Maximum Yield's Industry News | February 2017

FEBRUARY 2017 // MAXIMUM YIELD’S INDUSTRY NEWS 

UNITING THE INDUSTRY GLOBALLY SINCE 1998 

Grow-A-Matic 

WHY YOU MUST ADAPT. 

KEEPING GOALS IN FRONT OF YOU TO KEEP YOU 

ON THE RIGHT PATH IN AN EVOLVING INDUSTRY.

FEBRUARY 2017 

Volume 15 - Number 05 

PUBLISHER 

Maximum Yield Inc. 

GENERAL MANAGER 

Ilona Hawser 

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF 

Toby Gorman 

editor@maximumyield.com 

ASSOCIATE EDITORS 

Julie McManus 

Jessica Skelton 

Julie Chadwick 

ADVERTISING SALES 

250.729.2677 

Sales Manager 

Katie Rey 

katie.rey@maximumyield.com 

Associate Executives 

Jed Walker 

jed.walker@maximumyield.com 

Michelle Fraser 

michelle.fraser@maximumyield.com 

Erik Duivenvoorde 

erik@maximumyield.com 

Courtenay Althouse 

courtenay@maximumyield.com 

Hailey Woolgar 

hailey@maximumyield.com 

ACCOUNTING 

Tracy Greeno 

accounting@maximumyield.com 

Katie LaFrance 

ar@maximumyield.com 

PRODUCTION & DESIGN 

ads@maximumyield.com 

Art Director // Alice Joe 

Graphic Designers 

Jennifer Everts 

Dionne Hurd 

Holly Anderson 

Samira Saoud 

Industry News is published monthly 

by Maximum Yield Inc. No part of this 

magazine may be reproduced without 

permission from the publisher. The views 

expressed by columnists are personal 

opinions and do not necessarily reflect 

those of Industry News or the editor. 

Publication agreement number 40739092. 

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INSIDE 

FEATURES // 

FINALLY FLORIDA 

by Medicine 

Man Technologies 

58 

YOU CAN MAKE A 

DIFFERENCE AND 

PROFIT IN 2017 

by Wayne Elsey 

60 

WHY YOU MUST ADAPT 

AND REFOCUS 

by Grant Cardone 

64 

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE 

BETWEEN NETWORKING 

& NETWEAVING 

by Jennie Gorman 

68 

8 February 2017 // Maximum Yield’s Industry News

Grow-A-Matic 

54 

60 

38 

64 

departments // 

FROM THE EDITOR 10 

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT 14 

INDUSTRY BUZZ 26 

COMPANY SPOTLIGHT // Green Planet Nutrients and 

Pacific Northwest Garden 

38 

DEVELOPMENTS & DIALOGUE // Stretch-Tie 46 

68 

TRENDS & TECHNOLOGIES // Dr. Earth 50 

INNOVATION STATION // Boveda 54 

Maximum Yield’s Industry News // February 2017 

9

From the EDITOR 

The best part of any industry is the people. The products, innovation, and successes are 

byproducts of passion, foresight, and dedication. The indoor growing industry is no 

different. Time and time again, we come across people absolutely dedicated to their hydro 

shop or line of products, moving forward with enthusiasm and a no-quit attitude. This 

approach is captured perfectly this month in our Q&A with Dr. Earth’s Milo Shammas. 

In business for 26 years, Dr. Earth now distributes in every US state and employs 122 

people. Of course, Shammas didn’t start out that way. He started the business alone with 

nothing more than a vision and a goal to make plants grow better. In his words, “I was 

terrified and had to beg, borrow, and work with what I had. I never expected anything and 

everything was difficult because it was new and I had no one to help me.” It paid off, and 

Shammas’s story can serve as an inspiration to anybody in any industry. It was certainly 

a privilege to connect with him, along with the people at Green Planet, Sundrop Farms, 

Stretch-Tie, and Boveda. They all have inspiring success stories to share, which we feature 

in this issue of Industry News. 

It is these same people that we are always excited to cross paths with at our newly 

branded GrowX expos. The team here at Maximum Yield is excited to announce the 

launch of GrowX, set to get underway in 2017. Along with having a cannabis component, 

GrowX will feature education, business, and networking components developed to bring 

the industry together. GrowX will make its debut June 3-4, 2017, at San Jose’s McEnery 

Convention Center. A second show is scheduled to take place at Detroit’s Cobo Center 

from Sept. 30-Oct. 1, 2017. We hope to see you there. 

As always, thanks for reading Inews and if you have any questions feel free to contact us 

at editor@maximumyield.com. 


PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT // 

THE INDUSTRY’S LATEST 

INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS 

Florafelt Vertical Gardens and Living Walls 

Florafelt Vertical Gardens and Living Walls present a whole new way to 

think about gardening. Grow a living wall is easy with the Florafelt System. 

The hand-made pocket planters and robust Pro Systems are designed to 

use the micro fibers in PET felt so that all the plants are watered equally. 

Florafelt is made from recycled plastic bottles, a nylon non-toxic fiber that is 

indestructible. This amazing material provides a safe growing medium that is 

pH neutral and non-reactive so you can garden organically right on your wall. 

It’s especially safe and suitable for vegetables and herbs. Roots grow right 

into the felt, which comes alive thanks to the microbiology in the soil. Planters 

also come with a customizable Root-Wrapping system that lets you change 

and arrange your living wall at will, while 

maintaining the integrity of every plant in 

its own soil. 

– plantsonwalls.com, florafelt.com 

Dutchpro pH- Grow 

Dutchpro pH- Grow reduces the pH value in a garden during 

the growth stage. This product contains 38 per cent nitric acid, 

so caution must be used while handling and storing. To use, 

growers add small amounts of pH- Grow during the growth 

stage until the desired pH level is reached, keeping in mind 

the recommended pH level for most plants during the bloom 

stage is around 5.8. Dutchpro pH- Grow comes in a wide 

variety of sizes and is compatible with many types of media. 

– dutchpro.com 

ION Ceramic Metal Halide System 

Say goodbye to the high heat and power consumption and EMI 

of other HID systems with ceramic metal halide technology 

from ION. Designed specifically for use with ceramic metal 

halide lamps, the 315W ION electronic ballast CMH powers 

highly efficient light output at a modest 

wattage, while the microprocessor’s lower 

operating frequency produces minimal 

electromagnetic interference. A full list 

of integrated features optimizes system 

performance, lengthens lamp life, and 

promotes safe operation. Pair the ballast 

with the base-up ION CMH reflector for a 

balanced footprint free of hot spots. 

ION CMH products are safety 

certified, adaptable to a range of 

voltage set-ups, and well-suited 

to single- and multi-light 

configurations in both hobby 

and commercial applications. 

– bwgs.com 

Grower's Choice DE 630W 4K CMH/LEC Grow Lamp 

Introducing the industry’s first 4K 

double-ended CMH bulb. The 

Grower’s Choice 4K CMH bulb runs 

in any double-ended, high-frequency 

ballast if it is dimmed down to 600W. Now, 

growers can enjoy all the benefits of costly 

LEC systems by simply switching out the bulb in their existing fixture. 

Due to its proprietary spectrum, the Grower’s Choice CMH 4K bulb offers 

an unbeatable CRI of 98, making it the closest solution to sunlight available on 

the market. The 4K bulb is a perfect veg bulb, offering thicker branches, tighter 

node spacing, and bushier growth, which leads to higher yields. This product offers 

the efficiency of a DE system and the spectral quality of an LEC combined into one. 

– growersc.com 


PRODUCT Spotlight 

AgroLED iSunlight T5 LED 

Repower your fixture with Sun System’s new iSUNLIGHT T5, a first in horticultural lighting. Using the T5 platform, you can easily 

upgrade your lighting from fluorescent to LED by switching lamps. The iSUNLIGHT T5 LED is a 41W, 5,500K, T5 HO replacement LED 

lamp, and a superior choice for the propagation and veg cycles of your plants. The iSUNLIGHT T5 lamp is an intelligent LED that is 

specifically designed to work with your existing T5 HO fluorescent fixture. The iSUNLIGHT T5 LED produces more than 5,100 lumens 

with only 41W of consumed power. These are environmentally friendly, mercury-free, grow lights. 

– sunlightsupply.com 

Grower’s Choice Digital 

315W CMH Fixture 

Grower's Choice is proud to 

introduce a new digital 315W 

ceramic metal halide complete 

fixture. Utilizing cutting-edge 

50/60-Hertz, low-frequency, 

square-wave technology, the 

fixture can maintain lumen 

output higher than 95 per cent 

for more than 30,000 hours while 

maintaining the initial spectrum, 

ensuring both reliability and 

efficiency. Grower’s Choice CMH 

fixture is capable of operating 

at either 120V or 240V, making it 

ideal for home and commercial 

applications. Their Smart-Dim technology allows growers to dim 

and super-charge the lamp depending on the grower’s specific 

needs. Grower’s Choice offers the broadest range of 315W 

lamps, including the 3100K Full Phase, 3100K-R Red Enhanced, 

4200K Day Light, and 10,000K Finishing. 


Dutchpro Starter Pack for 

Hydro/Coco 

The Dutchpro Starter Pack for 

Hydro/Coco provides all the 

nutrients and supplements 

growers need for grow 

and bloom in one box, 

including one large bottle 

of Original Grow Hydro/ 

Coco, one large bottle of 

Original Bloom Hydro/Coco, 

and one small bottle each 

of Take Root, Explode, and 

Multi Total. Grow schedules 

and instructions are also 

included. This authentic, 

Amsterdam-designed canal 

house starter pack is the perfect 

introduction to Dutchpro nutrients and 

additives and provides the opportunity to give 

the award-winning Dutchpro range a try at a significantly 

reduced price. 


Hydrofarm Jump Start Standing Lighting System 

New and available exclusively from Hydrofarm, the Jump Start standing lighting 

system is specifically designed to stand independently and provide beneficial light to 

seed starts, cuttings, herbs, and more. Available in either 12-inch or 24-inch sizes, the 

T5 fluorescent tube and built-in reflector provide adequate light to plants, while the 

integrated wire stands and bases allow it to stand securely over them. Like all Jump 

Start T5 fixtures, the reflector in this system uses highly reflective Omni-Max film. Its 

clever design allows great flexibility in the reflector angle of the fixture, which can be 

changed to direct the light spread from one side of the plant canopy to the other, as 

desired. Includes an eight-foot 120V power cord. 

– hydrofarm.com 



Hydrofarm Jump Start Attachable Lighting System 

A Hydrofarm exclusive, the new Jump Start attachable lighting system is specifically 

designed to work with the oxyCLONE 20-Site cloning system and the Back To 

The Roots water garden. It’s perfect for providing beneficial light to seed starts, 

cuttings, herbs, and leafy greens. The 12-inch T5 fluorescent tube and built-in 

reflector provide adequate light, while the integrated clips attach securely to 

the oxyCLONE or water garden. Like all Jump Start T5 fixtures, the reflector in 

this system uses highly reflective Omni-Max film. Its clever design allows for great 

flexibility in the reflector angle of the fixture, which can be changed to direct the light 

spread from one side of the plant canopy to the other, as desired. Includes an eightfoot 

120V power cord and carries a one-year warranty. 


Dutchpro Leaf Green 

Dutchpro Leaf Green is used to achieve 

good leaf development in plants, 

giving them a healthy, vital look. It is 

especially recommended for plants that 

have noticeable difficulties with their 

development. Leaf Green also gives 

plants with a yellowish tinge a fresh green 

color. It’s also great at improving nutrient 

uptake. Leaf Green is non-ammonia-based 

and comes ready to use as a spray-on 

liquid. Apply at least three hours before 

the lights go on. Dutchpro nutrients are 

stable, clear, contain organic elements, 

and are available in a variety of sizes. 


MixSure+ Graduated Cylinders 

Don’t risk damaging plants with 

improperly diluted concentrates—protect 

their health by ensuring accurate doses 

of essential elixirs. MixSure+ Graduated 

Cylinders are perfect for measuring 

nutrients, pesticides, and other liquid 

formulas around the garden. Available 

in 100-, 250-, 500-, and 1,000-milliliter 

sizes, these BPA-free and food-grade tools 

feature both raised and printed milliliter 

scales for ease of use, plus a spout for 

clean pouring and a wide hexagonal base 

for stability. 

– bwgs.com 

Titan Controls Hyperion Data Transfer Module 

Titan Controls has done it again—now you can monitor and run your growroom from anywhere in 

the world. The Hyperion Data Transfer Module is a giant leap forward in keeping you informed 

and connected to your grow space. Using Sunlight Supply’s proprietary SunWave Technology, this 

product allows you to receive all the readings from your Hyperion controller on your smartphone. 

The Data Transfer Module gives growers the ability to remotely adjust their growroom settings 

and receive push notifications (alerts) in the event of an extreme situation (i.e. high/low temp., high 

humidity/low humidity, power interruption, etc.). No matter where you are you can control your 

lights, room temperature, CO 2, and humidity from your phone using the Hyperion Data Transfer 

Module in conjunction with your Hyperion Controller. The Data Transfer Module requires you 

download a free app and then sync up to a Wi-Fi signal which will allow you to monitor and control 

your growroom from anywhere that you can get a signal. 

– titancontrols.net 



SAN-0001 CO 2 Monitor and Data Logger 

The SAN-0001 Personal CO 2 Monitor 

from CO2 Meter protects you or 

your staff from dangerously high 

carbon dioxide levels indoors or 

in confined spaces. If high CO 2 

levels are detected, the monitor 

will alert the user to seek 

fresh air with a combination of 

flashing, audible, and vibrating 

alarms. Low power consumption 

provides up to 48 hours of 

continuous use and data logging 

on a single charge. Small enough 

to fit on a lapel or shirt pocket, 

the SAN-0001 CO 2 Monitor 

uses non-dispersive infrared 

(NDIR) CO 2 sensing technology 

to provide long life, accuracy, 

and stability in daily use. Free data 

logging software is included. 

– co2meter.com 

Grower’s Choice 1,000W UHF Fixture 

Grower’s Choice horticultural lighting department has 

introduced the company’s first 1,000W Ultra High Frequency 

digital double-ended fixture, designed specifically for 

commercial applications. It utilizes advanced Ultra High 

Frequency technology and a high-output 1,000W doubleended 

HPS grow lamp. The GC-1,000 delivers high efficiency 

and the highest PAR available in the horticultural industry. It 

is also dimmable from 600W to 1,100W and features Smart 

Step Technology, Super Lumen, Smart Start Ignition Control, 

Full Circuit Protection, and a three-year warranty. 




SCROGGER P SCROG 2x4 

SCROGGER announces the release of their 

P SCROG 2x4, a modular trellis/ScrOG frame that uses four clear polycarbonate P 

SCROG screens that let virtually all the light through. Designed so the screens can 

pop in and pop out, it can be used with either primary screens (3.25-inch openings), 

pro screens (five-inch openings), or a combination of the two. The innovative design 

allows individual plant training in a 2x4 footprint. Easy assembly with stainless steel 

screws and wing nuts, no tools needed. Frames are lightweight, strong, satin-finished, 

anodized aluminum. Frames can be suspended, affixed to walls, or attached to legs with 

an optional leg clamp pack. The system comes in single units or a bulk six-pack option. 

Assembled dimensions are approximately 21x43 inches assembled. The whole system 

can be washed and sanitized for reuse. All parts are non-porous, reducing the threat of 

powdery mildew. Kit includes anodized aluminum frames, two clear polycarbonate screens, 

and stainless steel hardware. 

– scrogger.com 

USHIO HiLux Gro HPS 1000W Single-ended Lamp 

Ushio America have introduced their new HiLux Gro 

professional horticulture lamp line, a new and improved version 

of their HPS 1,000W SE (single-ended) type. The improved 

lamp boosts the PAR output up to 2,100 micromols, an increase 

of 15 per cent over the standard high performance lamp. For 

growers, this means increased yields and profits from the same 

SE fixtures. This new and improved lamp, made in Germany, 

holds the highest industry quality ISO 9001 standards with best 

in its class reliability over lifetime. Growers now have the option 

to boost their yields without additional cost and no need for 

upgrade to more expensive double ended fixtures. 

– ushio.com 

ExHale CO 2 Bags 

ExHale produces CO 2 for a minimum of 6 months 

to offer a 20 to 30 per cent increase in 

yield. Trusted by garden enthusiasts, 

ExHale costs only 18 cents a day; 

a small investment to make for 

guaranteed results in your indoor 

garden. ExHale is maintenance-free, 

produces no heat, and doesn't 

require electricity. With their awardwinning 

genetics, ExHale helps take 

your garden to the next level of 

success: healthier plants and a 

better finished product. Proudly 

made in the US by fellow gardeners, 

the staff at ExHale stand behind their 

products 100 per cent and think it’s 

time growers give their garden what 

it wants and needs. 

– exhaleco2bags.com 

Pope Scientific Cannabinoid Distillation System 

Pope Scientific’s wiped-film molecular short-path stills offer 

advanced, high-vacuum distillation purification of cannabinoids, 

regardless of which extraction method has been used. Purities 

beyond 95 per cent THC or CBD are obtained, with excellent yield, purity, clearness, 

and product value. Terpenes collection is also possible with an external (in addition 

to internal) condenser. Diagonally slotted wiper blades provide highest efficiency 

and control of film thickness plus the shortest heating residence time and 

elimination of degradation. Founded in 1963, the company is respected 

worldwide for quality, service, and technology. All equipment is 

manufactured in the US, with spares and accessories stocked 

for overnight delivery. The lab-scale, two-inch still set includes 

all components, comprising a complete cannabis application 

processing system, and provides throughputs of 300-600 grams 

an hour. Larger models are available, including turn-key, multistage 

systems with feed rates to beyond 10 kilograms an hour. 

– Popeinc.com 



Hydrofarm SGO100DE 1,000W 120/240V Magnetic Ballast 

Exclusively available from Hydrofarm, the new 1,000W SGO100DE magnetic 

ballast is a reliable, rugged, and compact workhorse built to provide years of 

solid service while operating any 1,000W double-ended lamp. As with the other 

ballasts in Hydrofarm’s SG line, the SGO100DE combines value pricing with 

excellent quality. The top and side venting assure effective heat dissipation 

and the rubber feet minimize vibration and hum. The ballast also features 

Hydrofarm’s patented Lock & Seal plug design, which allows electrical contact 

only when a seal is achieved. Choose this ballast 

for its versatile 120V/240V capability (120V cord 

included, 240V cord sold separately). 

CSA certified, two-year warranty. 


Titan Controls Apollo 

18 Two Outlet Dual 

Schedule Timer 

Imagine running two 

different timing schedules 

from the same timer. 

Growers have been asking 

for this timer for some time 

and Titan has delivered, 

with their new Apollo 18 

Dual Outlet Timer. The 

Apollo 18 has two separate 

timing schedules and can 

operate two different 

appliances simultaneously. This timer features up to eight 

total timing schedules. Easy-to-use, built Titan-reliable, and 

affordably priced, this is a must-have, breakthrough product for 

indoor gardeners. The sturdy enclosure resists dust, rust, and 

moisture in the often-damp garden environment. This precision 

digital timer provides the grower with the perfect timing 

solution to operate 

cloning machines, CO 2 

systems, pumps, fans, or 

other 120V appliances. 

15A/60 Hertz. 

– titancontrols.net 

Age Old Nutrients Sweet 

Finish 0-4-4 

Age Old Nutrients have 

introduced their newest addition 

to their liquid nutrient line-up. 

Age Old Sweet Finish 0-4-4 is 

a liquid P-K finishing product 

designed to enhance the size and 

quality of flowers and fruits. The 

elevated levels of phosphorus 

and potassium are complimented 

by the addition of barley malt 

extract, which delivers muchneeded 

complex carbohydrates 

to the root zone, stimulating 

increased microbial activity when 

the plant needs it most. When 

used during the last two to three 

weeks of a fertility program, Age 

Old Sweet Finish 0-4-4 will add bulk to 

flowers and fruits, resulting in a bigger, 

better harvest. Age Old Sweet Finish 

0-4-4 can be used in conjunction with the 

rest of the Age Old liquid line-up to create a 

complete, balanced plant nutrition program. 

