Meet Kayla!
Grab your favorite strain and settle in as we sit down with Fernway’s very own Kayla Breiner (@fernwaykay). With five years in the game, Kayla is your ultimate cannabis and budtender guru. And don’t forget to checkout Fernway’s new 1 g carts at Pure Blossom!
Kayla’s Cannabis Journey
From Aspiring Medical Examiner to Cannabis Lab Technician
“Almost five years ago, I took a leap of faith and entered into the cannabis industry. At the time, I was studying to take the MCAT and pursue medical school in hope of becoming a medical examiner. I had taken a job as a trim technician at Curaleaf’s first cultivation site in Bellmawr, NJ, so I could afford to pay my bills while studying for the MCAT. After working there for a few months, I had heard of a potential opening in their analytical lab. I took every opportunity to cross-train in other departments to show my desire to grow into a better role. I received the job working in their analytical lab running HPLC, doing formulations, and completing stability testing to extend the shelf life of manufactured products in the state. I was so thrilled to be working in a department where my degree in Biology could be put to use. Natasha Wolfhope, my supervisor at the time, played a pivotal role in helping me grow in cannabis science. I leaned on her for support and learned so much under her leadership.”
Inventory Specialist to Logistics Supervisor
“Eventually, after about a year or so in the lab, I was ready to expand my cannabis knowledge and take on a new department. I accepted a job as an inventory specialist in Curaleaf’s logistics department. Here, I worked closely with Will Dickinson, who was my biggest mentor in the industry. Will taught me all things inventory, BiotrackTHC, and wholesale. I am thankful I had the ability to work with him closely and expand my knowledge of cannabis.
After about a year of working in logistics, I was promoted to logistics supervisor and helped oversee Curaleaf’s largest wholesale operation in the nation. This role was very challenging, but I’m thankful I had the opportunity to work with such a resilient team.”
Logistics Supervisor to General Manager
“I ended up leaving Curaleaf to become a general manager of Bloc Dispensary in Somerset, NJ. This was my first time working in retail cannabis and I cannot thank my team enough for showing me the ropes and helping me build a successful store. Theresa Adamson, Bloc’s National Director of Retail, taught me all I know about being a strong leader and coaching and developing my staff. I was hesitant to leave Bloc to go to Fernway, but she supported my decision every step of the way.”
General Manager to Account Executive
“I love working as an account executive for Fernway because I get to reconnect with so many people from the cannabis space that I’ve had the pleasure of working with over the last few years. I am so proud to represent a company and brand I truly stand behind. We also host amazing budtender seshes to engage those working on the retail side. I love that Fernway supports the budtenders and recognizes the value they hold.”
Fernway and Beyond
“This is a truly amazing team of cannabis people. It’s an independent, private Brand, and everyone who works here genuinely and deeply cares about the quality of the products, packaging, people, partners, and the future of the industry. There are definitely some super exciting things on the horizon that I just can’t quite give all the details to, but I would encourage anyone interested to hit our website and sign up for Friends of Fernway, and follow us on Instagram to catch some exciting upcoming product launches, parties, pop-ups, and more.”
Reflections on Cannabis
“I love that cannabis offers such a wide array of benefits and every individual’s experience is so unique. Having worked on the retail side previously, I always enjoyed connecting with my patients and recreational customers to hear about how cannabis has changed their lives, whether it be from a medical perspective or just enhancing their everyday lives. For me, I use cannabis to decompress after a long day or enhance the everyday activities I enjoy, like dining out, watching a movie, or listening to music.”
Empowering Women in Cannabis
“I tell all women interested in working in this space that you may experience challenges from time to time as a woman working in a male-dominated field. Do not let that deter you from entering into cannabis! I feel that working in an industry with so many open-minded individuals has made it easier to recognize those moments of oppression and reshape the experience for women working in this space. Over the last few years, I have seen a tremendous amount of progress on this. My best piece of advice is to partner with other strong women in this space and use every day as a learning opportunity to grow in this industry.”
Shop Fernway Carts and Disposables at Pure Blossom
Checkout Fernway’s new 1 g carts!
Visit Pure Blossom for Cannabis and Other Essentials
Explore Pure Blossom’s curated selection of New Jersey cannabis brands and essential accessories, including Fernway carts and disposables. Whether you’re doing the old Google thing, searching for a dispensary near me or nearby dispensaries in New Jersey, Pure Blossom is a short, scenic, calming drive away, and our friendly guide-connoisseurs are excited to take you through our curated selection of New Jersey cannabis brands (and other essentials). We’ll see you there!