Blog, Summary15 Steve Hoffman Blog, Summary15 Steve Hoffman

With Launch of #1 Bestseller Courage in Cannabis, Vol. 2, Dr. Bridget Cole Williams Turns Focus to Community

COLUMBUS, Ohio (Aug. 17, 2023) — Now that Volume 2 of the award-winning Courage in Cannabis anthology has launched and won #1 Bestseller in seven Amazon categories, author Dr. Bridget Cole Williams, M.D., has turned her focus to building a community of individuals committed to destigmatizing cannabis and demonstrating its power to heal.

Dr. Williams, whose Courage in Cannabis, Volume 2: The Triumphant Stories debuted early this month, says she seeks to nurture a group of like-minded individuals who can share their cannabis experiences and answer the key question: “How can we help one another?”

Courage in Cannabis contributors were offered the opportunity to take part this summer in a seven-week workshop on public speaking, which was facilitated by nurse Heather Manus, creator of the Cannabis Nurses Network. Dr. Williams envisions they will ultimately form the backbone of Courage in Cannabis speaking events, podcasts and video series.

Dr. Bridget Cole Williams, M.D., is the author of Courage in Cannabis, Volume 2: The Triumphant Stories. Learn more here.

“It’s been a fantastic experience for people,” Dr. Williams says, explaining that workshop participants got to know each other while gaining confidence in public speaking. 

Dr. Williams hails the support she’s received from her Courage in Cannabis sponsors, who include BLEV 614, SupHerbs Herbal Center, Dagga Digital Marketing, Endo Vibe Cannabis Centers, Hemp Box Etc, Columbus Botanical Depot, Ommpa (Ohio Medical Marijuana Physicians Association), The Canna Mom Show, CannabisBPO, Compass Natural Marketing and Spendr.

Dr. Williams is a renowned board-certified family physician, seasoned author, advocate and consultant in the cannabis industry who has worked tirelessly to elevate the voices of marginalized communities in the cannabis debate.

Following the success of the first volume, which won several awards, including Best New Release and International Bestseller on Amazon, Courage in Cannabis, Volume 2: The Triumphant Stories offers a keen focus on the many facets of cannabis use among people from all walks of life.

“We want to celebrate the everyday heroes who have found inspiration, strength and hope through this powerful plant,” Williams says. “Their stories are a testament to the power of the cannabis plant to bring people together and improve lives.”

The second volume features contributions from doctors, lawyers, patients, cultivars, educators, participants in the legacy market, entrepreneurs and advocates, all of whom share their personal experiences and the lessons learned from their journeys.

Adam Wilks, CEO of Tyson 2.0, wrote the foreword for Courage in Cannabis, Volume 2. Says Wilks: “These individuals have found their courage in cannabis and their stories are nothing short of inspiring. They showcase the many ways in which cannabis can positively impact people’s lives and help break down the unfounded stigma associated with its use.”

Courage in Cannabis, Volume 2: The Triumphant Stories by Dr. Bridget Cole Williams, M.D., is now available for purchase on Amazon.com.

To learn more about Courage in Cannabis, Volume 2: The Triumphant Stories, visit https://www.courageincannabis.com/.

Learn more here about Courage in Cannabis, Volume 2: The Triumphant Stories.

About Dr. Bridget Cole Williams
Dr. Bridget Cole Williams is an accomplished family physician and the owner of Dr. Bridget MD Integrative Cannabis Care. Having spent nearly two decades providing exceptional family medical care at The Cleveland Clinic, Dr. Williams now incorporates her medical experience, empowerment coaching and cannabis education certifications into providing her patients with the best possible care.

Media Contact
Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, steve@compassnatural.com, tel 303.807.1042

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Courage in Cannabis, Vol. 2: Dr. Bridget Williams' New Anthology Celebrates Cannabis in Communities, Business and Medicine

COLUMBUS, Ohio (July 24, 2023) — The highly anticipated follow-up to the best-selling Courage in Cannabis anthology is finally here. The new volume by Dr. Bridget Cole Williams, M.D., celebrates everyday heroes who have found purpose through their relationship with cannabis.

Courage in Cannabis, Volume 2: The Triumphant Stories is a new compilation of stories that offers unique perspectives on the cannabis plant’s power in business and medicine and in building more resilient communities.

Following the success of the first edition, which won several awards, including Best New Release and International Bestseller on Amazon, Courage in Cannabis, Volume 2: The Triumphant Stories promises to be another compelling read that will challenge the stigma associated with cannabis and showcase the incredible potential of this plant.

Dr. Bridget Cole Williams, M.D., is the author of Courage in Cannabis, Volume 2: The Triumphant Stories. Learn more here.

Dr. Bridget Cole Williams, M.D., is a renowned board-certified family physician, seasoned author, advocate and consultant in the cannabis industry. She has worked tirelessly to elevate the voices of marginalized communities in the cannabis debate.

She has compiled the stories in Courage in Cannabis, Volume 2: The Triumphant Stories with a keen focus on the diverse facets of cannabis use among people of all walks of life.