– ageold.com 

Vanquish 1,000W Digital Ballasts 

Released to the market nearly three years ago, the Vanquish digital ballast line met with 

instant success. The unique attention to detail and no-compromise approach 

to manufacturing, have gained Vanquish digital ballasts a large following. 

Features like sequential lamp firing, soft lamp dimming, near-silent 

operation, splitter capabilities, and incredibly low levels of THD (Total 

Harmonic Distortion) allow the Vanquish line to run without fear of a knock 

on the door from neighbors or the cable company telling you that there 

seems to be a problem coming from your residence. The digital line is all 

ETL/UL approved and is one of very few digital ballasts that passes the US 

standards for FCC approval. Don’t be fooled by fake FCC markings that are 

often stamped on lower-end lighting units. Eliminate the worry and only 

settle for true US FCC article, 18-part A&B standards. Vanquish is FCC 

certified for use in commercial and residential settings and assures years 

of rock solid performance. 

– vanquishlightingsystems.com 


INDUSTRY BUZZ // 

CURRENT 

INDUSTRY NEWS 

AND ANNOUNCEMENTS 

Vertical Farm to Help Ex-Cons 

Canadian agriculture technology company Arcturus Growthstar 

Technologies Inc. has partnered with CBO Financial Inc. and Volunteers 

of America Chesapeake (VOAC) to develop a $6 million indoor urban 

farm in East Baltimore as part of a new program to give workforce 

training to ex-offenders. The vertical farm, which will run Arcturus’ 

“controlled environment agriculture” technology, will grow produce like 

lettuce, basil, cilantro, and oregano. The new facility will be integrated 

into an existing residential re-entry center run by VOAC. “The job training 

and jobs created by this social enterprise will allow the resident to gain 

a skill that can be applied in the workplace once they successfully leave 

our program,” says Russell Snyder, CEO of VOAC. “VOAC is all about 

empowering individuals who have struggled in life to be independent 

and inspire hope in a new direction with their lives.” The renovation is 

expected to be finished in 2018. 

Barron Lighting Group Acquires Growlite 

Barron Lighting Group acquired Growlite, a leader in 

horticulture lighting products, this past December. Before the 

purchase, Barron Lighting Group had been the US distributor 

of Growlite products for three years. “We partnered with 

Barron Lighting Group over three years ago and both of our 

brands experienced extreme growth, so it made sense for us 

to combine our resources. As a sign of Barron’s commitment, 

they are replacing the Indoor Grow Science brand name 

with Growlite and I am super stoked,” says Aubrey Bradley, 

founder of Growlite. By combining resources under one roof 

in Glendale, AZ, the companies have integrated a much larger 

engineering, R&D, quality control, customer service, and sales 

team to benefit the growing market. For more information, 

visit barronltg.com. 

CARBIDE Exclusively 

from BWGS 

BWGS is pleased to 

announce the addition of 

CARBIDE Carbon Lined 

Bags to its family of exclusive 

brands. Outfitted with highquality 

materials, discreet 

all-black construction, and 

a powerful odor-blocking 

layer of carbon, the CARBIDE 

line of bags makes odor-free travel possible on any scale. All 

CARBIDE products incorporate durable, heavy-duty zippers 

for insurance against odor leaks, and redundant carbon-lined 

main compartment flaps provide ultra-secure odor protection 

on high-capacity bags. Backed by the friendly customer 

service team at BWGS, the CARBIDE brand sets the standard in 

premium-quality odor control on the go. 

GrowLife Introduces New Retail Licensing Program 

GrowLife has a new retail license program aimed at repositioning 

the company to capitalize on states with favorable cannabis laws, as 

well as encourage the use of indoor farming for growing healthier fruits and vegetables. Under 

the new program, the company plans to open GrowLife-branded store locations with the help 

of independent business partners, the first of which is Fairmount Hardware, in Philadelphia, 

Pennsylvania. The GrowLife store will be located within the hardware store itself. “After 

exploring this license program for some time … we are excited to begin the roll-out in 

Philadelphia with Fairmount Hardware, an Ace Hardware franchise, and extend GrowLife’s 

coverage for our customers. Our shareholders will also benefit with GrowLife’s financial 

shift from a fixed to variable-cost business model,” says CEO Marco Hegyi. “The demand 

for hydroponic gardening and farming, which continues to grow, will now be served with 

localized GrowLife-branded retail partners that understand how to apply innovative indoor 

growing equipment and supplies.” 


INDUSTRY Buzz 

Dramm Promotes 

Casey Schoenberger 

to Director of Sales, 

Fertilizer, and Farm 

Dramm, a leading 

manufacturer of highquality 

watering tools, has 

announced the promotion 

of Casey Schoenberger to 

director of sales, fertilizer, 

and farm. In addition to 

the oversight of all aspects 

of Drammatic Fertilizer sales, 

Schoenberger’s expanded responsibilities include the sales 

growth to the farm/agricultural sector. “Casey has been a key 

contributor to the success of our fertilizer sales and we were 

thrilled to promote him to this important position,” says Hans 

Dramm, CEO of Dramm. “I appreciate the opportunity and 

look forward to working with our talented team to continue to 

grow the fertilizer and farm segments of Dramm Corporation,” 

says Schoenberger. “Over 75 years, Dramm has built a strong 

reputation of top-notch quality and service and I’m confident 

we will continue to exceed customer expectations as we 

expand these product lines.” For more info, visit dramm.com. 

Women use Hydroponics to 

Fight Hunger 

The City of Johannesburg has decided 

to fight hunger by launching an 

ambitious rooftop hydroponic food 

gardening program run by unemployed 

women from the inner city. The multimillion 

rand initiative is part of the city’s 

Food Resilience Programme. “Before 

this project, I was not working and it was 

difficult for me to make ends meet as 

a single parent,” says Belinda Ratyana, 

one of the women who will be part of 

the garden’s management team. “Now, I’m 

empowered to run a business and I know the 

importance of eating the right food.” Gary Smith, 

who mentored the women on entrepreneurship 

and agriculture, says the garden’s 2,000 plants 

could be sold for at least R10,000 (approx. US 

$730). According to the Member of the Mayoral 

Committee responsible for health and social 

development, Dr.Mpho Phalatse, the initiative 

was to address the challenges of rapid growth 

and urbanization in the city, which had left little or 

no space for growing food. 


INDUSTRY Buzz 

Dazey’s Supply Becomes 100 Per Cent Employee Owned 

Dazey’s Supply, with the help of BSI/Menke, has become a wholly employee-owned 

company by way of an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). Founder Steve Dazey 

chose to sell his company this way to reward his staff for their hard work and dedication. 

In addition to helping create financial security for employees, employee ownership is 

designed to encourage and reward employee productivity and efficiency. The ESOP 

creates a direct-drive relationship between employee efforts and their ultimate ESOP 

benefits. “An ESOP creates a great retirement benefit for our employees and ensures that 

our employees are rewarded for their hard work and the success of the company,” says 

Darren Tomasini, president of Dazey’s Supply. Dazey’s Supply has used the slogan “How 

We Grow Matters” for a long time, and now, more than ever, the employees really do know 

how much they matter because they own the company. 

Hydroponic Facility Sprouts up in Wapak 

Red Sun Farms, a Canadian hydroponic greenhouse company, 

has new roots in Wapakoneta, Ohio. The new $250 million 

facility, called Golden Fresh Farms, aims to harvest its first crop 

of tomatoes in March. The first phase—a 20-acre greenhouse, 

warehouse, and distribution center, and an irrigation and boiler 

area—promises to create 82 full-time jobs (42 year-round and 

40 seasonal) with an annual payroll of $2.9 million. Golden 

Fresh Farms officials also plan to provide a training ground for 

students from The Ohio State University and Massachusetts 

Institute of Technology. Two more greenhouses are planned 

for 2018, but the company hopes to construct 200 acres of 

greenhouses at the site over the next 10 years. The completed 

facility would create 400 jobs with an annual payroll of 

$15 million. All produce grown in the hydroponic greenhouses 

is non-genetically modified organisms and organically grown 

without pesticides. 

Hydroponics 

Team Wins 

Schurz Innovation 

Challenge at Purdue 

Hydro Grow LLC, which is 

working on a refrigeratorsized 

automated device 

to grow vegetables in 

consumers’ homes, took 

top honors and $5,000 

at the Schurz Innovation 

Challenge last December 

at Purdue University. The 

device grows plants in 

pods placed within slots 

on a tower housed within 

a glass-enclosed case, 

a design that allows the 

plants to grow at an accelerated rate. It was developed by a 

three-person team consisting of Purdue students Scott Massey, 

a senior majoring in mechanical engineering technology; Ivan 

Ball, a senior majoring in electrical engineering technology; and 

Jimmy Carlson, a sophomore majoring in computer science. 

“We want to eliminate consumers’ dependence on grocery 

stores by providing them an aesthetically appealing appliance 

that grows enough organic produce to meet their needs,” 

Massey says. “A NASA research project that Ivan and I worked 

on at Purdue got us interested in hydroponics. Jimmy came on 

board soon after that.” 

BWGS Announces Lauren Wittenberg as Sacramento 

Operations Manager 

BWGS is excited to announce the transition of Lauren Wittenberg from 

Oregon operations manager to operations manager of BWGS Northern 

California in Sacramento. Lauren will oversee the opening of the new facility, building a cohesive 

team of warehouse and sales staff to provide accurate and efficient order fulfillment and the 

highest level of customer service. Looking forward to the move, Lauren says, “I’m excited 

about the new challenges I will face, developing customers in the Northern California area 

and continuing to be a part of this growing industry in the California market.” Contact 

Lauren at lwittenberg@bwgs.com or visit bwgs.com. 


