🔥 How does a 20-something go from losing his family gym in the pandemic to advising startups at Yale, speaking at the UN, and co-founding New Jersey’s premier cannabis dispensary? Meet Skye Blanks, COO of the International Council for Small Business (ICSB) and founder of Primo Cannabis—a leader at the intersection of entrepreneurship, policy, and social impact.
In this episode of Boards AI Leadership Talks, Skye shares:
✅ How to launch in hyper-regulated industries (and why cannabis is like "being a politician").
✅ The turning point that made him commit to entrepreneurship (hint: it involves Gary Vee).
✅ Inclusive leadership in action: Why Primo hires people impacted by the war on drugs.
✅ UN policy takeaways: How governments fail young entrepreneurs (and how to fix it).
✅ Scheduling freedom: His framework for leading 4+ ventures without burning out.
🔗 Connect with Skye:
LinkedIn: Skye Blanks: https://www.linkedin.com/in/skyeblanks/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/international-council-for-small-business-icsb-/
Primo Cannabis: www.primocannabis.com
ICSB: www.icsb.org
Chapters/Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro: From Gym Closure to Cannabis CEO
02:10 - Balancing Global Policy & Hands-On Cannabis Leadership
05:14 - Launching Primo: Politics, Banking & Compliance Hurdles
08:42 - Hiring Impacted by the War on Drugs (Inclusive Leadership)
12:33 - UN Speech: Why Youth Entrepreneurs Are Overlooked
17:57 - Pandemic Pivot: The Gary Vee Moment That Changed Everything
21:48 - Advice for Multi-Hyphenate Leaders (Scheduling Freedom)
26:10 - How to Connect & His Upcoming Book
📖 Get his book: Fundamentals of Fortune (2nd edition coming soon!)
🎙️ Subscribe for more leadership insights:
#CannabisCEO #SmallBusiness #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #UNPolicy #DiversityInBusiness #Resilience

Thank you for tuning in to the Boardsi Leadership Talks Podcast. This episode is part of our ongoing series where we explore the intricacies of leadership, innovation, and success in the modern business landscape. Our conversations with distinguished leaders aim to provide you with actionable insights and inspiring stories to fuel your own journey to excellence.
For more information about our podcast, visit https://boardsi.com/category/podcast/. Stay connected with us for upcoming episodes and join our community of forward-thinking leaders.
This podcast is brought to you by Boardsi, a leader in executive recruitment and board placement. At Boardsi, we're committed to connecting talented individuals with companies seeking to enhance their leadership teams. Learn more about our services at https://boardsi.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the Boardsi Leadership Talks Podcast on your preferred platform to stay updated with the latest episodes. Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook for more leadership insights and updates.
We appreciate your support and look forward to bringing you more engaging conversations with leaders who are making a difference. If you have any feedback or would like to suggest a topic or a leader for a future episode, please reach out to us at [email protected].
#BoardsiLeadershipTalks #LeadershipPodcast #ExecutiveInsights #InnovativeLeadership #BusinessStrategy #ProfessionalGrowth