Today we’d like to introduce you to Brett Strauss.
Brett, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
While visiting Denver, I toured a cannabis grow facility and noticed the company was being run off a combination of whiteboards, spreadsheets, and Post-it® notes. As a software developer, I saw an opportunity to replace these items with a SaaS application and help modernize a fast-growing industry. A few days of investigating the industry revealed little in the form of competition and with that, FolioGrow was born.
We spent 18 months developing an MVP and as with any complex software application, the only real way to test is a live flight. We had to get it into the hands of actual cultivators who would be willing to deal with the issues and bugs that come from a new, untested app. After getting a few smaller farms on the platform, we were able to stabilize the solution and start looking externally to integrations that would improve the user experience.
In December 2018, we did a formal release of the platform. It is currently being used in three states and our largest grow has 30,000 plants indoors.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
As with any full-feature software application, the only real way to test is a live flight. We had to get it into the hands of actual cultivators who would be willing to deal with the issues and bugs that come from a new, untested app. After getting a few smaller farms on the platform, we were able to stabilize the solution and start looking externally to integrations that would improve the user experience. We now integrate with Salesforce and Quickbooks to pull in customer and cost data. This gives a fuller picture of the Cost Per Pound (CPP) which directly affects cultivation profitability.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the FolioGrow story. Tell us more about the business.
FolioGrow is the first software platform built to help Cannabis Cultivators increase their yields while controlling costs rather than just tracking plants through the growing process. We found an industry that was growing incredibly quickly that lacked any formal process or organization tracking system. The grows that adopt the FolioGrow platform love our solution and working with our team. With every site visit, we can see the improvements – and that means happy, longterm customers.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Wow. That’s a deep question. I’d say both have helped equally. Sometimes, meeting the right person at the right time can change your trajectory for the good or the bad. I’ve always had good luck with finding good people for our team. I surround myself with smart, motivated people and give them the room to grow. There are three people on my team I have worked with for over 18 years each. Finding them was incredibly good luck!
Pricing:
- $25 per month for each Team Member
- $250 per month for each Grow Manager
- $500 per month for each Investor Dashboard
Contact Info:
- Address: 3002A Commerce St.
- Website: www.foliogrow.com
- Phone: 214-680-1251
- Email: brett@foliogrow.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foliogrow/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/foliogrow
Image Credit:
Headshot by Cyndi Dawn
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