INDUSTRY Buzz 

Ed Rosenthal Partners 

with Growers Supply 

Growers Supply, manufacturer 

of GrowSpan Greenhouse 

Structures, has partnered with famed grower and activist 

Ed Rosenthal. Growers Supply has made a strong push 

into the cannabis community over the past decade, and 

the partnership with Rosenthal represents an even greater 

commitment to cannabis growers and the industry as a 

whole. Through the union, Rosenthal will write new articles 

on cultivation, industry trends, and growing practices for 

Growers Supply’s website, growspan.com. He will also 

attend trade shows with Growers Supply, helping promote 

their demonstration greenhouses and talking with potential 

customers. Finally, Rosenthal will provide special training to 

Growers Supply’s Greenhouse Specialists. “The partnership 

of Ed Rosenthal and Growers Supply creates a resource for 

licensed cannabis cultivators in the developing industry. By 

teaming up, we can provide successful solutions for a wide 

range cannabis operation,” says Jon Kozlowski, who manages 

the team of Greenhouse Specialists at Growers Supply. 

Serres Toundra 

gets Funding 

for Year-round 

Cucumbers 

Serres Toundra, a 

greenhouse company 

in Quebec, has been 

granted $1 million in financial 

assistance under the Quebec 

Economic Development 

Program. Announced by 

Denis Lemieux, Member of 

Parliament for Chicoutimi–Le 

Fjord, the funds come in the 

form of a repayable contribution and bring the Community 

Economic Development’s total assistance to $4 million. 

The financial support will have made it possible to build 

a complex of hydroponic greenhouses and purchase 

equipment to start up Serres Toundra. Established in 2014, 

the company will produce English and Lebanese cucumbers 

all year long, which will promote the local procurement of 

these vegetables and supply the provincial and national 

markets. The client will produce 45 million English 

and Lebanese cucumbers annually. For more info, visit 

serrestoundra.com. 


INDUSTRY Buzz 

Organic Food Market to Grow 

According to a TechSci Research report, the global organic food 

market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 

more than 14 per cent from 2016-2021. This will happen on account 

of rising disposable income coupled with growing awareness among 

consumers about health benefits of consuming organically produced 

food. Additionally, rising Internet penetration, aggressive marketing 

strategies by major companies, and easy availability of these food 

products on the back of robust distribution networks are projected 

to boost sales of organic food across the globe. Moreover, leading 

players operating in global organic food market are offering these 

products in environment-friendly packaging to lure consumers. In 

2016, about 43.7 million hectares of agricultural land was under 

organic cultivation, which was managed by over 2.3 million producers 

across the globe. 

Growers Supply 

Announces CEA 

Workshop 

Growers Supply will host its CEA 

Hands-On Workshop February 

22–24 at the company’s CEA 

Learning Center East in South 

Windsor, Connecticut. The 

goal of the three-day workshop is to educate growers of 

any background about a variety of sustainable growing 

opportunities and technologies. Growers Supply experts 

and industry specialists will educate the attendees on the 

latest trends in controlled environment agriculture, yearround 

hydroponic growing, and aquaponics. Some of the 

topics participants will get trained on include greenhouse 

automation, designing and laying out a greenhouse, disease 

and pest control, troubleshooting in hydroponics, hydroponic 

benefits, the basics of fish farming and aquaponics, and more. 

To sign up for the upcoming workshop, contact Kelley Roche 

at 1-800-476-9715 ext. 1649. Registration will end one week 

prior to the event. To learn more, visit growerssupply.com. 

Affiliate of Sun Capital Partners Acquires BWGS 

An affiliate of Sun Capital Partners, 

Inc., a leading private investment 

firm with diverse experience in 

operating agricultural businesses, 

acquired BWGS Full Spectrum Distribution last month. The 

terms of the private transaction were not disclosed. “BWGS 

has built a strong wholesale business servicing a growing retail 

sector, and we’re excited to partner with this experienced 

management team to build on their tremendous success,” says 

Daniel Florian, managing director at Sun Capital. “The company 

is well-positioned for continued, substantial growth.” BWGS, 

headquartered in Indiana, is one of the largest wholesalers of 

indoor, hydroponic, and organic horticultural supplies in the US. 

The company provides a single-source solution to over 1,100 

active retail customers with both prominent national brands and 

its own private label. 

iAnthus Capital Holdings Moves into 

Colorado’s Cannabis Sector 

Early last December, multinational company 

iAnthus Capital Holdings Inc., which provides 

finance and business services to US cannabis 

operations, made its first deal in Colorado. Based in both 

Toronto and New York, iAnthus bought out the assets and 

intellectual property of Breckenridge’s Organix LLC for nearly 

$4.4 million. Included in the deal are all of Organix’s real 

estate holdings, including a Denver-based 12,000-square-foot 

grow facility. Not included in the deal, however, is Organix’s 

cannabis inventory and licenses to manufacture and sell 

marijuana. Those will be instead overseen by the company 

Bellflower and will be run by a Colorado resident and in 

accordance with state laws. 


INDUSTRY Buzz 

New Funding 

and Expertise for 

TruLeaf Farms 

TruLeaf Sustainble Agriculture Ltd., a multi-level indoor 

farming company in Bible Hill, is poised for its next growth 

spurt after receiving a major funding injection and new 

business expertise. The company recently closed an 

$8.5 million equity-finance round, which will enable it 

to “continue its mission” of becoming a global leader in 

vertical farming technology. The company has also added 

Mike Durland, former CEO and group head of Scotiabank’s 

Global Banking and Markets Division, and Neil Murdoch, 

former CEO of Connor, Clark & Lunn Capital Markets, to its 

board of directors. “This new round of financing and the 

additions to our board will help us to expand the breadth 

of our product offerings and increase the number of 

markets that we serve,” says Gregg Curwin, president and 

CEO of TruLeaf and GoodLeaf Farms. “Mike and Neil bring 

a high level of business acumen and strategic expertise 

that will help us scale our business.” 

The Farm Foundation’s Round Table Convenes 

at Urban Produce 

Urban Produce, Orange County’s organic, indoor vertical 

farm, hosted members of the Farm Foundation’s Round 

Table for a tour at their state-of-the-art facility in Irvine, 

California, on January 4. 

Ed Horton, president and CEO of Urban Produce, showed 

the group the company’s patented High Density Vertical 

Growing System, as well as how the facility creates water 

for its crops through atmospheric water generation; 

ultimately using 93 per cent less water than traditional farms 

producing similar yields. Members learned how vertical 

farming offers a sustainable solution to climate change, 

the rapidly growing population, and increase in food 

deserts. The Farm Foundation’s bi-annual Round Table is 

an invitational discussion forum comprised of agricultural 

leaders from across North America designed to create an 

exchange of ideas and to foster understanding of different 

approaches to issues and challenges facing agriculture, the 

food system, and rural regions. 


COMPANY SPOTLIGHT 

PEOPLE & PRODUCTS BEHIND OUR 

INDUSTRY’S LEADING COMPANIES 

Green Planet Nutrients 

and Wholesale; Pacific 

Northwest Garden Supply 

Business: 

Green Planet Wholesale, Green 

Planet Nutrients, Pacific Northwest 

Garden Supply 

Address: 

15374 103A Ave, Surrey BC 

Canada 

Phone Numbers: 

Green Planet Wholesale: 

1-604-580-1287 

Pacific Northwest Garden Supply: 

1-604-588-4769 

Web: 

mygreenplanet.com; 

pnwgardensupply.com; 

greenplanetnutrients.com 

Years in Business: 20+ 

Motto: 

“World’s Finest Nutrients” and 

“Quality Focused. Results Based.” 

By combining Green Planet, a fertilizer manufacturer 

and wholesaler for hydroponic equipment, with Pacific 

Northwest Garden Supply, a line of hydroponic retail shops 

throughout southwestern British Columbia, these companies 

have had the market cornered on hydroponics throughout 

the Pacific Northwest since their inception in the early ’90s. 

Now, they distribute Green Planet Nutrients throughout 

North America, Europe, parts of South America, and 

Australia. Here, co-owners Steven Betts and Justin Cooper 

give the history of how they began and how the brand has 

gained traction in new markets. 

38 February 2017 // Maximum Yield's Industry News

COMPANY Spotlight 

How did your business get 

its start? 

Steven: I was interested in horticulture 

from a very young age. I took a two-year 

horticulture course in high school, then 

went to work for a horticulture retail 

store and wholesale company in Surrey, 

BC. During my time at the retail store, 

I ended up tripling their sales in three 

months, and I decided to open my own 

store. That was in 1991, and we got our 

own started up in 1993. Although there 

has been many peaks and valleys, it’s 

been a healthy and steady rise ever 

since we started. I worked with Justin 

in the retail store and he offered to work 

for free for a week to see how he did, so 

I gave him a shot. I liked what he did 

and his positive attitude and willingness 

to work, so I hired him full on. A 

few years later, we decided to become 

business partners in the Squamish 

location. I think our greatest strength 

is the great partnerships we’ve made 

along the years. 

Justin: I think, at least for me, the business 

started in Grade 6 because we still 

work with a bunch of friends from back 

then. We built long-term relationships, 

and we’re basically family. It really gives 

you an idea of who you can trust right out 

of the gate. For someone you have just 

met it takes time to get to know them and 

trust them at the same level as a childhood 

friend. There’s nothing better than 

being able to work with your friends and 

to see the people you love rising with you. 

That’s what excites me every day, being 

able to build something bigger than myself 

with my closest friends. 

How has it evolved over 

the years? 

Steve: The industry in general has 

changed dramatically over the years, 

so the business also had to adapt to be 

a reflection of that. When you factor in 

the speed at which things change—because 

of changing laws, social acceptance, 

and social media—the company 

has also turned into a place that can 

adjust quickly. The company is now 

large enough that it’s no longer about 

you as a business owner anymore, but I 

guess it never was to begin with. I never 

thought about raising the flag or being 

the hero, as it’s always been about how 

to help employees, business partners, or 

customers deal with the adaptation and 

enhance their capacity. It may sound 

cliché, but our wives and the roles they 

take on allow us the ability to do what 

we do. My wife looks after the kids and 

makes sure I have a solid foundation at 

home, and without that foundation, I’d 

be lost and my business would suffer for 

it in the end. Justin’s wife does the same 

for him, too. You wouldn’t think how 

crucial that role could be, but it allows 

us to be sane in an insane industry. 

Both our wives come to trade shows and 

work the booth and help out here and 

there in any way they can. We couldn’t 

ask for better partners. 

