Meet Karin Lazarus | Founder and Owner of Sweet Mary Jane

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

Hi Karin, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?

I’ve been baking since I was eight years old, when my mom gave me a Sunbeam Mixmaster® and a Betty Crocker cookbook. My mother kept our family’s pantry stocked with homemade sweet treats all the time. Watching her bake I knew I wanted to make things on my own. In the summertime, while other kids set up lemonade stands, I opened a cookie stand. Baking, I saw, was not only fun but profitable. Best of all, it made people happy. I have always wanted my own bakery.
The idea of opening a cannabis bakery came to me after
I entered my Chocolate-Filled Pandan Dumplings recipe in the Scharffen Berger’s Chocolate Adventure Contest and won the grand prize. This gave me enough startup money to open my bakery. I chose to go with a cannabis bakery rather than a traditional bakery because I liked the idea of combining a plant with so many health benefits with beautiful baked goods. I wanted to create an experience. I knew I wanted my cannabis infused confections to be something you enjoy, and savor, not something you take, like medicine! I also wanted to make sure Sweet Mary Jane would have something for everyone, even those who are just dipping their toes into the world of cannabis. That’s where our low-dose confections, like our delightful line of popcorn, come in – they’re just perfect for those who are curious and looking for a gentle introduction. At Sweet Mary Jane we approach cannabis as an ingredient and not the main attraction.
Once I opened the bakery New York Magazine contacted me for an interview and wrote: Lazarus is “The Martha Stewart of weed baking”. Wow! After that article came out Penguin Random House Publishers asked me to write a cookbook which of course I did.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?

Sweet Mary Jane is a food first cannabis company. We are a family owned and women led company that just so happens to believe that good foods with cannabis baked in can make the world a better place. We say “Follow our lead and let them eat weed”!

We have been in business for 14 years and the road to success has not been easy in an extremely regulated industry. The licensing process is strenuous, the stringent rules to stay compliant that are forever changing is challenging, the cost to stay in business is another hoop of fire to jump through. However, I do believe all of these demands made me stronger. I have learned that there is power in taking chances, you have to be resilient, confident. Confidence is a belief in your ability to succeed; be brave and embrace the challenges. You must feel empowered in the face of adversity. It takes guts, a strong, determined and fearless personality to start your own company. Seek and receive support. No one can do it alone. There is strength in being vulnerable, in being human. Never give up!

I feel proud that we continue to provide Colorado with some of the most creative products in the industry. We are dedicated to using fresh, vibrant, high-end ingredients that we carefully source to create approachable, adventurous products that are a pleasure for both body and mind. Our dedication has paid off, our fellow Coloradans have honored us with the title of the best edible company in our beautiful state through their votes.

Sweet Mary Jane wants to bake your day!!!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well, I live in beautiful Boulder so the first thing we would do when we wake up is head to one of the many fabulous coffee shops here. Box Car and Laughing Goat are my favorites. Then head to Chautauqua for a nice, cool morning hike. Head down for lunch at Chautauqua Dining Hall, then to my favorite Boulder dispensary which is Snaxland and purchase Sweet Mary Jane cookies, chocolates, popcorn and brownies for my friend to enjoy throughout their vacation.
We would stroll down Pearl Street, stop at Rebecca’s Apothecary, then have lunch at the Boulderado’s Corner Bar. For dinner we would go to Leaf.
We would not miss the Boulder Farmer’s Market and afternoon tea at Dushanbe Teahouse.
We would have drinks and the tour at Vapor Distillery, head to River & Woods for dinner and then to the Boulder Theater for a show.
And once we decide to leave Boulder, these are the places I will take my friend. Rocky Mountain National Park for the beauty. The Wildlife Sanctuary for the love of animals! AND Oh My God Road for the thrill!

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?
Biggest shout ever goes to my daughter Lucienne whose unwavering support from the get-go and deep belief in Sweet Mary Jane has led her to become a partner in the business. I could not have done any of this without her. I am immensely grateful for her invaluable contributions. Thank you, Luc, for being the best of the best! You are an inspiration.

Our team whose dedication and positivity bring so much brightness to our days. Thank you all for all your hard work!

Shout out to the dispensaries who have supported us for the past 14+ years, thank you for being there for us. We love you!

Website: https://sweetmaryjanebakery.com

Instagram: sweetmaryjanebakery

Linkedin: Karin lazarus

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SweetMaryJaneBakery

Image Credits
Povy Atchison