Meet Shannendoah Gallagher: Digital Accessibility & Growth Marketing Consultant for Cannabis Businesses

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

Hi Shannendoah, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
In 2011, I was an intern at a Post-production company and after working on a number of projects ranging from feature films to video mastering my time came to an end. After a month of applying for any job related to sales and marketing and not getting any interviews I was still getting calls and emails from a few of the company’s clients that I had been working with during my time there. At the time I didn’t really know what to do because I didn’t want to work at an ad agency and that seemed to be one of the few options available to me with my design and marketing education. I was fortunate that I had developed a pretty good network of business owners when I was a barista, so I started asking questions and fielding advice from them. One of them advised me to just make sure before I took on any work that I should form an LLC to protect myself and my assets. Shortly after that a friend contacted me about a project and I was brought in to consult on social media best practices and team messaging for a large nonprofit organization. It was my first big contract. From that contract I met another non profit CEO who was in my workshop and she contracted me for a project that would last about three years. In retrospect, I can’t really say that I had a detailed thought process behind it. I knew I didn’t want to work for somebody else and let them determine my worth, so I set about acquiring the skills and knowledge to make myself an effective problem solver.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I help cannabis dispensaries and related businesses improve their website security and performance, grow their online reach, and create an online experience that serves all of their clients and patients. One of the best lessons I have learned is to “learn from the mistakes of others because you don’t have enough time to make them all yourself”. It’s a win or learn world out there and it is imperative to learn a lot before you start winning because winning doesn’t teach you anything important. Getting where I am today has not been an easy path; far from it. The challenges are never ending and the industry is constantly changing. For example, the work I do was not as talked about in a positive manner. Cannabis was not a sector that I ever thought I would work in. I have a lot of experience with it, but I wasn’t thinking that I was going to center my business around it given the legality issues surrounding it. It’s still not easy as the laws in Georgia make it really difficult to do much locally, so I invest a lot of time developing online connections in fully legalized states. I’m optimistic that change is coming since more East Coast states and the Midwest are beginning to legalize. I decided to work in the Cannabis space because I believe it can help so many people live full and healthier lives. It has helped me with chronic pain management and stress for years. Now it is helping people I know with their chronic health issues including Epilepsy, Ulcerative Colitis, to Rheumatoid Arthritis. After seeing how it has benefited them inspired me to help Cannabis brands and companies grow and thrive so that they can erase the stigma from the failed “War on Drugs” policy that has been pervasive since the 80s through educating people. As a Polynesian Asian American I don’t see a lot of people that look like me in this industry. I see this as my chance to be the change I seek in the world. It puts me in a position to give others an opportunity to make a significant positive difference in others lives when I bring on new team members.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’m very food centered. There are so many great places. Heirloom Market, Snackboxe Bistro, Food Terminal, Jang Su Jang, Ari Korean Steakhouse, El Super Pan at Ponce, The General Muir, Desta, and El Tesoro are all on my shortlist, especially right now. They have all been managing COVID really well and I am love supporting them. I also have to mention Pao Pao Ramen and Java Saga. For dessert it is either Sublime Donuts or Sweethut Bakery. Pre/post COVID we would have to go to Laughing Skull or New Realm Brewery for standup comedy. A long walk on the Mason Mill trail or a hike up Stone Mountain is always on the itinerary. Finally, if they are Soccer fans then we have to go to an Atlanta United game. Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First, recognizing that I have a great family support system has been a big change. My wife and Father In Law have supported me through all the good times and the bad times. Connecting with Trey Humphreys and the men in The Exchange has been a big shift for me. Being part of a group of men looking to connect and grow into our best selves has made a huge positive difference in my life. It has also given me a trusted group of people that I can voice things that I usually would have bottled up and never addressed. I’ve learned to be more vulnerable, ask for help, and most importantly to accept help when it is offered. Speakers Roundtable Toastmasters Club has definitely given me a lot of opportunities to learn, grow, and develop my public speaking and communication skills. As result, I have been able to serve in a lot of different volunteer roles as a speaker, emcee, trainer, and comedian with varying degrees of success. I’ve bombed in front of so many audiences that I’ve become more comfortable with the idea that I may fail, but it will be a lesson for later and possibly a great story. The coaches at Team Octopus helped me lose a lot of weight and overcome my depression. They pushed me physically and mentally to work harder than I would on my own and I am grateful for that.

Website: sociallinus.com

Instagram: _shannendoah_

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/skgallagher/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shannendoah