Justin: You’ve got to have thick skin to be 

in this industry. People are always talking 

about businesses that are “overnight 

successes”, which is just completely 

untrue. We never walked in somewhere, 

opened a store and had success; any 

business that is successful really takes 

“ 

I never thought about 

raising the flag or 

being the hero, as it’s 

always been about how 

to help employees, 

business partners, or 

customers deal with 

the adaptation and 

enhance their capacity.” 

a minimum of 10 years to get going, and 

you’ve got to add blood, sweat, and tears 

in that equation. It’s a constant battle, 

the willingness to push forward and 

make sacrifices. 

What is your company’s 

philosophy? 

Steve: Family is crucial. My mother Willy 

has been working with us for about 20 

years. We also treat our employees as 



family, too. My daughter’s first caregiver, 

from when she was three weeks old, still 

works for us. When she stopped caregiving, 

we brought her into the office and 

she’s been there for 21 years. We have a 

long history of sticking by our employees 

because, at least to us, they are essentially 

family; they come to our weddings, 

we go to their weddings, we go to family 

parties, and we do things together. We 

include them and let them know they’re 

valued. Another thing that makes the 

family so tight is that we're not absentee 

owners. We are working in the stores, 

working in the manufacturing, and to 

this day you will still see both myself 

and Justin on sales trips visiting stores 

and working the booth at trade shows. 

Justin: I never ask anybody to do a job 

that I wouldn’t do myself. I started the 

company sweeping floors and I’ll leave 

the company sweeping floors. If you ask 

us what our greatest strength is, it’s our 

team. We’ve had at least 10 employees 

that have been with us for more than 

20 years. We have very little turnover, it 

is ridiculously low, and that means we 

have people we can trust working for us 

and they have the same level us trust for 

us in return. They’re friends first, employees 

second. 

What do you manufacture? 

Steve: Green Planet manufactures an 

array of fertilizers and we’re also a 

wholesale company, so we’ve got two 

names under Green Planet: Green 

Planet Nutrients and Green Planet 

Wholesale. When it comes to the 

manufacturing nutrients, it’s essential to 

consider the different styles of growers 

you have: soil, hydroponics, aeroponics—there 

are so many ways to grow 

plants. On top of that, people may prefer 

different formulas for their systems, 

whether it be in a four-part, three-part, 

two-part, a simple one-part, a topical 

application blend, or they’re strictly an 

organic grower. So, what we’ve done 

is come out with a nutrient system for 

every style of grower. We also manufacture 

other additives, flower enhancers, 

bud and bloom boosters and hardeners, 

pH up and down, humic and fulvic 

additives, stress relieving products and 

much more. 

What are your most 

popular products? 

Steve: Our flagship product that we’re 

known for is Massive Bloom Formulation, 

which can be used with any feed 

program. We’ve had fantastic feedback 

from customers and growers that 

use it in their gardens. 

Justin: I think when people are struggling 

and a product comes along and clicks 

with their plants, it makes them ecstatic. 

Once you were growing small flowers, 

and now you’re growing massive blooms. 

We never need to push Massive, it’s a 

product with such positive customer feedback 

that it advertises itself. Our threepart 

is destroying it and GP3 has had 

an interesting effect. Because we have a 

better formulation with a better value, we 

offer a money back guarantee that it will 

out perform any three-part on the market. 

“ 

I never ask anybody to 

do a job that I wouldn’t 

do myself. I started the 

company sweeping 

floors and I’ll leave the 

company sweeping 

floors. If you ask us what 

our greatest strength is, 

it’s our team.” 

What should the novice 

home gardener know about 

your products? 

Steve: We are here to help. We have telephone 

support and very knowledgeable 

staff which includes scientists. You can 

also ask us questions on social media, 

and we have hundreds of videos on 

our YouTube channel, as well as a free 

five-part video series we created called 



Factors That Maximize Yield, which can 

be found at greenplanetnutrients.com, to 

give people a solid foundation. 

Anything new and exciting 

at the research and 

development stage you can 

tell us about? 

Steve: The release of our newest threepart 

base nutrient system GP3 was an 

exciting launch for us. We had been 

researching for years, testing it on the 

biggest gardens around, and it’s blowing 

away our predictions for how well it is 

being received by growers. One of the 

hardest things to accomplish is to get 

people to try something new, but this 

product is changing that. 

Justin: We get incredible results from 

GP3 with growers growing plants far 

larger than they, or we, even thought 

possible. I’ve seen growers using GP3 

that have accomplished plants as tall as 

trees that normally don’t get that big. It’s 

pretty extraordinary. 

What makes Green Planet 

Nutrients unique from 

other brands? 

Steve: We have multiple chemists on 

staff and we have gone to great lengths 

to source the finest nutrients. All of our 

nutrients are formulated by on-staff 

chemists and go through extensive lab 

analysis, batch testing, and quality 

control. We even test individual samples 

in an incubator for a year to see what 

happens. If something doesn’t work, or 

doesn’t meet our standards, we scrap it 

and go back to the drawing board. 

Justin: We stick to our words. If we claim 

we have the world’s finest nutrients, 

we are going to be truthful to that. We 

want to educate people that there is a 

difference between fertilizers and the 

technology that goes into making them. 

For example, we use no food coloring or 

dyes in our products and very low levels 

of preservatives compared to other nutrient 

brands. When sourcing nutrients we 

go to great lengths to find the cleanest 

possible ingredient and ensure the ratio 

of each element is spot on for maximum 

absorption for your plant. When it comes 

to blending, we mix the exact ratios to 

ensure the most complete diet for your 

plant. Our quality control is second to 

none. I don’t make a product I wouldn’t 

use myself. 

“ 

When sourcing 

nutrients we go to 

great lengths to find 

the cleanest possible 

ingredient and ensure 

the ratio of each 

element is spot on for 

maximum absorption 

for your plant.” 


Maximum Yield's Industry News // February 2017 

45

DEVELOPMENTS & DIALOGUE // 

CONVERSATIONS ABOUT 

PRODUCTS & TECHNOLOGIES 

by Josh Long 

Like many new things, the Stretch-Tie was developed to replace 

outdated technology. Josh Long, with help from Erin Parra, tells 

the story of how he came up with the idea for an expandable 

twist tie after a lifetime of staking plants with ineffective 

machinery and intensive manual labor. 

Stretch-Tie: Makers of the Expandable Twist Tie 

Location: Portland, OR 

Phone: 1-503-651-2776 

Web: stretchtie.com 

Number of years doing business: 8 

Plants need support for various reasons. 

Some crops require support due 

to high yields of fruit or flowers. Some 

crops are staked to spread them out for 

maximum light exposure. In horticulture, 

the leader of a young plant is staked and 

supported to establish a straight trunk. 

No matter the motive, the reality is that 

most commercial crops are staked at 

some point in their life cycle. 

As a kid growing up on a commercial 

nursery that raised high volumes of 

various landscape crops, one of my first 

jobs was staking plants. At the time, 

there were two main methods that most 

nurseries used—practices that continue 

to this day. There was a mechanical 

method using spools of stretch tying 

tape. A machine looped the tape around 

a branch and a stake, then stapled the 

loop together. There were many brands 

of these machines. Right out of the box, 

they worked all right. However, over 

time, they were very frustrating. Jamming 

was frequent and reloading the 

consumables could be difficult when 

working in harsh outdoor environments. 

Anything sticky, such as sap or dirt 

really slowed down the productivity. The 

staples also often pulled through the 

plastic, leaving you with unsupported 

plants that you would have to rework. 

Later in my career when I was managing 

large crews, I began to loathe these 

machines. Between the purchase costs, 

downtime, reworking, and repairs, I figured 

there had to be a better way. 

The other most common method 

was, and still is, hand tying using a 

type of expandable tape. This method 

was effective, but labor intensive and 

extremely slow. In fact, we measured 

that hand tying was more than 60 per 

cent slower than machine looping. The 

only good thing was that you never had 

to go back and fix failed ties when you 

did it by hand the first time. Again, if 

only we could combine the benefits of 

both, I thought. 

When I began to look into the retail 

plant fastener market a few years back, 


DEVELOPMENTS & Dialogue 

“ 

Stretch-Tie fastens just like a twist tie, but the 

embedded metal wire has a gap and the plastic 

surrounding it expands. This allows the whole 

Stretch-Tie to expand as the plant grows.” 

I was astonished that most of the products 

didn’t expand to accommodate 

plant growth. This ends up girdling 

the plant and, eventually, killing it. 

Speed and efficiency may not be on 

the minds of a home gardener, but I 

was certain they didn’t want to girdle 

their plants. 

Well, like a lot of things, something 

new developed out of all these 

necessities. After several years of 

prototypes and patent work, Stretch- 

Tie was born. Stretch-Tie fastens just 

like a twist tie, but the embedded 

metal wire has a gap and the plastic 

surrounding it expands. This allows 

the whole Stretch-Tie to expand as the 

plant grows. It’s very simple, but very 

effective. Even fast-growing softwood 

plants are safe using Stretch-Tie. We 

are excited to offer the home gardener 

a fastening option that is actually 

good for their plants. 

Using Stretch-Tie is also, on average, 

more than 60 per cent faster than 

traditional hand tying—about the 

same speed as a brand new machine. 

Unlike a machine ties, however, you 

don’t have to spend time reworking 

failed attempts with our product. Also, 

Stretch-Tie saves money because there 

is no machine to replace or fix. 

We wanted to provide high-quality 

plant fasteners that offer a value to our 

customers. That’s why we decided to 

produce in the US and use materials 

that can degrade over time. We used an 

additive from Eco-Pure that accelerates 

the biodegradation process of plastic 

products and packaging in a biologically 

active landfill. 

After various time trials and multi-year 

tests, we finally had a product to bring 

to market. We launched Stretch-Tie in 

2008… great timing, with home construction 

spiraling downward and commercial 

nursery production right behind it. 

Despite the regrettable timing, we have 

increased sales every year. Thanks to 

our grassroots marketing of demos and 

word-of-mouth, we currently sell more 

than 10 million units annually. Of course, 

having developed this product for horticultural 

applications, we are strongest in 

that industry. However, we have customers 

using Stretch-Tie for viticulture, 

citrus, tomatoes, cannabis, nut orchards, 

vines, and hanging Christmas lights, 

among other things. The company is 

growing by 25 per cent annually, and the 

goal is to have a significant marketshare 

in the plant fastener market globally in 

the next 10 years. The Stretch-Tie design 

is patented in the US and has international 

patents pending, meaning you 

won’t find a similar product anywhere. 

