Interviews
Sam Milton, Founder & CEO of Enlighten Your Grow – Interview Series
“I’ve had the expression many times that it's too good to be true.”
Sam Milton
Welcome to today's exclusive interview with a pioneering figure in the intersection of sustainability and the cannabis industry. I am delighted to introduce Sam Milton, the Founder and CEO of Enlighten Your Grow. Sam's innovative work revolves around aiding cannabis businesses in reducing their energy and environmental impact within the context of indoor grow operations. His mission is not only to help these businesses thrive but also to make them more environmentally responsible and highly competitive in the market. Moreover, Sam's expertise has proven instrumental in safeguarding these businesses from potentially crippling regulatory hurdles.
With a remarkable track record boasting a 99% success rate, Sam has assisted numerous growers, regardless of their size, in securing substantial energy efficiency incentives. In fact, his efforts have collectively netted them over $2,000,000 in financial benefits. What's even more astonishing is that this invaluable resource is largely under the radar within the cannabis industry – the availability of significant discounts from local utilities. Sam's mission is, in essence, to shed light on this often-overlooked opportunity, making his work all the more crucial.
Join us in this conversation as we delve into the world of sustainable cannabis cultivation, energy efficiency, and how Sam Milton is leading the charge towards a greener, more profitable, and responsible future for the cannabis industry.
- Can you briefly introduce Enlighten Your Grow and the impact that your company is making in the cannabis industry?
Enlighten Your Grow a special program of Climate Resource Group, a dynamic company based in Maine. Through EYG, we serve cannabis businesses across North America. The company was founded with a mission to empower businesses by enhancing their efficiency, reducing their carbon footprint, and ultimately increasing their profitability. Our mission is to transform the cannabis industry from one that is often wasteful to one where sustainability best practices are used everywhere.
Our impact in the cannabis industry is measured not only by the financial gains our clients experience (in terms of rebates and cost savings) but also by the reduced environmental footprint they leave behind. We would like to assume that in the long run customers would actually prefer to work with companies that prioritize environmental sustainability. EYG stands at the forefront of driving positive change in the cannabis sector, helping businesses thrive while contributing to a greener, more sustainable future.
2. You mentioned that your company has driven over $2 million in incentives to cannabis companies nationwide. What are some of the strategies that Enlighten Your Grow has employed to achieve such a feat?
Enlighten Your Grow has successfully driven over $2 million in incentives to cannabis companies nationwide through a strategic approach that involves three key strategies:
Explore Your Facility Needs: Our first step is to thoroughly explore the unique operational needs and opportunities of each cannabis business. By closely examining your facility, we identify areas where improvements can be made to enhance efficiency, reduce energy consumption, and minimize waste. This comprehensive exploration ensures that we have a deep understanding of your specific requirements.
Exploit the Opportunity: Once we've identified these opportunities for improvement, we take proactive steps to capitalize on them. This involves leveraging the potential for energy efficiency and sustainability within your operation. We work to secure incentives and rewards for you by encouraging the installation and utilization of more energy-efficient equipment and the adoption of sustainable practices. This strategic exploitation of opportunities ensures that you can maximize your financial benefits.
Execute the Plan: Our commitment to excellence doesn't stop at identifying opportunities; we follow through with precision in executing the plan. Our dedicated team works diligently to implement the strategies and solutions developed during the exploration and exploitation phases. This execution is geared towards delivering tangible benefits that translate into higher profits for your cannabis business.
By combining these three strategies—exploration of facility needs, exploitation of opportunities, and flawless execution—we've been able to help cannabis companies nationwide not only improve their operational efficiency but also access substantial incentives, totaling over $2 million. This approach reflects our dedication to supporting the growth and sustainability of businesses in the cannabis industry.
- Given your success record in helping cannabis companies receive thousands of dollars in incentives, the value you add seems like a no-brainer. What do you think could be some of the reasons that are holding back potential customers from taking up your service?
It is true that with our solution companies are going to be spending far less on their operational costs. The pay back for an investment in energy efficiency is often very fast, compared to other investments. In addition, customers can also benefit from state and local rebates. With this, I think that this is the direction that all cannabis growers should be taking from the get-go. Unfortunately, a good number of operators are not aware of their options. Some are skeptical; I’ve heard the expression that “this is just too good to be true” many times. A few believe that this is something that they can do on their own and hence don't think that it is necessary to hire an expert to manage. For a good number it is the time commitment. Many believe that this will add a few more weeks to their project cycle and they are not willing to make such a compromise. However, that is hardly the case. This can often be done concurrently as the project is moving forward.
4. You’ve been working in the cannabis industry for several years now. Would you say that this industry is more difficult to navigate compared to other similar industries?
I would say so and that’s because there's no universal awareness of the need to pursue cost savings aggressively. Quite a lot of emphasis is placed on speed of buildout and reduction of upfront costs. It’s perfectly natural that developers will want to build as quickly and as inexpensively as possible from day one. Frankly, this is usually about how quickly investors want their return and hence very few companies have a long-term profitability perspective. This serves as a disincentive on sustainability choices. I hope this will change eventually as the industry matures and as companies develop a long term horizon.
- Growing a business in the cannabis industry can come with unique challenges and opportunities. Can you discuss any lessons you've learned along the way?
Growing a business in the cannabis industry has indeed been a journey filled with unique challenges and valuable lessons. One significant lesson I've learned along the way is that having patience is key.
In this industry, it takes time before customers are genuinely convinced that they need the services or products you're offering and that these offerings will benefit their companies. I guess it's part of the sales cycle. Cannabis businesses are often cautious due to the legal and regulatory complexities involved. Building trust and demonstrating the value of our services is a gradual process.
We've discovered that education and consistent communication are vital in this regard. It's essential to provide prospective clients with in-depth information about how our services can address their specific needs and help them achieve their goals. This education process can take time, but it's necessary for building a solid foundation of trust. At the end of the day, businesses don’t purchase equipment worth hundreds of thousands of dollars everyday.
Moreover, understanding the intricacies of the cannabis industry and staying up-to-date with the ever-evolving regulations is crucial. This knowledge not only helps in gaining the trust of potential clients but also in ensuring that our solutions remain compliant and effective in an industry known for its complexity.
In summary, the journey of growing a business in the cannabis industry has taught me that patience, persistent education, and a deep understanding of the industry's unique challenges are essential. It may take time for customers to come on board, but with dedication and a commitment to delivering value, we can overcome these challenges and seize the opportunities this industry offers.
- What’s next for Enlighten Your Grow?
My overall goal is to help the industry operate more sustainability. The main way we do this is by working directly with operators to demonstrate to them the financial upside of reducing their energy costs and environmental footprint. Bringing them massive utility energy efficiency incentives goes a long way here. We are closely watching the de-scheduling of cannabis to see how that shakes up the market for our customers. This may also open up opportunities for federal programs to also provide incentives to operators.
It was a great pleasure to have this interview with Sam Milton, the Founder and CEO of Enlighten Your Grow. Readers wishing to learn more about Sam and what he is doing are invited to do so through the company’s website.
It was a great pleasure to have this interview with Sam Milton, the Founder and CEO of Enlighten Your Grow. Readers wishing to learn more about Sam and what he is doing are invited to do so through the company’s website.
