Meet Janay Brown | CEO + Owner of GROWF

We had the good fortune of connecting with Janay Brown and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Janay, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I have always been creative and artistic in the way I express myself. Whether this is through my art, my words, my food, or my crazy innovative ideas at random moments. Being able to show who I am through the things I love really gives me a rush and allows free range for self-exploration and discovery. Honestly, this career path came naturally – before high school actaully.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As cliche as it sounds, I am really the main factor when it comes to me being different from other creatives. My mind, my thoughts, my ideas, are endless. Anyone who’s been around me for 24 hours has heard at least 3 ideas that randomly come up with. I am really proud about starting my most recent company GROWF. I really have a lot in store for this company – it’s more than just rolling papers made out of real fruit, this company will set a major shift in the cannabis and creative industries.

I owned my first legit business coming outside of high school and immediately was employed at the Old Dominion University’s Strome Entrepreneurial Center for four years where I was a business consultant for students on campus, helping them with getting the licenses, business plans, trademarks, and more. During this time I have been to many expos, local, statewide, and national competitions, networking symposiums, and more. Even then my professional career is really just begging and I still have a lot to learn. It hasn’t been easy either, there are times where I wanted to throw in the towel and just get a 9:00 – 5: 00, which is fine, just not where I would be happy. But I will always keep pushing to get to my end goal, regardless of the obstacles. Really breathing and talking or writing your emotions and frustrations down, as well as talking to those you really trust helps. It’s really a day-by-day thing!

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned while on this journey is to only be concerned about the things you can control. There’s enough stress and crap we go through on a daily basis, and we all know that things aren’t always going to go your way, and we need to be okay with that and keep pushing. Don’t give up – take a deep breath, feel, let it out, breath again, and let’s get this work.

I want you all to just remember the name, Janay Brown, y work in the next coming years will show who I am and what I’m about better than my words can at this moment. GROWF is my golden child when it comes to businesses I’ve had. I truly believe that we will shift norms in the cannabis industry with our 5 and 10-year plans. We plan to have Herbal Bars + Shops throughout the US as a franchise, dispensaries with a twist, and way more. My story is just now beginning.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
So, I currently live in Suffolk, Virginia – home of the flagship GROWF Herbal Bar + Shop storefront. It’s only right that we start there! For those who are unaware, Suffolk is part of the 757, Seven Cities, or Hampton Roads area. We share this tidewater region with Hampton, Newport News, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Norfolk, and of course, Virginia Beach. There’s literally a ton of fun activities and unique finds here. Every day we would spend the entire day in a new city starting with my favorite breakfast spots there (The Stockpot – Norfolk), a dope activity like going on the boardwalk at the beach (Virginia Beach), lunch at an awesome black-owned restaurant (Mango Manguex – Hampton), go see some historical sites in Newport News, eat dinner at The Butcher’s Son (Chesapeake), and end the night and see a concert (Portsmouth Pavillion).

It’s endless when you know where the hidden local spots are!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I wouldn’t be where I am in life or where I’m headed if it wasn’t for my support groups. I’d love to give a shout-out to my team! We’ve been together for about a year now and it’s crazy to think that everyone reached out to me once my products went viral, to be a part of the company and its GROWF. Now, we’re closer than ever and consider each other family. I also would love to shout out to my supporters and customers – constantly spreading the word, passing the OG PAPA at the weekly sessions, chilling in the store with us, and also throwing new orders our way daily. Literally, without you, I wouldn’t have my team and vice versa!

The most important shout-out goes to my family, especially my parents. It’s really a blessing to have parents who are role models, that are understanding, and so willing to help support my vision without me even asking. I really love them both more than words can even explain. I do this for them so that they can retire and travel the world, they deserve that and more in life and I can’t wait to give it to them.

Website: truegrowf.com

Instagram: @truegrowf | @itsthejanay

Linkedin: –

Twitter: @truegrowf | @itsthejanay

Facebook: @truegrowf

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/growf-herbal-bar-shop-suffolk

Youtube: *coming soon*

Other: TIKTOK – @truegrowf

Image Credits
Non-personal Pictures Josh Boone – @JoshBoonePhoto https://www.joshboonephotography.com/ Personal Pictures (emailed) Demel Bolden – @drvnmel (PLEASE USE EMAILED PERSONAL PICTURES, NOT ONE UPLOADED ON HERE)