Cannaco Profile
Last Updated: By TRUiC Team
Cannaco is an online marketplace for a wide range of cannabis products from CBD to THC and other cannabis-related offerings.
Founder(s): Steven van Soeren & David van Soeren
Founded In: 2014
Industry: Ecommerce
Location: Maine
Website: https://cannaco-shop.com
Interview With Steven van Soeren
Describe your product or service:
“One-stop shop for CBD, THC, and cannabis-related products.”
Describe your company values and mission:
“Our mission has always been and will always be to help cannabis patients and consumers gain access to great quality CBD, THC, and cannabis-related products.”
How are you funded? I.e. venture capital, angel investors, etc.
“#BootStrapped.”
How did you come up with and validate your startup idea? Tell us the story!
“We were able to [conceptualize] the business by identifying the lack of quality cannabis products throughout the market. We were able to validate the venture by offering high-quality CBD and cannabis-related products directly to the cannabis community.”
How did you come up with your startup's name? Did you have other names you considered?
“We came up with the name of our business over time. We were initially Cannabis Caregiving, then CannaCare, then Canna, then Canna Community, then Cannabis Corporation, then the Cannabis Company, as well as Mardel, Hennep, Leaf, Green Mountain Cannabis, Verde and a slew of others before landing on Cannaco.”
Did you always want to start your own business? What made you want to become an entrepreneur?
“The ability to impact other people's lives in a positive and uplifting way.”
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Did you encounter any roadblocks when launching your startup? If so, what were they and what did you do to solve them?
“We encounter roadblocks regularly, and we work through them until they are newly paved roads!”
Who is your target market? How did you establish the right market for your startup?
“Our target market is any individual over 21 that wants to live an enjoyable life.”
What's your marketing strategy?
“To be ourselves.”
How did you acquire your first 100 customers?
“By leveraging Instagram, Etsy, Mailchimp, Shopify, Amazon, and word-of-mouth.”
What are the key customer metrics / unit economics / KPIs you pay attention to to monitor the health of your business?
“Follower growth, repeat business, verbal feedback.”
What's your favorite startup book and podcast?
“‘The Joe Rogan Experience’”
Is there a tool, app, or resource that you swear by to help run your startup?
“Figma.”
What is something that surprised you about entrepreneurship?
“How difficult it is to create a successful business.”
What is a strategy you use to stay productive and focused?
“Listen to Wiz Khalifa - Banger ft. Ty$”
Did you have to develop any habits that helped lead you to success? If so, what are they?
“The habits were there, which is just incredible work ethic and dedication and perseverance and then just multiplied that by more than what I thought was possible.”
What was your first job and what did it teach you?
“Carpentry, and it taught me craftsmanship.”
Recommended:
- Keep up with more startup companies by visiting our list of the top startups to watch.
- Hear startup stories from real founders on the Startup Savants podcast.
- Form your own startup by reading our review of the best online incorporation services.
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More on Cannaco
Insights From the Founder of Cannabis Startup Cannaco
We were fortunate enough to hear some valuable insights during our interview with Steven van Soeren of Cannaco that will inspire, motivate, and teach aspiring and established entrepreneurs alike.
3 Ways to Support Cannabis Startup Cannaco
We asked Steven van Soeren, founder of Cannaco, to share the most impactful ways to support their startup, and this is what they had to say.
