So you want to work in cannabis? Here’s what you should know.

I get emails every week saying the same thing.

“How’d you do it? I’ve been trying to get my foot in the door.” “Can you connect me to someone who can help?” “Why is it so hard to break into cannabis — especially as a woman?”

Particularly since I’m in marketing, I get asked how I - a creative - managed to work my way from doing social media to operating as VP of marketing at one of Oregon’s (and soon Massachusetts’) only vertically-integrated companies.

In lieu of having any more “pick my brain” sessions over cannabis, here’s a compiled list of my thoughts on the industry, where it stands, and how you can find a place in it.

1. I started freelance — and I wasn’t afraid to work my way up.

When I started at my current gig, it was on contract for a role they weren’t hiring for. During that contract, not only did I accomplish what I said I would, but I took additional action to help make the company money in an avenue they hadn’t managed to do before. I made it impossible for them not to hire me.

By making my value clear from day one and connecting to clear results, I was able to secure a full-time position. I’m telling you this story because I want to drive home the following: