If the pandemic has taught us anything, it's about ourselves. For some it has made us take another look at what we are spending our time with, for some a major shift in our goals, and for most a realization that life is short and we have to live it to the fullest.

It's pretty clear that the pandemic propelled the Cannabis industry ahead by several years with sales in 2020 alone increasing by 67% (and that's just reported sales). 

"When the sea was calm, all ships aliked showed mastership in floating"

(basically, when everything is going great everyone looks great)

This Shakespeare quote is one that I have often thought about these past months (turning into years unfortunately). It has firmly shaken our cores and taught us to reevaluate and, for some, reinvent ourselves. Some out of pure necessity, others just being faced with the reality that friends, co-workers, family matter much more than we ever thought. Material things, so much less. 

Another positive thing I've noticed is the willingness for influencers to engage with small brands like MasonBrite as well as other brands more willing to collaborate with us on giveaways, development projects and even shared marketing budgets. 

Before the pandemic, we would barely get 1 person to respond out of a 100. Now it's probably more like 40. That is a huge number from a year ago and it continues to get better and better as we grow. People who normally would dismiss yet another small business trying to struggle out of the ashes of pre-pandemic "calm" waters are willing to simply have a conversation on Zoom. 

Although the pandemic has been difficult, I believe it is a re-birth of the world in many ways and I hope, some of it at least, stays that way. 

+++++++++++++++++++++

Are you an influencer that wants to work with an honest no BS brand? Are you a brand that would benefit from cross promotion? Let's talk!