The company has also expanded its 

lineup since the beginning. We started 

with just one size and color, and now 

offer three sizes (10x1, 10x0.5, and 6x0.5 

inch) and three colors (tan, clear, and 

green). The 6x0.5-inch green tie is by far 

most popular size and color. Stretch-Tie 

products are available in commercial 

volumes direct or through the distributors 

listed on our website stretchtie.com. 

Smaller retail—that is, consumer-size— 

packages are available direct, on Amazon, 

and in a growing number of garden 

centers and other retailers. 

We also have some new and exciting 

things in the R&D stage, but those are 

still a secret… watch this space in the 

future to find out more! 


TRENDS & TECHNOLOGIES// 

MAKING CONNECTIONS & 

SHOWCASING NEW PRODUCTS 

AT A GLANCE 

BUSINESS NAME: 

Dr. Earth 

BUSINESS ADDRESS: 

PO Box 460 Winters, Ca 95694 

PHONE NUMBER: 

707-448-4676 

WEBSITE: 

drearth.com 

NUMBER OF YEARS DOING BUSINESS: 26 

COMPANY MOTTO: 

“A Chance to Change the World” 

Among the first companies 

to merge probiotics with 

organic products, Dr. Earth’s 

strength lies in its ability to 

innovate, create a family of 

manufacturers, and use existing 

relationships to grow together. 

The company owns three federal 

patents and manufactures 

a complete line of organic 

fertilizers—both dry and liquid, 

soils, controls, fungicides and 

OMRI-Listed weed killers. Based 

in California, they now distribute 

in every US state and employ a 

staff of 122. Founder and CEO 

Milo Shammas explains how Dr. 

Earth has been expanding over 

three decades and what lies at 

the heart of their success. 

What did you and your partners do 

before starting this company? 

I founded the company when I was 25 

years old in Los Angeles, California. 

I worked in multiple industries prior 

to Dr. Earth, including construction of 

custom homes with my older brother, 

as an architect, and general contractor. 

I also worked both in front and 

behind the camera whenever I could, 

as I grew up with all the major studios 

within walking distance from my 

home. I worked in landscape installation 

during these construction jobs. 

How did you get into this industry? 

I was an organic gardener when I was 

seven years old and took botany when 

I was 12 years old, while in Grade 7. I 

loved plants and loved to grow them. 

I came up with a fertilizer idea which 

was to add living organisms to organic 

fertilizers to make them work. And 

they did; by the time I was 27 years old I 

had single-handedly changed the face of 

the lawn and garden industry. 

What were the startup years like? 

Hard, exciting, full of promise. I was 

terrified and had to beg, borrow, and 

work with what I had. I never expected 

anything and everything was difficult 

because it was new and I had no 

one to help me. Some of my struggles 

included paying the bills and dealing 

with regulations at the city, county, 

and state level. That was the hardest. 

I asked as many people as I could for 

advice how to overcome these challenges. 

I was in desperate need of a 

mentor with experience. 

How many people were employed by 

the company at the beginning? 

In the first 18 months, it was just me and 

some migrant workers I hired to help 



51

hand blend the fertilizers in my parents 

backyard until I could afford to rent a 

building in downtown L.A. They also 

helped me formulate, buy, sell, clean, 

and cook. 

What did you first produce? 

Organic 7 all-purpose fertilizer. One 

product in one size. 

How did you gain market share and 

recognition? 

I traveled all over America alone and 

gave product knowledge meetings to as 

many retail locations as I could. I stayed 

on the road, sometimes three weeks at 

a time, to teach everyone that living 

organics were the future. It was hard, 

and a daily battle, but after about eight 

years I gained validation and respect 

for my work because several knock-off 

companies copied my work, which gave 

me instant credibility. 

What are some of your 

proudest moments? 

When I was named the man that revolutionized 

the organic industry by IGC 

Magazine and was featured on the front 

cover, and when I wrote and got to hold 

the first copy of my first book (Healthy 

Garden Healthy You). I was also randomly 

invited to a backyard party once and 

saw Dr. Earth fertilizer in their shed and 

introduced myself. 

What significant things have you 

learned so far about the industry? 

It is the kindest industry, full of loving 

and caring people. People that love 

plants are generally very good people. I 

love our industry and am very proud to 

be a part of it. 

What have you learned about starting 

and growing a company? 

It is one of the most exciting and 

fulfilling feelings anyone can ever 

have, because the company becomes a 

living part of you. You nourish it every 

day, you care for it, you feed it, you love 

it, it is like your child and one of the 

most important things to you. It’s the 

greatest feeling ever. 

What words of wisdom can you 

share about the business, the industry, 

or the future of the industry? 

Keep on the path of innovation with a 

sustainable stance. 

Share your favorite story from a day 

on the job. 

Being filled with organic fertilizer 

dust from head to toe because it’s 

all you have, with a few shovels and 

particle masks. Doing things the old 

fashioned way. 

What makes your employees great? 

How does your team bond? 

They communicate regularly, they 

trust each other, they respect each 

other, they care about each other, and 

we are a family. 



53

INNOVATION STATION // 

PROFILING OUR 

INDUSTRY’S INNOVATORS 

Though it began with maintaining perfect humidity levels for 

cigars, Boveda products have become the go-to humidity 

regulators for everything from guitars and medical devices to 

dried spices and herbs. As they continue to innovate for the 

growing cannabis market, Boveda’s technology for curing, 

storing, and merchandising has remained cutting-edge. 

AT A GLANCE 

Name: Boveda Inc. 

Location: 10237 Yellow Circle 

Dr., Minnetonka, MN 55343 

Phone: 1-952-745-2900 

Website: bovedainc.com 

Years in business: 19 

In the beginning, Boveda’s current 

CEO Sean Knutsen and executive 

vice president Tim Swail were good 

friends and cigar aficionados who were 

tired of the mess, mystery, and hassle of 

trying to maintain a constant humidity 

level in their home cigar humidors. The 

only technology that existed back in 

the 1990s consisted of a sponge saturated 

with a glycol/water mixture. After 

refilling it, the humidity levels would 

spike before plummeting due to evaporation, 

creating dangerous swings that 

could ruin humidors and cigars. 

In August 1996, Swail heard a radio 

interview with a Minnesota-based man 

who was building smaller, more portable 

humidors made of exotic woods. 

After contacting him to order a custom 

humidor, both Swail and Knutsen went 

to meet the man in person. He showed 

them a rough prototype of a humidification 

pack that maintained the perfect 75 

per cent relative humidity (RH) for his 

cigars. He knew he had something special 

and had hired two scientists to work 

with him on developing the product, but 

had no idea how to get it to market. Swail 


“ The versatility of Boveda has 

brought us into arenas that we 

never imagined when we first came 

together to create the perfect 

environment for our favorite cigars.” 

and Knutsen also recognized he had something 

unique, so along with the humidor maker and the 

two retired scientists, the two men decided to leave 

their successful careers and take a chance on the 

idea of delivering simple, stable, reliable, precision 

humidity control to cigar lovers like themselves. In 

1998, under the name Humidipak (now Boveda), they 

were awarded the first of multiple patents on what 

became known as two-way humidity control. 

For the rest of Boveda’s story, we sat down with 

Knutsen and Swail to ask a few questions: 

How has your business evolved over 

the years? 

Over the years, Boveda identified a number of 

products with intermediate moisture needs and developed 

RH levels to solve those storage issues. We 

intentionally got into wooden instrument storage 

about 15 years ago with a 49 per cent RH Boveda, 

which has become very popular around the globe 

for the storage of acoustic guitars. We also provide 

a couple different RH’s to some medical device 

companies. The thing about controlling relative 

humidity in the medical sphere is that accuracy is 

paramount. It was never something we imagined 

we would be involved in, however, the quality and 

accuracy of our product allowed us to scale that 

technology into different applications. 


55

INNOVATION Station 

“ 

We didn’t patent the 

science, we patented the 

packaging around the 

science that only allows 

100 per cent pure water 

vapor both in and out.” 

The versatility of Boveda has brought 

us into arenas that we never imagined 

when we first came together to create 

the perfect environment for our favorite 

cigars. These applications of the Boveda 

product reflect its value to a technical 

market where close is not good enough. 

Nine years ago, we were introduced 

into the cannabis industry by dedicated 

clients who had been using our cigar-related 

RH’s for flower storage and loved 

it because Boveda was preserving the 

trichomes by preventing the flower from 

drying out and becoming brittle. 

Since then, we’ve commercialized 

additional RH levels, including lower 

levels, to allow the end-user to choose 

the humidity level that suits their taste. 

Given that information, we commissioned 

what we believe to be the world’s 

first testing to reveal 59-62 per cent RH 

as ideal for specific strains. There was 

finally a replacement for the potato 

slices, orange slices, and lettuce leaves 

that growers had been using to achieve 

the right humidity levels. It was such a 

big deal that some cultivators have gone 

on to build very successful container 

companies by engineering their products 

specifically to fit Boveda inside. 

In all, we have more than a dozen 

specific RH’s ranging from 11 to 95 per 

cent. If a customer needs to regulate 

a specific RH percentage inside a 

container, Boveda has a proven and 

exclusive history of two-way humidification 

control. 

What is two-way humidity control? 

How does it benefit or improve 

stored cannabis? 

By definition, two-way humidity control 

is the ability to both add and remove 

moisture as needed—to maintain the 

RH engineered into the pack. Boveda 

invented two-way humidity control 

and currently holds all global patents 

regarding the process. 

What makes your products unique? 

Boveda’s products are based on scientific 

principles the world has known 

for more than 100 years. The only way 

to reliably regulate (add and remove) 

moisture and maintain the desired RH is 

to use a precise salt and water combination. 

We didn’t patent the science, we 

patented the packaging around the science 

that only allows 100 per cent pure 

water vapor both in and out. 

