An Inspired Chat with Sara Gullickson of Phoenix

We recently had the chance to connect with Sara Gullickson and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Sara, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What is a normal day like for you right now?
Entrepreneurship and motherhood don’t leave room for a truly “typical” day, but there are rhythms I’ve come to rely on. My mornings start early, often with a hike up Camelback Mountain, which gives me clarity and energy before the day unfolds. From there, my time is split between investor calls, lease negotiations, strategic planning, and connecting with my team.

I also make it a priority to be present for my kids. Whether it’s school pick-ups or dinner at home, those moments are sacred. Rather than chasing balance, I’ve embraced work-life integration—blending my roles intentionally so that neither has to be sacrificed for the other.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Sara Gullickson, CEO of Cannabis Business Advisors, a consulting firm focused on helping entrepreneurs and investors acquire cannabis licenses across the United States. Through our work, we guide clients through the complex licensing process, whether via RFPs, RFAs, or mergers and acquisitions, while providing expertise in finance, real estate, branding, marketing, and operations. What makes us unique is our hands-on approach: we help build companies from the ground up, then empower operators to run them independently, almost like putting them on training wheels and helping them ride successfully.

Our work is driven by both passion and strategy. Beyond consulting, we’re developing an innovative technology platform to streamline licensing and operations, which we plan to roll out in the next six to ten months. At the heart of it, our goal is to open new markets, expand access to cannabis, and create opportunities for investors and entrepreneurs alike, all while shaping an industry that’s still rapidly evolving.

We’re continuing to raise and deploy capital across emerging markets, helping investors and operators secure licenses and navigate complex regulatory frameworks. That work remains the core of what we do and what I love most. Each new state represents a chance to create opportunity and shape the future of the cannabis industry.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Growing up with learning differences shaped how I saw myself. I wasn’t the straight-A student or the one teachers expected to excel in traditional ways. But when I discovered cannabis and entrepreneurship, something clicked. Business felt intuitive, like a puzzle I could solve with determination and grit.

I may not have been the smartest person in the room, but I was always the hungriest. That drive became my superpower. It’s what pushed me to build companies, take risks, and prove—mostly to myself—that I could create my own path.

What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
Some of the toughest moments in my life, custody arrangements, legal battles, failed partnerships, have been my greatest teachers. Those experiences forced me to develop resilience, emotional intelligence, and an ability to stay grounded even when things felt overwhelming. They reminded me that leadership isn’t about avoiding hardship; it’s about growing through it.

Every challenge has added another layer to my leadership. Instead of letting obstacles define me, I’ve learned to use them as stepping stones. The things we least want to face often end up being the ones that prepare us for our next big opportunity.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
At this stage in my life, my priorities are crystal clear. My family, my team, and my closest circle are what matter most. Time is the most valuable currency, and I’m intentional about where and with whom I spend it. Building a meaningful life is about more than professional achievements, it’s about surrounding yourself with people who lift you up.

That focus has also made me a more present leader. When you know what matters most, distractions fall away more easily. My energy goes into the people and projects that truly fill my cup.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
My mission has always been bigger than business. From day one, I’ve wanted to expand access to medical cannabis and help shape policies that positively impact people’s lives. Through lobbying efforts and application work, I’ve had the privilege of helping open new markets that have given thousands of patients safe, legal access to medicine.

If my kids can one day look back and read about how their mom helped make history in that way, I’ll know I’ve fulfilled my purpose. That’s the legacy I hope to leave—not just financial success, but meaningful, lasting change.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.TheCannabisBusinessAdvisors.com, www.SaraGullickson.com