Grass Goddess Consulting’s Dina Nagib

Business owners in all industries must often make decisions about subjects they have little experience with. Be it legal issues, logistics, or technology, all executives need the advice of experts from time to time.

This need for expertise is no different in the cannabis industry. And when retail businesses need help choosing and implementing software solutions, many turn to Dina Nagib and San Diego-based Grass Goddess Consulting for expert assistance.

Before launching her business, Nagib spent 11 years working for a pharmaceutical company, where she split her tenure between managing the firm’s dispensary and developing software.

“My background is in pharmaceuticals,” Nagib tells IgniteIt in an online interview.

“I was also a closeted cannabis consumer while holding a DEA-controlled substance license. So a lot of interesting things going on there,” she adds wryly. “And when I came over to cannabis just over six years ago, I really wanted to bring what I learned in pharmaceuticals over to cannabis, specifically around the software and helping operators do better.”

Nagib now shares the knowledge and expertise she gained in the pharmaceutical industry to help cannabis businesses, first working on software development. That’s when she realized that the software companies and their clients faced unique challenges.

“Software companies are in a hard spot. They have to redevelop for every state. And retailers are in a hard spot. They don’t know what they need to know,” Nagib explains. “I help them select the right software, implement it in the best way, and implement data and analytics to help them grow.”

Nagib saw the opportunity to serve as a bridge between software companies and cannabis businesses. As a consultant, she helps companies select the technology solutions that will be used to run the enterprise.

Nagib emphasizes the particular challenges faced by the cannabis industry, including high taxes. She helps her clients develop strategies, including implementing more aggressive tax positions.

“What I do is I work with retailers,” says Nagib. “I help them select the right software, implement it in the best way, and implement data and analytics to help them grow.”

Noting that businesses in the cannabis industry face many of the same challenges, Nagib seeks out other professionals, including attorneys and accountants. Through these partnerships, everyone involved can better navigate the complexities of the cannabis industry. She believes licensed operators also have opportunities to collaborate that can support the industry as a whole.

“It’s really important that we all work together and that we share data,” Nagib says, adding, “That’s the best way forward.”

For more information about Grass Goddess Consulting or to connect with Dina Nagib, visit her website.