Tyler Beuerlein, Chief Strategic Business Development Officer at Safe Harbor Financial – Interview Series

Even though the American cannabis industry has grown into an estimated $30 billion a year industry and legalized in corners of the country that no one ever thought would have done so, many of its businesses still face significant issues related to finance and proper banking. Because just about every major bank is FDIC-insured and cannabis itself is still Schedule I, access to proper banking services can be extremely difficult to find.

Luckily for struggling cannabis businesses, there’s a financial institution based out of Scottsdale that provides these companies with easy access to these vital financial banking services. For a better understanding of those frequent issues and what cannabis banking could look like in the future, mycannabis.com had the pleasure of speaking to Tyler Beuerlein, Chief Strategic Business Development Officer at Safe Harbor Financial.

I usually ask my interviewees about their experience prior to joining the cannabis industry, and yours is quite unique. What was the process of becoming a professional baseball player for the New York Mets, and how would you describe the overall experience of playing in the MLB?

Baseball was my whole life growing up. From a young age, I was all in—training, competing, and doing whatever it took to get to the next level. Getting drafted by the New York Mets was a dream come true. Playing professionally is an experience like no other—it’s an intense grind, physically and mentally, but it teaches you discipline, resilience, and how to perform under pressure. That’s something that’s stuck with me in every part of my career. The lessons I learned on the field—about preparation, adaptability, and competing at the highest level—translated directly into the business world. It’s funny how much overlap there is between sports and navigating complex industries like finance and cannabis. I’m grateful for everything baseball taught me.

What inspired you to make the professional change from being an MLB player to going into portfolio management and finance? And what initially interested you in working in these fields?

Like most athletes, I knew baseball wouldn’t last forever, so I started thinking about my next chapter early on. I’ve always been drawn to business—specifically finance—because of the strategic thinking and problem-solving it requires. The transition felt natural. In sports, you analyze situations, manage risk, and make quick decisions. Finance is the same way—it requires discipline, an ability to assess risk, and a deep understanding of how markets move. That challenge excited me, and I wanted to take the competitive mindset I had in baseball and apply it to the business world.

What were the roles you held with Hypur, Inc., and what were the common duties of those roles?

At Hypur, I was heavily involved in business development, partnerships, and helping financial institutions navigate compliance in high-risk industries. My main focus was working with banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions to bridge the gap between traditional finance and industries that lacked access—like cannabis. That meant a lot of strategic planning, regulatory navigation, and building out compliant banking solutions. It was a unique role because we were tackling problems that hadn’t really been solved before.

Why did you feel that Hypur, Inc. was special in their work with industries considered “high risk,” and was that where your interest in cannabis finance and banking was created?

Hypur was ahead of its time in recognizing the need for transparency and compliance in high-risk industries like cannabis. Traditional banks were hesitant to engage due to regulatory concerns, and Hypur developed a solution that allowed financial institutions to service these industries while maintaining strict compliance. This work gave me firsthand insight into the cannabis industry’s banking struggles, and it became clear that there was a massive gap in financial services. That’s when my passion for solving this problem really took off.

How did you become a Forbes Business Development Council member, and what does that membership entail? How would you describe the usefulness of the council?

The Forbes Business Development Council is an invite-only network for senior business development professionals. I was invited based on my experience in financial services, cannabis banking, and high-risk industries. Being a part of it gives me access to a network of other professionals, industry insights, and a platform to share my perspective on financial trends. It’s been a great way to collaborate with others who are working to solve similar challenges.

When did you join the Banking & Financial Services Committee of the National Cannabis Industry Association, and what are the usual duties of the committee? How does the committee assist both the members of the organization and the greater cannabis industry?

Safe Harbor Financial was created out of necessity. The cannabis industry has been locked out of traditional banking for years due to federal restrictions, which forced businesses into a cash-heavy, high-risk environment. Safe Harbor was built to provide a compliant, transparent banking solution that gives cannabis businesses access to the same financial tools as any other industry. One of the defining moments was realizing just how many businesses were desperate for banking stability. Sundie Seefried saw a huge need and stepped in to fill that gap.

What services does Safe Harbor Financial offer its clients, and how is SHF able to operate around the prohibition of FDIC-insured banks and the many other banking-related issues that cannabis companies face?

We offer a full suite of banking and financial services for cannabis businesses, including business accounts, lending, and payment solutions. The key is our partnerships with financial institutions that have the regulatory framework to serve the industry compliantly. We strive to create a secure banking infrastructure that allows cannabis businesses to function more like traditional companies.

How would a federal rescheduling of cannabis from Schedule I to III change the operations and services offered by Safe Harbor Financial?

It would be a major shift. Rescheduling would signal federal acceptance of cannabis as a legitimate industry, which could open the door for major financial institutions to get involved. It wouldn’t solve all banking challenges overnight, but it would ease a lot of regulatory concerns and likely lead to more access to traditional banking services. For Safe Harbor, it would mean expanding our offerings, working with more financial partners, and helping to bring even more stability to the industry. For operators it would mean the end of 280E, greater net revenues and easier access to mainstream lending products.

Thank you for joining us, Tyler! For more information on Safe Harbor Financial, please visit its website.