Lost Their Dream Company, Got It Back, Now They're Thriving In Cannabis Design Market

We first heard from Lana Van Brunt and Hayley Dineen when their recently founded project, Sackville & Co., was acquired by 48North. However, the turmoil that followed is less widely known.

Founded in 2018, Sackville & Co. set out to challenge the male-dominated cannabis design and accessory market. Their goal was clear: create beautiful, art-inspired products that resonate with a diverse and often overlooked audience.

"Sackville was born out of our desire to see cannabis represented in a new light and to highlight the diversity of the cannabis audience," Van Brunt said in an exclusive interview with Benzinga.

Battle For Ownership

In March 2020, Van Brunt and Dineen found themselves in a fierce legal battle to regain control of their company when 48North’s new leadership decided to shut them down. The struggle was intense, but after months of negotiation, they emerged victorious.

"At the beginning of March 2020, we began the fight to buy back our company. After a tough legal battle, we came out victorious, with our company back in our hands and a significant amount of legal debt," Van Brunt said.

Though relieved to have their company back, they were now faced with repaying a hefty legal debt. They turned to an old-fashioned yet effective strategy: going door to door. This approach, combined with their sharp sense of market opportunity, helped them recover and thrive.

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Creative Path To Success

Market experts often say that to sell something, you need to present it as a solution to a problem. For Van Brunt, the problem was that the cannabis industry was overlooking people like her.

"We created the company to make products for ourselves because no other brand was targeting the female demographic or seeing the accessories market as a meaningful opportunity," Van Brunt told Benzinga.

Their approach worked, leading to collaborations with high-profile clients such as Curaleaf CURL, GTI GTBIF, Old Pal, Miss Grass, WME, and Cresco Labs CRLBF. It’s not just luxury ítems and fashionable accessories that did the trick

"We offer a range of creative services to turn ideas into tangible products," she added.

Beyond The Bottom Line

Operating as a bootstrapped company hasn't hindered Sackville & Co.'s growth. The brand blends art, music, fashion and culture into its products and the outcome has yielded impressive results.

"Our businesses are growing significantly, with a CAGR of 105%. It's been an incredible journey, and we're proud of our progress!" Van Brunt said.

If crafting new products from inspirational basis is at the heart of the company, profitability is not its only focus. Van Brunt stressed their commitment to broader impacts both as manufacturers and consumers.

"We don't want to buy from companies that stand for nothing, and we don't want to create a company that doesn't contribute to the greater good. The cannabis industry has many issues that need immediate attention and resolution."

This commitment has led to collaborations with social justice initiatives like the Last Prisoner Project and the Women's Prison Association, furthering their dedication to making a positive impact.

Thriving In New York's Cannabis Scene

As part of their continued success, Sackville & Co. recently launched a limited edition piece that captures New York City's vibrant spirit, in collaboration with Wu-Tang Clan's RZA, one of many other resounding collabs.

"We love seeing the industry grow and watching independent brands emerge with fresh perspectives on how cannabis fits into daily life. Cannabis has been embraced so widely in New York, and we're thrilled to be part of that evolution," Van Brunt said.

"And this is just the beginning," she concluded.

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Image: Courtesy of Sackville and Co.