“I’m thrilled to share these stories with readers — stories that illuminate the courage and strength of so many who have found strength in cannabis,” says Williams. “The diverse experiences and stories in this volume serve as a reminder of the power of the human spirit, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to share them.” 

The book features contributions from doctors, lawyers, patients, caregivers, participants in the legacy market, entrepreneurs and advocates. These stories of perseverance and determination are proof that, even in challenging times, courage and resilience can shine through. The authors candidly share their personal experiences and the lessons learned from their journey.

Adam Wilks, CEO of Tyson 2.0, wrote the foreword for Courage in Cannabis, Volume 2. Wilks believes in the importance of sharing stories of courage and inspiration in the cannabis industry, saying: “These individuals have found their courage in cannabis, and their stories are nothing short of inspiring. They showcase the many different ways in which cannabis can positively impact people’s lives and help break down the unfounded stigma associated with its use.”

Dr. Bridget Cole Williams, M.D., asserts that the book’s goal is to share inspiring stories in the changing times of cannabis acceptance.

“The Courage in Cannabis book series is an inspiring and educational time capsule of the progression out of prohibition and an evolution in health care,” she says. “I wanted to be on the right side of history and document the people and stories that made change happen.”

Courage in Cannabis, Volume 2: The Triumphant Stories by Dr. Bridget Cole Williams, M.D., is available for purchase online and in bookstores. The e-book will be released on July 29. The paperback will be available on Aug. 1 and can be pre-ordered here.

To learn more about Courage in Cannabis, Volume 2: The Triumphant Stories by Dr. Bridget Cole Williams, M.D., visit: https://www.courageincannabis.com/.

Learn more here about Courage in Cannabis, Volume 2: The Triumphant Stories.

About Dr. Bridget Cole Williams, M.D.
Dr. Bridget Williams is an accomplished family physician. She is board-certified and renowned for her expertise in the field of integrative medicine. Having spent nearly two decades offering exceptional family medical care at The Cleveland Clinic, Dr. Williams now incorporates this experience into her life and cannabis coaching certifications to provide her patients with the best possible care.

Media Contact
Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, steve@compassnatural.com, tel 303.807.1042

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Compass Coffee Talk Podcast to Feature Ibraheem Basir, Founder & CEO of A Dozen Cousins

Compass Coffee Talk™, a popular live webinar series featuring conversations with business leaders in the natural, organic and sustainable products industry, welcomes Ibraheem Basir, founder & CEO of A Dozen Cousins, a top Black-owned natural food brand.

What: Compass Coffee Talk™
When: Wednesday, July 19, 2023, 8:30 am PT; 9:30 am MT; 10:30 am CT; 11:30 am ET
Presented by: Compass Natural, Connecting Media and Markets in Natural and Organic Products
Sponsored by: Presence Marketing, Naturally Boulder, Naturally New York and Naturally San Diego
Register: Register for Free Here

BOULDER, CO (June 15, 2023) —Ibraheem Basir, founder and CEO of A Dozen Cousins, a natural food brand making beans, rice, sauces and more, will appear on July 19, 2023, on the popular Compass Coffee Talk™ podcast, which features lively conversations with natural products industry leaders, innovators and experts designed to help guide entrepreneurs and businesses to succeed in the market.

A Dozen Cousins, whose offerings hark back to the traditional Creole, Caribbean and Latin American dishes that Basir enjoyed in his childhood in the culinary melting pot of Brooklyn, N.Y., is named after Basir’s daughter and her 11 cousins.

Ibraheem Basir of A Dozen Cousins

Basir grew up in a large family where food was at the center of all celebrations and gatherings. After observing a gap in the market for authentic, nutritious cultural foods, Basir launched A Dozen Cousins to provide the comforting, flavorful recipes he grew up eating with his family. The brand’s flagship beans have become the No. 1 item in their category on Amazon and are sold nationwide at retailers including Whole Foods, Sprouts and Target, among others. 

Hosted by natural and organic products industry veterans Bill Capsalis and Steven Hoffman, Compass Coffee Talk is produced by Compass Natural Marketing, a leading public relations, branding and business development agency serving the natural, organic, eco-friendly and hemp products industries. Capsalis and Hoffman will interview Basir to learn more about his and his company’s story.

Helping the Natural Foods Industry Evolve
Basir is a passionate advocate for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the consumer packaged goods industry and seeks to help the natural foods space evolve and grow to reflect the diversity of the United States. He is a founding board member of Project Potluck, a nonprofit that provides a range of mentorship and education programming in support of its mission to help people of color build successful companies and careers in the CPG industry.

Basir holds a BA from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from the university’s Wharton School of Business. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and daughter.

Project Potluck
While breaking into the natural and organic products industry isn't easy for anyone, Black, Indigenous and other people from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds can find it especially challenging to attract investors, find the right co-packers, refine recipes and garner placement on retail shelves. Enter Project Potluck, established by Ibraheem Basir, CPG veteran and founder and CEO of A Dozen Cousins, a leading Black-owned natural food brand, to provide the support that minority entrepreneurs in the natural products space need to succeed. In March 2022, Project Potluck won New Hope Network’s inaugural Justice Award for its efforts to promote justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in the natural and organic products industry. Read about the organization in Forbes magazine.

