Her Story
About Jennifer
Jennifer Cadenhead has been working for 31 years, holding her first managerial position at Subway at a young age. Her career has spanned multiple industries, including a significant period with National Electronics Warranty where she gained deep expertise in customer service training and managerial expectations, serving as a corporate liaison with Walmart during a major contract landing. She also worked in sales for One Hour Air Conditioning and Heating before making a pivotal career change. Six years ago, right after cannabis became legal for medical use, Jennifer entered the cannabis retail industry. Her personal cannabis journey - which led to her losing 150 pounds and getting off 7 pharmaceutical medicines - inspired her to leave a higher-paying job to become a budtender at Trulieve for $12.50 an hour. With her extensive experience and natural leadership abilities, she grew rapidly through the ranks. Today, as District Manager for C3 Industries, she oversees 5 of the highest grossing stores for high-profile dispensaries in Missouri West. Jennifer is known for her ability to transform underperforming stores into successful operations through her people-leading approach and team building skills. She brings a unique hybrid perspective to her role, having started as a budtender and understanding both executive-level decision making and the realities of working behind the counter. Her expertise lies in balancing traditional retail practices with appreciation for the origin and qualities of the cannabis plant, helping to set the industry up for long-term success.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Jennifer
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success 100% to my support team. My husband does IT from home and has for about 15 years, which has not only allowed us to be able to move around the way I needed to elevate my cannabis career, but I wouldn't be able to do anything that I do every day without my family. Their consistent support has been the foundation that allows me to balance my professional responsibilities with my personal life.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received came from my mentor Scott. As simple as it is, he told me to just be me, and to remember that they need you more than you need them. This advice really helped me build my confidence level. As I climbed the ladder, he also reminded me to think about what part of you shows the most as you climb a ladder, and to be sure to grip where others may slip. These lessons have stayed with me and shaped how I approach my leadership role.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Remember that you belong at every single table, and you're important in every single conversation, no matter what it might seem.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I think some of the biggest challenges and opportunities for cannabis right now are making sure that as we navigate how we build what this industry is going to look like long-term, we remember to stay true to the qualities of the plant that we have been trying to free, while setting ourselves up for success by remembering that it is business. Very few generations get to be on the bottom floor of a brand new industry, especially in our country, so I like to watch our companies steer that opportunity while setting the industry up for success by having that balance of traditional retail and appreciation for the origin of the plant.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Consistency is the most important value to me. I believe in consistently being there for both my professional teams and for my family. I think that across the board, the behaviors it takes to make sure that I balance and support both require consistency on my part.
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