Chris McAboy
- CVO/President
- The Novel Tree
School Information
School: CalPoly – SLO
College Major: Business
Years at College Works: 2006
Career Information
Working For: The Novel Tree
Title: CVO/President
Industry: Retail
Brief Description of Duties / Responsibilities:
Run the show for a retail cannabis shop projected to do ~$4,000,000.00 in sales its first year. Buying, negotiating, merchandising, reporting, accounting, marketing, sales, HR, managing 12 employees, project planning & management, etc. Co-founded with Allie McAboy. We are an award-winning I-502 licensed medical and recreational cannabis retail company headquartered in Bellevue, WA. We play a vital role in connecting cannabis users to local ganja farmers and ganja-processors- curating products carefully and with purpose. We present cannabis in a way that allows each individual to create their own experience. The Novel Tree retail stores are designed to support independent Washington companies and independent artists around the world while providing the highest level of customer service found in any service industry. Core emphasis on community outreach, using sustainable/eco-friendly practices, treating employees & partners exceptionally, offering a comfortable atmosphere & experience to learn about and purchase the best quality cannabis in the world.
What Has Been Your Proudest Accomplishment Post-CWP?Raising half a million to open my own business in a brand new, extremely regulated & competitive industry; making that company one of the most well known & top grossing shops in the state; projecting to surpass $4M in sales our first year!
College Works Career Impact
In one sentence, what has CW meant to you?
College Works Painting was a gut check that forced work ethic and responsibility beyond what I thought myself capable of. Boundary pusher for sure!
How did your CW experience impact your career? Immediately after graduation? Now?
The real impact is internal. My College Works Painting experience showed me what I am actually capable of and the amount of effort it takes to be successful at running a business. The impacts were minimal after graduation, but much more noticeable now.
What was the greatest lesson you learned from your CW experience?
Great customer service is the best way to make a sale and continue great relations with the client.
Advice
What advice do you have for potential CW participants? Current CW participants?
Potential College Works Painting participants – Get ready to put in work. Current – Don’t quit.
What’s your best advice for someone interested in entering your career field?
The hardest part about entrepreneurship is taking the first step out of the dream and into reality. Once you commit yourself to that first step forward, things become much more understandable and much less scary. If you want to get into the marijuana industry, you best start now. And with haste.