Blake Marchand, CEO & Founder of March and Ash – Interview Series

Blake Marchand is the CEO & Founder of March and Ash, a customer-focused licensed cannabis retail outlet with medical and recreational marijuana dispensaries in Southern California.

Prior to launching March and Ash you had a successful local real estate brokerage company operating in San Diego County. What motivated you to shift away from real estate to focus on the legalized cannabis industry?

I have always wanted to be involved in the cannabis industry as soon as it became legal in Colorado. I was tempted to make the move to the state but didn’t want to leave the family. So, when the industry became legalized in San Diego, I knew the only way I was able to break into the industry was to use my Real Estate background and find a property that was zoned properly. At the time, I thought my property in Mission Valley was going to be my only operation, but after two long years of permitting and construction, I couldn’t stop with one shop only. I have lost several family members and friends close to me due to cancer, and have always been a firm believer in cannabis as an alternative to the pills and meds our doctors give to us today. This is one reason you will always find a CBD room or section in each of our stores.

Could you share the genesis story behind March and Ash and the origins of the name?

When coming up with the name for March and Ash, we originally had a different name in mind. The original name was to be built for only one operation. But after we made the decision, we wanted to build a brand and company, and not just be a shop, we shifted and needed to come up with a new name/concept. At that time, we were going to use our names. My business partner did not want to use his name, so we kept my last name in it and added the ash to the end. My last name went along really well with full name of March and Ash but also March, in the Roman calendar, is the first month of the year. This is because it comes when Spring brings us a new season of life. Ash is what remains of a life once lived, used to fertilize new beginnings. March and Ash represents a respect for the span of our lives and the role cannabis plays to improve and renew it.

What types of products are sold and what have been some of the best sellers?

We have a wide variety of products in our stores and everything sells very well. We don’t push products on our customers. We believe very strongly in educating our customers on the products available in stores, and allowing them to choose what works best for them. Most of our competitors don’t offer a wide range of products and they try to push their own products or products that give them higher margins. We do not believe in that approach and would rather a customer not buy anything at all rather than buy something they were sold on and get home and not be happy with they purchased.

Could you share some details on the business split percentage of in-store sales versus online orders?

Each of our store operations are very different. For example, our Mission Valley location is our first store and been open the longest. It’s also one of our smaller operations, so I believe now our customers here in Mission Valley know what they want, so we have a higher ratio of online/delivery orders compared to our other shops. Overall, I would say all shops are at least 70/30 (in-store vs online). Some locations don’t allow delivery, so these select stores are either all in store or curbside pick-up.

Could you discuss some of the banking challenges that you have faced, and if any of them have improved over time?

Banking is one of the largest challenges in the industry. During our first year of operations, we were all cash and that makes things very difficult. We now have banking which allows us to operate as a normal business, and is a huge success in this industry. However there are still many personal challenges that come in to play. For example, being an owner of the company and wanting to get a home mortgage. No banks will finance if your career is in cannabis right now. Even when buying our commercial properties, we have to go get hard money or private money.

What are some other challenges that you have faced that are unique to the industry?

The competition between other shop owners. During the application process, everyone is in such tough competition, that others will try to get you/your business denied by the city. They will do whatever it takes to try to get your application disqualified. One of the major challenges earlier on was changing the stigma of cannabis. When I first got into the industry, I was called several names and now years later and after educating the community, I receive a lot of congrats and Thank You’s for what I have brought to our community with March and Ash.

You’ve appeared on numerous news programs to educate pet owners on accessing and using CBD products. What should pet owners be aware of and why is CBD such a good option for pets?

 CBD is a great resource for pet owners. I have used CBD with my own pets and it works very well. I do not support doggy downers, as they basically take the life out of the dog. CBD helps with anxiety, pain etc. – all elements that eventually occur in older dogs.

Is there anything else that you would like to share about March and Ash?

We are still a locally owned, family owned and operated company. I have two business partners. One that I have known since 1^st grade and one since freshman year of high school. We all have our own roles here at March and Ash, and we love what we do. All of us are local San Diego guys and I am a graduate from San Diego State University. We love our city and we hope to be the face of not only San Diego, but of all of California one day.

Thank you for the great interview, readers who wish to learn more should visit March and Ash.