Vic Mensa on the Laws of Branding, the Future of Africa, and Building a Cannabis Empire

TL;DR

• Big Mensa discusses entrepreneurship, branding, and cultural impact as a Black-owned cannabis brand in an insightful and informative conversation.

Transcript

there's a book called The 22 immutable laws of branding and so I started to learn things about the law of color you know you want to own a color in the minds of the consumer and so as I start to think about 93 boys I'm like uh gas you also want to own a word in the mind of the consumer you know what I'm saying like um or phrase like Jimmy John's is... Read More

Key Insights

• 💦 Vic Mensa utilized early lessons from selling weed to instill traits of punctuality and hard work, shaping his entrepreneurial journey.
• 🙃 Launching 93 Boys as the first black-owned cannabis brand in Illinois dispensaries, Vic prioritizes branding, community impact, and ethical business practices.
• 👶 Vic Mensa's commitment to uniting African-Americans and Africans through events like the Black Star Line Festival signifies a new narrative of collaboration and empowerment.
• 🤠 Valuing exposure and brand identity, Vic Mensa employs a multi-layered marketing strategy emphasizing publicity and collaboration for 93 Boys.
• 👨‍💼 Linking culture, branding, and entrepreneurship, Vic Mensa's journey highlights the essence of capacity building and conscious business practices in the cannabis industry.
• 🫡 Vic Mensa's vision for business engagement in Africa emphasizes the importance of connection, respect, and ethical collaboration in building a brighter future for black communities.
• 🥺 Bridging gaps between black communities, Vic Mensa's initiatives foster growth, empowerment, and cultural exchange, leading to impactful business and community development.

Questions & Answers

Q: What valuable lessons did Vic Mensa learn from selling weed early in his life?

Vic Mensa learned punctuality, the equation of hard work equals success, and developing clientele while selling weed, providing valuable lessons that shaped his entrepreneurial journey.

Q: How did Vic Mensa launch 93 Boys as the first black-owned cannabis brand legally sold in Illinois dispensaries?

By applying for licenses, advocating for substantial inclusion of the community, and focusing on branding, Vic Mensa secured a licensing deal with a major producer to establish 93 Boys successfully.

Q: What is Vic Mensa's approach to branding and marketing 93 Boys as a black-owned cannabis brand?

Vic Mensa prioritizes branding, aiming to own a word in the consumer's mind using color and phrases like "gas," emphasizing publicity over direct advertisement and creating an impactful marketing strategy through collaborations and initiatives.

Q: How does Vic Mensa plan to bring together African-Americans and Africans through business and cultural initiatives?

Vic Mensa envisions creating a new narrative by hosting events like the Black Star Line Festival, focusing on ethical and respectful partnerships, providing experiences for people at varying levels of luxury, and promoting positive interactions between black communities.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Vic Mensa, a voice of his generation, delves into his evolution in the cannabis space, sharing insights about entrepreneurship.

• Reflecting on his early lessons from selling weed, Vic discusses the growth and success of his black-owned cannabis brand, 93 Boys.

• Vic emphasizes the importance of branding, community impact, and ethical business practices in bridging the gap between African-Americans and Africa.