We had the good fortune of connecting with Trina C. Ragsdale and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Trina C., how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I am originally from Philadelphia, but I was raised in South Jersey. All 14 of my siblings are professionals and entrepreneurs, and we inherited our passion for business ownership from my father, J. Justin Ragsdale. He owned and operated a new construction cleaning company in Philadelphia for 30 years and helped ready many of the iconic buildings that grace the Philadelphia skyline today. My father is also the founder and curator of the Lest We Forget Museum of Slavery, where he and my mother educate visitors on that dark and tragic period in American history. Our lineage includes a once-prominent mortuary business called Ragsdale and Sons, which was located in Tulsa, Oklahoma’s ‘Black Wall Street’; a thriving community of black-owned businesses destroyed by white rioters. My father’s entrepreneurial spirit and the indelible history of Black people in America gave me the audacity to pursue licensure. It takes an enormous amount of grit and determination to venture into the cannabis space, so I am grateful to my ancestors who have strengthened me and paved the way.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
We’re still pre-operational, but anyone working in the space will tell you, it’s a full-time job from the start. I meet with various professionals, consult with attorneys, our CPA, explore funding opportunities, vet vendors, and meet with brand representatives. I take advantage of every opportunity to engage with the local community to educate on the benefits of cannabis. I value networking events where I can exchange ideas with other operators, and share our respective successes, pitfalls, and goals. It’s also an excellent platform to push shared agendas within the state to ultimately shift legislation at the federal level.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

We’re fortunate to have found a phenomenal location for Jane’s Joint in my home community, Gibbsboro, NJ. It’s a scenic, walkable community that has preserved its small-town charm. I would take friends on a walk through the beautiful, wooded trails, then enjoy dinner and drinks at the Chop House, a chic restaurant with stunning lake views. Since we’re just 25 minutes from Philadelphia, it would only be right that we go to a comedy show or a popular music venue in the city.

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?

I’d like to acknowledge the New Jersey CRC for their efforts to ensure that women, black and brown people, and legacy operators have access and opportunities in the industry. The continued work is essential in ensuring these opportunities presented are meaningful and equitable, and to level the playing field for small business cannabis operators. I’m immensely grateful for the solidarity of the New Jersey small business cannabis community in pushing for state reform of cannabis laws and improved municipal oversight. My children have been my inspiration and champions, and I owe my perseverance to them. We stand in solidarity with the thousands still impacted by cannabis criminalization, as we push for reformation and restoration. Being a black-owned, legacy-operated small business, our presence in the space is about reclaiming the industry and the rights and freedoms of those negatively impacted.

Website: https://www.janesjoint.shop/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janesjointdispensary/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jane-s-joint-boutique-dispensary/

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