Sam Zartoshty, Co-founder
Hometown: Agoura Hills, CA
Company: Paragon, a cannabis-friendly, professional network that connects individuals, entrepreneurs, investors and companies.
How did you develop the concept for Paragon?
When I got a sales job that required me to use Linkedin's sales navigator and I hated everything about it. Once I got the hang of it, recruiters always sent me messages. One thing I was never offered was a job in the cannabis industry. As I began looking into the many opportunities the industry offered, I realized there needed to be a platform to allow cannabis-friendly companies to recruit quality individuals without using Craigslist.
What problem does your product/service solve in the cannabis industry?
Solutions for hiring, decreasing turnover, creating a more professional image for the industry, and attracting better talent.
Why did you decide to apply to Canopy?
I realized that I needed help in order to bring my vision to reality. I could have tried to build and market the platform on my own, but I felt that Canopy would offer tremendous value in mentorship and connections - which they have.
What's the best part of working in the cannabis industry?
The quality of people you interact with. Everyone is creative, charismatic and helpful.
You work a lot. What do you do when you're not drilling down on your startup?
When I have time to find a basketball court, I will definitely do that. I also like to go to industry events to learn and network, but as of now the only thing on my mind is making sure i'm doing everything I can to ensure Paragon becomes more than a startup.