It’s not too difficult to hold an existing 

humidity level inside of a jar or container 

by adding the right ratio of water 

and glycol or glycerin. What is difficult, 

however, is the ability to enter any 

environment, achieve a specific RH level, 

and then maintain that specific humidity 

once it has been achieved. This is the 

difference between something that is a 

product of the environment, and something 

that is regulating and controlling 

the environment. This is critical in the 

curing process of cannabis. 

Can you tell us a bit about the 

product’s application rates: how 

many do you need, how long do 

they last, are they recyclable/ 

biodegradable? 

Boveda packaging is named for the 

number of grams of fluid they hold. 

Our four-gram Boveda is good for up to 

14 grams of flower. Our eight-gram is 

good for up to an ounce of flower. Our 

60-gram is good for up to one pound of 

flower. We say “up to” because Boveda 

won’t over-humidify. Two-way humidity 

control, by definition, knows when to 

stop. If you use more than the suggested 

minimum, they’ll just last longer, requiring 

less frequent replacement. 


What should every dispensary 

owner know about your products? 

Industry leaders use Boveda everywhere 

flower is present—from curing to sale. 

Native Roots was the first of the world’s 

largest chains to announce they use 

Boveda in 100 per cent of their packaging 

and containers, from curing process 

to the end consumer. With Boveda, the 

curing doesn’t need to be confined to a 

stage after drying and before packaging. 

The flower at Native Roots is now curing 

all the time—even on the shelf. 

The fact of the matter is, most cannabis 

containers leak air. That moisture loss 

disrupts the delicate moisture content, 

which changes the terpene profile and 

cannabinoids. For dispensaries serving 

medical patients, that moisture loss 

means sacrificing patient safety by 

minimizing the therapeutic benefits. For 

recreational use customers, this means 

they may not have the complete experience 

they’re looking for. Growers and 

dispensaries were typically losing an 

average 10 per cent of their inventory to 

evaporation. Consistently using Boveda 

product provides quality control that 

nets the dispensary more money by eliminating 

the money lost to evaporation. 

Do you have anything new and 

exciting at the research and 

development stage you can tell us 

about? 

In early October we released our 58 

per cent Boveda for the strains that 

prefer a little lower moisture than the 

existing 62 per cent one. The difference 

between 58 and 62 per cent is that it 

gives the flower a one to four per cent 

lower moisture content. Cultivators and 

dispensaries have also been asking 

about more Boveda sizes for larger and 

smaller containers. In the coming weeks 

and months, we’ll be announcing those 

products, which will mean that dispensaries 

and brands won’t have to decide 

between aesthetics and perfectly stored 

cannabis. Boveda will be able to easily 

fit into any container. Boveda continues 

to remain on the cutting edge as we 

develop and patent products that benefit 

the needs and changes of the emerging 

cannabis market. 


57

Finally, 

Florida: 

The Passing of 

Amendment 2 

During last year’s American election, 

access to medical marijuana expanded 

into Florida with the passing of 

Amendment 2. The team at Medicine 

Man Technologies explains what this 

means for people living in the state. 

brought to you by 

During the recent election cycle, 

Florida residents voted to expand 

medical marijuana access in their 

state, with more than 71 per cent of 

voters in favor of Amendment 2, even 

though the initiative only needed a 60 

per cent “yes” vote to pass. 

In 2014, a similar amendment failed 

when it received just 58 per cent of the 

vote. While the state’s legislature authorized 

non-smoked medical marijuana 

later that year, there were a few issues. 

The law only gave patients access to 

low-THC (0.8 per cent or less) cannabis 

with a greater concentration of CBD, and 

it was limited to patients with cancer and 

epilepsy, chronic seizures, or spasms. 

With Amendment 2, the law expanded 

medical marijuana access to patients in 

Florida with a physician’s certification 

if they suffer from glaucoma, HIV/ 

AIDS, post-traumatic stress disorder, 

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), 

Crohn’s disease, and multiple sclerosis, 

as well as Parkinson’s disease, cancer, 

and epilepsy. Licensed physicians can 

now also recommend cannabis for 

patients suffering from ailments similar 

to the ones officially listed. Physician 

certification can be issued to a qualified 

minor patient with written consent 

from their legal guardian or parent. 

Finally, for terminally ill patients, a 

new addition to the 2014 law allowing 

for the use of full-strength medical 

marijuana will remain in place. However, 

accommodations for medical marijuana 

use will not extend to any correctional 

institution or detention facility. 

Amendment 2 also laid out a few 

other regulations for the state’s new 

expanded access to medical marijuana. 

First, all forms of marijuana, 

including flower, concentrates, 

edibles, and tinctures are allowed. 

However, it’s still illegal to operate 

any vehicle, aircraft, train, or boat 

while under the influence. Marijuana 

smoking is also not permitted in 

public areas, schools, or places of 

employment. In addition, recreational 

marijuana and growing marijuana at 

home remains illegal. 

“While there are some kinks, Amendment 

2 will give an estimated 500,000 or more 

patients access to medical cannabis.” 

The state’s Department of Health will 

oversee the regulation of marijuana 

cultivation and treatment centers, 

including registration matters and 

standards for security, record keeping, 

testing, labeling, inspection, and 

safety. The Department will also be 

responsible for qualifying, registering, 

and issuing ID cards to patients 

and their caregivers, who can buy 

marijuana on the behalf of a patient. 

While the new medical marijuana 

law officially came into effect on 

January 3, there will be a bit of delay 

for patients seeking to gain access 

while all the details are worked out. 

The Department of Health’s deadline to 

decide and implement its regulations 

isn’t until June 2017. The required patient 

ID cards are to be issued no later than 

September 3. If the Department doesn’t 

begin issuing ID cards by this point, the 

amendment’s text states that “a valid 

physician certification will serve as a 

patient identification card in order to 

allow a person to become a ‘qualifying 

patient’ until the Department begins 

issuing identification cards.” 

While there are some kinks, Amendment 

2 will give an estimated 500,000 or more 

patients access to medical cannabis. 


YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE 

by Wayne Elsey 

In the aftermath of a natural disaster, 

Wayne Elsey learned that making a 

difference and making a profit weren’t 

mutually exclusive. 

Do you remember the Indian Ocean 

tsunami? It happened 12 years 

ago. The earthquake was the longest 

duration quake ever recorded at 

over eight minutes. It cost more than 

250,000 people their lives and caused 

$14 billion in damage. 

This event, which happened 

on the other side of the world, 

changed my life. At the time, I was 

the president of an international shoe 

manufacturing company. I had been 

in the shoe business since I was a 

15-year-old kid accepted into a workstudy 

program in high school. That 

work-study program changed my life 

and I found a career I loved. But when 

the tsunami happened, I found 

myself once again facing a lifechanging 

event. 

TRANSITION TO 

SOCIAL ENTERPRISE 

Like many of us, I was 

seated in my home the day 

after Christmas watching 

the news and seeing 

the aftermath of the 

tsunami. It was complete 

devastation, and like so many others, I 

couldn’t believe it. 

Then it happened. 

An image flashed on the television 

screen of a single shoe that washed 

ashore on a beach. My mind registered 

it. As a man in the shoe business, all I 

could do was think about the owner of 

that shoe. Had the person survived the 

tsunami? If the person hadn’t survived, 

would his body be found for his family or 

was it washed to the sea? 

I tried to get the image out of my mind 

over the next couple of days, but it 

nagged me. As much as I tried to turn to 

the business at hand, I was haunted by 

that single shoe. I kept hearing a voice 

inside me tell me that if I didn’t do something, 

I was a fool. 

Finally, I came to the point where I 

had to do something. I couldn’t live with 

myself otherwise. My goal was to ship as 

many shoes as I could to people affected 

by the tsunami. I had no idea how many 

shoes I would be able to collect. I thought 

it would be a good thing if we gathered a 

couple of thousand shoes. 

Thanks to generous, kind, and compassionate 

Americans, we shipped 


You Can Make a Difference 

“IT WAS A HUMBLING EXPERIENCE to 

work with an incredible team of 

people and see how giving so 

many people were to people 

affected by this tragedy.” 

over 250,000 shoes to people affected by the tsunami. 

It was a humbling experience to work with an incredible 

team of people and see how giving so many 

people were to people affected by this tragedy. 

And that’s where it began. Over the next couple of 

years, I transitioned from a shoe industry executive 

to a social entrepreneur. First, I started a non-profit, 

which I grew from zero to a budget of more than 

$70 million in fewer than five years, which is a feat not 

many non-profits have accomplished. In those years, 

I also led efforts to ship more than 17 million pairs of 

shoes to people affected by natural disasters, such as 

Hurricane Katrina and the earthquake in Haiti. 

WHAT IS A SOCIAL ENTERPRISE? 

After I left the non-profit I founded, I established a social 

enterprise that collects gently worn, used, and new 

shoes from partners who are seeking to raise money 

with creative fundraising ideas. 

What I learned is that making a profit and making 

a difference were not mutually exclusive. In today’s 

world, you can easily do both. A social enterprise is a 

business that accomplishes two goals: 

• It makes a profit. 

• It makes a social impact. 

Companies large and small understand that customers 

are seeking something different. They want to 

patronize businesses that are socially responsible. 

If you’re looking to establish a new business for 

yourself in 2017, take a look in your area for social 

enterprise regulations. Some states have moved to 

designate these types of hybrid organizations that are 

established for profit and social good. 

Wayne Elsey is the founder and former CEO of 

Soles4Souls (S4S), author of the book Almost 

Isn’t Good Enough, and current founder and CEO 

of Elsey Enterprises, Funds2Orgs, and 501(c)(3) 

University. Under his guidance, Soles4Souls has 

become one of the top one per cent of non-profit 

organizations in the United States in just four years. 

To date, S4S has distributed more than 19 million 

pairs of shoes in 127 countries to victims of natural 

disasters and abject poverty. 


BY GRANT CARDONE 

Grow-A-Matic 

WHY YOU MUST ADAPT 

AND REFOCUS 

As your life shifts and changes, 

the only thing that is certain is 

transition. Learning to navigate 

and redefine yourself under 

these conditions is key, and 

creating new goals is crucial, 

says Grant Cardone. 


All of life is a transition. Friends come 

and go. You move to one place and 

eventually move again. Kids grow older. 

