GoKawiilFeaturing Jake Bullock, Cofounder and CEO, Cann; Liana Guzmán, CEO, Folx Health and Sabrina Martucci Johnson, President and CEO, Daré Bioscience Moderated by David Salazar, Staff Editor, Fast Company Being considered “taboo” doesn’t negate a product or sector’s existence or market relevance. Categories like cannabis, sexual wellness, and gender-affirming healthcare have ballooned into billion-dollar industries, yet the companies leading these sectors face constant underinvestment, regulatory roadblocks, and both social and government pushback. Hear from business leaders who have built successful brands and learn how they’re navigating a period of unique friction, whether that’s frozen research funding, state restrictions on delivering care, or a surprise hemp ban.
Scaling against the current: How to build through opposition
Why This Matters
This panel highlights how founders in cannabis, sexual wellness, and gender-affirming care are building sizable, profitable businesses despite regulatory hostility, funding gaps, and social stigma. Their experience matters because it shows how 'taboo' markets can still achieve real commercial scale, offering lessons for entrepreneurs and investors navigating politically charged sectors. It also underscores the broader tension between market demand and policy environments that can abruptly shift under pressure.
Key Takeaways
- Stigmatized categories like cannabis, sexual wellness, and gender-affirming care have grown into billion-dollar markets despite social and political opposition.
- Leaders in these sectors face unique operational challenges, including underinvestment, regulatory unpredictability, and sudden policy shifts like hemp bans or frozen research funding.
- Success in these industries requires resilience and adaptive strategy to navigate shifting legal landscapes while still meeting strong consumer demand.
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