Meet Courtney Mathis: Co-Founder and CEO

We had the good fortune of connecting with Courtney Mathis and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Courtney, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
Absolutely, every business I’ve created and collaboration I seek is about building and supporting community. At Cannabis Doing Good and kindColorado, we believe we are giving consumers and businesses the ability to leverage their power in support of racially just, community engaged, and sustainable cannabis practices. We do this through the CDG Standard, which allows businesses, brands and individuals to identify those companies doing good. Businesses are likely not driven to engage in meaningful social impact unless it is also driving bottom-line growth. By giving consumers the knowledge to find and support Cannabis Doing Good companies, we believe we are creating the catalyst for the purpose-driven movement in cannabis and encouraging businesses to do more good, because their patients and their consumers demand it.

Please tell us more about your career. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
Wait… is it suppose to be easy yet?! Nothing about Kelly and I’s journey to today has been easy, except for working together. And even that has had its moments of growth. I think holding onto our vision, working to stay singularly focused (which admittedly we aren’t great at all the time), and leaning heavily on our peers in the sector, has ultimately been what has gotten us to this point. A lot of collaboration (A LOT), humble learning, resiliency, and willingness to learn over and over again are creating our success. We aren’t done yet. But I’m proud of how far we’ve come. Nearly 6 years in cannabis is like 30 years in any other industry. But we are influencing it, one client, one project at a time. Social responsibility and racial equity have never been at the forefront of an industry like they are today in cannabis. Moving your business or your brand into leadership in those areas can be a challenge, but I think we are really close to making the right thing, the easy thing. To demonstrating that doing good is good for business. To empowering everyday people and consumers and patients so that they can use their dollar to support businesses doing it best. To creating a movement for purpose-driven cannabis. If we aren’t there yet — we’re so very close. But I don’t expect it’ll get any easier — however — it definitely won’t be boring.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’m totally the wrong person to ask this question. I’m a mom of a 4 year old and 1 year old. My idea of fun usually involves a lot of solitude and alone time. Ha. And we’re talking pre-pandemic right? Generally I would tell folks, go outdoors, do as many hikes as humanly possible and camp if the weather permits in Rocky Mountain National Park. Stay at least 3 nights in Steamboat and visit Strawberry Hot Springs – arguably the most magical place on earth. Eat at Annette over at Stanley Market Place, swing by 1-Up (not on a weekend), see if Red Rocks has a show because seeing anything there is worth it, check out Ophelia’s and Pon Pon for late night fun, and star gaze. Looking up after the sun has set has a very cleansing effect on perspective.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Kelly Perez, my co-founder in all things. I’ve never had the privilege of being mentored and supported by a fellow female, let alone a female who, as a POC, has absolutely challenged and encouraged me to consider that racial justice is fundamental to liberation and success of all people. Her gift of time, talent and treasure have allowed me to pursue my dreams, with her, and for us to build a legacy of doing good in our sector. What gets better than that?

Website: www.cannabisdoinggood.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cdgsocials/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneymathis/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cdgsocials