In May of this year, The Montclair Girl sat down with Jill Cohen — known by some as The CannaBoss Lady — to talk about her already-existing and forthcoming cannabis projects in Maplewood, New Jersey. Her CBD store, The Cannaboss Lady, opened in 2021 in Maplewood Village, marking the first woman-owned CBD shop in the area. Now, Jill has another first under her belt: the first woman-owned cannabis shop in Essex County called ‘Elevated by The CannaBoss Lady Dispensary.’ Elevated is open now at 9 Highland Place Suite #1 in Maplewood, and to celebrate the opening, we’re revisiting our spring conversation with Jill. Read on to learn more about Jill Cohen, founder + owner of Maplewood’s new woman-owned cannabis store, Elevated by The CannaBoss Lady Dispensary.
(Photo Credit: Live Love Lens Photography)
Who is The CannaBoss Lady?
Seattle native + South Orange resident Jill Cohen spent 20 years in the advertising industry — but her true passion, she says, has always been cannabis health + wellness. Tumultuous experiences in her childhood gave way to heightened anxieties in her adulthood, and after years of managing her physical + mental health with cannabis, Jill took the leap to become a Certified CBD Consultant. Now, Jill is turning her passion to a profit, with the first woman-owned cannabis storefront in the Maplewood Village of Maplewood, NJ. Called The CannaBoss Lady, Jill’s shop first opened in 2021 and is a highly curated marketplace for online or in-person shoppers with a wide range of CBD products and educational resources. Since its opening at 9 Highland Place, The CannaBoss Lady has felt love from locals + visitors alike. The Montclair Girl was lucky enough to chat with Jill about her booming business and her upcoming project, Elevated by The CannaBoss Lady, which is set to open this summer.
The Montclair Girl: Where are you originally from if not from Montclair/North Jersey area. Why did you choose to move here (or stay here)?
Jill Cohen: I grew up in Seattle, Washington. I started an advertising career and met my husband in NYC. I was a sales and experiential events specialist. I have more than 20 years of experience in business development, building relationships with top executives, and event planning. Before I pivoted into the cannabis industry, I was an executive vice president at the International Advertising Association where I managed financial operations, implemented operational strategies, and sold sponsorships to key international advertising executives. My husband and I moved to South Orange, NJ to raise a family.
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MG: What inspired you to get into this business? What were your first experiences with it?
JC: My true passion has always been cannabis health and wellness because it supported my recovery from extreme anxiety and panic attacks caused by my tumultuous childhood. I found relief and healing from the medicinal power of the hemp plant. This led to an educational journey where I became a Certified CBD Consultant and brand ambassador for Potency No. 710 and TribeTokes. In 2021, I founded TheCannaBossLady boutique, the first women-owned CBD storefront in Maplewood Village, New Jersey.
MG: Tell us about your business (its mission/services/products).
JC: TheCannaBossLady was founded in 2021, a women-owned CBD shop in the tri-state area. It offers a highly curated marketplace for online or in-person shoppers with a wide range of products and educational resources, including high-quality CBD, edibles, wellness, skincare, intimacy, spirituality, and beauty products to cultivate a modern cannabis lifestyle. TheCannaBossLady educates and empowers women to make knowledgeable choices when selecting cannabinoid products. In Spring 2023, Elevated by TheCannaBossLady Dispensary will open to offer discerning clientele craft cannabis. Learn more at TheCannaBossLady.com.
(Photo Credit: TheCannaBoss Lady)
MG: What would you say makes your business special?
JC: People who are new to CBD and cannabis appreciate that we have a friendly boutique with staff that is excited to take time and explain what the benefits and uses are of all of the products we sell. We do not want someone to feel like they have to be an expert to shop with us. We want to educate and support each person’s wellness goals.
MG: What’s something about you or your business that people might be surprised to learn about?
JC: I am so dedicated to ensuring my customers are supported that I make house calls and am personally available to customers through email & text 24/7 for any questions or concerns they may have about CBD and cannabis.
MG: Who or what is your biggest source of inspiration?
JC: My biggest source of inspiration is fellow women in the cannabis industry. This is a tight-knit community and we enjoy empowering and supporting each other.
MG: Are there any other local business owners or leaders that you look up to?
JC: Sarah Trent of Valley Wellness Dispensary, who opened the first medical cannabis dispensary in Somerset County, NJ. Also, Kym Byrnes, co-founder of TribeTokes, which creates premium, craft vapes, gummies, and topicals.
(Photo Credit: Live Love Lens Photography)
MG: What are your goals for this year?
JC: My goal for this year is to open a luxury dispensary with the coolest vibe…sexy, chic, + dope, and that is what Elevated by CannaBossLady will be once opened this June.
MG: What has been the highlight of your career/life so far?
JC: The highlight of my career is my CannaBossLady venture. When I opened my storefront and online marketplace, it was in February 2021, during which there was still a lot of uncertainty about how well storefronts could thrive during the COVID pandemic. Anxiety was still at an all-time high for people and I knew my business would support the wellness goals of the community in Maplewood and surrounding towns. I was right, and I want to thank all of the local residents who have supported The CannaBossLady for the past two years!
(Photo Credit: TheCannaBoss Lady)
MG: What are some of your favorite local businesses?
JC: Luna Stella restaurant, Kimaya Kama, Baker Street Yoga, Meus, Perch home, St. James Gate restaurant, Coda restaurant, Lorena’s restaurant, and Luxe45 Lifestyle Boutique.
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MG: What advice would you give to someone who wants to start their own business?
JC: You cannot launch a business by yourself, you need to cultivate a supportive community around you, as well as network. Attend industry conferences, ask lots of questions, and also offer your own insight and advice to others–this creates a reciprocal relationship that will continue to foster your growth and revenue.
You can follow Jill’s CBD journey on Instagram, TikTok, and her site.