Register for Compass Coffee Talk with Ibraheem Basir
Register here for free to participate in the upcoming Compass Coffee Talk, Wednesday, July 19, 2023, 11:30 am – Noon ET.

About Compass Coffee Talk
Take a 30-minute virtual coffee break with Compass Coffee Talk™. Hosted by natural industry veterans Bill Capsalis and Steve Hoffman, Coffee Talk features lively interactive conversations with industry leaders and experts designed to help guide entrepreneurs and businesses of any size succeed in the market for natural, organic, regenerative, hemp-derived and other eco-friendly products.

Compass Coffee Talk™ is produced by Compass Natural Marketing, a leading PR, branding and business development agency serving the natural and organic products industry.

Previous Episodes of Compass Coffee Talk
View the entire library of Compass Coffee Talk episodes on YouTube. Co-hosted by natural products industry veterans Steven Hoffman and Bill Capsalis, Compass Coffee Talk has featured notable professionals such as Jared Polis, governor of Colorado; Steve Hughes, co-founder of Sunrise Strategic Partners; John Mackey, CEO and co-founder, Whole Foods Market; Miyoko Schinner, CEO and founder, Miyoko’s Kitchen; John Foraker, CEO of Once Upon a Farm; Emerald-Jane Hunter, founder of the MyWhy Agency; Heather Terry, CEO of GoodSAM; Milton Zimmerman, executive vice president, Presence Marketing; Jennifer Maxwell, founder and CEO of JAMBAR®, and more.

Contact
Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, steve@compassnaturalmarketing.com

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Amazon’s to Open Whole Foods Market Stores Featuring Cashierless Technology

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

This article originally appeared in Presence Marketing’s October 2021 Industry Newsletter

By Steve Hoffman

Whole Foods Market announced on Sept. 8, 2021 that it will open two stores featuring Amazon’s “Just Walk Out” cashierless technology as an option for customers. The stores, expected to open in 2022, will be located in Washington, D.C.’s Glover Park neighborhood and in Sherman Oaks, CA.

According to Whole Foods Market, by using Just Walk Out technology, customers can enter, shop for the items they want, and simply exit the store. Those shopping using Just Walk Out will also have the option to use Amazon One, a fast, convenient, contactless way for people to enter, identify, and pay. If customers prefer, they can also opt to shop using self-checkout lanes or check out at the customer service booth with Whole Foods Market Team Members, the company said.

In a news announcement posted on Amazon’s website, Dilip Kumar, Amazon's VP of Physical Retail and Technology, said the company has engineered its Just Walk Out system, which relies on computer vision, sensor fusion and deep learning, to Whole Foods’ services and assortment. “Customers at these stores will be able to shop stations with self-service fresh-squeezed orange juice and mochi ice cream, while still shopping with the Just Walk Out experience and without adjusting any shopping habits,” he wrote.

“By collaborating with Amazon to introduce Just Walk Out Shopping at these two Whole Foods Market stores, our customers will be able to shop for fresh, thoughtfully sourced products that all meet our unparalleled quality standards, receive exceptional service from our Team Members throughout their shopping trip, and save time by skipping the checkout line,” said John Mackey, Co-founder and CEO of Whole Foods Market.

Though the new cashierless system offers the prospect of labor savings, Kumar noted that the stores using the Just Walk Out system “will employ a comparable number of Team Members as existing Whole Foods Market stores of similar sizes. With Just Walk Out-enabled Whole Foods Market stores, how Team Members in the store spend their time is simply shifting, allowing them to spend even more time interacting with customers and delivering a great shopping experience,” he said.

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Whole Foods Workers Demand Amazon Stop Working with ICE

Photo: Pexels

Photo: Pexels

Originally Appeared in Presence Marketing News, September 2019
By Steven Hoffman

A group of current and former Whole Foods Market employees working under an anonymous group called Whole Worker published an open letter on August 12 demanding that Amazon cut ties with Palantir, a company that provides data to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE), “to show solidarity with our undocumented sisters, brothers, and siblings.” The letter takes issue specifically with Amazon providing its web services technology to Palantir, which sells data to ICE, and the sale of Amazon’s own facial-recognition software, Rekognition, to law enforcement. These services are often used to deport undocumented people and conduct raids like the one that occurred at a food processing plant in Mississippi this August, reported Eater. The letter expresses solidarity with undocumented people in America who “are fleeing from conditions created by destructive U.S. policies, making it the responsibility of the U.S. to welcome them.” The letter also points out that “Palantir, in 2011, was involved in a plan to spy on labor unions and activists.” The Whole Worker group demanded that Amazon “cease all business with Palantir and any other company involved in the continued oppression of marginalized groups.” In reference to Amazon, the letter further states, “We recognize that expecting a company built on the exploitation of marginalized people and the working class to cease its collaboration with ICE’s deportation machine by way of moral condemnations isn’t enough. Workers that control the levers inside Amazon must make this machine stop and turn in another direction.”

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