Meet Jessica Cranney | Chief Connection Officer & Managing Partner

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

Hi Jessica, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I have a passion (& proven track record) for growing highly engaged & high-performing teams! B/c I’ve spent years working directly with and for cannabis industry operators, I understand the challenges we face in attracting, engaging, & retaining employees and customers alike. I apply ‘people 1^st’ leadership models to help operators recruit top talent, train high-performing leaders and retain high-performing teams, ensuring operators have the right leaders in the right role doing the right things to grow the business!

A lean but mighty team, we bring over 30 years of executive Fortune 50 leadership and 5+ years of executive cannabis leadership to the table. We’re all about finding opportunities to save our clients time and money while boosting productivity and efficiency. I provide a unique point of connection to the cannabis space & know what it takes to succeed! A data-driven, results-based industry executive with a proven track-record for leading & developing best-in-class large organizations, my 20+ year professional expertise includes:

• 17+ year background in fortune 50 telecom, award-winning teams of 650+ employees spanning across 5 states & over 250+ retail stores.
• 5+ years direct cannabis experience (Vertically Integrated operators, CPG brands + Cann-adjacent service providers).

It’s not been easy (or, in some case, ‘popular’) – I mean ‘who walks away from a 17+ year executive role to start their own business … during the onset of a pandemic … in an industry that is largely inhaled and the pandemic happened to be one of respiratory impact … to say that I had ‘many a night @ 3a having a “what are you doing, kid?” conversation with myself in my bathroom mirror – would be an understatement! But – it has been FUN &I wouldn’t trade it for anything! The impact I’ve been able to make for organizations as a whole and on individuals’ professional careers is part of the most rewarding things I’ve been able to do! We’ve even been recognized as a 1 of the top Staffing/Recruiting Agencies of 2023 (The Emjay Awards)! Additionally, as my business has grown, I’ve been able to create employment opportunities within my own organization.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Leading cannabis operators hire me because I have an established reputation for developing repeatable, successful business models that can be scaled for growth!

 Our secret sauce? The passion we have for prioritizing “People 1st” leadership & making authentic connections with diverse leaders to elevate performance across the industry.

 We take pride in being recognized as the premier Talent Management partner, equipping operators to become the “Employer of Choice” in the industry.

 And we’ve got the skills to back it up! From leadership recruitment to customized training and retention strategies, we’ve got you covered. Our team can help you find the perfect match, re-tool your business to increase productivity & reduce operating costs, and curate a “People 1st” approach to boost employee retention & customer loyalty.

• Recruit Top Talent: Because our industry roots run deep, we specialize in placing exec/leadership roles; we excel @ effectively identifying the best match for your needs, that will be “sticky” & long-lasting! We’re able to move from Search-to-Offer in ~3 weeks and we have a 70%+ 12-month placement retention ratio!
• Train High-Performing Leaders: Collaborating with your team, we develop data-based models & custom content to re-tool your team & elevate your business; increasing productivity & decreasing operating costs! Our initiatives have proven to increase productivity by 20%+ and decrease operating costs by over 15%.
• Retain High-Performing Teams: Emphasizing a “People 1st” approach, we enhance your “Cultural Cadence & Signature Moves”, driving an increase to both employee retention & customer loyalty! Our initiatives have a track-record of increasing employee retention by 20%+ and increasing customer loyalty by over 15%!

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?
* One Shot Back – golf themed bar with cool craft cocktails and golf simulator bays (a very intimate “top golf”, kind of)

* La Loma – best mexican food in town

* Brown Palace / Churchills – martinis & cigars
* Sporting event – whatever is in season, grab some cheap seats and a couple of stadium dogs & beers
* something outdoors – hot springs, skiing, etc.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Krysta Jones @ The Highly Connected app …. I LOVE working with Krysta and her team! They are constantly looking for innovative ways to elevate the industry and bring like-minded leaders to a common-place! She has been instrumental in several connections, and I look forward to continuing to partner with her & her team!

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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxjeMuiqT1X4U3DXtl-7MTw/

Other: www.linqapp.comgrnmilehigh