and experience design

  • Scalable systems that continue functioning without constant oversight

How I Work

I’m especially effective in environments that are:

  • Growing faster than their infrastructure

  • Operating across multiple brands or business arms

  • Transitioning from “scrappy startup” to sustainable operation

  • In need of clarity, systems, and operational leadership

I bring both strategic thinking and hands-on execution, building the plane while flying it, then making sure it can actually land.

I’m currently open to senior-level retail operations, systems leadership, or operations strategy roles within cannabis, hemp, psychedelics, wellness, or mission-driven retail brands.

The Higher Path (Cannabis Dispensary) - 10 years

Role: Retail Operations, Marketing & Systems Lead

  • Led multi‑year operational support for a regulated cannabis dispensary, bridging retail operations, marketing, technology, and customer experience.

  • Designed and executed promotional strategies, loyalty programs, and coupon systems to drive repeat business and customer retention.

  • Oversaw merchandising strategy, in‑store and digital alignment, and brand consistency across customer touchpoints.

  • Managed website design, SEO, and digital infrastructure to support retail goals and compliance needs.

  • Improved internal efficiency through system integrations, workflow optimization, and process refinement.

The Other Path (Mushroom & Alternative Wellness Retail) - 4 years

Role: Retail Operations & Brand Strategy

  • Supported retail and brand operations for a wellness‑focused business selling functional and psychedelic‑adjacent mushroom products.

  • Assisted in shaping retail strategy, customer education, and product positioning within a rapidly evolving and lightly regulated market.

  • Developed systems and operational structure to support ethical sales, transparency, and customer trust.

  • Bridged retail execution with mission‑driven brand values, emphasizing education, harm reduction, and intentional use.

Abide Napa (Cannabis Dispensary) - 6 years

Role: Retail Operations, Marketing & Technology Consultant

  • Provided long-term consulting support across marketing, technology, and retail operations for a Napa-based cannabis dispensary.

  • Advised on systems, digital infrastructure, and operational strategy to support growth while maintaining regulatory compliance.

  • Delivered hands-on, on-site operational support during major regional events, including BottleRock, enabling compliant delivery operations during peak-demand periods.

  • Collaborated with internal teams to troubleshoot workflows, optimize systems, and ensure smooth execution under high-volume conditions.

  • Served as a trusted external partner over multiple years, offering continuity, institutional knowledge, and practical operational leadership.

The Green Room (Events & Experiential Retail Space) - 4 years

Role: Founder & Operator

  • Fully operated and managed an experiential events space, overseeing programming, staffing, sales, logistics, and customer experience.

  • Designed scalable operational systems to support ticketed events, retail moments, and community‑based programming.

  • Managed event staff, cashiers, and contractors while maintaining operational consistency and brand standards.

  • Integrated point‑of‑sale, ticketing, and on‑site retail workflows to ensure smooth execution during high‑volume events.

Highpack Distro (Cannabis Distribution) - 6 years

Role: Founding Marketing, Operations & Technology Partner

  • Built and launched HighpackDistro.com from the ground up, establishing the company’s digital presence at inception in 2019.

  • Supported marketing strategy, brand positioning, and early go‑to‑market execution from Day 1.

  • Advised on operational systems, workflows, and infrastructure during the company’s formative growth phase.

  • Acted as an embedded partner across marketing, technology, and operations as the business scaled within a regulated distribution environment.

Cross‑Business Leadership - 10 years

Across all businesses, I functioned as a connective force—translating vision into execution and building systems that allowed small teams to operate with clarity and efficiency.

Common threads across my work include:

  • Retail operations in regulated and emerging markets

  • Systems design and operational infrastructure

  • Marketing, merchandising, and customer journey strategy

  • Technology integration and workflow optimization

  • Calm leadership in ambiguous, fast‑changing environments