The Sira Spotlight series focuses on one of the most interesting aspects of Sira Naturals: our people. Each month, we highlight members of our staff from across the entire organization.
In this Sira Spotlight, we are highlighting our Sales Cannasseurs, David Applebaum & Staci Smith, to learn more about their roles overseeing wholesale sales throughout the state.
(Pictured Left to Right: David Applebaum and Staci Smith)
What is your role at Sira?
David: I manage our wholesale business on the east side of the state.
Staci: I'm the Sales Cannasseur for Central/Western Massachusetts.
How long have you been a part of the team?
David: I’ve been with Sira since November 2018, almost two years!
Staci: I’ve been a part of the team for 7 months.
How has your past experience informed your current role at Sira?
David: Nearly four years helping manage Cannabis retail spaces in Nevada and Massachusetts has given me a unique understanding of the products and experience patients/customers are looking for.
Staci: My career in the wine business has provided excellent experience for my job on Sira’s wholesale team. My time working with wineries, cultivating relationships and selling wine to shops and restaurants has many parallels to the wholesale cannabis industry. The most noticeable difference between the two industries is the rapid growth and ever-changing landscape the the cannabis industry offers. It is incredible to be a part of.
What is your favorite aspect of working on Sira’s wholesale program and portfolio of brands?
David: I love visiting our partners throughout the state, leading staff training sessions, and doing Pop-Up events to promote our brands and products. It’s so cool to see that our brands really resonate with so many people out there!
Staci: I love representing Sira’s innovative and high-quality portfolio. It offers a wide range of items for consumers who are exploring cannabis for the first time to the well-seasoned stoner.
What sets Sira’s wholesale program apart?
David: Sales through education! With all the misinformation out there, we’re fully committed to making sure our partners are trained on our processes and what makes our products different from the other wholesalers in the state.
Staci: Sira’s wholesale program is unique in the way which we offer a true partnership with our customers. We work with each dispensary to help forecast those products that they will be featuring on their menu within the following month and then work closely with our logistics team to fulfill their needs.
If a business is looking to carry Sira products at their own dispensary, what’s the process of reaching out and kickstarting a relationship?
David: Likely Staci or I will have already tracked them down! But if not, they can find a "Contact Us" form on the Sira Wholesale page on our website.
Staci: The "Contact Us" form on our wholesale site is a great place to start. From there, we schedule a call to meet one another and discuss what they are looking for, and to provide information about Sira’s portfolio. The next steps are for me to come out to the dispensary, get to know the decision maker(s) and to better understand their demographics in order to determine the accounts specific needs.
Where can I find a list of dispensary locations that carry Sira products?
David: You can find a list of our partners throughout the state by visiting our website, hovering over the Where to Buy tab, and clicking Our Network.
Staci: Many of the dispensaries I work with opened Spring 2020, thus they are just getting the word out. Leafly is a good resource for all the local dispensaries. Plus, explore our "Where to Buy" tab, and click "Our Network" to view a growing list of partners.
What’s your favorite Sira product and why?
David: I’m a big dabber, and Sira’s Live Rosin is one of the first things that brought me to Sira Somerville as a patient back in 2018. I’m always particularly thrilled to get my hands on our 3 Chems Live Rosin! It has an amazing flavor profile, and the high concentration of B-Caryophyllene is very helpful for the stomach issues I deal with.
Staci: The Terp Crystals are my favorite. They are great because they are so versatile and I love that you can enjoy them with flower and on their own.
What do you enjoy outside of work?
David: Family time, and road trips with my husky, Roscoe!
Staci: I spend a lot of time with my family and our 3 dogs. I am huge music fan, particularly of The Grateful Dead. I have a social media platform named “Strangers Stopping Strangers” where I get the opportunity to connect with other Deadheads who share the love of the music and the community.