Your financial situation changes. You 

commit to something, do it, and then 

commit to something new. You have a 

purpose and then time passes and you 

find you have a new purpose. Goals 

come and go. Those who are the most 

alive and who make the biggest impact 

know how to update and refocus their 

obsessions as they mature, as life changes, 

and as opportunities come and go. 

I was once speaking to troops transitioning 

from military service to civilian 

life at the Pentagon and told them, 

“From the moment you are born to the 

moment you die, your life is in transition. 

It’s not just the start and the finish that 

matter; it’s all the stuff in the middle.” It 

can be tough to redefine who you are as 

conditions in life change. When goals 

are achieved, it is vital to continue to 

create newer and bigger goals. 

Some people say things like, “If I just 

had a million dollars, I would retire and 

play golf every day.” When he gets there, 

he plays golf three or four hours in the 

morning, goes home, and watches TV, 

and quickly becomes bored with his life. 

The problem is he quits making new 

goals for himself. When you reach a 

“ 

IF YOU DON’T STAY 

OBSESSED WITH WHERE YOU ARE GOING, YOU WILL 

BECOME THAT PERSON YOU DON’T EVER WANT TO 

BE: LOST, JADED, AND WASTING YOUR LIFE AWAY. 

destination, you can’t become stagnant. 

The grass quickly becomes greener 

elsewhere when you stop looking after 

your own lawn. 

The fact is we are all in transition, 

getting older, starting over—and 

things change. The destination changes, 

conditions change, and motivation 

changes. There are disappointments, 

challenges, wins and losses. 

If you don’t stay obsessed with where 

you are going, you will become that 

person you don’t ever want to be: lost, 

jaded, and wasting your life away. 

Purpose is what keeps me from spending 

a lifetime wandering the earth 

without direction. 

Trust me, I know because I’ve been 

there and done that. I’ve been the guy 

who made no money, had no purpose, 

and made trouble for others. When you 

don’t know why you are getting up each 

day, it feels like dying inside. Things 

changed for me when I started writing 

down my goals the night I returned from 

rehab, focusing on what I would create 

in my life. Since then, I have written my 

goals down every day. And not just at 

night but also first thing each morning. 

When I write these goals, it’s not a “to 

do” list. When I talk about goals, I am 

not talking about achievable activities 

either. I am talking about things that are 

out of reach at this time. I am talking 

about creating a powerful future that 

pulls you forward continually. The 

goals I write down today I can’t achieve 

today—but they are something to work 

towards. I write things like “I have 

$4 billion in real estate holdings.” Currently, 

I don’t even have a billion. It feels 

a long way off as if it’s unachievable. 

But I keep writing it down. 

Many years ago, I would write, “I 

own twenty apartments or more.” At 

the time, I hadn’t even bought one 


65

Why You Must Adapt 

“ 

WHEN I TALK 

ABOUT GOALS, 

I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT 

ACHIEVABLE ACTIVITIES EITHER. I 

AM TALKING ABOUT THINGS THAT 

ARE OUT OF REACH AT THIS TIME. 

I AM TALKING ABOUT CREATING 

A POWERFUL FUTURE THAT PULLS 

YOU FORWARD CONTINUALLY. 

apartment and didn’t know anything about apartments, 

management, or financing. I had no clue how I would 

accomplish this goal; twenty units seemed as unreal 

to me then as $4 billion worth does today. Yet today, 20 

apartments seem like such a laughably small goal to 

me. This just illustrates how much we all change over 

time. What seems huge at one time later becomes tiny. 

One day, many years ago, I wrote down on my legal 

pad: “I am a best-selling author who has won many 

awards for my books.” I wrote this daily for years. Now, 

I have written many books that have gone on to sell 

tons of copies, land on best-seller lists, win awards, 

and even make me a little bit of money. My newest book 

is Be Obsessed or Be Average. 

The world needs you to be obsessed, passionate, driven, 

and alive. It feels good to know where you are headed 

and why. We are all in transition, but keeping goals in 

front of you all the time will keep you on the right path 

in transition. 

Grant Cardone is an international sales expert, New 

York Times bestselling author, and radio show host of 

The Cardone Zone. He has founded three companies: 

Cardone Enterprises, Cardone Real Estate Holdings, 

and the Cardone Group. He has shared his sales 

and business expertise as a motivational speaker 

and author of five books: Sell to Survive; The Closers 

Survival Guide; If You're Not First, You're Last; The 10X 

Rule; and Sell or Be Sold. 

Article Source: grantcardone.com. 



67

What is the Difference Between 

NETWORKING 

& NETWEAVING? 

by Jennie Gorman 

Networking is a word well-recognized by us all 

in business now, but NetWeaving is a new 

concept taking the business world by 

storm as a step beyond the traditional 

business networking. The term was 

coined by Bob Littell, a consultant 

in the US. 


Networking and Netweaving 

Networking, as we are all aware, is 

used traditionally to find new business 

and for creating or changing your 

career. NetWeaving, by comparison, 

is a simple, more reciprocal approach 

that focuses on helping others meet the 

people they need to meet to solve their 

challenges rather than your own. 

The difference between the two is their 

mindset. Instead of looking for someone 

to help you with what you want, it’s 

about you helping others get what 

they want. Even though networking is 

known as an effective way of making 

new contacts for yourself, NetWeaving 

expands this as a long-term tool that 

focuses on developing a reciprocal 

business relationship that will continue 

on for some time. 

How to improve your 

EFFICIENCY on the 

traditional approach 

In the traditional networking approach, 

you attend meetings or functions with 

the idea of trying to gain strategic alliances 

to help boost your business. 

In other words, the mindset is, “What’s 

in it for me?” It can be beneficial as an 

“NETWEAVING IS BASED ON HELPING 

OTHERS TO ACHIEVE, KNOWING THAT WHAT GOES 

AROUND, COMES AROUND.” 

effective means of making new contacts 

and developing business relations. 

NetWeaving differs slightly in its 

approach. To be a NetWeaver is to have 

the intent to learn from as many people 

as possible about their businesses, their 

requirements, and their challenges to 

better support them to find the contacts 

they need and want. By contrast, the networker 

typically has the intent to learn 

what they can from someone for their 

own personal business, thus often forgetting 

the other person in the process. 

The underlying theme of NetWeaving 

is reciprocity. By supporting and doing 

good things for others, it can repay you 

many times over. I am sure that you have 

noticed in your life that when you help 

others, good things seem to happen to 

you too. 

Being a NetWeaver is much more relaxing 

and gives events or meetings a more 

human approach. There is nothing worse 

than watching people work the room 

for opportunities to help themselves, 

knowing that they really aren’t interested 

in what people are saying unless 

it helps them achieve their goal. 

HOW can I help you? 

By starting your conversations with, 

“How can I help you?” changes the 

energy of the interaction. You will find 

that there may even be a silence at 

first. People are not accustomed to being 

asked that question, and are often 

quick to tell you about themselves 

but don’t usually stick around to hear 

about you. 

Showing your interest in people and 

genuinely wanting to learn about what 

they do and how you can help them 

can change your experience around 

events. The person you are speaking 

with is looking for ways that your 

knowledge and experience can help 

them achieve what they want and 


need. Everyone is looking for the missing 

pieces of the puzzle with problems that 

need to be solved. 

None of us are really aware of how 

much we can help others until we start 

listening to what others need. With experience, 

you will begin to learn to hear 

the words people say that ring a bell 

for you so that you know how you can 

support them. 

The skill of LISTENING 

Everyone has a number of business contacts 

that they value, whom they know 

well enough to know their skills and 

strengths in different areas. By listening 

to what is being said in a conversation, 

you can ascertain very quickly who 

would be a good contact to help out with 

the next step for that person. Sometimes 

it might help them achieve what they are 

needing to do for their next step. 

You may ask yourself, “Has this person 

got the resources I could use for someone 

I know?” and/or “Would I consider 

adding them to my resource list?” 

The two questions that always come to 

mind when I am referring someone is, 

“Do I trust this person, and do they have 

the integrity that I desire in my network?” 

The GOLDEN rule 

NetWeavers understand the laws 

of giving, sometimes called 'giver’s 

gain'. If you can give without 

expectation, your world of networking 

will become a world of NetWeaving. 

NetWeaving is based on helping 

others to achieve, knowing that 

what goes around, comes around. 

They trust and have confidence in 

who they are and what they are 

doing. If you learn how to position 

yourself strategically for others by 

strategically people-matching you 

will become a perfect NetWeaver. 

Paying it forward is another new 

concept that is starting to make its 

mark and is all about NetWeaving. 

The book Pay It Forward, by Catherine 

Ryan Hyde is about a small boy 

who comes up with a simple idea 

that changes the world. The concept 

is when someone does you a favor, 

rather than paying that person back, 

you pay it forward and do a favor for 

someone else. It’s a very simple concept 

and one that works. 

NetWeaving is about enjoying helping 

others to achieve what they want. 

Have you ever noticed that when you 

do something for someone, you usually 

learn something? Funny how that happens, 

isn’t it? 

So, instead of looking to be paid back, 

ask each person you have helped to 

pay it forward and help someone else— 

either by making an introduction or offering 

resources. If you use this process 

above in developing your relationships, 

you will find that NetWeaving will add 

quality to your content. 

Jennie Gorman is a coach, mentor, 

author, and group facilitator who has 

a passion for supporting people to 

grow and become the best they can 

be authentically. She began promoting 

and marketing national/international 

speakers/trainers 25 years ago and 

runs mastermind groups. She is also a 

mother, grandmother, and down-to-earth 

business women who lives life with a 

passion for people. She is known as ‘the 

people connector’. Jennie is available 

for one-on-one sessions via Skype or in 

person. For more information, email her 

at jennie@jenniegorman.com.au. 

Article Source: 

connexionsunlimited.com.au 


71

GROW WITH US. 

Grow. Heal. Live. Enjoy. 

MODERN GROWING

EXPERIENCE 

THE FUTURE 

OF GROWING 

SAN JOSE, CA 

June 3-4, 2017 

San Jose McEnery 

Convention Center 

DETROIT, MI 

Sep 30-Oct 1, 2017 

Cobo Center 

mygrowx.com | #growx2017

Maximum Yield's Industry News | February 2017

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